Opinion ID: 849204
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the question before the court

Text: There is no gainsaying that 2000 PA 381 has become the focus of a heated debate among various segments of Michigan's citizens; Justice Cavanagh's dissent is generous in providing his own extensive personal views on the public controversy surrounding 2000 PA 381. However important, this political issueÔÇöthe merits or demerits of the underlying actÔÇöis not before this Court. The sole question we are to decide in this case is a legal one: Is 2000 PA 381 subject to the referral process under the provisions of art. 2,  9? If it is, 2000 PA 381 will not become effective until the next general electionÔÇöif a majority of the voters then approve it. Const. 1963, art. 2,  9; MCL 168.477(2). If the stated limitation on the people's referral power contained in art. 2,  9 applies, the act is not subject to the referendum process at all.