Believe it or not, there are still old-timers who refer to Michigan’s “new” Constitution, including former State Senator and art aficionado Jack Faxon, one of the last living delegates who wrote it.
But this year, Michigan’s not-so-new Constitution turned 55 — slightly older than the “old” constitution was when it was replaced after a statewide vote of the people on April 1, 1963.
Three years from now, the current constitution – Michigan’s Fourth — will become the longest-lasting constitution the state has ever had, beating the one that was in force from 1850 to 1908.
So is the present Michigan constitution in need of a massive overhaul? Absolutely. It outlaws a graduated income tax, for example, and virtually everyone agrees it is too easy to amend.
But under its rules, we can’t do anything about it until 2026, when voters will be asked if they want to call a state convention to try to write a new one. That’s a chance we get only every 16 years.
Eight years ago, voters turned down the chance to call a new convention by a two-to-one margin. Liberals feared that right-wing crazies would win a majority of the delegates.
As time goes on, however, failing to change may be the craziest option of all.
