Attempts to weaken the opposing political party’s power are nothing new in Michigan.
On Jan. 11, 1960, Michigan Democratic leaders proposed a plan to abolish the state Senate. These recommendations were proposed by a Legislative Reform Subcommittee led by then-Rep. Ralph Richman (D-Holland), and appeared to be aimed at decreasing the power of Republican lawmakers.
Sen. Harold Ryan (D-Detroit) was the only senator involved in the subcommittee and the only legislator in the subcommittee to oppose the plan.
Source : Detroit Free Press and MIRS, January 11, 2010.