Updates About Legislature

Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield and his wife, Stephanie Chatfield, have been ordered to stand trial on numerous felony charges related to misuse of public, campaign, and nonprofit funds. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that the charges stem from a lengthy investigation revealing what her office describes as a series of elaborate financial ploys intended to personally benefit Chatfield during his time in office.

Lee Chatfield faces a total of 13 felony counts, including charges of conducting a criminal enterprise, embezzlement from nonprofit and public funds, conspiracy to embezzle, and violations of the Charitable Trust Act. The allegations include false reimbursement claims, personal credit card payments made with nonprofit funds, and the misuse of political action committee contributions through a check kickback scam.

Stephanie Chatfield is charged with one count of embezzlement from a nonprofit organization and one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement. Follow along to find out when a pretrial date has been set.

The Michigan Supreme Court has declined to immediately take up a lawsuit filed by the state Senate against the House of Representatives, confirming the case will go through the normal legal process by having the Court of Appeals review it first. The ongoing dispute centers on the House’s refusal to formally present nine bills passed by the Senate during the last session, a procedural step required to send legislation to the governor.

While Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks had asked both the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court to weigh in on the matter immediately, the court said it was not persuaded to skip the usual legal process. However, it did order the Court of Appeals to expedite its review so the matter can move forward more quickly.

Related Articles: BRINKS SEEKS SUPREME COURT RULING AND MAKES SENATE RULE CHANGE IN ONGOING FIGHT OVER HOUSE BILLS • MICHIGAN HOUSE DECLINES TO SEND NINE BILLS TO GOVERNOR • SENATE DEMOCRATS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST SPEAKER HALL

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and the Senate have escalated their legal battle with the House, filing appeals with both the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. The dispute centers on the House’s refusal to present nine bills, passed last session, to the governor. Leader Brinks is seeking an expedited ruling, arguing that withholding the bills violates the state constitution by allowing one chamber to indefinitely block legislation. In response, the Senate also adopted a rule change allowing its secretary to present House-approved bills to the governor if the House fails to do so.

House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) pushed back, stating the Michigan Constitution does not permit the current House to present bills from a prior session. He criticized Brinks’ alternative proposal that the House send the bills to the Senate for presentation, calling it unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Brinks defended the Senate’s rule change as a way to ensure legislative compliance with the court’s ruling. The legal fight continues as the courts weigh whether to intervene.

Related Articles: MICHIGAN HOUSE DECLINES TO SEND NINE BILLS TO GOVERNOR • SENATE DEMOCRATS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST SPEAKER HALL