LANSING -- The State of Michigan's Supreme Court is looking to reduce the number of judgeships in the State of Michigan, including nine in the Upper Peninsula.

The House of Representatives approved a bill on Thursday that would reduce the number of cuts to seven judges. 

State Representative Ed McBroom sponsored an amendment to the first bill cutting only seven judges, instead of nine.  He purposed that the 41st and 25th Circuit Courts reduce their judgeships one each, instead of two, which was originally suggested.

The 41st Circuit Court serves Dickinson, Iron and Menominee counties, while the 25th Circuit Court serves Marquette County.

"The local judges at all levels, not just from the circuit courts, reached out to us early on in the process and we were able to sit down with them over their concerns," said McBroom, R-Vulcan.  "They made a strong case for how the proposed eliminations would lower the level of justice in our area, while keeping at least one judgeship more for each circuit court would  handle the caseload."

The changes to the bill are being supported by Representatives Matt Huuki and Steve Lindberg, along with Senator Tom Casperson.

The bill has passed the House of Representatives, and is now in the State Senate Judiciary Committee.