LANSING – Members of the Michigan House Democratic Caucus agree with Gov. Rick Snyder’s decision today to veto Senate Bill 59, which would have allowed concealed weapons to be carried in schools, day care centers, hospitals and other places.
“This is not the time to carelessly advance an expansion of concealed weapons in Michigan,” said Rep. Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak). “Concealed weapons are a serious matter, and any new rules about them must be made carefully and with deliberation. That was not the case with this bill.”
SB 59 passed in the lame duck session that ended on Dec. 13. Like many lame duck bills, SB 59 flew through the legislative process without the usual vetting and deliberation. While SB 59 and other pieces of legislation favored by right-wing politicians were rushed through the lame duck session, policies that may have helped middle-class families were sidelined.
“Our policies should focus on improving the safety of our children and the quality of their schools, including the provision of mental health care to our kids who need it,” said House Democratic Leader-Elect Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills). “Our schools must be fully funded if they are to provide the kind of care and instruction our kids deserve. We look forward to creating genuine solutions for our kids and their schools, and ask legislative Republicans to join us in that task.”