A Grand Rapids lawmaker has introduced legislation that would force leaders of the Michigan presidential recount effort and those requesting future statewide recounts to pick up the entire tab. State Rep. Lisa Pothumus Lyons, R-Alto, introduced the bill Thursday, which includes a retroactive date of Jan. 1, 2016. “The number grows every single day. It started out as $100,000 to $2 million. Now I’m gearing $4 million to $5 million,” said Lyons, referring to the estimated cost of the proposed recount. Green Party candidate Jill Stein’s campaign has picked up the first $900,000 and then some, but taxpayers may have to foot the rest of the bill. Republicans are asking, for what? “The candidate who is asking for the recount acknowledges that the outcome will not change, especially for her,” said Lyons.
Her bill would require candidates requesting a statewide recount for an election that resulted in more than a five percent difference between the winning candidate and the petitioner of the recount to pay 100 percent of the estimated cost of the recount.
… But it doesn’t appear the measure will have bipartisan support.
“The idea of changing the rules in the middle of the game just doesn’t make sense,” said state Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, who is one the Hose Elections Committee. “I know there are some partisan concerns about one side calling for a recount. But that should be brought up before the election.”
Full Article: Bill aims to put recount costs on Stein campaign | WOODTV.com.