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Coverage from across Michigan and the state Capitol with the Michigan Public Radio Network and Interlochen Public Radio.

Schuette Seeks Fast Action In Same-Sex Marriage Case

State Attorney General Bill Schuette is ready to fend off court challenges to "right to work."
State Attorney General Bill Schuette is ready to fend off court challenges to "right to work."

State Attorney General Bill Schuette has asked a federal appeals court to act very quickly to hear arguments and decide the legal challenge to Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage. The attorney general wants to skip arguments before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Instead, he wants the case to go directly to the full court of 15 active judges.

“We just want to cut to the chase,” Schuette says. “The sooner we can have a more thoughtful and complete and full review of this case, I think the better for the citizens of the state of Michigan.”

A hearing and decision by the full appeals court would also put the case closer to being decided by the United States Supreme Court.

A federal judge in Detroit declared Michigan’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional two weeks ago. That decision was put on hold by the appeals court, but not before more than 300 gay and lesbian couples in four counties got married.  

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.