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March 11, 2004 - Volume 2, Issue 10 |
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March 11, 2004 - Volume 2, Issue 10 |
Marriage
Protection Amendment Falls Short in the House
It was close, but in the end the two-thirds majority (a total of 73 votes) needed to place an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage before voters fell short by 8 votes on Tuesday. The final tally was 65 for and 38 against.
While disappointing, there is still a possibility that the issue could reach voters. The House leadership has left the door open for another vote. A total of seven lawmakers did not vote on Tuesday and some others could possibly be convinced the change their vote. The option of using a citizen introduced petition drive is also possible.
Lawmakers need to hear from you now more than ever if Michigan hopes to avoid the legal quagmire that is occurring in other states.
Click here to visit the "Citizen Action Center" where you can easily contact your state representative to thank them if they voted yes on Tuesday, or to ask them to reconsider if they voted no. Click here to read an interesting perspective on "gay marriage" and "civil unions" in the National Review Online.
Senate
Prepares to Vote on Abstinence Bills
After two separate days of public hearings,
SB 943 and SB 944 were reported to the full Senate last week. The Senate is expected to vote on these bills next week.These bills will establish common sense guidelines for schools to follow when teaching abstinence education. They are also designed to give parents more of a voice in the sex education curriculum their children are being taught.
Click here to visit the Citizen Action Center to contact your state Senator to ask for their support. To view the legislation, click on the bill numbers above.
"People’s
Override" Reaches Goal
After only two months, a broad coalition led by Right to Life of Michigan has announced that they have received more than their goal of 325,000 signatures for the "People’s Override" campaign. Michigan’s citizens have quickly made their voice heard as to where they stand regarding partial-birth abortion. Michigan Family Forum was proud to be a member of this coalition.
Right to Life has announced that they will continue to accept petitions through April 5, 2004. Additional signatures will be added to the current list if they are received by this deadline.
Click here for more information.
U.S.
House Set to Vote on Tougher Obscenity Fines
The U.S. House held debate this week on H.R. 3717, the "Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act" of 2004. The bill would increase fines ten-fold for violations of broadcast decency standards. A vote in the full House is expected sometime next week.
Concerned citizens are encouraged to contact their U.S. Representative to ask for their support of the bill.
Click here for contact information about your U.S. representative.To see the text of the "Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004" currently before Congress,
click here and enter " HR 3717" in the Bill Number field.
Michigan
Senate Discusses Character Development Legislation
Hearings were held in Lansing today on Senate Bill 222, introduced by Senator Valde Garcia. The bill would amend the "revised school code" to require that the Michigan Department of Education develop model character education programs for schools to use, if they so choose.
The bill would require the model program to teach core ethical values and character qualities such as honesty, fairness, kindness and others. Former Michigan Family Forum employee Charles Nunez, Jr. is President of "Character Resources of Michigan" and testified before the Senate committee considering the bill. For more information, contact Mr. Nunez at (517) 675-7066.
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Forum Online
© 2003 Michigan Family Forum
1003 N. Washington, P.O. Box 15216
Lansing, MI, 48901-5216
Phone: (517) 374-1171, Fax: (517) 374-6112
Executive Director: Brad Snavely
Editor: Jon Stanton
Graphic Design: Beth Hafer
Questions? E-mail us: info@michiganfamily.org
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