Senate committee fails to support measure to save 26th judicial district
In spite of a determined effort by local officials to stop the breakup of the 26th Circuit Court, the Senate Judiciary Committee, on a 5-1 vote Tuesday, failed to support a measure to reverse a decision made by lawmakers a year ago to reorganize the circuit courts. Now the only way to save the 26th Circuit Court breakup is a class action lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Bay City last year. For PI county commissioner Don Field, who testified in Lansing February 25, it?s a setback, but the fight is not over.
?If the bill was to arrive at the house DOA, the house wasn?t even going to consider it, they would not report it out,? said Field. ?They knew that it wasn?t going to get anywhere in the house, and apparently that?s what happened.?
Alcona is to join Iosco, Oscoda and Arenac counties in the 23rd Circuit, and Presque Isle County will join Cheboygan County in the 53rd Circuit, if nothing comes of the lawsuit. The plan, approved by the state legislature 55-52, is to be implemented on April 1.
Field said the lawsuit is ?under advisement and the court is going to make a ruling on th
?We of course said that?s ridiculous. The act will take effect, because it?s now a public act. Now that it?s proven that the legislatures will not do anything about it, it?s up to Federal Judge Lawson.?
Field, along with Circuit Judge Joseph Swallow, Probate Court Judge Ken Radzibon, and other representatives from counties that make up the 26th Circuit Court appeared before the Senate Judiciary committee last month, testifying for more than 90 minutes.
They told members of the committee what kind of financial hardship the plan is bringing to the counties involved in the realignment. Sen. Tony Stamas introduced the bill, and was the strongest voice in Lansing in attempt to protect northeast Michigan interests.