Legislation introduced last week by Senator
Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) passed the Senate Wednesday just one day after
passing the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Senator Jones chairs.
Senate
Bill 652 would move Court of Claims cases to the Court of Appeals instead
of the Ingham County Circuit Court. The Court of Claims cases handled in Ingham
Circuit Court involve major litigation against the State of Michigan.
Senate Democrats have characterized the move
as purely political as the Ingham Circuit Court has repeatedly ruled the Snyder
Administration on a number of issues, such as the City of Detroit bankruptcy
matter. Senate Republicans fired back, pointing to the Court’s creation in the
1970’s as equally political and defend this move as expanding access.
The measure passed the Senate 26-11. House
Judiciary Committee Chairman Representative Kevin Cotter (R-Mt. Pleasant) has
indicated that he is studying the issue, and will give the bill a hearing, but
does not yet know when.