Michigan Legislative Action Report, by Linda Pepper, Monday April 24, 2017 Bill Passed by Senate OPPOSE: SB 245 repeals a ban on switchblade knives was passed by the Senate, 36 to 1 in favor, and has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee. Bills Introduced in Senate SUPPORT: SB 281 expands political speech regulation has been introduced by Steve Bieda (D). It would impose Michigan campaign finance regulatory regime on entities under Section 527 of the federal tax code (ca

Report on Dr. Abdul-el-Sayed Presentation at the Grand Traverse Resort Monday, April 17, 2017 At 30, Abdul became the youngest health official of a major American city when he was brought home by Mayor Mike Duggan to rebuild Detroit's Health Department after it was privatized during the city's bankruptcy. As Health Director, he was responsible for the health and safety of over 670,000 Detroiters, working tirelessly to ensure government accountability and transparency, promote

Why I Support Planned Parenthood by Keli McIntosh, R.N., C.N.C., D.N. Anyone who knows me understands I am not pro-abortion. However, having worked as a nurse for 50 years has shown me that the playing field for women is not an even one. We, as a society, need to do all we can to help women take control over what happens to their bodies. Most of Planned Parenthood's work centers on such activities. I hope you will take a moment to read why I have chosen the slogan "Life Witho

Legislative Action Report Monday April 16, 2017 From Michigan Resistance: Michigan Resistance has a weekly action report that is sent by email each Monday. You can sign up for the email at Michigan Resistance. This week they are recommending calls to legislators to oppose deleting financial support for Pathways to Potential (high schools students who need extra work to succeed in jobs), Homeless shelter and Senior Home services such as Meals on Wheels. Also, they support shut

Thursday, April 20, 2017 Jack Bergman got off on the wrong foot with the crowd of 300 or so, that included an outsize display of police presence and many members of the GT Dems and TC Indivisibles, at his Town Hall last night in Gaylord by having a minister attempt to pray before the Representative took questions. The poor fellow was drowned out with chants of ‘separation of church and state!” and ‘this ain’t no church!’ The gentleman from Gaylord who introduced the Represe

Save Our Schools Public schools serve many purposes: educating citizens to ensure a well-functioning democracy; teaching life skills; making one nation out of a country of immigrants; preparing students for employment; and providing students with the means to a richer life through education in the liberal arts and sciences. Over the years public schools have performed these tasks well, making America a wealthy nation and a stable democracy. There are thousands of public schoo

Woman2Woman, Are You Ready to Run Event April 11, 2017 Leah McCallum, Regional Director for Sen. Gary Peters kicked off the ‘Are You Ready to Run?’ event held Tuesday evening at the Workshop Brewery 221 Garland St, Warehouse District, in Traverse City, to a full house of both women and men interested in learning what it takes to run for appointed boards, township offices, city councils, and elected partisan positions. Tiyi (Antoinette) Schippers an artist/musician, teacher, a

Legislative Action Report, Monday April 10, 2017 The Michigan Senate is in recess until Wednesday April 19th and the House is in recess until Tuesday April 18th. Until they return there will be limited action on bills. However, the Michigan Legislature site is reporting on bills that have been “electronically reproduced”. Some also are designated as PA or Public Act (Signed Bills) with immediate effect and are now law in the State of Michigan. Bills that I believe are worth n

Report on Up North Pride Event at March GT Dems Monthly Potluck There were lots of smiling, interested and YOUNG faces piling up outside of Little Fleet's door for the March monthly GT Dems Potluck. At least 100 people showed up to share the camaraderie, drinks and good food; AND to hear about the status of the LGBT community and learn what we, as allies and friends can do to support them. Marta Turnbull gave a short presentation from Up North Pride, a grassroots organizatio

Paul Ryan recently said that people should be free to decide for themselves how much health insurance coverage they need. He wasn’t just talking about choosing a deductible. His definition of “freedom” includes the freedom to live without adequate health insurance if you can’t afford it. This is nonsense; everyone needs full health insurance coverage. It’s partly a moral issue — I can’t find the Bible verse that says, “let the sick die.” But it’s also an economic issue. As Co