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Constitutional Convention 2010? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Ryan Starski   
Wednesday, 17 June 2009 22:58

 

On November 2, 2010 the ballot will have many things to vote for, a new Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, the entire State Legislature, and whether or not to have a new constitutional convention. The current Michigan Constitution requires that every 16 years there be a question of whether or not to have a constitutional convention, voted on by the entire state. If passed, 148 delegates are elected within a 6 month period of the ballot, representing the districts of the State House and State Senate. These delegates will draft a new constitution. When the delegates are done, it is presented back to the state. If it does not receive a 50% +1 or more vote then it fails and the delegates have to try again. If the vote for a constitutional convention fails then it will appear on the ballot in 2026 and every 16 years there after.

Cons:
Groups such as the MEA (Michigan Education Association) are opposed because it will stall funding in an economically drained state; this would be costing additional money for the delegates. Groups against the constitutional convention believe there is nothing fundamentally wrong with it, but many admit it does have flaws, which can be solved one issue at a time.


Pros:
In 2006, the organization Citizens for Michigan completed a four-year review of the current constitution and made 62 specific recommendations to change the constitution.  The group is urging approval for a constitutional convention. Some of the recommendations/issues are: Congressional District Reappointment, term limits/unicameral legislature, the death penalty, sales tax, prohibition of a graduated income tax, public school district consolidation, elimination of township government, remove ban on same-sex marriage, drug legalization and many more. The supporters for the constitutional convention believe there are too many changes to be done one at a time.

 

Sources:

Gongwer: Newsmaker Friday: Con-Con Opposition Mounting, Pro's Missing in Action: April 10, 209

http://www.lakeorionreview.com/Articles-i-2009-05-20-229133.113121_Woloson_works_for_state_constitutional_convention.html
http://www.thecitizenonline.com/Articles-i-2009-04-29-228696.113121_Clarkston_man_working_on_Michigan_Constitutional_Convention.html
http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2008/7/10/123927/904

 

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