LANSING, MI – A state appeals court ruled Monday that Michigan’s Republican-led House of Representatives must send nine bills to the governor that were passed by lawmakers last year.
The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, and the Senate in a lawsuit claiming House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, violated the Michigan Constitution by withholding the bills.
The case has been sent to the Court of Claims to issue a court order compelling the House to present the bills to the governor.
“At a time when Republican leaders across the country are breaking the law and getting away with it, this is a particularly meaningful win,” Brinks said in an Oct. 27 news release. “No matter how deep our political differences, the Constitution must be followed. Skirting the law is bad enough, but it’s so much worse that they did it in the name of stopping bills that would have helped thousands of their constituents make ends meet.”
Hall’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.
The bills were passed last year and enrolled on Dec. 31, the final day when Democrats held the majority in the state legislature. However, when Republicans took power in January, they withheld the nine bills from being presented to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, citing a legal review.
It remains unclear what prompted the legal review, but Hall alleged in the lawsuit that there were “technical problems with the bills” that could prevent presentation to the governor.
The Michigan Constitution states: “Every bill passed by the legislature shall be presented to the governor before it becomes law, and the governor shall have 14 days” to consider it.
The nine bills being withheld ranged from allowing corrections officers to join the state police retirement system to increasing the amount public employers pay toward their employees’ medical benefit plans.
“I’m proud to fight this fight on behalf of educators, first responders, and the many hardworking folks who keep our communities running and deserve to have this legislation enacted,” Brinks said. “I hope this case serves as a warning for all future legislators – following the law is your oath, and you will be held accountable for doing your job.”
Michigan’s labor movement applauded the ruling on Monday, calling the bills under dispute “crucial protections for workers, including healthcare affordability, pension security, and debt collection reforms.”
“Today’s ruling from the Court of Appeals is a declaration that the rule of law and state Constitution still matter in Michigan,” said Ron Bieber, president of Michigan AFL-CIO. “Three judges, including two Republican appointees, took Speaker Hall to task, ruling that the stalled, pro-worker bills must be presented to the governor. Each day of delay causes real harm to working Michiganders. It’s time for Speaker Hall to stop wasting taxpayer dollars, end his war on workers and present these bills to Governor Whitmer for her signature.”
Here’s a look at the nine bills being withheld. The bills were all passed last session either along party lines or mostly along party lines, with Democrats in favor.
House Bill 4177 and 5817-5818 would allow the Wayne County Board of Commissioners to establish a history museum authority, which could levy a voter-approved tax to support a history museum in Detroit.
House Bills 4665-4667 would allow corrections officers to join the Michigan State Police retirement system.
House Bills 4900-4901 would exempt public assistance benefits, unemployment benefits, disability benefits and worker’s compensation from being garnished to repay a debt.
House Bill 6058 would require public employers to increase the amount they pay toward their employees’ medical benefit plans.
