February 26, 2004 - Volume 2, Issue 8

Marriage Debate Continues
Michigan House Takes Up Marriage Amendment

The debate to preserve traditional marriage continued this week as President Bush formally announced his support of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Michigan lawmakers began debating an amendment to the state Constitution.

President Bush’s statement made it clear that the only sure way to preserve the sanctity of marriage nationwide would be through a constitutional amendment. He expressed disappointment with activist judges and local officials who continue to challenge our marriage laws contrary to widespread public support for the traditional definition of marriage.

At the same time, the Michigan House Family and Children Services Committee sent a proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman to the full House. A vote is expected in that chamber when the House returns during the second week of March. A similar amendment in the Senate remains in committee.

To read local coverage of the Michigan amendment, click here.
To read a news article about gay marriage with comments by Executive Director Brad Snavely, click here.
To see Governor Granholm’s comments on preserving marriage, click here.
To read President Bush’s statement regarding the federal amendment, click here.

Parental Consent Bill Override Falls Short in Michigan House

Earlier this week, the Michigan House attempted to override Governor Granholm’s veto of HB 4478. The bill would have defined criteria for judges when granting waivers to minors for an abortion without parental consent and eliminated "judge shopping" for a favorable response.

The override failed by three votes. The bill remains on the House floor where another override attempt is possible if lawmakers choose to do so. For more information, click here.

Senate Education Committee Holds Hearing on Abstinence Legislation

The Senate Education Committee held hearings today in Lansing on SB 943 and SB 944. The bills are sponsored by Senator Wayne Kuipers. Dan Jarvis, Michigan Family Forum Director of Public Policy and Research, along with students and parents from across the state attended the hearing to offer testimony promoting abstinence and parental involvement in our state’s sex education laws.

Click on the bill numbers above to view the details of each bill. Look for a report on the committee’s action in next week’s Forum Online.

Teen Pregnancy and Abortion Continues to Decline

Recent reports have shown that the rate of teen pregnancy and abortions in the United States has continued to decline. Every single racial and ethnic group in every state has seen a drop with rates reaching the lowest level since 1990.

Abstinence educators tout the decline as proof of the effectiveness of abstinence-based sex education programs. Even pro-abortion groups have said the results are encouraging.

For more information, click here.

"Young People" Account for Half of All New STD Cases

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 18.9 million new cases of STDs occurred in 2000, of which 9.1 million (48 percent) were among persons aged 15 to 24."
Source: Reuters News Agency

"Spam" Protection Bill Introduced in Michigan Senate

Senator Mike Bishop has introduced a bill that would regulate internet advertising (spam) being sent to minors. The bill would create a registry within the Department of Labor and Economic Growth. Individuals and organizations (such as school systems) could register their e-mail addresses or other internet "contact points" with the state registry. Advertisers would be required to pay a fee to send advertisements to those on the registered list.

The bill would also make it illegal for advertisers to knowingly send material that is illegal for minors to purchase or is classified as being "harmful to minors" to registered addresses. Imprisonment or fines would be levied against violators.

Click here to view the bill.

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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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