MI Senate approves salary rollbacks

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

East Lansing, MI – East Lansing, MI (Rick Pluta, MPRN)

State lawmakers have taken a first step toward cutting the paychecks of elected officials.

The state Senate approved the recommendations of a salary commission that elected officials pay and be reduced by 10%.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop said it s necessary for elected officials to lead by example during the budget crisis.

The salary rollbacks would affect the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, legislators and Supreme Court justices.

The cuts would take effect in 2011.

Governor Granholm called for reducing salaries in her State of the State address last month.

Bishop says this increases pressure on the governor to negotiate salary concessions with state employee unions.