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MI Supreme Court hears arguments on “Adopt and Amend” issue

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   The Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on whether it was legal for the state Legislature to adopt citizen-led ballot initiatives last year, then quickly change them. 

State Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud argued against the “adopt and amend” move. She said the Legislature thwarted the will of the people who signed the initiatives.

“This would create a permanent escape route for the Legislature, for the people to never get their voice through initiative power.”

But Deputy Solicitor General Eric Restuccia said there’s nothing in the constitution that prevents the move. And there’s a solution if voters don’t like what the Legislature does.

“If you’re concerned, the people should throw the rascals out.”

The state’s highest court hasn’t said whether it will issue an advisory opinion in the case.

Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County. Eventually, Cheyna took her investigative and interview skills and moved on to journalism. She got her masters at Michigan State University and was a documentary filmmaker, podcaster, and freelance writer before finding her home with NPR. Very soon after joining MPRN, Cheyna started covering the 2016 presidential election, chasing after Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and all their surrogates as they duked it out for Michigan. Cheyna also focuses on the Legislature and criminal justice issues for MPRN. Cheyna is obsessively curious, a passionate storyteller, and an occasional backpacker. Follow her on Twitter at @Cheyna_R