PEG 12th Congressional District Newsletter 264
May 12, 2022
| |
Turning back the clock: Roe vs. Wade on the brink | |
|
According to Robert Hubbell’s email, Justice Samuel Alito has taken the law into his own hands, arguing in a leaked brief that “the absence of a ‘deeply rooted tradition’ precludes constitutional protection for the right of women to obtain abortions.” Although the Supreme Court has not yet voted on this issue, it appears that at the least, the three Trump appointees—Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrettt—will support Alito’s leaked brief. Of course, there is a deeply rooted tradition: Women have had the right to obtain abortions for almost 50 years, based on the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973. There’s a deeply rooted entitlement as well: The millions of women born in the last 50 years have come to assume the right to a medical abortion. Many older women remember the nightmare when abortion was forbidden. (Seventy percent of American women say, when polled, that they support Roe vs. Wade.)
The travesty of Alito’s ruling has fired up Democrats, whose party has long been committed to abortion rights. In the few days since Alito’s brief was leaked, it’s clear Democrats will make it a cornerstone of their mid-term campaigns this year. There’s renewed talk of packing the Supreme Court and a re-focus of their energies on campaigns for the state houses where a few votes can make a big difference. According to the Michigan Resistance newsletter, the fight for legal abortion in Michigan is congealing around the ballot proposal, REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL. Dems and other progressive groups need to gather 425,000 in order to put it on the ballot. If Roe vs. Wade is overturned and we fail to get the requisite signatures, a 1931 law banning abortion in Michigan will become law again. In other words, Democrats need to fight like hell to save their right to an abortion in their state.
The following is a limited list of the locations where you can sign the petition, REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL.
Common Decency Drive-Thru Pop Up Petition Buffet, Bryant Park,1101 Peninsula Drive,Traverse City, MI 49686. RSVP Here.
- Saturday, May 14. Noon–4 pm
- Saturday, May 21. Noon–4 pm
Signature Collection, Fulton Street Market Grand Rapids, MI. RSVP Here.
- Saturday, May 14. 10 am–1 pm
Benzie Democrats, 9330 Honor Hwy, Beulah, MI 49617. RSVP Here.
- Monday, May 16. Noon–3 pm
- Tuesday, May 17. Noon–3 pm
- Thursday, May 19. Noon–3 pm
Petitions in the Park, Rotary Park in Ludington, 500 W. Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431. RSVP Here.
- Sunday, May 15th 12:30-3:30pm
Tulip Time Festival, 42 W. 8th Street, Holland MI 49423. RSVP Here.
- Friday, May 13. 8 am – 5 pm
- Saturday, May 14. 8 am–5 pm
- Sunday, May 15. 8 am–5 pm
Grand Blanc-McFarlen Public Library, 515 Perry Road, Grand Blanc, MI 48439
- Sunday, May 22. Noon–3 pm
| |
Biden says "A woman's right to choose is fundamental." | |
| OK TO SIGN | DO NOT SIGN | | MICHIGAN UNITED
Commonly known as "Good Time Credit", this measure would establish credits that reduce sentences for those who earn degrees or work in prison, among other provisions. | LET MI KIDS LEARN
Educators within the coalition argued Wednesday the measure would drain money a public education system and offer tax breaks to wealthy donors. | | PROMOTE THE VOTE 2022
Offers flexibility for voters to cast their ballots, makes elections more accessible, saves early voting | SECURE MI VOTE
This measure proposed would add safeguards to the election process and to protect minority voters. This is aimed to suppress the votes of minorities. | | REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL
Makes reproductive freedom a right, repeals a 1931 law that makes abortion a felony. | UNLOCK MICHIGAN II
This would limit the length of emergency orders from state or local health officials to 28 days. This measure puts the power to limit emergency measures in the hands of the legislature rather than in the hands of the experts. | | RAISE THE WAGE MI
The measure would increase Michigan's $9.87 minimum wage to $15 per hour over five years, starting at $11 in 2023 | AUDIT MI
The petition would force a "forensic audit" of the 2020 election and change how Michigan conducts audits after elections. | | |
|
Thursday, May 12. Voting Down-Ballot Elections with WeRoc
This is virtual panel discussion three (of four) by Washtenaw Regional Organizing Coalition (WeROC). Washtenaw County decision makers will share information and respond to questions from local citizens with time for audience Q&As. Click here to register. For details on each session, click here. And download and share the event flyer here. 6:30 pm
| |
|
Saturday, May 14, Bans Off Our Bodies marches
See times/places for some events below. For more locations, check HERE.The Supreme Court is making their official decision on abortion rights in June. Once that happens, 26 states could move quickly to ban abortion, meaning millions of people could live without local access to abortion care. Roe has always been the floor, not the ceiling. Many Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other people of color experience barriers to accessing safe and affordable abortions. The people in your community and across the country deserve the power and freedom to make their own personal reproductive health care decisions. Millions are acting now all across the country to send a strong message that they're not backing down. Supporting abortion access must be protected and defended.
Ann Arbor with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan
Sign up HERE for more details. 2-4 pm
Detroit with Women's March
Sign up HERE for more details. 1-4:30 pm
Theodore Levin United States Courthouse
231 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
Toledo with Women's March
Sign up HERE for more details. 11:30 am-1:30 pm
3301 Secor Rd, Toledo, OH 43606
Flint with Women's March
Sign up HERE for more details. 1-6 pm
125 E Kearsley St, Flint, MI 48502
| |
Be a paid election inspector. Deadline is May 15! | |
Democratic election inspectors (paid poll workers) are needed to assist the municipal clerks in Washtenaw County for the 2022 election cycle. Election officials ensure that election laws are followed and that voters are not intimidated. The Big Lie is still very much alive in Michigan, and Republicans are doing everything they can to suppress votes and create chaos in voting and vote counting. But, you can help. Get the skinny on what election inspectors do, then email [email protected] to volunteer. Time is short since the township and village/city clerks must be informed by May 15. | |
“DTE is set on ending the residential solar industry in Michigan” - State Senator Jeff Irwin
In January, DTE filed a 672-page proposal with the Michigan Public Service Commission to raise rates and “amend its… rules governing the distribution and supply of electric energy.” According to NPR, this proposal would put rooftop solar out of the reach of future residential customers. DTE would charge a “distributed generation,” i.e., a fee based on the three highest 60-minute demands for electricity the previous year. There would be no way for a customer to know what the charge will be. DTE also wants to impose two new monthly fees only on solar owners. These are called "Demand Charges." The amount will vary per solar owner but for most it will be about $65 per month according to the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association.
In addition, DTE is also proposing to halve the amount of money solar customers would receive for exporting their excess solar energy onto the grid, i.e., from 8 cents per KWH to 4 cents. [On average, customers pay 17.86 cents per KWH) per Michigan League of Conservation Voters. To note, Michigan has an arbitrary 1% cap on rooftop solar. House Bill 4236 would eliminate the cap but has been held up in the Michigan legislature for years.
Michigan State Senator Jeff Irwin wrote a letter to the Michigan Public Service Commission. and urges Michigan residents to do similarly at [email protected]. Let them know you want them to reject DTE’s solar proposal in rate case U-20836.
| |
Things to read, watch, and listen to | |
 | |
Michigan State Senator Jeff Irwin explains House Joint Resolution R
…which proposes an amendment to the state constitution to require financial disclosures (one way to curb dark money) and to modify limitations on terms of office of state legislators.
Per his Facebook post, “Moments ago, the Michigan Senate voted to put HJR R on the ballot for this November.
This constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, will require financial disclosure by candidates for Legislative offices and the Governor (and the Lt Gov, AG, and Secretary of State.) Michigan is one of a couple states that have no financial disclosure laws for legislators. Fixing this problem is why I voted yes to put this on the ballot. The proposal also changes how term limits function in Michigan. This measure would allow candidates to run for either House or Senate for up to 12 years. The current term limit is 3 terms (6 years) in the House and 2 terms in the Senate (8 years.) This proposal would essentially allow a person to serve up to 12 years in either the House or Senate.”
Here is the full text of the resolution, and more.
| | | | |
Write us at [email protected] if you would like help create our weekly newsletter OR if you would like to be a guest contributor! It’s fun and no ongoing commitment is required. | |
|
A special thanks to our newsletter contributors: Ellen Halter, Leslie McGraw, Leslie Kamil, Lisa Kamil, Richard Gaeth, Susie Ayer, Bette Cotzin, Bernie Banet, and Chuck Newman for their contributions and help preparing our newsletters. PEG is a (somewhat) non-partisan volunteer organization whose mission is to assure that our government will treat all Americans with equality and acceptance. PEG's work is primarily done by recruiting, educating and nurturing supporters for worthy organizations, actions and events that reflect our beliefs. To subscribe to this free weekly newsletter, go to our sign up form by clicking here.
Share with your friends and networks
| | | |
Are Gmail apps keeping us apart?
Simply drag our newsletter to your Primary tab now and Click Yes when asked about future emails!
Click the "Promotions" tab
Drag the email to the "Primary" tab
Click the Confirmation Link in the Email
| |
Its easy to join our newsletter mailing list | |
|
Just send your email address by text message:
Text EQUALITYINGOV
to 22828 to get started.
| |
|
Or join our mailing list by filling out our sign up form.
Click here to sign up!
| |
Follow PEG on Social Media
| | | | |
