LANSING — State Representative Bill LaVoy (D-Monroe) recently introduced a joint resolution to amend the Michigan Constitution to ensure that a building containing a legislative office cannot also include the office of a registered lobbyist.
“People’s confidence in government is at an all-time low,” LaVoy said. “Locating lobbying offices in the same building as legislative offices gives more access to lobbyists. We should be working to limit paid influence instead of making it easier.”
Amending the Michigan Constitution requires a measure be placed on the ballot and passed by a simple majority of Michigan residents. In order to get on the ballot, the joint resolution would need to pass both the House of Representatives and Senate by a two-thirds majority.
“I am confident that if you ask the residents of Michigan, they would overwhelmingly support putting a mandatory separation in the Constitution,” said LaVoy. “We are now in a situation where one branch of the Michigan Legislature will share a building with lobbying firms. I don’t believe that is in the best interest for Michigan.”