Reps. Horn, Moss, Agema, Huizenga, Opsommer, Caul, Meltzer, Knollenberg, Casperson, Meekhof, Schuitmaker and Proos offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 60.

            A concurrent resolution to encourage the State Officers Compensation Commission to establish a subcommittee to study various proposals to limit and reduce salaries for legislators.

            Whereas, As the state wrestles with the serious and persistent economic difficulties before us, there is a recognized need for austerity in every aspect of public spending. Those in elective office have a heightened responsibility to demonstrate leadership with their own actions. Legislators must not remain immune from cuts that face all segments of society. Proposals made over the past several months, which vary in specifics, are committed to a reduction to the salaries paid to lawmakers; and

            Whereas, As the taxpayers who have faced job losses, pay cuts, or the threat of job loss well know, it is unfair for elected officials to expect sacrifices from citizens and their families that are not shared across the board; and

            Whereas, The State Officers Compensation Commission, which is established in Article IV, Section 12 of the Michigan Constitution, makes determinations for the salaries and expense allowances for the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the judges of the Michigan Supreme Court, and the state's legislators. Under the provisions of MCL § 15.213, as amended by 2006 PA 629, effective January 1, 2008, the SOCC will next meet after January 31, 2009; and

            Whereas, MCL § 15.213, as amended, also provides that the SOCC may establish subcommittees. A subcommittee would be an ideal way to gather input on the ideas on limitations and reductions of legislator salaries that have been presented. Clearly, with the seriousness of this issue, any steps to expedite this process would be helpful; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we encourage the members of the State Officers Compensation Commission to establish a subcommittee to study various proposals to limit and reduce salaries for legislators; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the members of the State Officers Compensation Commission.