A bill to make English the official language in Michigan has passed a House committee. HB 4053 would require all public government documents be written in English, although they could be printed in another language as well.
Northern Michigan Representatives Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) and Tristan Cole (R-Mancelona) are co-sponsors of the bill.
"Thirty-two states have already made this move," Chatfield told the Detroit Free Press. "I think it's important that we attempt to be unified in this state. It simply puts into legislation something that's already a reality in the state."
House Minority Leader Sam Sigh (D-East Lansing) says the bill is political and a waste of time. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Michigan League for Public Policy both oppose the bill.
The bill will likely not be voted on by the full House until next year.
