E-Newsletter, June 20, 2008

SENIOR GROUPS HOSTED AT THE STATE CAPITOL

Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting senior groups from the City of Livonia and Redford Township at the State Capitol. It was a great opportunity to meet the unique and remarkable individuals who make up these communities.

We arranged many exciting activities as part of their day at the Capitol. The seniors began their visit with a guided tour of the Capitol, and as a part of the tour, I was able to recognize my guests before my Senate colleagues during session that morning. During lunch, Lieutenant Governor John Cherry was kind enough to meet with my Livonia guests and answer their questions. They finished their day with a visit to the Michigan Hall of Justice where Supreme Court Justice Michael F. Cavanagh spoke and answered questions from within the Supreme Court. I was pleased to host these special guests from Livonia and Redford and look forward to the opportunity to host more visitors in the future.

 

RELAY FOR LIFE FUNDRAISERS

Last month I attended Relay for Life fundraiser events in Garden City, Livonia, Redford, and Westland. The Relay for Life programs, organized through the American Cancer Society, present a unique opportunity for communities to celebrate survival and remember the reasons we must fight back against this devastating disease. I was honored to be in the company of so many individuals who were willing to give their time and support to this noble and urgent cause. For information on future Relay for Life events please visit www.relayforlife.org.

 

ANDERSON CALLS FOR ACTION ON BILL TO PROTECT STUDENTS FROM SOCIAL TORMENT

I continue to call for action in the Senate Education Committee on Matt’s Safe School Law, a bill I sponsored that would help protect Michigan’s school children from social torment and violence. A recent violent attack on a high school girl in Wayland has strengthened my belief that as lawmakers we have a responsibility to provide safe learning environments where our children can grow, study, and succeed.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, as many as half of all children are bullied at some time during their school years, and at least 10% are bullied on a regular basis. Under Matt’s Safe School Law, schools would be required to implement a bullying policy that defines the behavior and puts in place a policy that outlines the consequences of such behavior. This updated version of the bill also extends the policy to internet bullying. It’s time to end this kind of behavior in Michigan schools and protect our children.

To learn more about this legislation, visit my website: www.senate.mi.gov/anderson/pr.php?id=980.

 

ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK JUNE 15--20

With this week being Elder Abuse Awareness Week in Michigan, it is a great time to reflect on all the work we have done to protect our elderly from abuse, and all the work that we will continue to do in the future to make sure our most vulnerable citizens are properly taken care of.

To prevent abuse and keep seniors safe, I recently cosponsored “Safeguarding our Seniors” legislation formed from recommendations from Governor Granholm’s Task Force on Elder Abuse. The ten-bill package is designed to protect senior citizens from predators through increasing penalties and providing necessary tools for prosecutors. Elder abuse can affect family members, friends and neighbors; we need to work together as a community to protect our older citizens from harm. To read more about the Safeguarding our Seniors legislative package, visit my website: www.senate.mi.gov/anderson/pr.php?id=910.

 

BI-PARTISAN RESOLUTION TO KEEP MICHIGAN ROADS, ECONOMY RUNNING SMOOTHLY

Earlier this week, I joined colleagues from both sides of the aisle to push for federal funding for Michigan’s roads and infrastructure. Through Senate Resolution 194, Congress would reauthorize transportation funding in recognition of the importance of the Great Lakes’ infrastructure to the nation’s economy.

Through reauthorized federal funding, Michigan will receive the updates and support needed to facilitate product movement across our borders and around the country, feeding both the United States economy and our own. Consumers will also benefit from infrastructure upgrades with fewer auto repairs and better gas mileage. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, roads in poor condition are less efficient for gas mileage. With ever-increasing gas prices, funding for road improvements will help ease transportation costs on consumers.

You can read more about this legislation on my website at www.senate.mi.gov/anderson/pr.php?id=980.

 

ANDERSON TRAVELS TO CHICAGO TO PARTICIPATE IN GREAT LAKES LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

As a Great Lakes Legislative Caucus member, I attended the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus Conference in Chicago last weekend. The focus of the attending Great Lakes state legislators and experts was to share information on how to best manage & protect the resources of the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes Legislative Caucus is a nonpartisan group of state and provincial lawmakers from eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces who work to promote Great Lakes restoration and strengthen the role of legislators in the Great Lakes policymaking process.

The conference was centered around how the Great Lakes regional economy is shaped by the lakes and looked at the uses of the region’s waters — everything from commerce and trade to transportation and tourism. The caucus also discussed future caucus efforts and priorities. No tax dollars were used to fund my participation in the conference. Participating legislator's expenses were funded by grants from the Joyce Foundation, a non-partisan organization formed to support efforts to protect the Great Lakes natural environment.

To learn more about The Great Lakes Legislative Caucus visit: www.greatlakeslegislators.org.

 

BUDGET UPDATE

The State Senate goal is to move budgets next week, coming closer to a resolution of the 2008-09 Budget. I have been named to the conference committee for the General Government and Transportation budgets and plan to continue my fight for increased revenue sharing for local communities.

 

ENERGY UPDATE

The Energy Policy and Pubic Utility Committee has reported that the House energy package, with a number of modifications that provide additional consumer protection, is now awaiting action on the Senate floor. My overriding goal continues to be to ensure that Michigan has reliable and sufficient sources of energy to meet our residents and business needs into the future at the lowest possible cost.

 

NO COFFEE HOURS FOR JULY

There will be no coffee hours held during the month of July. Please have a happy and safe celebration on this July 4th. Coffee hours will resume again in August.

Constituents who would like to address an issue with me but are unable to attend may contact me by mail, phone, or email:

Mail: P.O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48933 Toll-Free: (866) 262-7306 Email: SenatorAnderson@senate.michigan.gov