September 3, 2008

The Michigan Supreme Court this morning will be hearing the appeal from Reform Michigan Government Now!, the labor-backed partisan group that has sought to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would revamp all three branches of state government. (AP story.) The Court of Appeals threw the measure out because the 19,000-word proposal amounted to a wholesale revision of the state Constitution, which requires a constitutional convention.

Proponents -- who sought to hide their labor connections -- want to control government in time for the next post-census redistricting. Among the ballot measure's effects is the removal of Republican-appointed judges from the Supreme and appellate courts.

The Supreme Court's order approving immediate appeal is here.

Earlier posts:

On and off the ballot in Michigan
Michigan court depacking scheme off the ballot, for now
More on the Michigan scheme
The story behind "Reform Michigan Government Now!"

UPDATE: The Detroit News covered the arguments.