Hall Expands University Board Proposal to Include Closed Primaries and Education Board Changes

Kalamazoo County Republican Matt Hall, Michigan's House Speaker, signaled Thursday that the state's most controversial election reform proposal will not move forward in its current form. Instead, he is building an expanded package that would overhaul how Michigan selects top state officials and university leaders.

Hall spoke at the Detroit Regional Chamber's annual Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island. He largely closed the door on an immediate vote for the original resolutions that would shift secretary of state and attorney general nominations to the August primary and move university board elections to gubernatorial appointments.

"We'll put together something that can get the votes," Hall said. "I don't need all these outside people coming to me and telling me what the plan is."

What the Expanded Proposal Would Change

The original joint resolutions were introduced on May 21 by House Republicans and Democrats. Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, and Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, filed the House measure. Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, introduced a parallel resolution in the Senate.

The proposals would amend the Michigan Constitution to:

  • Place secretary of state and attorney general candidate nominations on the August primary ballot instead of party endorsement conventions
  • Move board member selection for the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University from public elections to gubernatorial appointments

Hall's expanded version would add two more elements:

  • A closed primary system for statewide elections
  • Changes to the state Board of Education selection process

The proposal would need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to become a constitutional amendment. Under state law, such amendments bypass the governor if the Legislature provides the required support.

Why Timing Matters

State law sets a June 5 deadline to place a constitutional amendment on the August primary ballot. Lawmakers are not in session during the Mackinac Policy Conference. That leaves just one legislative week before the deadline to gather two-thirds support in both chambers.

Hall said the expanded proposal "could not realistically make the August ballot." He indicated the package would instead target the November ballot if it passes through the Legislature.

The Push for Reform Comes After Guskiewicz Exit

The momentum behind the university board changes accelerated after Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz announced his departure for Clemson University on Wednesday. Guskiewicz cited dysfunction within the MSU Board of Trustees in his farewell letter.

"Our ability to make meaningful progress is hampered when disagreements move from offering alternative perspectives into publicly undermining decisions and putting personal interests above the best interests of the university and our faculty, staff and students," Guskiewicz wrote.

Former governors on both sides of the aisle have lobbied for board reform. Republican former Gov. John Engler ramped up his advocacy after Guskiewicz's departure. Democratic former Gov. Jim Blanchard has also pushed for changes to the university board system.

Conference Leaders Call It a Crisis

Sandy Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber, called the current governance system broken. She spoke at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Thursday.

"We need to recognize that we have a crisis in how we govern our three major, R1 universities in this state," Baruah said. "We need to add an agenda item to the conversations that we have on the porch and on the ride home: How do we fix how Michigan governs R1 universities?"

Bob Riney, president and CEO of Detroit-based Henry Ford Health and this year's conference chair, said he spoke Sunday with Guskiewicz, whom he described as "quite distraught."

"This was an agonizing decision for him," Riney said. "People who come to lead universities want to lead universities, not spend time navigating board politics."

What It Means for Kalamazoo Voters

Kalamazoo County residents are part of the MSU Board of Trustees voting district. The current system allows voters in each of Michigan's 15 legislative districts to elect three trustees to the MSU board. A shift to gubernatorial appointments would remove that local voting power.

The secretary of state and attorney general changes would not take effect until 2030 at the earliest. Those offices have four-year terms. The current nominees were selected at party endorsement conventions this spring.

Michigan is one of only three states that holds nominating conventions instead of primaries for certain offices. The other two are South Dakota and Indiana.

Markkanen said the current system limits candidate participation.

"I feel, and I think a lot of other people feel, that we're missing out on a lot of good possible candidates because they just don't want to step forward under this system," Markkanen said.