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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Commentary on Violations of
Executive Organization Act with AG Opinion</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">July 14, 2012</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">This Michigan Attorney General
Opinion and cases are binding. This is very important to note that a Commission
such as the Commission for the Blind enacted</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Under PA 260 can only be
abolished with a Type III Transfer. Yet in Executive Order 2012-10 the Governor
abolishes the Commission and the Act with a Type</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">II Transfer to itself. It is
clear the intent of this is to abolish Public Act 260 which establishes the
Michigan Commission for the Blind as well as abolishing the roll of the board of
MCB along with its policy making and quasi-judicial powers.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That is beyond the statutory authority of
The Executive Organization Act itself which gives all Michigan Governors rather
broad authorities,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">but not this broad! Actually as
all case law shows the Michigan Constitution of 1963 is not “self executing”.
What executes it in these regards is The Executive Organization Act of 1965.
Thus EO 2012-10 and all actions flowing from it violated statute on its face and
indeed violated the Michigan Constitution itself by exceeding authorities
granted to any Michigan Governor through that statute.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">This is black letter law!</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Sincerely,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Joe Harcz</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Opinion #6675</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The following opinion is
presented on-line for informational use only and does not replace the official
version. (Mich Dept of Attorney General Web Site</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">-</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">www.ag.state.mi.us)</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">STATE OF MICHIGAN</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">FRANK J. KELLEY, ATTORNEY
GENERAL</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Opinion No. 6675</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">February 19, 1991</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">GOVERNOR:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Authority to abolish boards and
commissions under Const 1963, art 5, Sec. 2</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">CONSTITUTIONAL LAW:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Authority of Governor to abolish
boards and commissions under Const 1963, art 5, Sec. 2</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The people have in Const 1963,
art 5, Sec. 2, given the Governor the authority to abolish boards and
commissions subject to legislative disapproval.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Honorable John Engler</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Governor of Michigan</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The Capitol</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Lansing, Michigan</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">You have sought my opinion
regarding your authority as Governor to make changes both in the organization of
the executive branch and in the assignment of</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">functions within executive branch
departments and agencies. Specifically, you have asked whether the people have
in Const 1963, art 5, Sec. 2, given the</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Governor the authority to abolish
boards and commissions.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Const 1963, art 5, Sec. 2,
provides in its second paragraph:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Subsequent to the initial
allocation, the governor may make changes in the organization of the executive
branch or in the assignment of functions among</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">its units which he considers
necessary for efficient administration. Where these changes require the force of
law, they shall be set forth in executive</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">orders and submitted to the
legislature. Thereafter the legislature shall have 60 calendar days of a regular
session, or a full regular session if of shorter</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">duration, to disapprove each
executive order. Unless disapproved in both houses by a resolution concurred in
by a majority of the members elected to and</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">serving in each house, each order
shall become effective at a date thereafter to be designated by the
governor.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In the Address to the People, the
Constitutional Convention commented regarding this provision as follows:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The section ... would retain in
the hands of the legislature and the governor considerable discretion as to
internal organization within principal departments.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The initial allocation of
departments (see Schedule and Temporary Provisions) is left to the
legislature.... Subsequently, the governor may make changes</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">in the organization of the
executive branch or in the assignment of functions among its units which he
considers necessary for efficient administration.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">These changes become effective
unless they are disapproved within 60 days by a majority of the members in both
houses of the legislature.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">2 Official Record, Constitutional
Convention 1961, pp 3378-3379.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In Soap & Detergent
Association v Natural Resources Commission, 415 Mich 728, 330 NW2d 346 (1982),
the Michigan Supreme Court considered at length the Governor's</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">authority to transfer powers
between executive agencies. At issue was the Governor's authority to transfer
the rulemaking power to further restrict the</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">nutrient content of cleaning
agents from the Water Resources Commission, where it had been placed by the
Legislature, to the Natural Resources Commission.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The Court stated:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The constitutional provision of
art 5, Sec. 2, was given effect in 1965 when the Legislature enacted the
Executive Organization Act, MCL 16.101 et seq;</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">MSA 3.29(1) et seq. The act
established 19 principal departments and made the initial allocation of
functions among the d partments.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">[O]n various occasions, the
Governor has utilized his power to issue executive reorganization orders. [ Id.,
pp 742-743.]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The record of the constitutional
convention indicates that the convention's purpose in including art 5, Sec. 2,
was to facilitate economy and efficiency</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">in the executive agencies. 2
Official Record, Constitutional Convention 1961, p 1847 (comments of Mr.
Pollock); p 1836 (comments of Mr. Martin); p 1837</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">(Comments of Mr. Bentley). The
convention felt that the Legislature previously had failed to effectuate a
reorganization itself, and that the Governor</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">was in the best position to
accomplish the desired ends, having intimate knowledge of the problems. 2
Official Record, Constitutional Convention 1961,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">p 1846 (comment of Mr. Pollock).
The convention recognized that the reorganization power granted the Governor in
p 2 of art 5, Sec. 2, was clearly legislative.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">2 Official Record, Constitutional
Convention 1961, p 1846 (comments of Mr. Heideman and Mr. Hutchinson). [
footnote omitted] Nonetheless, the delegates</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">chose to include this delegation
to the Governor in the constitution, subject to vigorously debated checks deemed
necessary to restrain the broad grant</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">of power. 2 Official Record,
Constitutional Convention 1961, pp 1843-1854.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">[T]he convention's purpose ...
was to grant the Governor full legislative power to promote the most efficient
possible executive department. [ Id., pp 745-747.]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Further support for the logic of
this interpretation of the constitution is found in the Executive Organization
Act. In McDonald v Schnipke, 380 Mich 14,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">26; 155 NW2d 169 (1968), this
Court held that art 5, Sec. 2, of the constitution was not self-executing, but
that the Executive Organization Act served</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">as the enabling act of that
provision. [ footnote omitted]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The Executive Organization Act
establishes 19 principal departments. The act also provides a general mechanism
for placing existing agencies into the framework</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">of the 19 principal departments.
Three types of transfers could be effectuated. [ Id., p 748.]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Under a Type III transfer, the
agency is abolished. MCL 16.103(c); MSA 3.29(3)(c). [ Id., p 749.]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">No specific considerations are
provided in the Executive Organization Act for the art 5, Sec. 2,
activities--the subsequent reallocations by the Governor.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Yet in McDonald this Court held
that the act was the implementing legislation for the constitutional section.
The fair implication of this interpretation</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">is that the Governor, in
exercising his powers, should use the transfer mechanism established in the
Executive Organization Act, i.e., the provisions regarding</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Type I through Type III transfers
and the relationship between the departments and the transferred agencies. [
Id., p 750.]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The Court then considered the
argument that if the Governor has the power to reorganize the executive branch
such power would violate the doctrine of separation</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">of powers by commingling
executive and legislative functions within the executive branch.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The Court held:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">[W]hile art 3, Sec. 2, of the
constitution provides for strict separation of power, [footnote omitted] this
has not been interpreted to mean that the branches</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">must be kept wholly separate. [
citations omitted] Additionally, where, as in art 5, Sec. 2, the constitution
explicitly grants powers of one branch to</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">another, there can be no
separation of powers problem. [ citation omitted]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Article 5, Sec. 2, does not by
any means vest "all"' or any considerable legislative power in the executive.
While it is true that broad legislative power</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">has been delegated to the
Governor to effectuate executive reorganization, this power is clearly limited.
Three limitations must be emphasized. First,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">the area of executive exercise of
legislative power is very limited and specific. Second, the executive branch is
not the sole possessor of this power;</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">the Legislature has concurrent
power to transfer functions and powers of the executive agencies. Third, the
Legislature is specifically granted the power</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">to veto executive reorganization
orders before they become law.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Therefore, the specific intent of
the constitutional convention in fashioning art 5, Sec. 2, having been to
delegate a very limited and specific legislative</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">power to the executive, and this
provision having been adopted into the constitution with sufficient checks to
restrain an improper exercise of this power,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">we find no constitutional
infirmity negating the Governor's ability to transfer rulemaking authority from
one agency to that agency's department head.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">[ Id., pp 752-753.]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As the Supreme Court opinion, in
n 10, p 746, states:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The nature and extent of the
power granted to the Governor in art 5, Sec. 2, was most thoroughly discussed by
the convention in the context of what restraints</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">should be placed upon the
Governor's exercise of the power.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In fact, there was an effort made
to reduce the Governor's reorganization authority by giving both the House and
the Senate the individual power to veto</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">an executive order issued
pursuant to art 5, Sec. 2.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Delegate Hutchinson spoke to the
"tremendous political power"' the Governor would possess under art 5, Sec.
2:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Whoever has the power by an
executive order to organize and to rearrange the departments of his government
to suit his will has a tremendous political power,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">because if, for instance, a
particular function is being carried on in one department in a way which doesn't
suit the governor and still he doesn't think</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">it politically wise, you know, to
remove the head of the department or anything, he can, by a reorganization plan,
simply take that function which is being</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">performed in a manner not
suitable to him out of that department and place it someplace else. That is a
tremendous political power.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">2 Official Record, Constitutional
Convention 1961, p 1844.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Delegate Pollock, speaking on
this same issue, said:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">[T]he governor is in a much
better position to know what is needed within his own administrative structure
than anybody else. I think certainly the legislature</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">should have the power to veto any
proposal that is not in the public interest, but I do not think that this should
be made easy, and I think it is not</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">too difficult by requiring a
majority of both houses.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">2 Official Record, Constitutional
Convention 1961, p 1846.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Delegate Binkowski followed,
saying:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">However, I think basically the
reason for having this form is to place the responsibility with the executive,
who should know all about these administrative</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">agencies, and to allow him to
initiate the programs, and therefore present them to the legislature. I think
the reason for executive reorganization is</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">simply economy and efficiency in
government.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">If you are going to go ahead, as
we have done, and give the executive the responsibility of lowering
appropriations, then I think you have to give him the</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">responsibility in this area of
his executive departments, so that he can eliminate or consolidate in the best
interests of the state.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">[T]he legislature does
appropriate funds, so that if they are unhappy with any extension of power, so
called power by the governor, if the governor should</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">create a new agency which they
are dissatisfied with, they can effectively reduce the effectiveness of that
organization. [ Emphasis added.]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">2 Official Record, Constitutional
Convention 1961, p 1848.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As the Supreme Court pointed out
in Soap & Detergent Association, supra, it held in McDonald, supra, that the
Executive Organization Act, supra, is the</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">enabling act of art 5, Sec. 2. In
the Executive Organization Act the Legislature has provided that:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">[A] type III transfer means the
abolishing of an existing department, board, commission or agency.... [Emphasis
added.]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">MCL 16.103(c); MSA
3.29(3)(c).</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">It is my opinion, therefore, that
the people have in Const 1963, art 5, Sec. 2, given the Governor the authority
to abolish or eliminate boards and commissions.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Further, the Legislature has
provided in the Executive Organization Act the procedure to be followed in doing
so. Such action is, of course, subject to</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">the Legislature's right to
disapprove an executive order doing so.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Frank J. Kelley</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Attorney General</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">http://opinion/datafiles/1990s/op06675.htm</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">State of Michigan, Department of
Attorney General</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Last Updated 11/10/2008
16:49:34</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">_______________________________________________</P>
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