Michigan Government

The Republican bill requires signatures to be collected from across much of the state and adds more rules for signature collectors. The bill is also supported by business groups but opposed by Democrats, Right to Life and the ACLU.

Grassroots Republican leaders say legislation will help preserve Michigan’s booming economy and make it harder for Democrats to act on some of their more radical impulses.

The bill would require signatures from a wide variety of congressional districts and add other restrictions to the signature gathering process necessary for citizens to bring an initiative to the ballot or their legislators.

Since the chaotic lame duck session began in late November, hundreds of bills have been introduced and voted on, some that would have major effects on Michigan.

A bill to allow the Legislature to intervene in lawsuits has been scaled back to limit the instances in which lawmakers could do so.

Party activists want Gretchen Whitmer and other incoming Dems to lash out as Republicans seek to rein in their power. But party insiders urge patience as they try to limit damage and quietly seek vetoes from Gov. Snyder.

Michigan is one of only eight states that put no end date on its annual legislative calendar.