Latest news with #DeSana
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Michigan GOP House members call for impeachment articles against secretary of state
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democratic candidate for governor, is interviewed by the Michigan Advance on the porch of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., during the second day of the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) A Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday called for the chamber to issue articles of impeachment against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson – who is also a Democratic Party frontrunner for the 2026 gubernatorial primary. The call for the impeachment of Benson, who was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, came from Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton), citing what he called unlawful election directives, a failure to preserve critical election records and supposed conduct that has undermined the public trust. Benson in a statement called the effort a 'clown show.' DeSana was joined at a news conference by conservative firebrand Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford), who stood by as DeSana claimed that Benson was 'the most lawless secretary of state in Michigan history.' The articles accuse Benson of exceeding her authority during her tenure by allegedly ignoring procedural requirements imposed by the Michigan Legislature through statute, her alleged donations to a political action committee in support of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden when she sought to retain her seat last year – allegedly just before her department's attorneys argued before the high court in an election inspector challenge – and Benson's office's banning of firearms at polling locations. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DeSana also said Benson's office's handling of absentee ballots during the 2020 presidential election was part of his calculus to call for her impeachment. With Benson as a potential major player in the Democratic gubernatorial primary next year, DeSana was asked if the move was purely political. 'Whether it's viewed as political or not, my people sent me here to uphold the law and have fair elections and we are not anywhere near that right now. So if they want to deem that political, it's political,' DeSana said. 'It is about keeping our secretary of state accountable to the residents of Michigan for her job. It is her job to run the secretary of state's office and to run elections. We make the law that determines what is the authority over the election. She cannot make that law.' In response, Benson said that she believes in oversight and transparency, but 'this isn't it.' 'This is Republican lawmakers abusing their authority to access sensitive election information that would allow them – or any conspiracy theorists they share it with – to tamper with election equipment, interfere with the chain of custody of ballots, or impersonate a clerk on Election Day,' Benson said. 'I continue to call on Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall and his caucus to work with us and a judicial mediator to help us reach a resolution to this matter.' Benson added that the threat amounted to a Republican-led circus. 'But let's be clear: this clown show he is leading is no way to govern. It is not how we solve problems. It is not how we make government work for everyone. And every taxpayer dollar wasted on these shenanigans is a waste of time and money,' Benson said. 'I remain committed to the security of our elections and to the people of Michigan. I work for them. I suggest the House Republicans start doing the same.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Election results: Bond proposals pass in Ferndale, Redford; not in Mount Clemens, Lamphere
Charter amendments in Clawson, city offices in Wyandotte and school funding proposals around metro Detroit were put before voters Tuesday, May 6. Oakland County According to Oakland County election results, Clawson voters rejected a proposed charter amendment that would have kept the city council at four members plus the mayor. With all precincts reporting, nearly 64% voted "no" on the measure, allowing a previously adopted expansion to six council members to take effect with the fall election. Charter Amendment No. 2 was also rejected in Clawson, with more than 63% of voters voting "no." That means a rule approved in 2023 and scheduled to begin this fall will stay in place, giving four-year terms to the top three vote-getters and a two-year term to the candidate who finishes fourth. More: Metro Detroit election results for May 6, 2025 Voters in Ferndale approved a millage restoration proposal with about 58% voting "yes," and passed a school improvement bond proposition for Ferndale Public Schools, with 70% support. A similar school bond for The Lamphere Schools in Madison Heights was rejected, with nearly 58% voting "no." All precincts have reported for the three proposals. Macomb County With all precincts reporting, voters rejected a $91.8 million bond proposal for Mount Clemens school facilities, with nearly 67% voting "no," according to Macomb County election results. The measure would have funded renovations, infrastructure upgrades, modern learning spaces and safety improvements, while maintaining a 1-mill tax rate decrease. Wayne County With 100% of precincts reporting in Wyandotte, Robert DeSana was reelected to a four-year term as mayor. DeSana received 79% of the vote to Curtis Kile's 21%. For city council, Kelly Stec, Patrick Sutka, Chris Calvin, Todd Hanna, Robert Alderman and Adriana Villanueva-Cerulla were elected to four-year terms. The remaining three offices on the ballot were won by unopposed candidates: Theodore Galeski for assessor, Lawrence Stec for clerk and Todd Browning for treasurer. A building and site bond proposal was approved in the Redford Union School District, with 54% of voters adopting $44 million in bonds. As of 10:45 p.m., only one of 12 districts had reported votes for in the Southgate Community School District, where three funding proposals were bring considered. Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@ Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Metro Detroit election results: School funding proposals on the ballot
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DeSana introduces sanctuary city bill package
LANSING — State Representative James DeSana, R-Carleton, introduced state legislation with other Republican representatives that would ban sanctuary city policies in Michigan. "We want to send a very clear message that illegal immigration is a problem and that all of our municipalities and law-enforcement agencies should be cooperating with immigration to prevent crime, to prevent [illegal immigrants] from coming crimes against American citizens," he said. The plan aims to prohibit local governments in Michigan - cities, counties, townships, etc. - from adopting or enforcing sanctuary policies that shield individuals residing in the country illegally from federal immigration enforcement. It would also make cities who continue enforcing sanctuary policies ineligible for enhancement grants. More: DeSana moves to repeal "Red Flag" laws "Michigan dollars should be focused on helping our seniors, schools, working families, and people who are working hard to get back on their feet, not individuals who have entered illegally and skipped the process to stay here," DeSana said. The resolution laid out by the bill package defines a sanctuary municipality as any county or city that "actively maintains any rule, policy, ordinance, or resolution that would subvert immigration enforcement in any way or that refuses to comply with federal immigration enforcement measures." — Contact reporter Connor Veenstra at CVeenstra@ This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: State Rep. DeSana introduces bills outlawing sanctuary cities
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DeSana moves to repeal "Red Flag" laws
LANSING — State Representative James DeSana, R-Carleton, introduced a bill package recently to repeal the "Red Flag" laws that were signed into Michigan law last year. According to a release, DeSana is against the Extreme Risk Protection Orders because they allow courts to seize firearms from an individual if they're accused to being a risk to themselves or others with no right to a hearing before the action. "Really when you come to the bottom line... the 5th and the 14th amendments are still in existence," he said. "We can't wipe out the 5th and 14th amendment to due process. We just flip the American legal system upside down by saying 'you no longer have due process.'" According to DeSana, laws like the Baker Act and the 5150 hold procedure already provided ways for people who pose potential danger to be held for their and others' safety with due process. "Where as with Red Flag, it's just an accusation and you don't even get to face your accuser," he said. McCenzie Mento, owner of Supermatch G&A LLC in Newport, is against the laws because he knows people who would've had their guns taken away under false pretense if they had been on the books in the past. "Whether it was divorce or something like that," he said. "An upset spouse or a mad ex could call up the local sheriff's office or police department and claim they were looking to do something dumb or stupid even though it's not true." HB 4138-4140 were introduced on February 26 and referred to House Committee on Judiciary for further consideration. — You can reach Connor Veenstra at cveenstra@ This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Carleton representative DeSana moves to repeal "Red Flag" laws
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. DeSana introduces bills to repeal Michigan's red flag gun laws
Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton) on the House Floor on Nov. 9, 2023. | Kyle Davidson Legislation to overturn Michigan's red flag laws that allow judges to remove guns from people deemed dangerous has been introduced in the GOP-controlled state House. State Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton) introduced a pair of bills last week to repeal laws establishing Extreme Risk Protection Orders that Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law in 2023. 'The Red Flag laws are a direct violation of our Second Amendment rights,' said DeSana. 'These poorly written laws strip away our rights without the opportunity for individuals to defend themselves.' The bills were passed while Democrats controlled both the state House and Senate, and were among a slate of gun safety bills that also instituted universal background checks for all gun sales in Michigan and required safe storage of firearms and ammunition. But with Republicans regaining control of the House in November, DeSana used the bill introduction to issue a press release saying the hearing process was 'flawed, one-sided, and undermines due process,' which he said was unconstitutional. 'No one should lose their rights without the chance to defend themselves in court. We need to act and restore the rights of Michiganders by overturning these awful policies,' said DeSana. However, the process set up by the legislation does require any order to temporarily prohibit people from accessing firearms be approved by a judge. Introduced after the Feb. 13, 2023, mass shooting at Michigan State University that killed three students, the legislation allows family members, law enforcement and other individuals to bring an ERPO request to a judge if the person in question is believed to present a danger to themselves or others. A recent report from the State Court Administrative Office found that in 2024, a total of 391 ERPO requests were made with 287 being approved, while denials were issued for 84 of the requests as the law requires petitioners to present a factual case showing imminent danger if the person is in possession of firearms. Advocacy group End Gun Violence Michigan urged supporters to contact their lawmakers and tell them the 'red flag law is saving lives and that we can't afford to go backwards.' House Bills 4138, 4139, and 4140 were introduced on Feb. 26 and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. While Republicans control the House, the legislation is unlikely to see passage through the Democratic-run Senate, much less be signed by Whitmer. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
