Movement to recall U.S. Rep. Paul Scott has enough signatures

Created: August 25, 2011 09:15 | Last updated: July 31, 2020 00:00

State officials have certified that critics of Rep. Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc) have gathered enough signatures to put him on the ballot for recall, but several legal challenges could still stand in the way of that vote.

The Flint Journal reports:

At least two legal challenges by Scott already are underway to try to stop the recall effort. Still, organizers scored a major victory when election officials on Tuesday verified 11,047 valid signatures from voters in Scott’s district on recall petitions.

They needed just 9,604.

Scott, Republican chairman of the House Education Committee, has been at the heart of a several controversial reform efforts this year — including weakening of teacher tenure protection that makes evaluation of teachers tougher and easier to fire teachers. He’s also supported proposed legislation by Gov. Rick Snyder to tax pensions for retirees.

“The Secretary of State action is another step in the process put in place to make sure the rights of all sides are protected,” Scott said in a statement. “The voters sent me to Lansing to put our state back to work, and I will continue to be focused on improving the economy and education system throughout our state.”

Scott is challenging the language of the recall petition, arguing that it is too vague under state law. He is arguing in another court that the petition signatures should not be certified while the petition language is being challenged.