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January 6, 2005 - Volume 3, Issue 1 |
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January 6, 2005 - Volume 3, Issue 1 |
President
Names New Domestic Policy Advisor
Pro-family leaders applauded President Bush this week for his nomination of Claude Allen as his new Domestic Policy Advisor. Allen has been serving as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
"Claude Allen is a strong supporter of healthy marriages and families," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "His appointment demonstrates the President’s commitment to the family."
Allen had also been nominated to the federal court, but his nomination was filibustered by Senate Democrats. For more information,
click here.
Governor
Signs Grandparent Visitation Law
Governor Granholm signed legislation this week that allows grandparents to seek visitation orders from a court under certain circumstances. The law replaces one that was struck down by the Michigan Supreme Court because it did not give enough deference to parents.
Grandparents must prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence. They must also prove that not being able to visit the child would harm a child’s mental, emotional, or physical health. For more information,
click here.
Fatherhood
Fact
About 40 percent of children in father-absent homes have not seen their father at all during the past year; 26 percent of absent fathers live in a different state than their children; and 50 percent of children living absent their father have never set foot in their father's home.
Marriage Continues to Decline
Americans are waiting longer to marry and wedding less often, too, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Current Population Survey shows that the number of women in their early 30s who have never married is now four times higher than it was in 1970 - with a rise in cohabitation largely to blame.
"Living together is now possible, and you don't have to make that commitment," said David Popenoe, co-director of Rutgers University's National Marriage Project. "And making the commitment is, let's say, getting scarier and scarier."
To read the full story,
click here.
New
Legislative Session Begins in Lansing
The Michigan Legislature will return to Lansing next week. There are many new faces on both sides of the aisle, largely due to term limits.
In preparation for this legislative session, MFF Public Policy Director Dan Jarvis recently met with legislative leaders to share Michigan Family Forum’s agenda for the 93rd Legislative session. MFF is preparing to release the agenda in February.
"This was a great opportunity to inform legislators of some of our goals in the upcoming session," said Jarvis. "We had several successful legislative accomplishments in the last session, and hope this one will be just as productive."
Click here for more information._________________________________________________
Forum Online
© 2005 Michigan Family Forum
112 E. Allegan, Suite 600, P.O. Box 15216
Lansing, MI, 48901-5216
Phone: (517) 374-1171, Fax: (517) 374-6112
Executive Director: Brad Snavely
Editor: Jon Stanton
Questions? E-mail us: info@michiganfamily.org
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