Bill Text: MI HR0238 | 2011-2012 | 96th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the Michigan Board of State Canvassers to protect the rights of the people under the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963 and certify the petition calling for a referendum on Public Act 4 of 2011.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-04-25 - Referred To Committee On Government Operations [HR0238 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2011-HR0238-Introduced.html
Rep. Hovey-Wright offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 238.
A resolution to urge the Michigan Board of State Canvassers to protect the rights of the people under the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963 and certify the petition calling for a referendum on Public Act 4 of 2011.
Whereas, On March 16, 2011, Governor Snyder signed into law the Local Government and School District Fiscal Accountability Act (Public Act 4 of 2011). This act allows for the appointment of emergency managers with powers that challenge democracy in Michigan's counties, cities, townships, villages, and school districts; and
Whereas, The expanded powers granted to emergency mangers eliminate accountability to the citizens of Michigan and fog the regular checks, balances, and transparency found in democracy; and
Whereas, The citizens of Michigan retained to themselves the right of referendum when they adopted the current state constitution. Article II, Section 9 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963 provides for a public vote on any legislation, other than an appropriation, upon the filing of a petition with a sufficient number of signatures; and
Whereas, Public Act 4 of 2011 is not an appropriation act and is therefore properly the subject of a referendum; and
Whereas, A petition with more than 200,000 signatures, substantially more than required by the Michigan Constitution, has been filed with the Michigan Secretary of State's Bureau of Elections demanding a vote of the people on this controversial legislation; and
Whereas, The signatures were submitted in a timely basis; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Michigan Board of State Canvassers to protect the rights of the people under the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963 and certify the petition calling for a referendum on Public Act 4 of 2011 at the November 2012 election; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Michigan Board of State Canvassers.
