Legislative update:
Mid-year budget cuts announced
On May 5, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced a series of mid-year cuts to the 2009-2010 budget to help fill a $1.3 billion revenue shortfall. The shortfall was brought on by the current economic crisis, which has hit Michigan particularly hard.
The mid-year budget cuts include $41 million in revenue sharing to cities, townships, and counties. The cities I represent will see the following cuts in their revenue-sharing payments: Grosse Pointe City, $21,245; Grosse Pointe Farms, $35,831; Grosse Pointe Park, $46,871; Grosse Pointe Woods, $65,867; Grosse Pointe Shores, $9,952; Harper Woods, $69,206; and Detroit, $7,373,545.
According to the governor, this action moves up some cuts already proposed for the 2010-2011 budget, as well as closing tax loopholes that will bring in an additional $230 million in revenue. The budget will affect nearly every Michigan department, including mandatory unpaid furloughs for state employees, layoffs of state troopers, and cuts to legislative and judicial budgets. It is critical that my House colleagues and I share in the sacrifice we are asking everyone else to make. However I believe that with a bipartisan demeanor and willingness to work together between the chambers, we can find a solution to this recurring problem.
"No reason" absentee voting
I have joined my colleagues in the House to pass a plan to allow any Michigan resident to vote by absentee ballot. Under the plan, any Michigan resident will be allowed to vote by absentee ballot without giving a reason. Voters will also be able to request an absentee ballot in person, or by mail, fax or e-mail. Similar legislation passed the House in 2007, but failed in the Senate.
Currently, Michigan residents are only allowed to vote by absentee ballot if they expect to be absent from the community in which they are registered on Election Day, are physically unable to make it to the polls without assistance, cannot make it to the polls due to their religious beliefs, have been appointed election precinct inspector in a precinct other than their home precinct, are age 60 or older, or who are incarcerated awaiting trial or arraignment.
Toxic toys plan introduced by House
In April, the House of Representatives introduced a plan to require manufacturers of children's toys and products to report chemicals used in the production of toys sold in Michigan. Manufacturers that fail to comply with the reporting requirements will be forced to pay penalties and have their products pulled from the shelves.
The plan requires the Michigan Department of Community Health (DCH) to create a list of "chemicals of concern"–those known to cause cancer, reproductive or developmental harm, neurological damage or hormone disruption–by 2011. Failure to comply with the reporting requirements will carry penalties of up to $5,000 for the first offense, up to $25,000 for the second offense and up to $50,000 for the third or subsequent offense. Those who knowingly violate the act will face a fine of up to $150,000.
House passes plan to reduce mercury pollution
To better protect Michigan's families and the Great Lakes, I voted in favor of a plan that will phase out the use of mercury in several products sold in Michigan, and improve recycling practices and disposal of the toxic substance.
Mercury is a dangerous, bio-accumulative toxin that can seriously affect the health of Michigan residents, wildlife and natural resources. We have a responsibility to protect our land, air and water. The best way to do that in my position is to support legislation that will make it mandatory for manufacturers to phase out the use of toxic substances in the products.
Smoking Ban Survey
Over the last few months, I've handed out surveys to the residents of our community to find out what residents think about hot-button Lansing issues. One of those issues is the proposed smoking ban, and more than 75 percent of us feel that smoking has no place in public or places of employment.
I may not have to tell you that lung cancer, respiratory infections, asthma, high blood pressure, and heart attacks have all been linked to secondhand smoke. The American Lung Association reports that secondhand smoke causes 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 46,000 heart disease deaths in adult nonsmokers every year. The study showed that nonsmokers who work at places where they are exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk for health problems.
In Michigan, residents who work in bars and restaurants have no protection from the dangers of secondhand smoke, while every minute of every shift is spent breathing in toxic, smoke-laden air. No one should have to go through that to feed their family. As a co-sponsor on HB 4341, which calls for a complete smoking ban, I believe now is the time to protect Michigan workers and ban smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants.
Contact Tim Bledsoe:
TimBledsoe@house.mi.gov
Web: www.house.mi.gov/tbledsoe
Phone: 517-373-0154 (Toll-Free 888-254-5291)
