Michigan Battle Extends Beyond Labor
by Kate Childs Graham | December 13, 2012
By now you’ve heard of our battle in Michigan. Corporate-backed politicians have rammed through right-to-work legislation, which will devastate both unions and Michigan’s economy. These lawmakers are following the anti-union agenda of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) – the source of much of this legislation.
Their allegiance to ALEC’s agenda extends beyond attacks against unions. Anti-woman, anti-LGBT, pro-gun and anti-education bills are also on the table in Michigan. Here is a round-up of those attacks:
House Bills 5763 and 5764: These bills, which have cleared committee and are headed to the statehouse, would allow adoption agencies to deny an adoption placement based on that agency’s moral or religious beliefs. While they are designed to prohibit adoption by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples, they will really hurt the 14,000 children who are seeking a safe home. Equality Michigan is collecting petition signatures to stop this legislation. Click here to sign.
Senate Bills 612, 613 and 614: These bills, which have been passed in the Senate, will prevent all insurance plans in Michigan from covering abortion unless a woman would die without the procedure. They do not include exceptions for rape or incest. This is model legislation from Americans United for Life (AUL), an organization which works closely with ALEC. There is also a bill passed by the House which would effectively shut down reproductive health clinics and one passed by the Senate that would allow health care providers to use a “moral objection” standard to refuse service to patients.
Senate Bill 59: This bill, which has been passed by the Senate, would eliminate county gun boards and allow people who receive extra training to carry concealed weapons in “gun-free” zones, including schools, hospitals, daycare centers and churches. ALEC, which maintains a strong relationship with the National Rifle Association, has model legislation which amends criminal codes to remove prohibitions to carry handguns on campuses.
Senate Bill 1358 and House Bill 6004: These bills, which have been introduced by the House and Senate and endorsed by Gov. Snyder, would expand the authority of the Education Achievement Authority (EAA), a separate and statewide school district. The EAA would be overseen by a governor-appointed chancellor, sapping local communities of their power. The Michigan Education Association is encouraging advocates to contact Michigan legislators.
House Bill 5923: This bill, which has been introduced by the House, would create charter or virtual schools, run by corporations, which could specify the type of children they want to serve. Education activists have criticized it as a voucher system. ALEC strongly supports voucher programs.
Make no mistake: ALEC and their allies want to wipe out the entire progressive movement. These attacks are as concerted as they are sinister.
We must respond to their strikes with solidarity.
