Oct. 5 – 9, 2020

Welcome to the Michigan House Democrats’ View from the Gallery! Here you will find a selection of the legislative actions our members take each week, including video highlights, photos and more. Make sure to watch for new editions each week.

SPOTLIGHT

This week Republican members of the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism unanimously voted to block vital legislation that would extend unemployment benefits to hundreds of thousands of Michigan workers displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike our colleagues, Michigan House Democrats will continue offering solutions to give Michiganders the resources they need to be healthy and strong for generations to come.

Below are images from the Commerce Committee meeting on October 7th. Where Representative Bill Sowerby introduced HB 4894. The Bill was struck down by every single Republican on the committee.

IN THE NEWS

House Democratic Leader Christine Greig on the Michigan GOP Legislative Leaders Expending at Least $542,000 to Create Chaos in the State’s COVID-19 Response

“It is unconscionable and a profound misuse of scarce taxpayer dollars — at a minimum of $542,000 in legal fees to challenge Governor Whitmer’s emergency authority…” READ MORE

The Michigan Supreme Court ruling, decided by a narrow majority of Republican justices, creates vast uncertainty in the ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19 and places Michiganders’ lives at risk. Governor Whitmer and her administration have worked to save lives while providing a strong foundation for our state’s economic recovery. It is extremely disappointing that our highest state court has issued a ruling that supports the Republican political agenda while placing Michiganders’ lives and livelihoods in greater jeopardy.

MDHHS Epidemic Orders

2020 CENSUS

We All Count

The data collected in the census determines key funding for the next 10 years. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the census deadline was extended until Oct 31 – a decision we urged to maintain with House Resolution 304, to ensure everyone has a chance to be counted.

JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE

Enough is Enough

For months the Joint Select Committee on COVID-19 has played partisan political games while thousands of Michiganders lose time, money and their lives. Enough is enough – it’s time for this committee to fulfill its duty of examining this crisis and provide solid recommendations to prevent or prepare for similar emergencies.

Rep. Ronnie Peterson testifies before the House Transportation committee on his bill to create a fund-raising registration plate for sickle cell and anemia research and treatment (HB 5920).
House Bill 5920 creates a specialty license plate to raise funds for sickle cell anemia research and awareness. Funds from the purchase of the specialty license plate created by Peterson’s bill would go toward a new Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness fund within the Department of Treasury and then distributed for research and awareness activities.
Passing a budget that was a reflection of our values was a priority for creating a stronger Michigan.

Survivor’s package would extend the civil statute of limitations for survivors of sexual assault.

Clarifies that immunity does not apply to unreasonable use of force.

HB 5340

Rep. Wendell Byrd

HB 5340

Modifies contracts with certain locators for escheats

 

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HB 4985

Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo

HB 4985

Part of a bipartisan expungement package to give thousands of Michigan residents with low-level offenses a fresh start

 

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HR 315

Rep. Vanessa Guerra

HR 315

Declares Sept. 22, 2020 as Hispanic Heritage Day in the state of Michigan

 

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HB 4984

Rep. David LaGrand

HB 4984

Part of a bipartisan expungement package to give thousands of Michigan residents with low-level offenses a fresh start

 

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HB 6235

Rep. Cynthia Neeley

HB 6235

Part of a package eliminate driver’s license sanctions for non-driving offenses based on recommendations from the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration

 

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HB 6119

Rep. Cynthia Neeley

HB 6119

Provides funding shifts for the convention facility development fund

 

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HB 5920

Rep. Ronnie Peterson

HB 5920

Create a specialty license plate to raise funds for sickle cell anemia research and treatment.

 

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HB 4983

Rep. Yousef Rabhi

HB 4983

Part of the bipartisan expungement package to give thousands of Michigan residents with low-level offenses a fresh start

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HB 5120

Rep. Isaac Robinson

HB 5120

Part of a bipartisan expungement package to give thousands of Michigan residents with low-level offenses a fresh start

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HB 5854

Rep. Tim Sneller

HB 5854

Part of a bipartisan package eliminating certain mandatory minimum sentences based on recommendations from the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration.

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HB 5852

Rep. Lori Stone

HB 5852

Part of a package eliminate driver’s license sanctions for non-driving offenses based on recommendations from the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration

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HB 6162

Rep. Joe Tate

HB 6162

Provides tax credits for charitable donations to food banks and homeless shelters.

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HB 5850

Rep. Rebekah Warren

HB 5850

Part of a package eliminate driver’s license sanctions for non-driving offenses based on recommendations from the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration.

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HB 4930

Rep. Karen Whitsett

HB 4930

Modifies reporting deadlines and procedures of certain distribution calculations for local community stabilization

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HB 5851

Rep. Tenisha Yancey

HB 5851

Part of a package eliminate driver’s license sanctions for non-driving offenses based on recommendations from the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration.

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HB 4929

Rep. Tenisha Yancey

HB 4929

Modifies certain calculations related to tax increment financing plans for local community stabilization

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MICHIGAN STRONG

A Stronger Future Starts Today


A strong, healthy, and thriving Michigan begins right here – with hard work and dedication. To learn more about how we’re creating a stronger Michigan for all, visit mistrongplan.com

FUTURES FOR FRONTLINERS

Take A Step Forward

The Futures for Frontliners program serves as an important extension of the MI Reconnect Program, a bipartisan initiative spearheaded by Gov. Whitmer and Reps. Anthony and Kennedy. Rep. Anthony’s bill to establish the program was signed into law as Public Act 69 of 2020, clearing a tuition-free pathway to higher education for Michigan adults. Reps. Anthony and Kennedy also lead a group of 26 House Democratic Legislative Champions of the program.
  • Sarah Anthony
  • Brenda Carter
  • Tyrone Carter
  • John Chirkun
  • Cara Clemente
  • Jim Ellison
  • Alex Garza
  • Jim Haadsma
  • Abdullah Hammoud
  • Rachel Hood
  • Kara Hope
  • Cynthia A. Johnson
  • Sheryl Y. Kennedy
  • Matt Koleszar
  • Padma Kuppa
  • Donna Lasinski
  • Leslie Love
  • Mari Manoogian
  • Kristy Pagan
  • Laurie Pohutsky
  • Yousef Rabhi
  • Terry Sabo
  • Lori Stone
  • Rebekah Warren
  • Robert Wittenberg
  • Angela Witwer
  • Sarah Anthony
  • Brenda Carter
  • Tyrone Carter
  • John Chirkun
  • Cara Clemente
  • Jim Ellison
  • Alex Garza
  • Jim Haadsma
  • Abdullah Hammoud
  • Rachel Hood
  • Kara Hope
  • Cynthia A. Johnson
  • Sheryl Y. Kennedy
  • Matt Koleszar
  • Padma Kuppa
  • Donna Lasinski
  • Leslie Love
  • Mari Manoogian
  • Kristy Pagan
  • Laurie Pohutsky
  • Yousef Rabhi
  • Terry Sabo
  • Lori Stone
  • Rebekah Warren
  • Robert Wittenberg
  • Angela Witwer