Calley: Part-Time Legislature Ballot Drive Destined for Court Fight
“Ultimately, this entire system will go to any lengths to protect itself and how it works today.”
The ballot campaign to adopt a part-time Legislature amendment in Michigan decided to skip getting its petition approved by a state elections board. The leader of the campaign, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, says he’s comfortable fighting any challenges in court.
Getting a petition form pre-approved is a voluntary step that’s supposed to avoid legal hassles later on. But Calley says he doesn’t think a court battle can be avoided.
“Ultimately, this entire system will go to any lengths to protect itself and how it works today,” he said after suggesting the Board of State Canvassers shouldn’t take up the petition because the board chair has a consulting contract with an organization that’s criticized the proposal.
But Calley also muddied the waters by refusing to say whether he actually intended to withdraw the request for the board to review the petition. That’s how the board interpreted Calley’s request and dropped the matter.
Calley is trying to get the proposal on the 2018 ballot. He’s also expected to run for governor next year.
Critics say his proposal doesn’t clearly identify all the different ways it would change the state constitution.
