LANSING – Today, House Republicans rushed through House Bill 6553 to allow the Legislature an absolute right to intervene in court proceedings, effectively undermining the power of the attorney general's office and ignoring the will of the voters who elected Attorney General-elect Nessel last month. In response to its passage, state Rep. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) issued the following statement:
“Anyone who has seen School House Rock understands that the three branches of government are separated for a reason. Members of the legislature can already request to intervene in a lawsuit when it’s needed, so it’s pretty clear that this bill is nothing more than a power grab to strip the attorney general’s office of its constitutional powers. The people elected Dana Nessel to serve as the attorney general of this state, and the people of this state are smart enough to know when their voice is being taken from them.”
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