MI proposal would crack down on felon politicians

WKAR Public Media

Published June 10, 2010 at 6:12 PM EDT

By AP

LANSING, MI –

Michigan lawmakers are advancing a proposal that would bar politicians from holding public office for 20 years after certain felony convictions related to previous terms
in office.

The state Senate passed a proposed amendment to the state constitution by a 35-0 vote Thursday. If approved by at least two-thirds of the members in the state House, the proposal would go on the November ballot for voters to decide.

The measure comes as former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is in prison for violating probation stemming from his conviction for lying under oath about an affair with his chief of staff.

But the bill's backers say the measure is not designed to single out any one person and is instead aimed at setting standards for public officeholders at all levels.

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