Michigan: Gov. Snyder, 15 GOP legislators target of recall efforts
Lansing- At least 15 GOP legislators - in addition to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder - have been targeted for recall from voters upset about the emergency manager law, school cuts, the tax on pensions and other issues.
Petitions are being circulated against Snyder, Sen. Mike Nofs, R-Battle Creek, and Rep. Al Pscholka, R-Stevensville. At least nine others, including the Senate Majority Leader and the House Speaker, await hearings - four are scheduled this week - on whether wording on petitions is clear enough to be approved by county elections officials. If OK'd, petitioners can begin collecting signatures.
"It's (unprecedented) in terms of the sheer numbers of legislators subjected to recalls, including the governor," said Craig Ruff, senior fellow with Public Sector Consultants. "It is enough to unnerve legislators."
Activists from Escanaba to Port Austin cite a number of reasons that have led to the recall efforts, which makes this year different from previous attempts. Past efforts generally focused on just one issue - usually taxes, said Bill Ballenger, editor of Inside Michigan Politics.
"This is uncharted territory, we've never had a recall mounted against the Legislature on issues like these," he said. "And the big difference this year is that it's Republicans being targeted."
If some of the recalls are successful and Democrats win the seats, it could tip the balance of power in the state Legislature, giving the minority party in both chamber more power to influence or block legislation.
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Read more at the Detroit News
Petitions are being circulated against Snyder, Sen. Mike Nofs, R-Battle Creek, and Rep. Al Pscholka, R-Stevensville. At least nine others, including the Senate Majority Leader and the House Speaker, await hearings - four are scheduled this week - on whether wording on petitions is clear enough to be approved by county elections officials. If OK'd, petitioners can begin collecting signatures.
"It's (unprecedented) in terms of the sheer numbers of legislators subjected to recalls, including the governor," said Craig Ruff, senior fellow with Public Sector Consultants. "It is enough to unnerve legislators."
Activists from Escanaba to Port Austin cite a number of reasons that have led to the recall efforts, which makes this year different from previous attempts. Past efforts generally focused on just one issue - usually taxes, said Bill Ballenger, editor of Inside Michigan Politics.
"This is uncharted territory, we've never had a recall mounted against the Legislature on issues like these," he said. "And the big difference this year is that it's Republicans being targeted."
If some of the recalls are successful and Democrats win the seats, it could tip the balance of power in the state Legislature, giving the minority party in both chamber more power to influence or block legislation.
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Read more at the Detroit News