State Rep. Jamie Thompson today expressed disappointment in House Democrats for not joining decisively with Republicans to vote through a measure that pushes for more accountable governing in Lansing and pushes back against tactics that have created budget uncertainties.

Thompson’s House Joint Resolution M calls for a constitutional amendment to suspend pay for state legislators and the governor if the state’s annual July 1 budget deadline is not met.

“Unfortunately, we have seen an irresponsible, reckless budget plan in the Senate that relies on taxpayers to foot the bill for more unsustainable spending increases and doesn’t address people’s most pressing needs like local roads and public safety,” said Thompson, of Brownstown. “If pay was on the line for elected officials, there sure as heck would be more urgency. People would be seeing that cutoff date. Deals would be happening, and I have a great deal of confidence that the Legislature would fulfill its responsibility to get a balanced budget done so people could have clarity.”

Thompson noted that while the required deadline to pass and present budget bills to the governor was previously signed into law, there is no penalty or enforcement mechanism if the Legislature misses it. Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony said that the Democrat-controlled Senate was willing to “blow through” the July 1 date and hold up a House K-12 budget plan that was passed in June and featured record per-pupil funding as well as more flexibility for school districts to spend on their needs.

HJR M failed to advance by two-thirds vote, as required for constitutional amendments.

“A number of Democrats voted today to still have financial certainty within their own positions while many families, students, school officials, corrections staff and law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe don’t have certainty,” Thompson said. “Ultimately, people are done with the games. They want to see responsible governing and plans that use their tax dollars wisely. If legislators can’t get that done by the July 1 date laid out in law, people’s tax dollars shouldn’t be going to legislators.”

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Jamie Thompson, of Brownstown, speaks on House Joint Resolution M on Thursday, Aug. 21.