Posted here with permission from Doug Merriam, MAR's West Michigan Field Director
Excerpt from August 2008 Field Report -
West Michigan
By: Doug Merriam - West Michigan Field Director
RMGN Update
During the summer months, a very expansive proposal to alter the Michigan Constitution surfaced known as the Reform Michigan Government Now ballot initiative, or RMGN. As you might recall from last month's report, RMGN would place in the Michigan Constitution many things that are popular with voters given their sentiment towards government right now, such as cutting the number of legislators in the State House and State Senate and reducing and limiting the number of departments in the Executive Branch.
However, RMGN also contains provisions that would slant the political playing field in Michigan toward one party while diminishing the voice of a political minority and voters in Michigan's urban cores. This disastrous proposal, which sounds quite appealing from its name, would prove to be harmful for Michigan's homebuyers, sellers, owners, the MAR membership and the citizens of our state.
Last week, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that due to the nature of the proposal being a 'revision' of the entire Constitution (RMGN would make 36 changes to the document) and not an 'amendment' that it should NOT be placed on the ballot. The decision is being appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court by RMGN proponents.
As the legal challenges continue related to this complex matter, MAR will closely monitor the situation along with other organizations that possess traditional Democrat and Republican leanings that realize the disastrous effects it would have on Michigan. Should broad membership action ultimately be needed to defeat this proposal, that message will reach you loud and clear.
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