Once every 16 years Michigan voters get to decide in the voting booth if they want a constitutional convention to amend their constitution.
In 2010 voters get to vote on this issue--the question will be on the ballot. It is called Proposal 10-1.
The newsletter Inside Michigan Politics (www.insidemichiganpolitics.com) commissioned a poll by Marketing Resource Group, Inc. to see if the voters would support a constituional convention. It was conducted in early March. 600 registered voters were polled. The statistical margin of error was 4+/4-%.
Inside Michigan Politics newsletter found in the poll that 41% of the people said yes they would vote for the convention; 40% said no and 19% were undecided.
They then asked those polled that would they still support the convention if they knew that the constitutional convention would cost $45 million. Only 18% said they would vote yes for the convention and 75% said no and 7% were undecided.
Constitutional Conventions elect delegates in general elections and then operate like the legislature for a termed period of time. They hire staff and support personnal. Thus the $45 million.
So, Michigan voters really want an amended constitution and think it is important to do so--but not at a cost of $45 million.
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It is clear that people would agree a convention is neccessary, except they feel the cost of it is too high. But when we look at this 45 million compared to how much MI has lost already (100 million in income tax in 2007, 84 million in school aid, and much more), 45 isn't that high of a price to pay. However, this convention would need to make major reform that could bring us back on track and bring people back into our state.
ReplyDeleteI find it to be very understandable for the people to not want to spend 45 million dollars on a constitutional convention. the state is already in enough financial trouble without adding an unnecessary amount to the bulk debt. If the constitutional convetion were mandatory or extremely necessary I could understand the need for it, but seeing as the people are allowed to vote on weather or not they even want it, I think the vote should be sufficient enough to decide weather or not the convention takes place.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think that we need a constitutional convention considering our constitution has been around for a long time and we are still doing ok. But I do see why some people might think that we need a change and I totally see why people whouldnt want to pay the 45 million. At this point, with the current economic situation, every little bit of money counts and if we are already in debt we shouldn't put in that extra money for something that doesn't really need to happen anytime soon. There are higher priorities that we need to be worrying about right now.
ReplyDelete45 million dollars!!! Excuse me while I clean my computer screen and read this post again! Where and the hell are we going to get 45 million dollars from? Hmmmm maybe a magician’s hat right after he pulls the rabbit out? Yes our constitution could use a refresher, and in a perfect economic world for us I would say “let’s get ere done”, but now? Haha please oh please tell me we are not truly considering trying to pass such a ludicrous and irresponsible thing such as this. I just read in another post we are coming up short on funds to support 2.5 million of our population.What will be the end result of this short coming? That’s right more folks packing up and getting the hell outta dodge, in search of greener pastures. Therefore more taxable incomes go bye-bye with them. We will be witness to a modern version of a wagon train with moving vans and trucks heading down 75 going 75. Then tell me where ever shall we find the 45 million dollars to finance a refurbishment of our constitution? Could someone please get Criss Angel on the line? Right now we need to concentrate on funding education and creating jobs that can compete even go beyond other states. By doing this we will keep our folks here and attract other people to come here and stay. Let us first concentrate on these issues. Once we do we will see those 36,000 empty house and apartments fill up. Let us once gain fill our empty seats created by the 12,000 students we lost and give them the tools and opportunities they need to become adults that are better educated and prepared to take over the reins. Let us create better paying jobs, so we can bring back the 100 million in personal taxes we lost. Let us work together over the next 16 years to get our state back in top working condition, then in 16 years, ask us again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with BEN, Michigan is losing money and if we invest the money now to make reforms to the Constitution maybe we can bring back more people to MI and create new jobs and opprotunites.
ReplyDeleteThe Secretary of State's office has projected the cost of a constitutional convention to be between $8 million and $10 million, not the $45 million opponents of convention are telling people. Plus a large portion of last convention in 1961-1962 was paid for by foundations, not taxpayers. Lastly, one of the proposals con con supporters hope to introduce is adopting a part-time legislature which would save an estimated $50 million per year if Michigan patterns itself after the legislature in Ohio. They have one million more people than Michigan but have a legislature which operates with a budget of $60 million vs Michigan's $112 million. The savings in one year would more than cover even the ridiculously inflated projected one-time cost of a con con. Vote Yes for Michigan on Proposal One in November, 2010.
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