E-Newsletter, May 30, 2008
House’s Half-Measure on Smoking Ban Leaves Workers, Families at Risk
This week, the House of Representatives voted to include exemptions in smoke-free workplace legislation instead of voting on a measure I recently supported that would offer all Michigan workers equal protection from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. This vote resulted in yet another missed opportunity to protect Michigan citizens.
This is a public health issue that deserves a strong, swift solution. According to the American Cancer Society, second-hand smoke is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing 38,000 to 65,000 nonsmokers every year. It’s a shame that the House failed to pass measures that would help prevent these deaths. Thirty-three states have already passed similar legislation to protect their workers from the deadly exposure to secondhand smoke, while Michigan’s citizen’s health continues to go up in smoke.
Hunter Fights to Secure Funds for Vital Public Safety Services
As the Senate recently voted on 2009 budget bills, my Democratic colleagues and I pushed for an increase in funding for local governments, which would strengthen public safety services that keep Michigan communities and families safe. The proposed amendment would not only restore a four percent increase in revenue sharing for local police, firefighters and water systems, but also for road maintenance and other vital services.
Michigan simply can’t afford to cut back on critical services at a time when we are trying to compete with other states for 21st Century jobs. Mayors, police chiefs and fire chiefs across the state recently came together at the Capitol in support of our efforts to support additional funding for local governments.
“We have been forced to cut our budgets year after year and provide the same services with less. We have done this, but we can’t do it for much longer,” said Holland Mayor Al McGeehan, president of the Michigan Association of Mayors. “Additional cuts will continue to threaten public safety, our ability to plow and repair streets, and other services residents expect and deserve.”
Job Growth Top Priority for Senator Hunter
During this week’s budget decisions, my Democratic colleagues and I also focused our efforts on economic growth for Michigan with initiatives such as the 'No Worker Left Behind’ (NWLB) program and the Michigan Nursing Corps program. The proposed amendments to support these programs sought to create new jobs in Michigan and train and educate individuals to ensure Michigan’s workers have the skills needed to succeed in a 21st Century economy.
In addition to the economic-driven budget proposals, my colleagues and I also fought for amendments to expand day care funding, support abuse prevention programs, create a pilot mental health study for juvenile offenders, increase fire protection grants and limit the use of credit scoring in certain employment practices.
Take Time With Tupac: Coffee Hour Times & Locations
Detroit Coffee Hour: Every First Friday, 10 - 11 a.m. Mary's Grill, 20804 Plymouth Road
Dearborn Heights Coffee Hour: Every Third Friday, 10 - 11 a.m. McDonald’s, 6412 North Telegraph Road
Inkster Coffee Hour: Every Second Friday, 10 - 11 a.m. McDonald’s, 27125 Cherry Hill Road
You are invited to attend whichever coffee hours work best for your schedule. If you are interested in joining me, please call my office toll-free at 1-866-262-7305 in order to confirm your attendance. Please be sure to leave a message if you call after hours.
