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Michigan Citizens

“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” – Wendell Phillips, (1811-1884), abolitionist, orator and columnist for The Liberator, in a speech before the Massachusetts Antislavery Society in 1852

Your efforts on behalf of a free Michigan ARE paying off!

 

According to an article in The Detroit News formerly the latest directive from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sibelius..“One of the conditions outlined in Sebelius’ letter is that Snyder “procure legal authority and spending authority for exchange activities, and provide documented evidence of such authority to operate an exchange.”

That could prove difficult or even impossible in the state Senate, where Republicans are lining up against a House-passed bill that sanctions the partnership and authorizes use of a $31 million federal planning grant to set up the exchange.”

Apparently Senators who face reelection next year are feeling the heat from activists. Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardvile was quoted March 7th  as putting on the brakes on in the Senate on HB 4111 that flew through the House. “I’m not going to ram it and try and do things fast. We’re going to take a look at it over the next week or two, listen to what other peoples’ opinions are, and see whether we should move it or not,” Richardville said Wednesday. “We’ll do it when we’re ready to do it.”

And was quoted on March 8th in the Detroit Free Press article saying, “Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, said the Senate now will take additional time to discuss the grant and its implications.“

HB 4111 was on the Senate calendar last week under “General Orders” and will remain on the General Orders until voted OR NOT. Should we believe Sen. Richardville when he states several weeks of consideration on the bill? Will it be voted on tomorrow? We don’t know. The Senate Session is tomorrow at 10:00am You can watch/listen the Senate proceeding  on Senate TV HERE starting at 10:00am.

 And that is why….NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO STOP THE PRESSURE!

IF YOU HAVE NOT CONTACTED YOUR SENATOR, PLEASE DO SO.

IF YOU HAVE, CONTACT THE OTHER SENATORS!
ASK YOUR SENATOR WERE HE/SHE STAND ON THE PASSAGE OF HB 4111

PLEASE POST YOUR ANSWER HERE SO WE CAN HAVE A TALLY

Simple message, “I do not want an Exchange of any sort in Michigan therefore I oppose HB 4111 to appropriate money for a Level One Federal Grant for implementation of a Health Care Insurance Exchange.”

And if we don’t have reasons enough here is another one that just crossed by desk, “States balk at $15B Obama healthcare ‘tax’…

“A newly unveiled component of President Obama’s healthcare law forcing insurers to pay annual fees is sowing angst in state capitols, where officials view the provision as a $15 billion tax that could disrupt Medicaid programs and other services. The health insurance providers fee, included in the healthcare reform law (my insert here: SEC. 9010. IMPOSITION OF ANNUAL FEE ON HEALTH INSURANCE PRO- VIDERS.) over the objections of congressional Republicans, is designed to raise tens of billions of dollars in the coming years….The proposed regulation’s details were published this week, and prompted harsh criticism from the health insurance industry, which warns that the fees would ultimately raise the price of healthcare.”

 

And there  is the SMOKING GUN no one seems to be talking about: The path to SINGLE PAYER

MORE ON THIS LATER…

 

 

 

IF you are contacting YOUR Senator, please add to your message, I will be monitoring your vote.

Find your Senator HERE

COPY and PASTE List of all GOP Senators

sendbooher@senate.michigan.gov,senjbrandenburg@senate.michigan.gov,
sentcasperson@senate.michigan.govsenbcaswell@senate.michigan.gov,
senpcolbeck@senate.michigan.gov,senjemmons@senate.michigan.gov,
senmgreen@senate.michigan.gov,senghansen@senate.michigan.gov,
sendhildenbrand@senate.michigan.govsenjhune@senate.michigan.gov,
senmjansen@senate.michigan.gov,senrjones@senate.michigan.gov,
senrkahn@senate.michigan.gov,senmkowall@senate.michigan.gov,
senjmarleau@senate.michigan.govsenameekhof@senate.michigan.gov,
senjmoolenaar@senate.michigan.gov,senmnofs@senate.michigan.gov
senjpappageorge@senate.michigan.gov,
senppavlov@senate.michigan.gov,senjproos@senate.michigan.gov
senrrichardville@senate.michigan.gov,
sendrobertson@senate.michigan.gov,sentrocca@senate.michigan.gov
sentschuitmaker@senate.michigan.gov,senhwalker@senate.michigan.gov

 

Pt. 2 FOLLOW THE MONEY – Obama Care Voters- HB 4111

Continuing series we are doing. Part 1 is HERE

1. Always follow the money

2. Voting for Right to Work does NOT give you a pass on other issues.

3.“Pelosi Postion”(pass the bill to know what is in it) Rep. Martin Howrylak (R-Troy) voted no, and said during committee he has not been able to read the grant (HB 4111) being offered. “I cannot, in good conscious, support anything I haven’t had access to,” he said.

4. The bill, HB 4111 now goes to the Senate. It could be voted on this coming Tuesday

Please contact your Senator (HERE) and inform them

“I do not want an (Obama Care) Health Insurance Exchange in Michigan. Period. I will be monitoring your vote.

 

2014 TERM LIMITED SENATORS

Sen. John Pappageorge (R) of Troy is also term limited

 

John Gleason is a former Democratic member of the Michigan State Senate, representing District 27 from 2007 to 2012. He served as Assistant Minority Caucus Leader. He resigned his senate seat following his election as Genesee County Clerk on November 6, 2012.

All other Senators are up for reelection in 2014

 

Some Organizations supporting the Exchange

Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Manufacturing Association and The Michigan Business and Professional Association

Special interests in Michigan will profit?

Organizations and “stakeholders” who could profit from an Insurance Exchange BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN,

Health professionals,Hospitals,Insurance brokers/agents,Labor,Local government,Long-term care,Mental health,Non-hospital safety-net providers,Pharmaceutical manufacturers,Public health,Research/university

List of Michigan’s Obamacare Exchange “Work Group” Members (2011)

Organizations supporting the Medicaid expansion

AARP Michigan, Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards, Michigan Association of Health Plans, Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Michigan Osteopathic Association, Michigan Primary Care Association, Michigan State Medical Society, and the Small Business Association of Michigan.

(OBAMA CARE) HEALTH CARE INSURANCE EXCHANGE VOTERS (VOTED YES ON HB 4111)

 

Rep. Gail Haines formerly http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=043– District 43, Waterford

Phone: (517) 373-0615
Toll Free: (888) 737-4043
Email: GailHaines@house.mi.gov

QUOTES

Jan. 19, 2012  My feelings obviously are that this is still a moving object, there are still way too many unknowns for us to move forward,” Haines said.The committee held a three-hour hearing for public testimony on health exchanges today. Haines said she tried to alternate between people who supported it and those who opposed it, but there were more who opposed it.

Nov. 29, 2012 Just two Republicans and three Democrats on a 19-member committee voted in favor of what conservative activists made a referendum of sorts on “Obamacare.” ….Haines and Rep. Mike Callton of Nashville were the only Republicans to vote for the bill,…House Health Policy Chairwoman Gail Haines, R-Lake Angelus, was frustrated after a bill authorizing a state-based exchange was defeated on a 5-9 vote,

“The people of this state have spoken. We are compromising, we continue to work on this issue. But until there is a little more compromising, you see what is going to happen. … We had votes all over the map today. There is not a general consensus on this issue, and we need one.”

Feb. 18, 2013 “I think it (Exchange) will save money and save lives,” said State Rep. Gail Haines, a Republican from Lake Angelus who chairs the House Policy Committee.

Appointments:

  Feb. 6, 2013 

Appointed as assistant whips by Republican House Majority Whip Pete Lund from Shelby Township are Reps. Gail Haines from Lake Angelus, Klint Kesto from Commerce Township and Mike McCready from Bloomfield Hills. Legislative whips are responsible for getting members of their political party to vote along with the positions taken by leadership.

FOLLOW THE MONEY  Top Special Interest Donations as Percentage of Total Donation

2010

Candidate Contributions (self funded) $51,230     52.07%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate  $3,850    3.91%
General Business  $3,698    3.76%
Health   $2,350   2.39%
“Uncoded” $27,065     27.51%

2012

Health  $45,025    34.62%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate  $14,475   11.13%
General Business  $8,000    6.15%
Lawyers & Lobbyists  $5,900   4.54%
“Uncoded”  $46,168     35.50%

 

Rep. Joseph Haveman– District 90, Holland
House Appropriations Committee Chairman

Phone: (517) 373-0830
Toll Free: (866) 908-4347
Email: JosephHaveman@house.mi.gov

Appointments –  HAVEMAN NAMED TO TRANSITION TEAM FOR UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION

December 3, 2012  State Rep. Joe Haveman will have a key role in recommending House members for committee assignments in the upcoming legislative session, House Speaker Jase Bolger announced.

Dec. 19, 2012  State Rep. Joe Haveman, R-Holland, was named chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, one of the more powerful and prominent state House panels.…(Jase) Bolger, in the press release, called Haveman “a tremendous asset.”

QUOTES

Feb. 28, 2013 “We would not choose to implement this big-government health care program willingly, but a federal health care exchange is coming to Michigan, whether or not we like it,”

FOLLOW THE MONEY – Top Special Interest Donations as Percentage of Total Donations

2010

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate  $4,300    18.51%
General Business  $3,100   13.34%
Energy & Natural Resources $4,000     17.21%
Health (& Construction)  $1,850     7.96%
Transportation  $1,475     6.35%
“Uncoded”  $3,775      16.25%
2012
Energy & Natural Resources   $6,900      17.62%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate  $6,450     16.47%
General Business  $4,950    12.64%
Health   $4,156    10.61%
“Uncoded”   $8,235     21.03%

 

Rep. Kurt Heise formerly http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?district=020 District 20, Plymouth
Phone: (517) 373-3816
Toll Free: (855) 737-5878 [855-REP-KURT]
Email: KurtHeise@house.mi.gov

FOLLOW THE MONEY – Top Special Interest Donations as Percentage of Total Donations

 

 

2010

Candidate Contributions (self funded)   $18,925      25.28%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate   $8,200   10.96%
Agriculture  $5,000     6.68%
“Uncoded”   $22,055      29.47%

2012

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate   $7,685    12.48%
General Business   $6,800    11.04%
Lawyers & Lobbyists   $8,750     14.21%
“Uncoded”   $33,985      55.20%

 

Rep. Brad Jacobsen formerly http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=046 District 46, Oxford

Phone: 517-373-1798
Toll Free: (855) 737-2723 [855 REPBRAD]
Email: BradJacobsen@house.mi.gov

FOLLOW THE MONEY – Top Special Interest Donations as Percentage of Total Donations

 

2010

Candidate Contributions  $52,240 65.78%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate $2,400 3.02%
General Business $3,000 3.78%
“Uncoded” $15,040 18.94%

2012

Energy & Natural Resources $9,275 21.80%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate $5,275 12.40%
General Business $7,501 17.63%
Health $4,775 11.23%
“Uncoded” $16,986 39.93%

 

Rep. Klint Kesto formerly http://www.gophouse.com/readarticle.asp?id=9689&District=39 District 39, Commerce Twp.

Appointments – Feb.5,2013

KESTO NAMED MICHIGAN HOUSE ASSISTANT WHIP
State Rep. Klint Kesto today was selected as a House assistant whip for the 2013-14 legislative session.
Legislative whips are responsible for getting members of their political party to vote along with the positions taken by leadership.

 

FOLLOW THE MONEY – Top Special Interest Donations as Percentage of Total Donations

2012

Candidate Contributions(self funded)  $22,348    9.00%
Party (GOP) $47,755   19.24%
“Uncoded”  $152,568   61.46%

Leadership PACs formerly

ONE TOUGH NERD PAC formerly http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/contributor.phtml?d=1327001941  Rick Snyder  LANSING, MI   $5,000

MIKE CALLTON formerly ACTION FUND  NASHVILLE, MI    $3,000

BOLGER formerly RESTORE MICHIGAN FUND   MARSHALL, MI $2,500

KAHN LEADERSHIP FUND formerly http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/contributor.phtml?d=1327002292   $500

MIKE CALLTON ACTION FUND    NASHVILLE, MI   $500

Party Committees formerly

HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN CMTE OF MICHIGAN  LANSING, MI   $23,999

HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN CMTE OF MICHIGAN  LANSING, MI   $14,398

MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY   $5,000

 

 Rep. Eileen Kowall formerly http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?district=044 District 44, White Lake

Phone: (517) 373-2616
Toll Free: (866) 334-0010
Email: EileenKowall@house.mi.gov

Appointments:

KOWALL NAMED CHAIR OF HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES ON JOINT CAPITAL OUTLAY, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

 January 24, 2013

State Rep. Eileen Kowall today was appointed by House Speaker Jase Bolger to continue her work on the House Appropriations Committee and chair the appropriations subcommittees on environmental quality and joint capital outlay.

Kowall also chaired these committees last term, improving government transparency and fiscal responsibility for the state’s capital outlay process as well as enhancing efficiency standards for DEQ programs

FOLLOW THE MONEY – Top Special Interest Donations as Percentage of Total Donations

2010

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate $10,200   15.34%
Candidate Contributions  $8,889   13.37%
General Business 15 $5,689 8.56%
“Uncoded” 223 $26,178 39.38%

2012

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate  $9,500   41.70%
General Business  $7,187   31.55%
Energy & Natural Resources  $7,550   33.14%
Health  $5,900   25.90%
Transportation  $3,900  17.12%
“Uncoded” $21,645   95.01%

 

Rep Matt Lori District 59, Constantine

IF YOU RECALL REP LORI WAS A NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE (NPV) PUSHER

Rep. Lori also supports the Medicaid Expansion formerly
“During a break in testimony Monday, Rep. Matt Lori, R-Constantine, the committee chairman, said “the evidence so far is there is overwhelming support (for the Medicaid expansion).” He said a shell bill has been introduced for the Medicaid expansion, but language won’t be added until the committee thoroughly vets the issue. The community health budget should be completed by the end of March, Lori said.“

And Rep. Lori is receiving awards from organizations that support Medicaid expansion

Mar. 6, 2013

Lansing — State Rep. Matt Lori recently was presented with the Champion for the Medically Underserved award for his work to promote and protect quality health care for Michigan residents. Lori, R-Constantine, received the award during the Michigan Primary Care Association’s legislative forum in Michigan.

“It is an honor to be recognized by this association,” said Lori, R-Constantine, who also serves as chairman of the House Department of Community Health Appropriations Subcommittee http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa/dch.asp.

Appointments: LORI NAMED TO NEW MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMISSION

February 21, 2013

State Rep. Matt Lori today was named by House Speaker Jase Bolger to Gov. Rick Snyder’s newly created Mental Health and Wellness Commission.

The six-member commission will advise the state Department of Community Health on strengthening the state’s mental health system. Their advisory role includes considering the best solutions for education, public safety, veterans, independence and service delivery….

FOLLOW THE MONEY Top Special Interest Donations as Percentage of Total Donation

2010

Construction $2,700 13.22%
Energy & Natural Resources $2,450 11.99%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate $2,575 12.61%
General Business $4,150 20.32%
Health $1,650 8.08%
“Uncoded” $2,512 12.30%

2012

Health $15,100   24.88%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate $9,000 14.83%
Candidate Contributions (self funded) $8,959 14.76%
General Business $5,200 8.57%
“Uncoded” $11,876 19.57%

 

 Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons formerly http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?district=86  Assistant Majority Floor Leader – District 86, Alto

Phone: (517) 373-0846
Toll Free: (855) 596-6786
Email: LisaLyons@house.mi.gov

Appointments: Assistant Majority Floor Leader

LYONS TO CHAIR EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND ELECTIONS & ETHICS COMMITTEE

January 24, 2013

State Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons, R-Alto, today was appointed to serve as Chair of the House Education Committee as well as Chair of the House Committee on Elections & Ethics for the 2013-14 legislative session….

FOLLOW THE MONEY Top Special Interest Donations as Percentage of Total Donation

2010

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate $13,300 18.89%
General Business $13,900 19.74%
Lawyers & Lobbyists $4,300 6.11%
Health $3,650 5.18%
“Uncoded” $27,185 38.61%

2012

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate $29,175 31.66%
General Business $15,600 16.93%
Health $5,485 5.95%
“Uncoded” $22,937 24.89%