A controversial bill that would move a key Michigan court is expected to be signed into law soon by Governor Rick Snyder. The measure would transfer the operations of the state’s Court of Claims to the Michigan Court of Appeals. The court of claims hears legal actions that are filed against the state of Michigan.Backers of Senate Bill 652 maintain it’s expensive and wrong that only 3% of the state’s population elect the Ingham county judges who preside over Court of Claims cases.
Opponents blast the measure as blatantly political “judge shopping” and say many important considerations were not addressed during its brief journey through the legislature.
Ingham County Circuit Court JudgeBill Collette believes the real reason for the transfer is to remove the power from circuit courts to litigate issues regarding constitutional challenges against the activities of the Snyder administration.