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Slide 32 of 84

Notes:

The third area in the constitutional framework is the "Headlee Amendment". This amendment was passed in 1978 general election as a result of voter initiative. The proponents of the amendment have referred to it as a significant body of constitutional law, which it surly is. The detractors, from time to time, compared it with changing into fiscal clothing with lots of buckles and belts. Clearly, the Headlee Amendment, in a variety of ways has had a significant effect on the fiscal landscape of state and local government in Michigan. The amendment included 10 sections that were added to Article IX of our constitution. It was intended to control the growth of state government and state and local taxes. It protects local government from the state reducing support for local programs or requiring local government to pick up state responsibilities in order for the state to escape the fiscal restraints that the amendment imposed on state government.