Advocacy 2024
The League of Women Voters of Michigan often takes positions on legislative or citizen initiatives and other proposed governmental policy or regulatory decisions. If an initiative reaches a legislative committee, a voting body or other decision makers, the League may take action (testimony, letters, phone calls, public statements, etc). The lack of public action is not indicative of the numerous decisions to support or oppose an issue that the League makes on a regular basis.
4-15-24 FUNDING FOR GUN PREVENTION LAWS
LWVMI sent letters to the MI House and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairs urging necessary funding for the new gun prevention law. “The League supports increasing the allocation for gun violence law implementation, training, and evaluation, primarily targeted at universities for ERPO from $4.3 million to 10 million. The League also supports increasing the proposed budget for Community Violence Intervention (CVI) from $5.5 million to at least $10.5 million.” Read the letters here.
4-13-24 BRITE ACT WILL BRING REFORMS IN INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND ETHICS
HB 5580.5586 that the LWVMI supports would: 1) require organizations and political campaigns to submit financial disclosures regarding contributions they receive, 2) create increased lobbying guidelines for elected officials, aides, candidates and staff, 3) establish the Secretary of State’s office as the authority to create, implement and supervise the reporting process, 4) change the definition of “gift” from $76 to “anything of value”, 5) require disclosures from public officials, and 6) restrict lawmakers from becoming registered lobbyists within a year after their term ends.
4-13-24 PAY EQUITY BILL AMENDMENT
LWVMI supports SB 142 and HB 4406 which would require employers with more than 5 employees during a calendar year to create and maintain comprehensive job descriptions that also include salary and pay scale information.
3-13-24 TESTIMONY SUPPORTING RECOUNT PROCESS
The League delivered testimony to the MI Senate Elections Committee supporting SB 603 and 604 which will clarify the process for election recounts so that there is clarification that the process is administrative and not investigative. The bills would also clarify the documents used in the recount and the responsibilities of all parties. Read the testimony here.
2-28-24 ACTION ALERT – KEEP FIREARMS OUT OF ELECTION SITES
League members were encouraged to send a message to their state Senators urging them to support passage of HB 4127 and HB 4128. These bills would ban possession of firearms within one hundred feet of polling places, early voting places, and absent voter counter locations. The presence of firearms can intimidate voters and election workers. There are exceptions for concealed weapons with permit and on duty peace officers. Click here to send the message to your Senator!
2-5-24 WILL LABOR SHORTAGE IMPACT SAFETY OF PIPELINE?
The League joined the oil & Water Don’t Mix Coalition in a letter to the US Department of Transportation citing concern that the remaining staff at Enbridge after a sharp reduction in their labor force will have the capacity to protect the pipeline. Read the letter here.
1-18-24 PLEA TO CONGRESS RE: LINE 5 PERMIT
The League sent a letter to our US Congressional Representatives and US Senators strongly urging them to tell the Biden administration that it must revoke the presidential permit for Line 5 and stand with the American people in a huge legal battle pitting Big Oil and Canada against American laws and Tribal sovereignty. Read the letter here.
1-13-24 PETITIONS TO ELIMINATE POWER OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
The League urges its members and supporters to decline to sign this petition that will amend PA 233 taking power away from the Public Service Commission and returning it to local governments concerning siting authority for wind and solar energy projects as well as energy storage facilities granted under HB 5120, now PA 233 of 2033.
1-13-24 PETITION TO VOID THE EXTREME RISK PROTECTION LAW
The League urges its members and supporters to decline to sign this petition that will nullify this law that passed in 2023 (now PA 38 of 2023). The law allows family, police, mental health professionals, roommates and former partners to petition a judge to remove firearms from people they believe pose a threat.
1-13-24 FOIA APPLIES TO ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN MICHIGAN
The League supports SB 669 and SB 670 which would require the Governor’s office and the Legislature to comply with the Freedom of Information Act.