Limiting Ways to Avoid Voter Approval for Bonds.

• Position: Brief Article

A Michigan state representative wants local governments to publish notices in the local newspaper before issuing limited-tax general obligation bonds. Under legislation that will soon be introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives, local voters would have 45 days to collect petitions to challenge the bonds. If 10 percent of voters sign the petition, the municipality would have to put the bond issue before the electorate for approval. Limited-tax general obligation (GO) bonds in Michigan do not require voter approval as long as they stay under...