LANSING — State Rep. Lori Stone (D-Warren) has introduced a resolution to improve the lame duck process and maintain accountability for elected officials during the legislative period following elections. House Joint Resolution L would raise the threshold for passage from a simple majority to a two-thirds majority for any piece of legislation introduced during that period.
“For too long, lame duck has been used to ram through controversial legislation, sometimes in the dead of night, with no public input or discussion,” said Stone. “The families of our communities who sent us here expect us to put politics aside so that we may come together to act in their best interest. We owe it to Michiganders to hold ourselves accountable for the actions and decisions we make, regardless of how an election turns out.”
In 2018, over 300 bills were passed by Michigan’s Republican majority with little or no debate, including significant cuts to the state’s minimum wage and paid sick leave initiated laws. By raising vote requirement, Stone hopes to inspire a more deliberative process.
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