Article III – General Government: the “catch-all” section of the Michigan Constitution
About this episode
The episode discusses Article III of the Michigan Constitution and its implications for modern governance.
In this 5th episode of the #FactsMatter series of podcasts covering the Constitution, host Guy Gordon speaks with Research Council President Eric Lupher about Michigan’s upcoming ballot question on whether to hold a constitutional convention. Their conversation focuses on Article III—General Government of the state constitution—a little-known but important section containing structural provisions that don’t fit neatly into the legislative, executive, or judicial branches. Lupher explains that Article III covers a wide range of topics, from intergovernmental cooperation with neighboring states like Canada to the state’s longstanding (and now outdated) reference to a “militia.” They discuss how modern realities—such as environmental partnerships across the Great Lakes, the National Guard’s federalized role, and today’s economic development practices—don’t always align with the Constitution’s original language. A constitutional convention, they note, could prompt voters to revisit issues such as transparency, nondisclosure agreements, and the long-debated prohibition on using public resources for “internal improvements.” The Citizens Research Council is celebrating its 110th…
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- Most targeted Article in MI Constitution: Legislative Branch; Redistricting is one high-stakes issue
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