Senate Democrats say Republican leadership is violating the state constitution by not presenting nine bills that were passed by lawmakers last year.

Senate Leader Winnie Brinks and the Democrat-controlled Senate labeled the case an "urgent state constitutional matter."

The Michigan Senate announced it is filing a lawsuit against the House over nine bills that passed in the legislature but never made it to the Governor's office for a signature.

The passed legislation reduces health care costs for educators and first responders, while offering better retirement benefits for corrections officers.

As they had threatened last week to do, Michigan Senate Democrats have filed a lawsuit seeking to force House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) to send nine already-passed bills to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her signature.