Politics don’t just happen in Washington, DC! The purpose of this weekly newsletter is to promote progressive policies in the State of Michigan by contacting our state representatives and state senators directly.
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We put a lot of time into carefully researching these actions. But we can make mistakes.
Look up your state representative and state senator and put them in your phone book for all future calling.
We recognize that calling your representatives and senators can be intimidating. For the pieces of legislation we highlight each week, our goal is to provide you with some basic data, analysis, and talking points for you to steer the conversation, but we encourage you to personalize your message in ways that make sense to you. When applicable, it’s particularly powerful to share your personal experiences and expertise related to given legislation.
If you reach voicemail, we encourage you to leave a message; you should receive a call back. Make sure to include your city or town so that the office knows you are a constituent.
The more you call, the easier it gets!
~When calling your representative and senator, also ask them about upcoming coffee hours!~
1. Stop state-sponsored funding of anti-choice groups
Senate Bill 163 proposes that the Secretary of State issue fundraising license plates to benefit the Choose Life Michigan Fund. We featured this bill in our April 11th and April 25th newsletters. This passed the Michigan senate April 27th and has now cleared committee in the Michigan house. It is scheduled for its second reading this week, which is followed by a third reading and a floor vote in quick succession.
Call your state representative TODAY to oppose Senate Bill 163.
Sample Script (non voicemail):
You: Hi, my name is _____ and I live in _____. I’m a constituent of Representative ______ and I’m very concerned about Senate Bill 163, which will be up for a vote soon in the house.
Them: Yes, we’ve had other constituents call about this bill. I’ll note your comment.
You: Could you tell me how _____ is planning to vote this week on Senate Bill 163?
Them: …
***
(If they say “no”)
You: Thank you very much. I’m really happy to hear than and hope that Representative _____ will talk to his/her colleagues about how inappropriate this bill is.
***
(If they say “yes”)
You: I’m really disappointed to hear that. Could you please let Representative _____ know what my specific concerns are with the bill? (Pause for “yes”.) While I agree that alternatives to abortion should be funded and supported, this is not the bill to do it. The state if serving as a fundraising arm for an organization over which is has no oversight. This money can be spent on media campaigns and propaganda when it should be spent on health care and child care.
***
(If they say “I’m not sure”)
You: Is there another staff person in your office who would know? Or, could you find out and give me a call back?
***
(If they say “Rep _____ has not decided yet”)
Could you please let Representative _____ know what my specific concerns are with the bill? (Pause for “yes”.) While I agree that alternatives to abortion should be funded and supported, this is not the bill to do it. The state if serving as a fundraising arm for an organization over which is has no oversight. This money can be spent on media campaigns and propaganda when it should be spent on health care and child care.
Sample Script (voicemail):
You: Hi, my name is _____ and I live in _____. I’m a constituent of Representative ______ and I’m strongly opposed to Senate Bill 163, which will be up for a vote soon in the house. My phone number is _____. I’d appreciate a call back as soon as your office is able to talk more about this bill.
House Bill 4105 attempts to explicitly take away cities’ rights to function as sanctuary cities. We featured an action against House Bill 4105 in our April 11 newsletter. The House Committee on Local Government will be having public hearings on this bill this Wednesday, May 24 and Wednesday May 31.
Take Action:
If your representative is on the House Committee on Local Government (see list below), call them directly. Otherwise, contact both the committee chair and the minority vice-chair in opposition of House Bill 4105 and House Bill 4334 (a county-level version of the bill).
House Committee on Local Government:
Julie Alexander
Kathy Crawford (Vice-Chair)
Jim Ellison
Ben Frederick
Patrick Green (Minority Vice-Chair)
Roger Hauck
Gary Howell
James Lower (Chair)
Jeremy Moss
Jim Runestad
Terry Sabo
Chair | Minority Vice-Chair |
James A. Lower | Patrick Green |
Suggested emphasis when talking to Republican committee members*:
(Also see our April 11 newsletter for more talking points and background.)
*Thank you to Indivisible groups from Michigan for these Republican-focused talking points.
This action is a little bit different. On the national level, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) makes decisions about building pipelines, such as a proposed NEXUS natural gas pipeline through southeast Michigan. Right now, there are not enough members on this commission to make these decisions. There will be a hearing Thursday for two additional nominees for this commission. Here is a description of who to call and what to say on this issue before May 25.
At the state level, we at miactionlist are not sure what kind of power our state legislature has to stop something like this. Educate yourself and help educate us!
Call your state senator and state representative and ask them:
I am worried about the NEXUS pipeline that is proposed to be built in southeast Michigan. It would go too close to homes and schools, and Michigan doesn’t need any additional natural gas capacity. I understand the decision to build this kind of infrastructure is made at the federal level. Is there anything constituents or legislators can do at the state level to prohibit projects like this that are problematic for our state?
In our experience, staffers are really happy to talk about the ins and outs of the political process. When you call, please take notes and send us a short summary of what you learned at miactionlist@gmail.com.
Each week we share some recent media we’ve found worthwhile. We’ll keep it short! We know many of you already have long reading lists.
In anticipation of one of next week’s actions, here is a long and thoughtful piece on the national strategic effort to villainize college professors and students in the name of “free speech”.
http://www.alternet.org/education/what-campus-free-speech-crusade-wont-say-0
While the focus of this newsletter is “armchair activism” we’ll also share a featured in-person action each week for those interested and able.
There is an in-person action planned in Lansing on Wednesday, May 24 12pm-1pm (and again Wednesday, May 31) in response to committee hearings on HB 4105 (see above). Here is a facebook event link.