LANSING (WKZO-AM) — Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a law banning school districts and cities from spending money to discuss bond and millage issues 60 days before an election
However, the governor is also sending a strong request for legislators to clarify exactly what that means.
Supporters of the bill claim it doesn’t ban officials from expressing their own views or using public buildings for forums on the ballot items.
Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, calls the so-called “gag order” bill a “sham” that was forced through the legislature before the holiday break, swelling from 12 to 53 pages.
“It was a bad piece of legislation, it passed with 10 minutes to remove the bill and it did a lot more than people realize,” Hoadley said.
Several Republicans also came out against the legislation after voting for it, including Sen. Margaret O’Brien of Portage.
“There needs to be more-robust conversation about the piece,” O’Brien said.
Despite Snyder’s request for clarification, a legal challenge on First Amendment grounds is likely, because of how the bill is worded.
– Anthony Pollreisz
