Reps. Agema, Moss, Walsh, Kowall, Kurtz, McMillin, Lund, Elsenheimer, DeShazor, Amash, Genetski, Haines, Meekhof, Rogers, Green, Haugh and Lori offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 45.

            A resolution to urge the Civil Service Commission to negotiate and implement a 5 percent reduction of pay and benefits for state employees.

            Whereas, Article XI, Section 5, of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 provides that increases in rates of compensation for employees in the state classified service authorized by the Civil Service Commission, require prior notice to the Governor. The Constitution also requires that such increases be transmitted to the Legislature as part of the budget; and

            Whereas, On December 19, 2007, the Civil Service Commission approved  multi-year collective   bargaining agreements with five state employee unions representing  nine bargaining units for Fiscal Years 2009, 2010, and  2011. Fiscal Year 2010 pay adjustments contained in all of these agreements are reflected in the transmittal. The State Police enlisted unit is currently in the process of negotiations; and

            Whereas, On December 10, 2008, the Civil Service Commission approved Fiscal Year 2010 pay adjustments for non-exclusively represented state classified employees. These adjustments are in line  with adjustments the commission authorized for employees covered by collective bargaining agreements; and

            Whereas, The cost of the adjustments for Fiscal Year 2010 is estimated to be $39.3 million, including the state's share of FICA and retirement contributions, along with an employee concession of $50 million; and

            Whereas, Steps need to be taken to bring state expenditures in line with the current level of our economy. The private sector is rapidly making changes and adapting to Michigan's new economy, while state government has  not. Revenues to the state have not kept up  with costs, and no growth is forecasted through Fiscal Year 2010. The current recession is one for  the record books and is deepening; and

            Whereas, State employees have made concessions in the past, and in light of  the current status of our economy, state employees need to make more concessions. The state should take actions to contain the cost   of government. While some reforms   have been made, state government employees should be asked to reduce their wages and to pay more for their benefits. It is reported that the state of Michigan will be asking state employees to make $50 million in concessions, but this level of concession is not enough; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Civil Service Commission to negotiate and implement a 5 percent reduction of pay and benefits for state employees; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Civil Service Commission and to the Governor.