MDP Releases New Video: “Extreme Michigan Supreme Court Endangers Children

From Michigan Democratic Party

Video Shows How Court’s Extreme Rulings Could Deny Justice to Child Abuse Victims in Michigan

LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party today released a new 30-second video, “Extreme Michigan Supreme Court Endangers Children,” which shows how a repeat of a Penn State-type scandal in Michigan could lead to child abuse victims being denied justice.

Under the ruling in LaMeau v. City of Royal Oak (490 Mich. 949, *; 805 N.W.2d 841, 2011), it would be extremely difficult to hold individuals responsible if they knew or should have known about the abuse and covered it up. In addition, if crimes were covered up, this Michigan Supreme Court would rule that any lawsuit was filed too late, thus rewarding the perpetrators of the cover-up (Trentadue v. Buckler, 479 Mich. 378, 2007).

“It’s apparent from the extreme rulings of the Michigan Supreme Court that child sex abuse victims would have the courthouse doors blocked in Michigan,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. “This Court has protected insurance companies and government bureaucracies and would continue to do so at the expense of innocent kids.

“Michigan deserves a Supreme Court that would protect children and families, not powerful institutions. Judge Connie Marie Kelley, Judge Shelia Johnson and Professor Bridget Mary McCormack have devoted their careers to standing up for women, children and families, and we need to elect them this November.”

Watch the video online here:

http://youtu.be/erxYkgNrvXQ

MDP Chair Mark Brewer Issues Statement on Michigan Supreme Court’s Decision to Allow GOP Corruption

From the Michigan Democratic Party

LANSING – Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer issued the following statement on the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Oakland County Commission to redraw commission boundaries.

“Today, the Michigan Supreme Court has shown it is on the side of political corruption and not the rule of law. Two other lower courts have already declared this law unconstitutional, yet Republicans on the Supreme Court chose to ignore the law and the facts in order to permit Republican corruption.

“This plan was set in motion months ago and email records prove that the sole intent was nothing more than a Republican power grab. Our Justices should be standing up for the Constitution instead of promoting corruption. Voters will not forget this decision and will hold this Court accountable this November. Justices Markman and Zahra have once again proven they are nothing more than puppets of special interests.”

Will the Michigan Supreme Court do the Right Thing? Or Will It Permit GOP Corruption?

From Michigan Democratic Party

Court Should Follow the Law and Declare Oakland County Redistricting Bill Unconstitutional

LANSING – The Michigan Supreme Court will soon decide whether a blatant Republican power grab is unconstitutional. The question now is, will the Court make the right ruling or will it permit GOP corruption on both the county and state level?

“This case will show one way or another whether the Michigan Supreme Court is on the side of the rule of law, or on the side of political corruption,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “The facts are simple. This law is clearly unconstitutional, as two courts have already found, and emails between GOP leaders have proven this is nothing more than a blatant partisan power grab by the Republicans.”

“Our courts are designed to stand up for the Constitution and stop political corruption. Will the Michigan Supreme Court do the right thing and declare this law unconstitutional? Or will the Court rule in favor of Republican corruption?” asked Brewer. “The Court should follow the law, rise above petty partisan politics and stop this backroom deal.”

MDP Releases New Video: Michigan Supreme Court Not On Your Side

From Michigan Democratic Party:

LANSING – The Republican Michigan Supreme Court isn’t on your side. Time and again the Court has ruled in favor of special interests like insurance companies, drug companies, and big banks over victims. The Michigan Democratic Party today released a new video citing cases in which the Court consistently ruled for these special interests.

“This is one of the most partisan special interest-controlled Courts in the country,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “Just last week the Court favored corporations and the wealthy over seniors on tax issues and big banks over homeowners on foreclosures.”

“Four Republican Justices consistently rule in favor of big banks, insurance companies, oil companies, drug companies, polluters, and big corporations and their wealthy CEOs over victims and taxpayers,” added Brewer. “The Court rules for the special interests who fund the campaigns of the GOP Justices.”

“The people must take back the Court in 2012,” said Brewer. “We need to send the Court a message and tell these Justices, ‘we won’t stand for injustice.’ We’re confident once voters learn the truth about this Court, they will hold it accountable for these decisions and others at the polls next year.”

To watch the video, please click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmRHCrR8avY

Mich Supreme Court: Okay to tax seniors’ pensions but not raise taxes on the wealthy

Eclectablog/blogging for Michigan/Eclectablog

The Detroit Free Press characterizes a move by the Michigan Supreme Court as a “victory” for Governor Rick Snyder. The reality is that it is a solid defeat for the 99% and a “victory” for the 1%. The Michigan Supremes basically said it’s okay to tax seniors’ pensions but not okay to raise taxes on the 1%.

A divided Michigan Supreme Court has given the green light to the extension of Michigan’s 4.35% personal income tax to pensions, one of the cornerstones of the Gov. Rick Snyder-led overhaul of the state tax system that was approved amidst partisan rancor earlier this year.

The court did, however, unanimously strike down provisions in the new tax law that would have phased out the use of personal tax exemptions by wealthier taxpayers. That provision, effectively raising the taxes on higher income earners, is barred by the state constitutional ban on a graduated income tax, the court said.

With today’s decision, the state can go ahead with plans to implement the tax changes on Jan. 1. The new tax on pensions was expected to raise more than $300 million in 2012. It was not immediately clear how much lower that number will be because of the court’s decision to strike down the personal exemption phase-out.

To those of you that are asking what the “Occupy” movement is protesting, THIS is the kind of crap that the “Occupy” movement is protesting. Do we really need to make it any damn clearer?

Adding… I’d just like to point out that these two decisions came in the same ruling by the Supreme Court. Could there possibly be a more vicious stab in the eye of those who aren’t part of the wealthy elite in our society than that?

The Michigan AFL-CIO has issued this statement:

Today’s Supreme Court ruling on Governor Snyder’s pension tax proposal is a partisan decision that will hurt Michigan seniors, and is yet another example of the misplaced priorities of Lansing politicians. The tax proposal would impose $343 million in new taxes on seniors’ pensions, cutting deeply into fixed income budgets and leaving less for Michigan seniors to spend on necessities like groceries and needed medications,” said Michigan AFL-CIO President Karla Swift.

“Raising taxes on pensions while continuing to protect the CEOs and big corporations that have been outsourcing Michigan jobs is going to further our state’s jobs crisis. It will increase the hardship on working and middle class families and on local businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies.

Gov. Snyder and other politicians in Lansing need to stop the power struggles and the misplaced priorities if we’re going to get our state back on track for the 99% of Michiganders. Tax hikes on those that can least afford it is wrong for Michigan. Workers should be able to look forward to a secure retirement, but this ruling puts partisan politics ahead of commonsense values.

Michigan Supreme Court OKs foreclosure practice that lower court found violated state law

By Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio/thanks to @wavingcrosser on Twitter

Consumer advocates are disappointed by a Michigan Supreme Court decision.   

The high court today reversed an appeals court decision which found the mortgage industry violated state law by using a national group to file foreclosure notices in Michigan.  

The lower court found the Mortgage Electronic Registration System, or MERS, didn't have an interest in the mortgage and thus was not allowed to file the foreclosure paperwork.   

Lorray Brown is with the Michigan Poverty Law Program.  Brown says the Supreme Court used "tortured" legal analysis to avoid following the strict wording of the law.   

“I think this is a clear case of strict statutory construction and the statute says what it says," says Brown.   

 An attorney for the Michigan Bankers Association praised the  court’s decision.  Attorney James Breay says it prevents the voiding of thousands of home foreclosures in Michigan.  

 “This decision will avoid…the possibility of a ruling that could otherwise have created chaos in Michigan’s residential mortgage market," says Breay.    

MERS is facing other legal challenges, including a potential class action suit involving Michigan counties that accuse MERS of not paying taxes on property transfers.   

More of the Same: Republican Michigan Supreme Court Rules for Drug Company

From The Michigan Democratic Party

GOP Court Continues its Trend of Being Pro-Drug Company, Pro-Insurance Company, and Pro-Big Oil

LANSING – The Republican Michigan Supreme Court continued its practice of putting drug companies over victims and now taxpayers when it refused to hear an appeal from the Attorney General on behalf of taxpayers seeking reimbursement for the State’s use of Vioxx in the Medicaid program.

The four Republican Justices, Markman, Zahra, Kelly, and Young, all voted in favor of Merck and Company – preventing the drug company from being held accountable.

“This GOP Court once again proves whose side it’s really on,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “I’m not sure why they even bother deliberating anymore. If you’re a drug company, insurance company, oil company, or big bank, you’re virtually guaranteed a victory from this partisan GOP Court.”

“We need fair justices on the Court who are going to follow the law, not their partisan agenda,” added Brewer. “The Michigan Supreme Court is supposed to be protecting the people of this state, not constantly ruling in favor of major corporations. We need a change on the Court and Justices Markman and Zahra will have to answer to the voters next year for their extreme, partisan, and unfair agenda.”