LANSING (WKZO-AM) — Lawmakers have failed to come up with enough votes to pass a modified ballot initiative “gag order” bill this week.
Gov. Rick Snyder asked for the fix after outraged municipal and school officials attacked the bill, which would have prevented them from commenting on bond issues and millage increases two months prior to an election.
Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, who sits on the Election Reform Committee and has been an opponent of the legislation, said the revision was still vague and subject to legal challenge.
“There are still a large contingent of Republicans and Democrats that are noting this isn’t a fix,” Hoadley said.
A federal judge’s injunction blocking enforcement of the law has eased the pressure on lawmakers to resolve the matter quickly.
There are 117 issues on the March 8 ballot that would have been impacted by the law, and more are planned for the May 5 election.
– John McNeill
