Michigan Supreme Court justices on Thursday examined challenges to halt four proposed constitutional amendments from getting on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.
According to the Detroit News, the justices are considering whether special interest groups seeking eight new casinos, strengthening of collective bargaining rights, and restrictions on raising taxes, and on building new international bridges and tunnels can make undisclosed changes to the state constitution without informing voters.
The high court's ruling has long-term implications on the process for changing the constitution.
"If this court approves what happens here, you'll never have disclosure again," said Solicitor General John Bursch, who argued against different issues on behalf of Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette.
But Chief Justice Robert Young Jr. expressed skepticism.
He asked if citizen initiatives could actually publish every section of the constitution their initiative might impact. That is the argument opponents of the four proposals are making.
"If that were the standard, you'd have to publish the whole constitution," he said.
