Democrat Wants to do Away With Referndum-Proofing Bills

A state Senate Democrat is calling for a constitutional amendment to eliminate referendum proofing bills.

The Michigan constitution currently protects spending bills from being contested by voters.

But Senator Curtis Hertel says too often majority Republican’s add appropriations to bills just to make bills immune from voter referendum.

He’s calling for a state constitutional amendment to end the practice.

Hertel says he sees a constant assault on democracy at the state Capitol and he wants to take away one of the options used to attack the will of the people.

Hertel says some of the bills made referendum proof by adding appropriations to them include, right-to-work and the elimination of straight ticket voting.