Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks takes legal measures against House Republicans for blocking the progression of nine passed bills.
Brinks Leads Legal Push to Protect Michigan Constitution
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) has initiated legal measures against House Republican leadership, accusing them of violating the state constitution by withholding nine bipartisan bills from the governor’s desk. Brinks introduced Senate Resolution 3 on Jan. 22, 2025, to authorize court intervention, emphasizing the necessity of legislative accountability.
“At the bare minimum, Michigan residents deserve elected officials that are committed to fulfilling their constitutional duties,” Brinks stated. She called the House’s actions a “blatant violation” of constitutional obligations.
Nine Bills Stalled by House Leadership
The legislation in question includes House Bills 4177 and 4665–4667 from 2023, along with House Bills 4900–4901, 5817–5818, and 6058 from 2024. All bills passed both chambers by December 2024 but remain in limbo due to a refusal by House Speaker Matt Hall to forward them to the governor, as required by Michigan’s constitution.
Correction Officers pension, health care, retirement bills in limbo amid GOP ‘legal review’
In December 2024, Michigan House Democrats passed nine bills addressing issues such as integrating correction officers into the state police pension system, increasing government contributions to employee health care premiums, exempting public assistance from debt collection, and permitting Detroit historical museums to propose millages. However, these bills were not forwarded to Governor Gretchen Whitmer before Republicans assumed control of the House.
New House Speaker Matt Hall has initiated a legal review to determine the appropriateness of the current Legislature presenting bills passed by its predecessor. This move has drawn criticism from Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, who emphasizes the constitutional mandate that all passed bills be given to the governor. The outcome of this review will decide whether these bills proceed to the governor’s desk for potential enactment.
Speaker Hall has not publicly commented on the hold-up, but sources indicate the delay may be tied to political strategy following the 2024 elections.
Constitutional Crisis Sparks Legal Action
Michigan’s constitution mandates that all bills approved by the Legislature must be sent to the governor for final review. Brinks argues that the failure to comply undermines democratic governance and sets a dangerous precedent.
“This is not about politics; it’s about preserving the rule of law,” Brinks said. “Speaker Hall can avoid this entirely by doing his job.”
The resolution allows the Senate to file a lawsuit compelling compliance from the House. Brinks and her allies hope the move will prompt immediate action.
Bipartisan Support for Resolution 3
Democrats in the Senate have rallied behind Brinks, emphasizing the significance of safeguarding Michigan’s legislative integrity. A few moderate Republicans have also voiced concerns privately, sources report.
Legal experts suggest the Senate has a strong case, citing Article IV, Section 33 of the Michigan Constitution, which clearly outlines the procedural requirements for legislative bills.
Potential Impacts on Legislative Agenda
The dispute could further polarize Michigan’s political climate with the legislative session underway. Critics accuse the House leadership of leveraging the bill hold-up as a bargaining chip, while proponents of the stalled bills warn that critical state needs are going unaddressed.
The confrontation comes amid a broader national trend of partisan gridlock affecting state legislatures. If the Senate’s lawsuit proceeds, Michigan courts could be tasked with clarifying constitutional interpretations for legislative processes.
Broader Implications for Michigan Governance
The conflict highlights growing friction between Michigan’s Democratic-controlled Senate and Republican-controlled House. Observers suggest that unresolved tensions may hinder future legislative collaboration on key state issues such as infrastructure, public health, and education.
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