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P R O PO S A L S
A
:
Legitimizing legislative review in Lansing
By Jim Cargas
UNDER A LAW passed in 1977, the
state legislature presently has the
authority, through its Joint Rules
Committee, to accept or review all
policies made by state agencies.
But a similar procedure in the U.S.
Congress was struck down last year by
the U.S. Supreme Court on the grounds
that it violated the traditional
separation between the legislative and
executive branch. The legislative
branch traditionally makes the in-
dividual laws and the executive branch
formulates the policies and procedures
for executing those laws.
Although all state agencies must now
submit their policies to the Joint Rules
Committee, such a system would
probably be ruled unconsitutional in
Michigan because of the precedent set
by the U.S. Supreme Court.
State Ballot Proposal A would amend
the state constitution to allow such a
procedure, thus protecting it from
being struck down in court.
Supporters like Bob LaBrant of the
State Chamber of Commerce say the
bill is necessary to "maintain the status
quo in Michigan."
Opponents of Proposal A say it gives
the legislature more power than it
should have. If the legislature is par-
ticularly interested in the execution of a
certain bill that bill can be written with
very specific provisions, they say.
Rep. Michael Griffin (D-Jackson),
chair of the Joint Rules Committee,
defends his committee's work by
saying that the committee content in-
cludes members who are experts in
reviewing rules because of their exten-
sive administrative experience.
But LaBrant warns that the "accoun-
tability (of state agencies) will be lost
for public officials" if Proposal A fails.
A recent poll commissioned by the
Citizens for Proposal A showed slightly
more than half the voters favoring it
while only 31 percent opposed it.
B.Saving land for recreation C: Schools fight proposal
A PROPOSAL on Tuesday's
statewide ballot would restore the
state's natural resources trust fund
which has been deplenished repeatedly
by state legislators seeking to avoid a
fiscal crisis.
In 1976, the state legislature
established a trust fund for the pur-
chasing of land in order to provide
recreation areas, save environmentally
important land, and preserve par-
ticularly scenic areas.
That trust was to be funded with
royalties from gas, oil, and mineral
production until it grew to $150 million,
after which it would be preserved and
the interest it earned could be used for
land purchases.
But four times over the past eight
years the legislature has dipped into the
fund to cover a fiscal emergency,
leaving only $8 million for land pur-
chases.
"I hope voters will carefully consider
the meaning of Proposal B," said Ron
Skoog, director ofrthe Michigan Depar-
tment of Natural Resources, in a writ-
ten statement.
"It does not raise taxes. It does not
create any additional governmental
bodies, nor does it impose any ad-
ditional burden on industry or business.
Its sole purpose is to assure that the
Land Trust Fund.. . will be kept intact
to fulfill its intended purpose."
-Jim Cargas
(Continued from Page 3).
Former Gov. William Milliken recen-
tly spoke out against the tax-cut plan,
saying it poses a "very real danger of
causing severe damage to our state's
current economic recovery."
"Majority rule in this stateron the
basic issues of financing government
services for citizens would be lost," he
added.
Gov. James Blanchard said Proposal
C would hurt Michigan's economy and
the representative form of government.
Only a few well-known people, such
as Richard Chrysler, a Brighton
businessman, and 1982 Republican
gubernatorial nominee Richard
Headlee, are backing Proposal C. Many
prominent figures, ranging from
liberals to conservatives, are opposing
it. Even Robert Tisch, the tax-cut
crusader of past elections, is opposed.
Chrysler said, "The legislature and
government are just too deep in all our
pockets for any of us to sit idly back on
the sidelines and not go to the polls on
Nov. 6."
Backers ofthe measure assert that
government is generally too big.
A pamphlet published by Voter's
Choice proponents says spending has
increased five times faster than the
growth in personal income during the
past 15 years.
Supporters also insist that voters will
approve taxes for important public
programs such as education.
"Ninety percent of the (school)
millage renewals are passed in this st-
ate and 76 percent of all new millages
are passed by this state by a vote of the
people," Chrysler said.
"I think the people would have just
passed by the legislature because we all
want good roads to drive on, and we
know the only way we can have them is
to pay for them," said Jim DeMar,
another Voter's Choice leader.
DeMar flatly said, "We no longer
want government to represent us... we
want to represent ourselves. It's a new
principle.
"The people of this state are
reasonable, sensible, and intelligent.
They will continue to maintain and fund
the services and programs they want,"
added DeMar.
Oakland County Prosecutor L.
Brooks Patterson has defended the
proposal as "a reaction to the abuses of
our so-called representative form of
government." Patterson added that
Proposal C could help the University
because officials can plead directly to
voters for more money.
U. S. S E NAA
and Lousma see the issue differently. Lousma says
said that he would only vote to raise Teinhsve form r to n t aestha Levin, although not entirely against of many wea
taxes if it were a national emergency. Lvna vtddoetomnyestatn developing new weapons, has not sup- exactly whic.
I don't think that's inflexible," creases although Levin ported all of the Reagan ad- national defer
Lousma said, "I believe there are many allegation. ministration's defense outlays. "I've spent
other ways to solve our deficit problem. "I have voted over and over and over "I'm very much opposed to the MX, vice and I wc
"I believe that we can reduce our again for tax cuts," Levin said. "I have to the B-1, to nerve gas," Levin said. great deal m
deficit by reducing spending in defense voted against the largest tax bill in "Take a look at the weapons that are people in mi
and non-defense areas. I believe that history. Lousma knows it. His com- needed and I'm for the Trident,.. . the defense depa
we can reduce the deficit by reforming mercials say Levin is always for higher advance attack helicopter, . . . (and) said.
the tax code, making it more fair and taxes. That is clearly a misstatement. the light armed vehicle. "I've actua
more simple," he said. Another key area where the two dif- "There's no way anybody can say and used the
fer is the Reagan administration's that I'm against almost all needed which Senato
His opponents have attacked the policy of supplying arms to Contra weapons systems." Senator Levir
stance, saying that only a political rebels in Nicaragua who are trying to Lousma supports the B-1 and the MX. kind of experi
novice could make such an idealistic a overthrow the Marxist Sandinista He blasts Levin for his opposition. -From
promise, yet he still defends the com- government.
mittment. According to a campaign aide, Steven
"The first measure which your Serkaian, Levin opposes trying to over-
career politician seems to take to solve throw a government with which the University of Michiga
any kind of problem that we're facing US. has formal diplomatic relations
now is to raise taxes," Lousma said, with. MEflNT ' GLEE C1
"They don't want to go in there and A campaign aide to Lousma says M E N S G L EE C ]
make the hard decisions." the candidate supports the president
"This is a hard position, that's true, because Lousma is "concerned about DR. PATRICK GARDNER, D
and I intend to stick with it, but I the flow of arms from Nicaragua into will resent its
believe it's the only way we'll cut the fat El Salvador."
out of government." In the defense spending arena, Levin 125th Year Reunion Conc
Third party Senate candidates SATURDAY, NOV. 10 at
Following is a list of third party and independent candidates for Sen. Carl HILL AUDITORIUM
Levin's seat with their party affiliation and residence in parenthesis:
Helen Meyers (Socialist Workers, Detroit) Tickets at Hill Box Office
Samuel Webb (Communist, Detroit) November 5-9, 8-5 p.m.
Lynn Johnston (Libertarian, Ann Arbor) November 10, 8-8 p.m.
Fred Mazelis (Workers League, Hamtramck)
William Roundtree (Workers World, Detroit) Reserved Seating $6.00, $5.00 $4.00 ($2.00 Students and
Max Dean (Independent, FLint)
Arthus Tisch (Tisch, Trenton-withdrew from race)
VOTE
AS IF THE -X1 IT'S YO
WHOLE WORLD FUTUR
DEPENDS ON IT.
?" Geraldine Walter
FERRARO/MONDALE
110".ii.101
Senator Congressman
CARL LEVIN BILL FORD
State Representative-22nd District Washtenaw County Board of Washtenaw County Drai
Commissioners-5th District
Gary Owen £a Mary Egnor Murra
Washtenaw County Board ofWshna Cunyhri shna CutyTe
Commissioners- nd Districtu y
WTJan BenDor - James Douglas Kenneth T. Latta
Washtenaw Count Board of Washtenaw County Prosecuting Attorney Washtenaw County Cler
1#h10wCun ordo George Sallade Register of Deeds
Commissioners- rd District Susan J. Green
m Larry D. Minick VOTE DEMOCRATIC
CgresUanEAWilEiamBE,ford. Theodore Moro1s4
T&r~ter:fr8ns S.Sto R re . n TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1984
the 15th ti nntrct Democratic Party.W e iA , id y N
American Red Cross
Blood Services Southeastern Michigan Region
H e's been like this ever since we in-
troduced our three-rotini lunch.
Rotini Alfredo, with tomato, spinach and
pasta smothered in a rich cream and cheese
sauce. Rotini Primavera, topped with a
garden of freshly cooked vegetables and
tossed with our Alfredo sauce.
Al's Pasta Plenty Salad, with chilled pasta
and marinated vegetables topped with
provolone.
Seems the Count couldn't decide which
special rotini dish to try for lunch.
So he tried all three.
At once.
Now it looks like we'll have to set some sort
of limit for the Count.
He never could handle his rotini.
Sponsor of: Freedom of Information Act
Solar Tax Incentives
Auto Lemon Law
South Africa Divestiture
Advocate of: Nuclear Arms Freeze
Equal Rights Amendment
Tenants Rights Legislation
Environmental Protection
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Irv
16 Weoeecnd/Y44ay, ove r $ ;- -..