State House Speaker Kevin Cotter is appealing a judge's order that he testify in the criminal proceedings against former representatives Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat.
The emergency appeal was filed with the Ingham County Circuit Court. The Republican leader is asking the court to reverse a lower court judge’s order that the speaker set aside two hours to testify next week. Cotter is being called by the defense to explain the decision by House leaders to remove Courser and Gamrat for malfeasance. Courser and Gamrat now face criminal charges including misconduct in office.
Cotter’s appeal says courts should not meddle in how the Legislature conducts its business. It says the state constitution protects lawmakers from being compelled to testify about legislative matters.