Bring the Power Back to the State Legislatures
May 8, 2024
FACT: According to the 2020 Census, Michigan has a population of over 10 Million.
FACT: US National Debt is over $34 Trillion, while the national debt per citizen exceeds $103,000.
FACT: Michiganders collectively owe over $1.03 Trillion in National Debt - courtesy of the federal government.
FACT: Right now 40-60% of the Michigan Legislature's budget is controlled by the federal government.
The Michigan Legislature can do better for Michiganders.
It's time to put the power back in the hands of the Michigan Legislature.
- State Legislatures ratified the US Constitution.
- State Legislatures ratified every Constitutional Amendment.
- Article V of the US Constitution grants state legislatures the authority to call for a Convention to propose Amendments to the US Constitution.
- The time has come for Michigan Legislators to act on that authority.
How to return power to the Michigan Legislature:
(In no particular order)
1. Pass a Commissioner Selection Resolution to establish a means for representation of all Michiganders in the event of any Article V Convention.
See Model Commissioner Selection Resolution
Express Sponsor / Co-sponsor Interest
2. Pass a Criminal Penalty Bill that makes attempts by a commissioner to act beyond their authority at an Article V Convention or attempts by a member of the public to coerce/bribe a commissioner to act beyond the scope of their authority punishable by law.
See Model Criminal Penalty Bill Language
Express Sponsor / Co-sponsor Interest
3. Pass the Convention of States Resolution to call for an Article V Convention to propose amendments in these three topic areas:
- Fiscal Restraints on the federal government
Michiganders can't bear the weight of any more national debt.
- Reducing the Size and Jurisdiction of the Federal Government
Michigan state legislators are elected by Michiganders to serve the needs of Michiganders. It's time to put the regulatory control back in the hands of the Michigan Legislature, as well as full control of the Michigan budget - no federal strings attached.
- Term Limits for Federal Officials and Members of Congress
With federal term limits, Michiganders all over the state stand a much better chance of seeing someone from their local state house or state senate district representing their interests on the National Stage in Washington DC.
See Model Convention of States Resolution
Express Sponsor / Co-sponsor Interest
19 states have already passed the Convention of States Resolution.
Will Michigan be next?
Watch the Simulated Article V Convention - August 2023
- Interview with Michigan Representative Jaime Greene
(Commissioner at the 2023 Simulated Article V Convention) - Interview with Former Michigan Representative Steve Johnson
(Commissioner at the 2023 Simulated Article V Convention)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use Article V to Amend the Constitution?
Article V provides two methods for the proposal of Constitutional Amendments.
1. Congress can propose an amendment. If an amendment has 2/3 support in both chambers it is then sent to all 50 state legislatures for ratification. If 3/4 of the state legislatures (38 states) ratify the amendment, it is officially added to the U.S. Constitution.
2. State legislatures pass resolutions calling for a Convention to propose amendments on a specified topic. When 2/3 of the state legislatures (34 states) have done so for the same topic, a Convention for proposing amendments is called. All 50 states send Commissioners to the convention to propose amendments on the convention topic. Each state gets 1 vote and proposed amendments with a majority of states in support are sent back to the state legislatures for ratification. If 3/4 of the state legislatures (38 states) ratify the amendment, it is officially added to the U.S. Constitution.
Download the Article V Convention Pocket guide
Can States Control the Process & Commissioners?
Yes!
- State Legislatures set the parameters for the Article V Convention in the Resolutions they pass. In America's history there have been over 500 resolutions passed calling for an Article V Convention. Each for a stated purpose.
- The COS Resolution limits the Article V Convention to proposing amendments that fall into our three topic areas.
1. Fiscal Restraints on the federal government
2. Term Limits on federal officials/members of Congress
3. Limit the Size/Jurisdiction of the federal government - State Legislatures determine: How to select Commissioners, how many to send, and who they will be. State legislatures can pass a Commissioner Selection Resolution to establish how they intend to do these things.
- State Legislatures can further limit the authority of their Commissioners in their commission by specifying what they have authority to promote and how they are allowed to vote.
Delaware's choice to do this is part of why we have a US Senate.
At the Philadelphia Convention Delaware prohibited it's delegates from voting to change the equality of the states.This limitation contributed to the inclusion of the US Senate in our Constitution because the US Senate gives the states equal voice whereas the US House provides larger states with more representation.
"On reading the credentials of the deputies it was noticed that those from Delaware were prohibited from changing the article in the Confederation establishing an equality of votes among the States." May 25, 1787 - The Proceeding Notes (PDF) (YALE)
- State Legislatures can recall their commissioners at any time and any actions a commissioner takes outside of their authority are null and void by law. A process for recall can be specified in a Commissioner Selection Resolution.
- State Legislatures can establish criminal penalties for Commissioners & members of the public who attempt to subvert this process. See our Criminal Penalty Bill model language.
- State Legislatures set the parameters for the Article V Convention in the Resolutions they pass. In America's history there have been over 500 resolutions passed calling for an Article V Convention. Each for a stated purpose.
- Can We Trust the Constitution? Answering The “Runaway Convention” Myth
