Michigan’s redistricting commission found out it’s likely facing a projected budget shortfall of over a million dollars—and gave itself a raise today.
The budget shortfall largely has to do with increased legal fees as the commission defends its maps against multiple lawsuits.
Meanwhile, commissioners say the raise was a needed cost of living adjustment to account for rising inflation.
Commissioner Doug Clark spoke against the raises. “Our workload’s diminishing at this point in time and I don’t think it’s a prudent thing to do at this point,” he said.
The commission’s executive director says they’re figuring out how to best approach the Legislature to ask for more money.
The state constitution requires lawmakers to fund the commission’s legal defense of its maps. Other projected costs are unclear.