On behalf of the Michigan Senate, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) filed a lawsuit in the Michigan Court of Claims over bills that were passed at the end of 2024 but weren’t presented to Governor Whitmer. According to the lawsuit, the Speaker of the House is violating the Michigan Constitution by not presenting the bills.
Key Points:
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- Nine bills passed both the House and Senate in 2024 but weren’t presented to the governor before the end of the previous Speaker of the House’s term. Typically, all legislation passed by both chambers would have been presented before a change in House leadership.
- When Speaker Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo) assumed his leadership role in January 2025, he declined to present them to the governor until a legal review was completed.
- The legislation in question deals with health care costs for teachers and first responders and retirement benefits for corrections officers. Additionally, it allows property tax millages for history museums.
- Last week, the Senate Labor Committee heard testimony from residents who would have benefited from the legislation, including first responders and teachers.
Next Steps:
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- The lawsuit is asking for the House to be compelled to present the bills to the governor.
