March 2006
- UU’s Help Pass Minimum Wage Bill!
- MUUSJN Justice Workshop Attracts 70
- Action Task Forces Set Up
- Affirmative Action Update
- Universal Health Care Update
- Poverty – What’s Next After Minimum Wage?
- Green Sanctuary Workshop to Be Planned
UU’s Help Pass Minimum Wage Bill!
The Michigan UU Social Justice Network, as a member of the “Michigan Needs A Raise Coalition”, helped State legislators to decide to pass minimum wage legislation! On March 28th, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed a bill raising the minimum wage. The MUUSJN was there with other activists.
Lawmakers, who opposed a wage increase for many years, relented when they realized that 80% of Michigan residents supported raising the minimum wage and that groups like the MUUSJN were determined to get this issue on the 2006 ballot. Signatures were being collected at First UU Church of Ann Arbor, Northwest UU Church in Southfield, Birmingham Unitarian Church, UU Church in Midland and other churches. Please let me know if your church was also part of this action. Witness the power when UU’s make our moral voice heard in Michigan’s public arena! The new laws will raise the minimum wage to $6.95/hour this year. In 2007, it will be raised again to $7.15/hour and to $7.40/hour in 2008.
From Dr. Charlie Clements, Director of the UU Service Committee
Dear Randy:
Congratulations to you and all the members of the Michigan UU Social Justice Network’s successful efforts to raise the minimum wage. With enough of these local victories, the pressure on Congress to do the right thing and raise the national minimum will increase. We’re proud that you were part of the Michigan Needs a Raise Coalition. Keep up the good work.
Warmly,
Charlie Clements
MUUSJN Justice Workshop Attracts 70
Over 70 people from 12 Michigan UU Churches attended an inspirational, action-packed MUUSJN justice workshop held at the UU Church of Greater Lansing on Saturday March 11th. At this day-long event, called “A Little Less Talk … A LOT MORE ACTION”, people signed up to participate on four MUUSJN Justice Task Forces to address the following issues: Poverty/Minimum Wage; Affirmative Action; Environment; and Universal Health Care. In general, participants rated this workshop experience very highly; most said they were going to take justice action ideas back to their home church. Special thanks to the many people who made this workshop a success.
Justice Task Forces Set Up
Four new MUUSJN Justice Task Forces were created on March 11th. While 9-18 people signed up for each group, we always need people who are willing to active and to be leaders. To get involved in one of these groups, contact Randy Block (beelock47@comcast.net) or Gwen Winston (gwenbwin@gbaileywinston.com) . Here are the names of people who’ve signed up:
Affirmative Action – Co-Chair, Barbara Stevenson, Joanne Monier, Margaret Rovner, Pamela Pinti, Rep. Aldo Vagnozzi, Ellen Teller, Rev. Leonetta Bugleisi, Annette Pratt, Rose Quintana, Regina Fry, Heather Cleland-Host, Terri Cross, Emmy Lou Cholak, and Pat Blackard.
Environment – Mary Lou Malone, Co-Chair, John Helsom, Sheila Ording, Steven Urdy, Bob Swicker, Barbara Stevenson, Cheryl Bartz, Cindy Hutchinson, Emmy Lou Cholak, and Tom Asmus
Poverty/Affirmative Action – Co-Chairs Needed. Don Klein, Rose Quintana, Lynda Smith, Pat Blackard, Rev. Kimi Riegel, Lynn Scott, Joanne Monier, Denise Hartsough, Cynthia Rossi, Mary Lou Malone, Marilyn Azarbayejani, and Jonathan Schultz
Universal Health Care – Co-Chair, Lucille McNaughton, Bob Swicker, Margaret Kingsbury, Jonathan Schultz, Rick Johnson, Emmy Lou Cholak, Andrea Huff, Cindy Hutchinson, Ruth & John Straw, Lynda Smith, Rev. Kimi Riegel, Dolores Brabbs, June Urdy, Cynthia Rossi, Marjorie Mitchell (Chair of MichUHCAN), Marilyn Azarbayejani, Gary Benjamin, and Rayna Bick.
Update on One United Michigan Affirmative Action Campaign
On March 30th, the Michigan Supreme Court decided the “Michigan Civil Rights Initiative” anti-affirmative action proposal will be put on the November 7th ballot. This means that UU’s and other members of the One United Michigan have their work cut for them to educate voters for this ballot issue. The MUUSJN would like to see at least 10 Michigan UU churches hold information forums/discussions on this issue between now and November 7th. Let me know if your church will be one of these churches. For more information on the campaign, go to the following website: www.oneunitedmichigan.org
Environmental Update
The MUUSJN is a member of the Great Lakes, Great Michigan water justice campaign. In February, Governor Granholm signed into law a package of bills regulating Great Lakes water withdrawals advocated by the campaign. Here’s an update from Christy McGillivray, a Clean Water Action Lake St. Clair Community Organizer, who has been coordinating with our Network:
“ As you may know, Governor Granholm signed a package of water use bills into law on February 28th. These bills were passed largely because of action taken by Clean Water Action members as part of the Great Lakes, Great Michigan campaign. With this support, we managed to accomplish in 15 months what partisan bickering had kept our state Legislature from doing for over 20 years. BUT, the fight is not over. There were some dangerous special interest loopholes created by the legislation, namely exempting water in containers of less than 5.7 gallons from being treated as a diversion from the Great Lakes. This loophole sets an unfortunate precedent for privatizing our waters and must be closed.”
Join Clean Water Action Thursday April 6th, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Royal Oak Public Library, 222 E. 11 Mile Road, for a conversation about the steps we can take, and a viewing of “Thirst”, a compelling documentary that examines water conflicts and shows that opposition to privatization of water sparks remarkable coalitions that cross partisan lines. Emmy Lou Cholak, a justice leader with the UU Church of Grand Traverse who showed the film “Thirst” at her church, recommends it for discussion in other churches. Contact Emmy Lou at: sjatc@charter.net
Universal Health Care Update
UU’s in Michigan, in our MUUSJN issues survey, said that universal health care was their top issue. Nearly 48 million Americans are living without health coverage, including more than 8 million children. During May 1-7, 2006, thousands of activities will take place in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to tell Congress that health coverage for Americans must be a top priority. Activities include press conferences, health and enrollment fairs, business leader summits, interfaith activities, small business seminars, campus outreach and more. For more information on what you can do, visit the following website: www.covertheuninsured.org/whatyoucando
Poverty – What’s Next After Michigan Needs A Raise Campaign?
Poverty touches on so many justice issues! What poverty issues should UU’s focus upon during the coming months now that we have achieved an increase in Michigan’s minimum wage? Let us know what you think by e-mailing Gwen Winston or Randy Block. This will be discussed by our new Poverty Task Force.
Green Sanctuary Project Workshop Needs to Be Planned
A few months ago, a group of UU’s agreed to help plan a MUUSJN Green Sanctuary Project workshop later in 2006. If you are interested in being part of this creative process, e-mail Gwen Winston (gwenbwin@gbaileywinston.com) or Randy Block (beelock47@comcast.net).
What Do You Think of Our E-newsletter Name Change?
After brainstorming by our MUUSJN Steering Committee, the name of this e-newsletter was experimentally changed from “The Michigan UU Justice News” to something more eye-catching: JUUstice News. What do you think? Consistent with our belief in empowering UU’s, you are invited to suggest other names.
Justice Events
Justice News From Your Church? Get news of your congregations’ progress for justice published in this newsletter. Submit your news to Randy Block at beelock47@comcast.net
