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Gary Howell, a Republican candidate running for the 82nd District state representative seat, has led the Lapeer County effort at obtaining the necessary 4,000 valid petition signatures by the end of June. Supporters and Howell have to date collected more than 3,400 of the 4,000 required signatures in Lapeer County.

"It would dramatically reduce the cost of government by at least $30 million," Howell said. "It would shorten the legislative session between March to July 1. We're doing that to force the legislature to adopt a budget."

Howell said statewide, more than 20,000 petitions are being circulated to obtain the necessary total of 340,000 signatures. Even though the deadline is the first of July, it is important to have signatures returned to Howell by mid-June. "Without these petitions being filed, you can rest assured that the state legislature will reform itself and will continue to grant itself excessive benefits, lifetime health insurance, and large salaries for what is, in reality, a part-time job," Howell said.

He said Michigan is one of only four states that have a full-time legislature and is the second highest paid legislature in the United States. Howell said on average, the Michigan Legislature meets less than 100 days per year -- hardly a full-time job.

Dan Russell of Lapeer has been a volunteer in the gathering of petition signatures. He felt the effort was vital.

"Legislators work part-time and sometimes don't get it done in the time we give them," he said. "I'm told it will tick some people off in Lansing, but I don't care. The whole attitude in government is we've lost control of it. We're still pushing. They've been making this a cushy job for too long."

Howell is scheduled to speak at the following upcoming engagements and will have petitions available to sign: