2010 foe submits new recall petition against Haines

Perhaps the third time will be a charm for Neil Billington.

The former 2010 Republican primary challenger against state Rep. Gail Haines (R-Waterford, West Bloomfield) has again filed proposed recall petition language against the second-term lawmaker, after two previous attempts were shot down by the Oakland County Elections Commission for lack of clarity.

The latest proposed recall language reads as follows:

“State Representative Gail Haines of District 43 supports legislation and has voted in favor of Emergency Financial Managers. By doing so, she approves the appointment of Emergency Financial Managers’ ability to take authority and funds away from local government and school districts and vest them with the state. Also, these Emergency Financial Managers have been given excessive power to invalidate legal and binding contracts entered into by properly elected local authorities and, can cancel or amend existing school employees’ union collective bargaining agreements and contracts. This delegation of legislative authority is invasive and unconstitutional to those of whom it effects.”

Billington filed the new proposed language with the county Clerk/Register of Deeds Elections Division on Friday, June 24.

“I’ve said before, I support democracy and the rights we share as American citizens,” Haines said. “I work tirelessly for the people of my district and do my best to represent them in Lansing. I continue to have overwhelming support in my district.”

Billington would have 180 days to collect 8,613 signatures — an amount equal to 25 percent of the total ballots cast for governor in the 43rd House District during the last election — if recall petition language is approved for circulation.

A hearing on the proposed language has yet to be scheduled, but staff in the Elections Division said the hearing would be held some time between Monday, July 4 and Thursday, July 14.