"Adopt and Amend" declared unconstitutional

WMUK | By Colin Jackson

Published July 19, 2022 at 6:38 PM EDT

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FILE - This Dec. 12, 2012, file photo shows the state capitol building in Lansing, Mich. Michigan's tax revenues this fiscal year will plummet between $3.1 billion and $3.6 billion below prior estimates due to the coronavirus pandemic, economists said Thursday, May 14, 2020, and are projected to fall billions of dollars short in the next budget year, too. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Carlos Osorio/AP

The Michigan legislature cannot adopt ballot proposals, then change them to its own liking in the same session, a court has ruled.

The practice of adopting a ballot initiative into law, then later changing it in the same legislative session is unconstitutional.

That’s according to the Michigan Court of Claims in a ruling that came down late Tuesday afternoon.

At issue were two petitions circulated in 2018. One would have raised the minimum wage while the other would have set accrual rates for paid sick time.

The Republican-led legislature passed them itself before they could go before voters. Then lawmakers weakened them during a lame duck-session following the election.

Tuesday's ruling restores both laws to their original language.