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Michigan Dems Worry About 'Lame Duck' Measures

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Democratic lawmakers fear another 'toxic' lame duck session

The state Legislature reconvenes Wednesday to continue its "lame duck" session between now and the end of the year.

Democrats fear Republican leaders will take up a bill that would assign the state's Electoral College votes for president by congressional district.

"Probably at the top of my list of concerns is the Republican bill to rig how Electoral College votes are allocated in this state," House Minority Leader Tim Greimel, D-Auburn Hills, told reporters last week.

"That would have turned the last presidential election on its head by allocating most of the state's Electoral College votes to the candidate that received less than half of the popular vote in the state."

"Pushing the Electoral College bill will be toxic to the atmosphere in Lansing," said Greimel.

Supporters of the plan say it would attract more presidential contenders of both parties to Michigan. Gov. Rick Snyder and state Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, have both said they are not eager to take up the legislation.

Greimel says he hope this year's session will focus on issues both parties can agree on, including legislation to help fix Michigan's roads. He also wants to see lawmakers pass legislation that would implement statewide teacher evaluations.

During the Legislature's last "lame duck" session in 2012, lawmakers passed controversial legislation including Michigan's right-to-work law and a replacement emergency manager law. Voters had just repealed the state's existing emergency law just before that year's lame duck session began.