The State of Michigan faces a legal challenge as House Republicans move to halt the allocation of $645 million in state funds. The GOP has initiated a lawsuit targeting 31 state departments and agencies, seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the expenditure of these funds.
Filed in the Michigan Court of Claims, the lawsuit aims to secure a 14-day injunction. This pause would facilitate further arguments on whether this injunction should be made permanent. The legal dispute stems from a recent opinion by Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel. Her ruling invalidated a budget cut enacted by the GOP-controlled House Appropriations Committee, citing a breach of constitutional requirements for Senate and gubernatorial approval in spending decisions.
House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) criticized Nessel’s opinion as “purely political and extremely flawed,” asserting that the lawsuit is essential to curb what he describes as unnecessary expenditure. “Our lawsuit will stop this Nessel power trip and uphold the law that allows the Legislature to put an end to this nonsense,” Hall stated.
In the wake of Nessel’s opinion, the State Budget Office indicated that the funds were available for use. The SBO is currently assessing the implications of the lawsuit. “The State Budget Office is aware and is currently reviewing the filing,” confirmed spokesperson Lauren Leeds via email.
This legal contention was triggered by a request from Senate Democrats seeking clarity on the House’s budgetary actions. Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) dismissed the GOP’s lawsuit as futile. “There’s no rhyme or reason to this and all I can do is shake my head. Lansing Republicans are so lost right now,” Brinks conveyed in a statement. “I’m confident that the attorney general’s opinion will stand and they will suffer yet another embarrassing loss in court after wasting gobs of taxpayer money.”
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