House Republicans Intensify Legal Battle with Michigan Secretary of State
In a move that underscores deep political divisions, Michigan’s House Republicans have escalated their confrontation with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson regarding the handling of election materials. The latest development sees the GOP filing a lawsuit against Benson in the Michigan Court of Claims, seeking enforcement of a legislative subpoena.
This lawsuit follows the GOP-controlled House’s recent vote to hold Benson in civil contempt, a decision that was strictly along party lines. The contempt vote paves the way for legal proceedings, accusing Benson of refusing to comply with requests from the House Oversight and Election Integrity Committees.
House Oversight Committee Chair Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay) expressed frustration, stating, “The Secretary of State just does not want to abide by the constitution or the law, period.” He further added, “She just does not want to, and now here we are in court.”
On her part, Benson argues that releasing certain election-related information could jeopardize election security by enabling tampering with equipment or impersonation of election officials. Benson’s spokesperson, Cheri Hardmon, emphasized their commitment to transparency while ensuring election security, saying, “While we are committed to transparency, we will never compromise our duty to ensure Michigan’s elections are safe and secure.”
The case was initially assigned to Judge Brock Swartzle, a former Republican House legal counsel, but he has recused himself. The case will now be overseen by Judge Sima Patel, appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Meanwhile, some Republicans have taken further steps by introducing articles of impeachment against Benson, citing alleged misconduct, including unconstitutional actions like banning open carry at polling places. However, the support of House GOP leadership for this move remains uncertain, especially with the Senate’s Democratic majority.
As this legal battle unfolds, Benson’s political future also hangs in the balance, as she seeks the Democratic nomination for governor, potentially portraying herself as a defender against aggressive political tactics.
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What we’re talking about at the dinner table
No more DOGE-bro? Following the tumultuous breakup between Trump and Musk, House Speaker Matt Hall’s approach to budget cuts, dubbed “BOGE” in reference to Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin, may face a rebranding. The future of this acronym remains uncertain amidst these political changes.
Deadline? What deadline? The July 1st deadline for Michigan’s state budget looms, yet doubts persist about meeting it. This deadline ensures fiscal alignment for educational institutions and local governments, but its enforcement remains lax, with politicians expressing varying levels of optimism.
Stop us if you’ve heard this one: Michigan lawmakers are considering designating the wood duck as the official state duck. With a plethora of state symbols already, this bill raises questions about its origins and motivations.
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Yours in political nerdiness,
Rick Pluta & Zoe Clark
Co-hosts, It’s Just Politics
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IJP on the Road:
Zoe and Rick hosted the latest It’s Just Politics Issues and Ale from Lansing this week. They were joined by a bipartisan panel of state Representatives and Senators to talk about what’s being passed (or not) at the state Capitol. We got a fun listener email after the event yesterday who said, “thank you, thank you, thank you! I find that I get so much out of these Issues and Ale events… It’s better than therapy!” You can watch the event below:
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