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Redistricting Commission reverses pay raises and faces pending shortfall

Michigan Independent Redistricting Commission

Michigan’s redistricting commission could face a budget shortfall after this April if state lawmakers don’t appropriate more funds.

The group is blaming legal fees for driving its costs much higher than budgeted.

"The commission will not be able to pay its bills. I mean they will get to a point, if not appropriated additional funds that they will not be able to pay their bills so all the invoicing would be put on hold until there were additional funds appropriated." said outgoing executive director, Suann Hammersmith.

Hammersmith says letters asking for more funding will go out to the legislative appropriations committee chairs “very quickly.”

Meanwhile the commission is reversing a pay raise it gave itself last month citing public backlash.