Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on February 8, 2005, to allow a county board of commissioners pay raise approved in 2005 to go into effect in 2006, notwithstanding a law prohibiting such raises during the current term of office. Also, to allow future “structured” pay hikes during a term, such as cost of living allowance (COLA) increases

The vote was 67 in favor, 36 opposed and 7 not voting

(House Roll Call 20 at House Journal 14)

Click here to view bill details.

Rep. Sheltrown, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: House did not allow amendment which would have given the right of commissioners to REDUCE their pay only."

Rep. Bieda, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted against House Bill 4227 because of concerns that this would make it easier for elected county officials to grant themselves a pay raise."

Rep. Kehrl, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted no on HB 4227 because it would be possible for county board of commissioners to increase their compensation at any point during their terms of office beyond any cost of living adjustment."

Rep. Clack, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted no on House Bill 4227 because I believe it is bad public policy with the current budget issues being faced by all levels of government to allow county commissioners to vote to increase their salaries in the middle of their term. Under present law, any changes to the county commissioners' pay are made before they are elected to office."

But the legislature can vote themselves a 28% increase?????????????????????????

More of our tax dollars divied amongst politicians while we lose our jobs and pay more taxes! Let's make ALL these jobs "volunteer" that way they can't vote for raises for each other!

Of course one of the first bills to become law is one that has politicians telling other politicians to go ahead and give themselves a raise.

Why would it surprise anyone that if someone can raise his salary simply because he wants to, that he would be at all slow to do so? Just because something is technically legal does not make it morally right. Shame on you. What happened to the law allowing a legislator to reject his salary? Why hasn't that one passed?

this is a mess created by paul welday and bill bullard. welday is a lobbist paid by county of oakland which is chaired by bullard. presto chango bullard gets a $10,000 raise.

The Wall Street Journal has written that Joe Knollenberg has one of the worst records in Congress on the issue of increasing government spending. Paul Welday was Knollenberg's chief of staff for many years.