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Senate Voting Board

Yesterday was truly an historic day for Michigan. Last night I was at the Capitol as the Senate passed their RTW bill (the House had passed theirs earlier in the day) while Union “activists” chanted “Shame on You”.

As a liberty loving UAW retiree I can honestly say I have waited for this day for a very long time not knowing if it would ever come!

As I was leaving and saw the beautiful lighted Christmas tree at the Capitol, I couldn’t help thinking “Merry Christmas Michigan!”

The news was so shocking to Progressives that President Obama made a statement! For me, one of the fringe benefits is knowing that Progressives all across Michigan and indeed the country are duct taping their heads over the vote yesterday despite Union “activists’ being bused in from other states, intimidation, arrests made from trying to storm the Chamber when in session and generally disrespecting our Capitol all while chanting, “Whose House, Our House! One would ask is this how you treat your own house?!

Both bills, HB 4003 and SB0116 are virtually identical and both cover all public and private workers, except police and firefighters.

Significantly and smartly both bills also include a $1-million appropriation. By making it an appropriations bill, the Republicans made it ineligible for repeal through a ballot initiative according to Michigan’s Constitution.

 STATE CONSTITUTION (EXCERPT) CONSTITUTION OF MICHIGAN OF 1963

§ 9 Initiative and referendum; limitations; appropriations; petitions.

Sec. 9

The people reserve to themselves the power to propose laws and to enact and reject laws, called the initiative , and the power to approve or reject laws enacted by the legislature, called the referendum. The power of initiative extends only to laws which the legislature may enact under this constitution. The power of referendum does not extend to acts making appropriations for state institutions or to meet deficiencies in state funds and must be invoked in the manner prescribed by law within 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the law was enacted

So What Happens Now?

On Tuesday, after the 5 day waiting period (by law)

Article IV Sec 26 of the CONSTITUTION OF MICHIGAN OF 1963

Sec 26 Bills; printing, possession, reading, vote on passage.

Sec. 26. No bill shall be passed or become a law at any regular session of the legislature until it has been printed or reproduced and in the possession of each house for at least five days.

Then both Chambers, House and Senate vote on each other bills, reconcile any differences which should not present any problems since both bills are nearly identical.

Then after the final vote and passage by both Houses and according to law there is a 90 day waiting period before it becomes law, signed by the Governor. (also referenced in Sec. 9 above in blue)

CONSTITUTION OF MICHIGAN OF 1963

From Article IV:

Sec. 27. No act shall take effect until the expiration of 90 days from the end of the session at which it was passed, but the legislature may give immediate effect to acts by a two-thirds vote of the members elected to and serving in each house. History: Const. 1963, Art. IV, §27, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.

So its not quite over and expect Union “activists” in state and out of state to once again descend upon our Capitol to protest.

However, PLEASE take a moment to thank your Represenative or Senator for voting for freedom!

Thank you for all you do, you are the heart and soul of Michigan