Looking to make legislators read legislation
WEST MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – One of the big races in the upcoming November ballot is the battle to replace Congressman Vern Ehlers in Michigan's third district.
There Democrat Pat Miles is set to face off with Republican Justin Amash.
Never let it be said that State Representative Justin Amash isn't thorough in what he does. The question is whether all lawmakers should be required to follow his lead.
You might expect legislators to actually read the bills, amendments and other things they vote on every day, but Amash often doesn't think that happens.
“I don't think they take the time to read the bills,” said Amash.
Rep. Amash is co-sponsoring a bill with more than a dozen other lawmakers that would force legislators to take some time, namely a three day wait on a final version of a bill before voting to slow the process down a bit, something Amash is strict about.
“When leadership doesn't give me time to read a bill I am going to have to vote no, even if it's a substantive issue I would support,” said Amash. “We have legislation that's pushed through the legislature, legislators aren't given time to read it and the public needs to understand what we're voting on, and we need to understand what we're voting on.”
Other lawmakers tell Newschannel 3 that it's already a thorough process that doesn't need changes, that there's ample time for legislators to make decisions and still keep flexibility for immediate situations.
Some lawmakers told Newschannel 3 that Amash's bill just adds an extra level of bureaucracy.
Amash is currently on his way out of the legislature and looking for a seat in Congress. He's the favorite to gain Vern Ehlers seat. His challenger, Pat Miles, thinks Amash would make more foes than friends in Washington.
“Really isn't about solving problems,” said Miles, “it's really about making political points and ideological points, and that's not where the electorate is this year. They don't care about party labels, they want to know what you're going to do to solve the problems.”
Most experts suggest it would be difficult to make big changes like this one in an election year.
