Supreme Court Hands GOP Victory in Oakland County

After taking oral arguments late last week, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled Monday in Houston v. Snyder, overturning the Court of Appeals ruling that the Public Act that transferred reapportionment authority in Oakland County to the Board of Commissioners itself was a local act and, therefore, unconstitutional. Public Act 280 of 2011 then took effect on Wednesday.

Sure to be a loud theme among Democrats during elections this fall, the 4-3 decision from the State’s highest Court more-or-less designated the County Board of Commissioners as the apportionment committee, providing the authority to Republicans.

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. The County Board of Commissioners will now redraw the lines again.

Plaintiff Counsel in the matter has stated that a Federal suit is possible

posted by PAA Online , Friday, March 30, 2012 10:42 AM
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