Will Controversy Be A Part Of State Lawmakers Return From Holiday?

LANSING (WWJ) - It's back to work Tuesday for state lawmakers following the holiday break.

But as WWJ's Tim Skubick reports, there are still some unanswered questions as they return.

Skubick notes that usually the opening day ceremonies are fairly routine and not controversial. This year could be different.

Brian Banks, a newly elected state lawmaker,  may or may not be seated because he has been convicted eight times for felonies involving bad checks and credit card fraud.

Banks, a Democrat and lifelong Detroiter, won a seat in Lansing as a state representative for the 1st District, representing the east side of Detroit, Harper Woods, and the tony Grosse Pointes. He won 68 percent of the vote to Republican Dan Schulte's 32 percent.

Banks, 35, reports that he has changed his ways after his latest conviction eight years ago.

Banks said in a recent interview with WWJ's Legal Analyst  Charlie Langton that  he has no worries the Legislature won't seat him because of his past.

"That law states you cannot be convicted of a felony while in office, I was never in office … These are crimes that were eight, nine, 10 years ago."

However, sources indicate that he likely will be seated.

Another question House Speaker Jase Bolger will be re-elected Speaker but how many Democrats, if any, will vote in protest against him? Skubick asks.