Justices decline appeal of Democrats in vote dispute

LANSING (AP) -- The Michigan Supreme Court isn't hearing the appeal of Democratic lawmakers who claim the GOP didn't count their votes. In a unanimous order released last Thursday, justices said they weren't persuaded they should review the case. Legislation must be passed by a two-thirds vote to take immediate effect. Otherwise it goes into effect later. The House has routinely gaveled immediate effect through without a roll call vote. House Democrats last year challenged the practice, saying the state constitution requires a recorded vote if one-fifth of members request it. The state appeals court dismissed the lawsuit in August. An Ingham County judge had agreed with Democrats and prevented two laws from taking effect. The laws prohibit school districts from deducting union dues from employee paychecks and ban university research assistants from unionizing. Published: Mon, May 6, 2013