LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – A bipartisan pair of Michigan senators is pushing for changes to how the Legislature oversees state government, introducing a plan they say would make the process more consistent and less political.
Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Township) and Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) introduced Senate Bill 734 alongside a proposed constitutional amendment, Senate Joint Resolution G. Together, the measures would create a bipartisan, bicameral joint oversight committee with subpoena power and authority to review reports from the state auditor general.
McBroom said the proposal is a response to what he describes as a decline in effective oversight, particularly since term limits reshaped the Legislature.
“Oversight, particularly since term limits have kicked in, has really degraded,” McBroom said. “Most of the time, oversight becomes either way too soft… or it’s become just a political leverage point.”
Under the plan, the committee would comprise eight lawmakers, with four Democrats and four Republicans, split evenly between the House and Senate. Leadership would rotate regularly between parties and chambers, preventing one side from maintaining control.
McBroom said the structure is designed to ensure oversight continues regardless of which party controls the Legislature or the governor’s office.
“We have to have good, consistent oversight all the time, regardless of the dynamics between the party controlling the legislative body and the party controlling the governor’s office,” he said.
Supporters point to similar oversight models used in other states, arguing they provide stronger accountability and more scrutiny over how taxpayer dollars are spent.
“What we see in other states where the oversight process is more consistent and less politicized, there’s just greater accountability,” McBroom said. “There’s oftentimes more oversight of how the dollars are spent.”
The bill would only take effect if voters approve the accompanying constitutional amendment. If adopted, the committee would meet at least quarterly, receive all post-audit reports from the auditor general, and make recommendations to legislative leadership.
McBroom acknowledged that procedural reforms often struggle to gain traction compared with more immediate policy debates, but said he views the proposal as a long-term investment in good governance.
“I’m trying to look at the big picture, how do I make a long-term difference in this process so that a lot of these bad things that happen aren’t as likely to happen in the future,” he said.
The legislation was referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee for consideration.
