Democrats and Progressive Groups Urge Snyder to Veto Controversial Election Bills
One bill would eliminate straight-ticket voting. The other would change some campaign finance laws.
The top Democrat in the state House is urging Gov. Rick Snyder to veto controversial election legislation.
One bill would eliminate the straight-ticket voting option on Michigan ballots.
The other makes changes to campaign finance laws that critics say allow more money from outside political groups into elections. Local governments and school leaders are also concerned about a provision in that bill they say would prevent them from answering questions during public meetings leading up to elections.
State House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) is calling on Snyder to reject Senate Bills 13 and 571.
“So that he can uphold the legacy that I know he wants to have of being a truly non-partisan governor who is focused on solving problems in this state, not on passing new laws to make it easier for Republicans to stay in power,” Greimel told reporters during a year-end roundtable discussion.
There have been growing calls for vetoes from Democrats, progressive groups, government watchdogs, and organizations representing school leaders and local governments since Republicans quickly passed the two bills late at night on the last day of the Legislature’s 2015 calendar.
Snyder says he’ll “carefully review” the bills when they reach his desk.
Here are links to the bills:
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2015-SB-0013
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2015-SB-0571
