Jackie comes from Sierra Leone where her husband, Sam, is an engineer.  They met at U of M. She and her siblings have kept the Giffin Jones house on Cambridge St. where they grew up as a base so that's where she is currently staying.  Her mother, Marian Jones, was an active LWV member and Jackie has kept up the connection. She has done a lot with teaching young people in Sierra Leone to write about their experiences and she now connects with the Legacy Center here in Midland. If anyone is thinking about the lunch Evelyn has arranged on Monday I would recommend it. 

The Lame Duck session lasts until December 20. Many of the bills have been passed, and will be sent to Governor Snyder to sign. The Governor says he is considering whether to sign.

Free Press Article - click on links to bills to check status. Contact the appropriate legislator or the governor to leave a comment.

LWVMI is following over 100 bills--some of these bills seem to be moving:

SB 1171 - Minimum Wage - changes the ballot proposal that was adopted by the Legislature.  LWVMI opposes because it undermines the democratic process.  LWVMI sent an action alert to members.  Passed Senate and in House Committee on MI Competitiveness.  LWVMI is working with an ad hoc group to oppose changes in the initiative.  

SB 1175 - Paid Sick Leave - changes the ballot proposal that was adopted by the Legislature.  LWVMI opposes because it undermines the democratic process.  LWVMI sent an action alert to members.  Passed Senate and in House Committee on MI Competitiveness  LWVMI is working with an ad hoc group to oppose changes in the initiative.  

SB 1176 -  Donor Disclosure - bans state from requiring an organization organized as a 501(c) to disclose donors.  LWVMI opposes and sent emails to oppose passage to Senate Committee on MI Competitiveness.  MI Campaign Finance Network also opposes.  The bill is now on 3rd reading in the Senate.   

SB 1196  - Line 5 -  moves the operation of Line 5 to the Mackinac Bridge Authority Act.  Committee of the Whole in Senate.  The bill seems to have run into problems with moving the operation to the Bridge Authority.  LWVMI's position is the tunnel should be shut down.  We are part of a coalition working to oppose this -  Oil & Water Don't Mix and participated in press releases.  Members have participated in last week's lobby day.  LWVMI sent an action alert for members could attend the lobby day and sign the petition against the change.

SB 1211- Wetlands - 70,000 acres would be eliminated from protections as wetlands.  In the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.  LWVMI opposes.

SB 1248 -52 - Secretary of State's Role Changes - creates the Fair Political Practices Commission within the Department of State and shifts campaign finance functions to the commission from the secretary of state and other changes for role of Secretary of State.  In Senate Elections & Government Reform Committee.  

SB 1254 - Redistricting - stipulates process for application process for applying for new commission.  LWVMI opposes because changes redistricting proposal we supported - Proposal 2.   Tonight on conference call Katie Fahey directed people to this website for information about action to take:

https://www.votersnotpoliticians.com/lameduck  

SB 1238, 1238, 40, 41, 42 - Proposal 3 implementation - the bills stipulate how same day registration, voter registration and other issues will work.   Bills in Senate Elections and Government Reform Committee.  LWVMI is monitoring and working with Proposal 3 coalition for response. 

HB 6533 - AG Role Changed -  the House and Senate would be empowered to prosecute an appeal, apply for a re-hearing "or take any other action or step whatsoever that is had or possessed by any of the parties to such litigation."  In House Government Operations Committee.  

HB 6533 - Repeal Bottle Bill Return - introduced and in House MI Competitiveness Committee.  

Among other issues we are watching are gun safety, ballast water regulation, solar energy property tax relief, water use, landfill regulation and tipping fees.

To look up bills go to http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(dqg0lcaq5hcolzc4a4y4ol0j))/mileg.aspx?page=Bills

Please plan to join us as we celebrate our 50 years of service to the Midland Area.