Most of these are unconstitutional.
The debate was sparked this week by a flurry of bills introduced in the waning days of Republicans’ eight-year control of all branches of Michigan government. And it promises a contentious four-week lame-duck session as the GOP-controlled Legislature winds down its two-year term in December.
Republicans will still control the Legislature come January, but Democrats, led by Gov.-elect Gretchen Whitmer, are taking control of top elected offices from Republicans.
Democrats and good-government watchdog groups say the GOP bills are an obvious attempt to hold on to as much power as they can before they lose it. Republicans say the reforms are overdue, and they’d support them even if they didn’t control the Legislature.
Among the bills introduced this week:
House Bill 6553, sponsored by state Rep. Rob VerHeulen, R-Walker, would allow the Legislature to intervene in court when one or both chambers “deems such intervention necessary in order to protect any right or interest of this state, or of that body.” The bill would give the Legislature the same right as any other party to a lawsuit to ask for an appeal.
Senate Bill 1250, sponsored by state Sen. David Robertson, R-Grand Blanc, would move responsibility for enforcement of state campaign finance law from the Secretary of State’s office to a new, bipartisan commission consisting of three Republicans and three Democrats appointed by the governor from lists of candidates provided by state political parties. A message for comment was left Thursday with Robertson’s office.
Senate Bill 1176, sponsored by incoming Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, passed in the Senate. The bill would prohibit disclosure of donors to nonprofit groups organized under the federal Internal Revenue Code’s Section 501(c). That would include charitable organizations, as well as groups that engage in political activity. The only way the information could be disclosed is through a court order.
Senate Bill 1197, introduced by state Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, was voted out of committee but not yet taken up on the Senate floor. The bill would authorize the Mackinac Bridge Authority to operate a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac as part of enabling Gov. Rick Snyder’s recent deal with Canadian energy giant Enbridge Inc. to replace the aging and controversial Line 5 pipeline. Bill testimony echoed concerns over whether the Mackinac Bridge Authority is the right entity to manage the tunnel. Democrats say the bill could make it tougher for Whitmer and Attorney General-elect Dana Nessel to follow through on campaign promises to shut down Line 5.
Republicans in the state Senate also introduced legislation to implement two voter-approved constitutional amendments, to create an independent redistricting commission and expand access to voting in Michigan. Democratic Secretary of State-elect Jocelyn Benson will play a significant role in managing both efforts.
Term-limited Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, hasn’t tipped his hat as to whether he’d sign any of the controversial bills if they reach his desk.