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

LANSING — The Democratic-led Senate sued Monday to force the transmittal of nine bills that were passed by the Legislature late last year but are in limbo after Republicans took control of the House.

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.

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.