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MI Supreme Court Drawn into Partisan Fight on District

A fight that pits Democrats in Oakland County against Republicans in the Legislature and Governor Rick Snyder is now before state Supreme Court.

The issue is a state law that would toss out the Oakland County commission map drawn by a panel led by Democrats. The law would allow the Republican-led Oakland County Commission to draw a new map more to the GOP’s liking. It would also shrink the size of the commission.

Oakland County Democratic Party Chair Frank Houston brought the lawsuit. He says the state law was designed to affect only Oakland County, and was meant only to help Republicans in what he calls a “power grab.”

“It really is shameful,” he says.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon.  The law takes effect next week, and the deadline for candidates to file to run is just a few weeks away.

The court has a slim Republican majority.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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