LANSING Republicans in the Michigan House are drafting a constitutional amendment that would protect certain funds, such as those for waterway development and snowmobile trails, from getting raided by future legislators hunting for cash to pay for budget shortfalls.
House Majority Floor Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) said he hopes to have his proposal approved by June in time to be placed on the November ballot. If two-thirds of the House and Senate support his proposal, it would then go to voters for final approval.
Richardville said he became interested in providing constitutional protection to certain funds after then-Gov. John Engler and the Legislature agreed in 2002 to transfer about $10 million from the waterways development fund to the general fund as part of a budget-balancing measure late that year. Richardville said those funds should be used as intended.
Richardville, who said he expects broad support, said the government has shown a habit over the years of raiding funds meant for other purposes.
“Over time, we haven’t had a trust with the government in certain areas,” he said.
Voters have approved constitutional protection in the past for certain funds, notably one for veterans.
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