Rochester Hills State Representative Calls for Part-Time Legislature

Webber Resolution Calls for Part-Time Legislature

State Rep. Michael Webber has introduced a House resolution calling for the Michigan Legislature to become a part-time body beginning in 2019.

Webber, of Rochester Hills, introduced House Joint Resolution A, which prohibits the Legislature from meeting for more than 90 consecutive days each year. The resolution will have to be placed on a statewide ballot and must be approved by voters before it takes effect.

“People have made it clear that they don’t think a full-time Legislature is needed to complete the work necessary to keep state government effective and efficient,” Webber said. “We can cut costs while ensuring people still have direct link to their representative in district.”

Webber said limiting the number of days the Legislature can be in session also would enable representatives to concentrate on major statewide issues that require attention.

“With only 90 days in which to do the people’s business we can focus on those issues that are of most importance to the state and make the tough decisions that are demanded,” Webber said. “A part-time Legislature is a common-sense solution to reducing government and finding answers.” 

Webber said Michigan is one of only nine states in the nation with full-time legislatures, and limiting the time in session will enable representatives to spend more time in communities listening to the people they serve.

“With a limited time at the state Capitol, we can spend more time in the neighborhoods where we can hear what people think directly,” Webber said. “People deserve to have easy access to government officials, and by spending more time in our communities we can better serve residents.”

The resolution lifts the 90-day limit when the Legislature is called to meet on “extraordinary occasions.”

“There might be some unexpected event or emergency that arises that the House and Senate must address, and in those unusual cases the Legislature would reconvene for a limited amount of time,” Webber said.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Government Operations.