miactionlist, 6/27/2017

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.

First Steps

Look up your state representative and state senator and put them in your phone book for all future calling. Also look up their mailing addresses and email addresses and have them on hand for easy reference.

Tips for Making Contact

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!

And don’t just call, email! We learned from a former state representative how effective emails can be. This is because, when a representative or senator is getting summaries of constituent contact from their aides, the text of emails is more tangible and specific than simply knowing how many people called about a particular bill. Even better is to do both---call and email. Use the phone call to follow up on the email you sent. And when an issue is not time sensitive, a letter or postcard can be a very personalized way of sharing your opinion.

This Week’s Actions

~When calling your representative and senator, also ask them about upcoming coffee hours!~

(1) Ideological speech DOES NOT belong on license plates ** TIME SENSITIVE

We’ve fought against Senate Bill 163 in several of our newsletters at different points in its development (April 11, April 25, May 23, May 30, June 6, June 20). This bill has passed the Michigan house and senate and, if signed by the governor, would allow the secretary of state to issue “a fundraising plate recognizing the Choose Life Michigan Fund.” In particular, the funds from this plate could go towards any organization that promotes alternatives to abortion, even if they don’t provide health care. Further, legislators have made it clear that, although organizations like Planned Parenthood provide essential services to pregnant women, they would not be eligible for any of the funds.

Take Action:

This bill was presented to Governor Snyder on June 19 at 2:15pm. This means he has until Monday, July 3 at 2:15pm to take action on the bill. Governor Snyder has not announced whether or not he will sign this bill once it arrives. Now is the time to call and email Governor Snyder and ask him to VETO Senate Bill 163.

• General Line: 517-373-3400
• Constituent Services: 517-335-7858
• If you live in the UP, also call his Northern office: 906-228-2850
• Finally, use this electronic form for giving your opinion.

If you reach voicemail, make sure to leave your name and phone number. Instead of giving all the reasons you’re opposed in the voicemail, simply express your opposition and then request a call back so that you can (1) find out when and how the governor plans to act on this bill, (2) express more details about your opposition to the bill.

See longer discussion of this bill in one of our early newsletters. If you want to focus on one or two points, emphasize:

• We fully agree that abortion alternatives should be promoted. But research shows that the way to reduce abortions is through education, access to birth control, and affordable healthcare. As this bill is written, funds collected may go to propaganda and media campaigns run by groups that don’t even provide health services.
• The government should not act as a fundraising arm for ideological groups.

Recent Press:

http://michiganradio.org/post/anti-abortion-license-plate-bill-still-hasn-t-been-sent-gov-snyder-his-signature-why

(2) We believe in common sense gun laws.

Thank you to Indivisible Dexter for language for and research on this action.

We featured this action in our May 2 and June 6 newsletters. Unfortunately, it passed the House and is now in committee in the Senate.

The right to own guns comes with great responsibility and an awareness of the inherent dangers of possessing something that can cause such devastation. Currently, residents in Michigan must obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun, which entails a certain level of training and instruction on the laws. As a gun instructor with 40 years of training at Gunsite Academy said, “There are no gun accidents, only gun negligence.” If House Bill 4416 becomes law, then any citizen will be able to carry a concealed handgun without any gun safety training or study of the laws. This will inevitably open up more opportunities for those guns to be unsecured in more places and end up in the wrong hands.

Talking Points:

• Without licensure there will be no training/gun safety requirement.
• Without licensure there will be no requirement to understand the laws.
• More opportunities for uneducated gun owners to transport and place unsecured guns in more locations will result in more gun tragedies.

Take Action:

Let the Senate Committee on Government Operations know that you oppose House Bill 4416. If your senator is on the committee, call them directly. Otherwise, contact the committee chair and minority vice-chair.

Senate Committee on Government Operations:

Press on the subject:

• http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/02/concealed_pistols_without_perm.html
• http://dianerehm.org/shows/2016-08-18/the-rise-of-concealed-carry-laws-in-the-states

Gun-activism sites that question sensibility of constitutional carry and concealed carry without a permit/training:

• http://www.offthegridnews.com/self-defense/the-big-overlooked-problem-with-constitutional-carry/
• https://www.concealedcarry.com/law/constitutional-carry-and-permitless-carry-in-depth-overview/

(3) Feminine hygiene products are necessities, not luxuries

Senate Bills 91 and 92 propose adding feminine hygiene products to the list of goods which are sales tax exempt. A big shout-out to state senators Rebekah Warren and David Knezek for introducing these common sense bills that would end an effective sales tax on being female. And a shout-out to the Senate Committee on Finance that cleared both bills with recommendation! In general, sales tax disproportionately affects the poor, which is why goods like food are generally exempt. Necessities like feminine hygiene products should be similarly exempt.

Take Action:

Call and email your senator and express your support for this bill; ask them how they plan to vote on it when the time arises. (It is currently on “General Orders” in the senate---two steps before it comes up for a vote.)

If you have time, thank the cosponsors of this bill, especially if one is your senator:

SB 91: Rebekah Warren - (primary), David Knezek , Vincent Gregory, Ian Conyers, Jim Ananich, Rick Jones, Curtis Hertel, Steven Bieda, Hoon-Yung Hopgood, Bert Johnson, Wayne Schmidt, Margaret O'Brien, Tonya Schuitmaker

SB 92: David Knezek  - (primary), Rebekah Warren, Vincent Gregory, Ian Conyers, Jim Ananich, Rick Jones, Curtis Hertel, Steven Bieda, Hoon-Yung Hopgood, Bert Johnson, Wayne Schmidt, Margaret O'Brien

Press:

• January 8, 2016. Washington Post article about California’s similar bill.
• United States of Women Blog post about same bill with a lot more details.
• January 21, 2017. CBS Detroit article about michigan bill 91.

Suggested Reading

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.

Dan Rather: Excerpt from his new book (What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism) on Why America Needs More Empathy.

Other Actions

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.

“Communities all along Great Lakes shores are busy planning to link hands and boats in ALL HANDS ON DECK, at 10 a.m. EDT (check in 8 a.m. EDT) on July 3, 2017, to raise awareness of the need to protect the waters everyone loves. The event focuses on something everyone can agree on: the need for protecting the Great Lakes to keep them healthy.

“Whether on a beach, a boardwalk, a marine channel, or any other location, all locations for All Hands On Deck represents common ground that extends beyond political and geographical boundaries. In every area, the Great Lakes are essential to the environment, economy, and everyone’s way of life. The event is a way to come together in a unique, unified expression of concern on behalf of a precious resource that needs continuing attention and support – funding, regulations, and research – to sustain long-term vitality.

“We will link hands on the beach and link boats on the water along the shorelines in communities in every Great Lakes state and Canada. Representatives and press from local communities are invited to witness and document our solidarity about our water. Check in begins at 8:00 EDT. Bring a blue marble and wear a blue, green, or AHOD Logo shirt!”

At least 30 communities in Michigan will be participating; see the list here or see copied list below (not in alphabetical order).