Michigan Supreme Court to decide if 4 big issues make ballot

Court to decide if casino proposal, collective bargaining, 2/3 tax proposal, bridge proposal make Michigan's November ballot

DETROIT – The Michigan Supreme Court is expected to decide this week if four ballot proposals currently in legal limbo will make it on the ballot in November.

The court will hear oral arguments on the casino proposal, collective bargaining proposal, 2/3 tax proposal and bridge proposal. Normally, each would be considered one at a time but ballots need to be printed shortly and time is of the essence.

What likely will happen?

Attorney Rob Huth, who has considerable expertise in municipal law, says he believes the court will put all four ballot proposals on the November ballot.

"The public has filed the signatures. They've looked at the questions. The Supreme Court on Public Act 4, the emergency manager issue, said, 'You know what, we could kick this, the font size is not right,' but the court bent over backwards to put it on the ballot and I wouldn't expect them to do anything different with these four," said Huth.

Huth anticipates a quick decision from the court, probably by Friday. Assuming the court does as he believes, will this mean great news for those pushing these proposals?

No, according to political strategists and pollsters, because the more proposals on the ballot the less likely voters are willing to vote for multiple items that amend the state constitution.


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