The Independent View: MI GOP Attempts to Sabotage Redistricting Reform by Withholding Funding

Michigan Voters overwhelmingly Approved a Ballot Initiative last year to amend their State Constitution and create an Independent Redistricting Commission, but Republican Legislators are doing everything they can to undermine the New Law.

Using the Majorities they hold thanks in part to Gerrymanders that have been Ruled Unconstitutional Gerrymanders that held fast despite Democrats winning more Votes in 2018, Republican Legislators passed a Budget out of a House Subcommittee that takes aim at the Funding for not only the Commission but also the Offices of the Attorney General and Secretary of State.

The Republican Budget starts by Slashing the Attorney General's Administrative Budget by 15% and allowing Legislators to usurp Control over the Commission's Budget from the Secretary of State's Office.

Furthermore, it would Allocate only $3.2 Million for the Commission's Operations, which is just Two-Thirds of what Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) had recommended.

The New Constitutional Amendment requires the Commission to have Funding equivalent to at least 25% of the Secretary of State's General Fund Budget, so Republicans would simply Re-Designate Millions of Dollars that had previously been part of the Secretary's General Fund as "Restricted Funds" to get around the State Constitution's intent.

Republican State Senators have already Passed similar proposals in their Version of the Spending Bill, although their Cuts to the Attorney General's Budget aren't quite as severe as those in the House.

If these Proposals make it into the Final Budget, which must be Passed by Oct. 1st to keep State Government running, Whitmer could Veto them, and Republicans would Lack the Votes to Override her on their own.

In such a scenario, if Republicans Refuse to back down, that could lead to a Shutdown of some Government Services.

Given that the Redistricting Reforms Republicans are trying to Sabotage passed by a wide 61-39 margin, the GOP would therefore find itself defying the Will of Voters in defense of a Minority View that the State has already Rejected.