ABC 10/CW5 LANSING — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and two Democratic state lawmakers announced legislation that would increase SoS branch offices hours in the short term to deal with a backlog blamed on extensions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Benson and state Reps. Julie Brixie of East Lansing and Stephanie Young of Detroit announced the bills during a virtual press conference on Tuesday. Benson wants to add half a million appointments at branch offices between now and October, She said the increase at branch offices would help to meet backlog in demand for services after extensions approved by the Legislature, for vehicle registrations and drivers licenses and state ID’s ran out. In order to do that, SOS needs more people for longer hours.