PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XI, SECTION 5 OF THE MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION, THIS RESOLUTION REQUIRES A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE MEMBERS ELECTED AND SERVING.

            Reps. Hoogendyk, Garfield, Agema, Calley, Knollenberg, Palmer, Acciavatti, Pavlov, Meltzer, Meekhof, LaJoy, Robertson, Pastor, Brandenburg, Pearce, Wenke, Green, Hildenbrand, Moss, Marleau, Shaffer, Sheen, DeRoche, Elsenheimer, Stakoe, Horn and Opsommer offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 7.

            A concurrent resolution to reject the proposed increase in rates of compensation recommended by the Civil Service Commission and contained in the Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2007-2008.

            Whereas, Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963 provides that the Governor shall transmit increases in rates of compensation to the Legislature as part of the Executive Budget. This section of the Michigan Constitution further provides:

Within 60 calendar days following such transmission, the legislature may, by a two-thirds vote of the members elected to and serving in each house, reject or reduce increases in rates of compensation authorized by the commission. Any reduction ordered by the legislature shall apply uniformly to all classes of employees affected by the increases and shall not adjust pay differentials already established by the civil service commission. The legislature may not reduce rates of compensation below those in effect at the time of the transmission of increases authorized by the commission.

The Governor has transmitted the Executive Budget to the Legislature, and it contains recommendations for increases in rates of compensation by the Civil Service Commission; and

            Whereas, According to projections by the House Fiscal Agency, the salary increases for classified state employees called for in the recommendation would amount to $123.5 million in gross appropriations and $76.1 million in General Fund/General Purpose money. Total possible economic impact of the increase, including such factors as higher insurance, retirement, and worker's compensation costs, would be $227 million, with $147 million General Fund/General Purpose money; and

            Whereas, Given the magnitude of the budget difficulties facing Michigan, for both the current fiscal year and the next one, and the challenges facing the people of our state, granting raises seems inappropriate. Clearly, as our economy struggles, increases in rates of compensation would be impossible to justify; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That, pursuant to Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963, we hereby reject the proposed increase in rates of compensation for classified state employees recommended by the Civil Service Commission and contained in the Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2007-2008; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the Governor and the Office of the State Employer.