Some officials from Oakland County are trying to turn up the heat on Lansing to pay for a special election.
That election was called to replace Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, who resigned last month.
Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley called for the September 5th special election to fill out just the few remaining weeks of McCotter’s term. State officials maintain it’s required by law.
But that leaves local governments in suburban Detroit’s 11th district to pick up the tab.
Oakland County clerk Bill Bullard, a Republican, is just one of many local officials to call this unfair. He requested last month that Lansing reimburse local governments.
The Oakland County Commission has now passed a resolution of support, and Bullard said he’s now looking to Oakland County’s state legislators for support.
“I’m hoping that they will tell the Governor, or support a supplemental appropriations bill to fund this particular election,” Bullard said.
“I believe this cost should not be borne by the communities that have the special election, but should be borne by the state of Michigan. Much like the state reimburses local units of government for the cost of the Presidential primary election.”
The Michigan Secretary of State’s office has estimated the special election will cost cities and counties about $650,000.
