MARQUETTE, Mich.—Michigan voters will decide in the November general election whether to call for a new constitutional convention next year that could amend the state’s constitution. Cliff Ruff, one of Michigan’s leading public policy experts and commentators, will explain the pros and cons of the ballot question at Northern Michigan University. The presentation is scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, in the West Science Building’s Mead Auditorium. It is free and open to the public.

            If the ballot proposal passes, it could have a far-reaching impact on such areas as tax, business and education reforms, abortion, the death penalty, gun control, public employee pension and health benefits, union rights and right-to-work state status. The public would elect delegates who have the authority to rewrite the entire constitution or portions of it before Michigan residents vote on the final product.

            Ruff is a lecturer at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and a senior policy fellow at Public Sector Consultants. He spent 11 years in Michigan's executive office, first as special assistant for human services to Gov. William G. Milliken and then as chief of staff to Lt. Gov. James H. Brickley.

This public policy symposium is hosted by the NMU political science and public administration department.