Celebrate Some Big Wins in the Michigan Legislature; Take More Action NOW!
By MUUSJN on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023
Governor Signs Bill Expanding LGBTQ+ Rights!
Old 1931 Anti-Abortion Law Almost Revoked!!
Support Bill Giving Low-Income Workers Tax Relief in 2023
It’s Spring! It’s Time to Celebrate Big Wins in the Michigan legislature!!
BACKGROUND
On March 16th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a historic bill that expands the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act to provide basic human rights to LGBTQ+ people. This means that members of the LGBTQ+ community can not be discriminated against for jobs, education, housing or public accomodations. This a reform that advocacy groups have been demanding for 40 years!
Thanks to all who responded to MUUSJN’s alert to advocate for this legislation.
Thank Senator Jeremy Moss at 517-373- 7888
& Representative Jason Hoskins: 517-373-1180
They sponsored SB 4 and HB 4003 in their respective chambers.
On March 2nd, the Michigan House of Representatives voted to adopt HB 4006 and a package of other bills to REPEAL an old 1931 anti-abortion law that criminalizes abortion. On March 8th, this legislation was approved in the Michigan Senate without religious exemption amendments. MUUSJN filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court opposing this 1931 law. We argued that right wing religions that oppose abortions should not be able to impose their beliefs on other people of faith or on humanists. This legislation is going through further review to reach agreement on the House and Senate versions of this legislation. A spokesperson for the Governor’s office predicted these bills should be coming to the Governor for her signature by the end of March or early April. Another legislative achievement to celebrate!
Finally, MUUSJN was part of a large coalition that advocated for expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low-income working families. This bill was adopted in both the Michigan House and Senate along with other tax bills. However, in order to allow the bill to take immediate affect so lower income people can use the EITC deduction for THIS YEAR’S taxes, bill sponsors are reintroducing EITC reform as SB 144. The Senate Housing and Human Services Committee is scheduled to vote on SB 144 TOMORROW (March 21, 2023) at 2:30 p.m.
YOU CAN HELP MAKE THIS TAX DEDUCTION FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES HAVE IMMEDIATE AFFECT BY SUBMITTING ELECTRONIC TESTIMONY TO THE COMMITTEE.
Email your comment to SenKMcDonaldRivet@senate.michigan.gov Senator Kristin McDonald Rivet will forward your testimony to the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee. In the subject of your email write: “Electronic Card: Senate Housing & Human Services Committee: Support SB 144. In the body of your email, write “Hello. I am emailing to electronically put in a card of support from (organization) for SB 144 that is up in the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee. List your name, your phone number and email. Thanks, (your name)
(This guidance provided by Adam Bitely, Senior Communications Specialist, Martin Waymire.)
Category: News |