New Oakland County Commission Maps Thrown-Out

A new state law passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Snyder in 2011 that shifted the power of redrawing county commission district boundaries in Oakland County was ruled unconstitutional by Ingham County Circuit Court Judge William Collette this week.

Prior to the law’s passage, county commission lines were drawn by an apportionment committee composed of the County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Prosecutor and the two chairs of the county’s political parties. For the first time in 2011, this committee had a Democratic majority and re-drew the lines, which were held up in court.

Public Act 280 of 2011 designated the County Board of Commissioners as the apportionment committee, giving the authority back to Republicans.

In Wednesday’s ruling, Judge Collette held that PA 280 violates the State’s Constitution, specifically the provisions prohibiting the state enacting local laws without a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The State is expected to appeal.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, February 17, 2012 9:55 AM
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