Based upon the information posted on October 31, 2013 in the online publication of (Michigan) Democracy Tree http://bit.ly/1cIXur9 and discussed on the (WCHB)Mildred Gaddis Show on 11/8/2013, Michigan GOP lawmakers are attempting to ram-rod a new law into practice.  This law would negatively impact citizens’ rights to seek redress through the Michigan courts.

The text below details a portion of the law that seems particularly interesting in light of recent court cases involving the State of Michigan administrators and employees.  The case of BBF Engineering Services et. al. vs MDOT et. al. includes a lawsuit against MDOT employees.  One person resigned after giving $millions in contracts to the consultant he went to work for and another retired and went to work for a contractor who is now in the top 10 revenue generators on MDOT construction contracts.

“….The bill seems to eliminate the right of citizens to hold state employees personally accountable for their actions. Not only does this shield bad actors from personal accountability, it also denies citizens their right to a jury trial in those cases. Currently, the process allows for state employees to be sued personally in specific instances such as a state employee driving drunk or taking advantage of a youth under their direction. Those cases would now be folded in with the larger case against the state itself. Just to reiterate, this is a terrible idea because it prevents accountability and denies the citizens a right they currently have.”

Citizens:  Maintain your right to appeal a lower court decision to the Michigan court of appeals.  THIS IS YOUR RIGHT!

See previous posts in blog for bellandrafoster.com