After a very high profile and intense scandal among government officials in Detroit, Michigan voters can take action. In the upcoming November election they have the chance to vote on the issue of banning those convicted of various crimes from being able to hold public office. This door was opened recently after the Michigan House approved to amend the constitution in this area. This amendment would make a 20 year ban on such people from being able to hold public office after such a conviction.

The push for such a proposal is due to the situation involving a mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick. He resigned as part of his plea agreement in two different criminal cases. It was found that he perjured himself on the stand during a trial regarding a whistle blower and an affair with an aide. The fact that he was already on probation made these actions a violation so he is now in prison.

Conyers, who was the aide at the time, also pleaded guilty to being involved in a $1.2 billion bribe with the city. The goal of this type of proposal is to ensure the people representing Michigan are going to do the job accordingly. By setting higher standards there is less of a chance for similar problems with such officials to occur in the future.

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