Supreme court sets hearings on ballot proposals

LANSING, MI (AP)--   The Michigan Supreme Court has scheduled hearings Thursday on whether it should order four voter-initiated proposals onto the Nov. 6 ballot.

The court set the hearings following appeals from backers of plans to strengthen collective bargaining rights, allow eight more casinos, require a two-thirds vote in the Legislature to raise taxes, and block a planned bridge to Canada.

The Board of State Canvassers has deadlocked on a series of votes to place voter initiatives on the ballot. The board has two Democrats and two Republicans, and it requires at least one member of each party to vote in favor of a resolution for it to pass.

On Monday, the Democrats voted to place the tax, bargaining and bridge issues on the ballot. The one Republican present voted no.