Michigan Coalition For Progress blogs

Turning Back the Clock

Caleb — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:16:32 -0400

On November 4th, 2008 over 2.5 million Michigan citizens voted to pass Proposal 2, lifting the restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, giving hope to millions of people who could benefit from this research. Now some Republicans in the legislature are trying to take that hope away.

Proposal 2 freed our state’s world-renowned researchers to use stem cell research to make Michigan a national leader in critical bio-medical research that could unlock cures and treatments to diseases and illness like cancer, Parkinson’s, juvenile diabetes and Alzheimer’s. In fact, the University of Michigan won almost $7 million dollars in federal research grants for stem cell research.

Unfortunately the Michigan Senate is trying to turn back the clock and stand in the way of the research that can be done with that grant.

The Senate Health Policy Committee and Chairman Tom George (R-Kalamazoo) want to restrict the ability (SB 647-652) of Michigan residents to donate embryos and hamper this critical research.

Join the Coalition for Progress in telling the Senate Health Policy Committee and Tom George that the search for treatments and cures can’t wait.

Absentee Voting

Caleb — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:13:32 -0400

It's not too late to vote absentee if you cannot make it to your local polling station on Election Day, Tuesday November 3rd. Absentee ballots can still be obtained up until 2pm on the Saturday before the election.

Accountability of our leadership begins with voting. Together, we can hold our elected officials accountable.

For more information on how to get or send in your absentee ballot, or to ensure that you are registered to vote:

www.michigan.gov/vote
contact your local Clerk (find your local office)

But remember, even after you've mailed in your application and have received your ballot, your vote won't count unless you have your completed ballot in to your local Clerk by 8pm on Election Day.

November 3rd is Coming: Are You Registered?

Caleb — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:52:34 -0400

Monday, October 5th is the last day for you to register to vote in the November election!

There is less than a week left for you to make sure your voice is heard this fall on Election Day.

You can register to vote today at any of the following locations:

Your local Secretary of State branch office
Your local county, city, or township clerk's office
Offices of several state agencies, including the Department of Human Services, the Department of Community Health, and the Department of Labor and Economic Growth
Military recruitment centers
Voter registration drives

Simply visit www.michigan.gov/vote for more information or to see if you're registered.

Support Basic Healthcare for Women

Caleb — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:38:13 -0400

Next week, it is expected that a package of bills will be considered in the House Judiciary Committee to prevent unintended pregnancies, create contraceptive equity, ensure medically accurate abstinence education and ensure access to emergency contraception.

The “Prevention First” legislation (HB 5155-HB 5165) will reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and slow the spread of STDs such as HIV.

Contact your Representative and ask him or her to get to work on improving reproductive health care, while maintaining a women’s right to privacy.

Re-Energize Michigan!

Caleb — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:05:07 -0400

Recently, a coalition of legislators, business leaders and clean energy advocates announced an innovative plan to make Michigan a leader in alternative energy production by offering incentives for renewable energy development and manufacturing, energy efficiency and alternative energy production.

We need your help turning this legislation into law.

Investing in clean energy is a critical step in strengthening the Michigan economy. It is imperative that Michigan takes the lead on alternative energy technologies that will create thousands of new jobs in the wind, solar and construction fields for our skilled workers.

Join the Coalition for Progress, Clean Water Action, Progress Michigan, Michigan League of Conservation Voters and other Michigan-based organizations and tell our legislature that you support the “Re-Energize Michigan!” proposal.

Meet Sarah Roberts

Caleb — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:23:45 -0400

State Representative Sarah Roberts (D-24) is in her first term, serving southeastern Macomb County, specifically St. Clair Shores and Harrison Township. Roberts previously served as a Macomb County Commissioner.

Roberts is committed to protecting Michigan’s environment and natural resources-especially our water. A member of the Great Lakes and the Environment Committee as well as a former organizer for Clean Water Action, Roberts understands how precious our natural resources are and can be counted on to protect them in Lansing.

A graduate of the University of Iowa and a resident of St. Clair Shores, Roberts is a volunteer coordinator for Green Michigan and a participant in the local “Adopt-a-Road” program.

Learn more about Sarah Roberts and her House colleagues at www.housedems.com

Prevention First

Caleb — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:23:14 -0400

Last week, a package of bills was introduced in the State House to prevent unintended pregnancies, create contraceptive equity, ensure medically accurate abstinence education and provide access to emergency contraception.

The “Prevention First” package (HB 5155-HB 5165) will reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and the spread of STD's and HIV.

Birth control is basic health care and with almost 600,000 Michigan women needing subsidized contraceptive services, the time for action is now. Every dollar spent on family planning services save more than $6 on social services in the next year alone.

Here’s how you can get involved today:

Contact your Representative and ask them to get to work on improving reproductive health care while efficiently saving taxpayer dollars and maintaining a women’s right to privacy.

Keep Up The Momentum

Caleb — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:08:44 -0400

The Michigan State House just yesterday took the next step to ensuring that when our tax dollars are used for construction projects, Michigan workers are first in line for Michigan jobs. The bills now move back to the State Senate.

  The latest version of the "Hire Michigan First" package, (SB 290, 293, 295, 296 and HB 4083, 4089, 4092, 4093, 4094 ) will keep more of our tax dollars in Michigan, putting our families, friends and neighbors back to work in our communities.  

The Coalition for Progress calls on Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and the Senate to pass the House substitutes of "Hire Michigan First".  

Let's keep the momentum going! Join us in calling on Senator Mike Bishop and the Senate to pass these bills. Contact Senator Bishop and tell him you support putting Michigan back to work.

Support The House Substitute Of "Hire Michigan First"

Caleb — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:22:17 -0400

Yesterday, the House Commerce Committee took the next step to ensuring that when our tax dollars are used for construction projects, Michigan workers are first in line for Michigan jobs.

The latest version of the "Hire Michigan First" package, (SB 290, 293, 295, 296 and 539) will keep more of our tax dollars in Michigan, putting our families, friends and neighbors back to work in our communities.

The Coalition for Progress applauds the House Commerce Committee and its Chair Representative Robert Jones (D-Kalamazoo) for moving these bills onto the House floor.

Now, we need you to help move these bills back to the Senate!

Join us in calling on the House of Representatives to move these bills, contact your legislator and tell them you support putting Michigan back to work.

Helping Our Unemployed

Caleb — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:16:18 -0400

Michigan unemployment is now at over 12 percent and rising. So why is the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee and Chairman Jason Allen holding up legislation that would bring millions of dollars to Michigan residents who need it the most?

Four weeks ago the House of Representatives passed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (HB 4785 - HB 4786), which will provide unemployed workers money for food, clothing and other essential items from local businesses.

The legislation would bring $138 million into Michigan’s economy and provide relief to thousands of unemployed Michigan workers.

Unfortunately, these bills have now been in the Senate for 28 days. They were sent to the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee and Chairman Allen is doing nothing to move them forward.

Join the Coalition for Progress in calling on Chairman Allen and the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee to hold a hearing on and pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment legislation. Send an e-mail or call (517-373-2413) Chairman Allen and tell him that unemployed workers can’t afford to wait any longer.