DETROIT – The Michigan Senate could pass as early as Wednesday a controversial bill throwing out a plan for new Oakland County Commission districts.
The reapportionment plan was drawn up by a five-member board controlled by democrats. The legislation would require a new map, to be drawn by the commission itself. Republicans control the commission 15 to 10.
Republicans call the first plan "gerrymandering," but it was upheld by the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner is a Democrat who helped complete the first reapportionment plan. He calls the attempt to pass a new state law geared only to Oakland County as "stealing democracy."
"They would come in and retroactively undo the work we've done. They're doing so in a brazenly partisan way," he said.
The bill, which has already passed the House, would also require reducing the number of Oakland County Commissioners from 25 to 21.
Democrats predict a lawsuit if Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signs the bill.