February 12, 2004 - Volume 2, Issue 6

Bi-Partisan Marriage Initiative Introduced

Michigan Family Forum is pleased to be the primary proponent of a bi-partisan package of legislation designed to strengthen Michigan’s marriage laws. This week the bills’ sponsor, Rep. Joanne Voorhees (R-Wyoming), joined other legislators from both sides of the aisle to unveil the package.

Five bills in the package will promote marriage education and enrichment programs by creating modest tax credits, encouraging clergy to be more involved in strengthening marriages and by providing basic marriage education information. Three separate bills will require the parents to participate in a divorce impact program, cooperatively work out custody issues and ensure that the child’s best interests are presented to the court.

Click here to read MFF’s Press Release
Click here to see additional coverage.

Massachusetts Legislature Debates Marriage
President to Announce Support for Federal Marriage Amendment

The state of Massachusetts is currently in the midst of a constitutional convention. Lawmakers are working to approve an amendment to the state’s constitution that would protect marriage. In order to be adopted, the amendment must pass both legislative houses for two consecutive sessions before going to a vote of the people. Thus, the earliest date an amendment could take effect would be sometime in 2006.

Some states are looking at possible ways to strengthen current marriage protection laws including possible amendments to their own constitutions. The Michigan legislature, for example, may place a marriage protection amendment before the people this fall.

President Bush has indicated he plans to support the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) introduced by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave. A federal marriage amendment would supersede any state laws or amendments, but it would be a very lengthy process to amend the U.S. constitution. The FMA must pass a two-thirds majority vote of the U.S. House and Senate and then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures.

Click here for up to date information on protecting marriage.
Click here to read Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s statement.

Governor Vetoes Parental Consent Legislation

As expected, Governor Jennifer Granholm last week vetoed HB4478, a law that would have required certain criteria for obtaining a judicial waiver for an abortion. The bill would also have eliminated so-called "judge shopping" where a minor seeks a waiver for an abortion from multiple judges until one approves it.

To read the Governor’s veto letter to the House, click here (note – you will need to scroll about halfway down the page to see the letter). Right to Life is working to secure a legislative override of the veto. Visit their website, www.rtl.org to find out how you can help.

Marriage Fact

According to the House Fiscal Agency, during 2002, ninety-seven percent (97%) of Michigan households on welfare cash assistance were single parent families.

Congress Holds Hearings on Media Decency Standards

The firestorm over the recent indecent exposure during the Superbowl continued this week as Congress began hearings on the issue. Legislators, citing a flood of letters and calls from outraged constituents, questioned FCC chairman Michael Powell, and several television and media company executives.

The FCC has pledged to do more to fight indecent television programming. Visit their website, www.fcc.gov, to read about their latest efforts. To see the text of the "Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004" currently before Congress, click here and enter "3717" in the Bill Number field.

Legislature Passes Resolutions in Support of President Bush’s Healthy Marriage Initiative

Both houses of the Michigan legislature today passed resolutions calling for public support of President Bush’s Healthy Marriage Initiative. Rep. Joanne Voorhees (R-Wyoming) introduced the House resolution and Sen. Bill Hardiman (R-Kentwood) sponsored the Senate version.

The text of these resolutions will soon be available on the web. Visit www.michiganlegislature.org and click on the "Resolutions" tab. Enter "199" to view the House resolution and "215" to view the Senate version.

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Forum Online

1003 N. Washington, P.O. Box 15216

Lansing, MI, 48901-5216

Phone: (517) 374-1171, Fax: (517) 374-6112

www.michiganfamily.org

Executive Director: Brad Snavely

Editor: Jon Stanton

Graphic Design: Beth Hafer

Questions? E-mail us: info@michiganfamily.org

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