No. 5
STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
98th Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2015
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, January 27, 2015.
10:00 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Brian N. Calley.
The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was present.
Ananich—present Hopgood—present Pavlov—present
Bieda—present Horn—present Proos—present
Booher—present Hune—present Robertson—present
Brandenburg—present Johnson—present Rocca—present
Casperson—present Jones—present Schmidt—present
Colbeck—present Knezek—present Schuitmaker—present
Emmons—present Knollenberg—present Shirkey—excused
Green—present Kowall—present Smith—present
Gregory—present MacGregor—present Stamas—present
Hansen—present Marleau—present Warren—present
Hertel—present Meekhof—present Young—present
Hildenbrand—present Nofs—present Zorn—present
Hood—present O’Brien—present
Reverend George Showers of Seville Community Church of Elwell offered the following invocation:
Almighty God, in the quietness of these moments, we reflect on the past history that is such an important part of this Senate Chamber. We are, indeed, thankful for the individuals who have served the state of Michigan in the past and those who are currently entrusted with the responsibility and authority to faithfully guide this great state, which we so proudly call our home.
We applaud the members of the Michigan Senate in their dedication and willingness to serve the citizens of their districts. I pray that each Senator will enjoy a sense of unity as they work through the challenges they will face in 2015. I also pray that these talented men and women will continue to positively pave the way for future generations who will also be responsible for the course of history in the state of Michigan.
Gracious God, be our guide and the source of stimulus in our commitment as we support these who have been entrusted with the responsibility of state government. I ask that You strengthen them with honor and peace as they perform the essentials of the office for which they were elected.
I pray this in the name of the Heavenly Father. Amen.
The President, Lieutenant Governor Calley, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motions and Communications
Senator Kowall moved that Senator Shirkey be excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Kowall moved that rule 3.902 be suspended to allow the guests of Senators Pavlov and Green admittance to the Senate floor, including the center aisle.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Senator Kowall moved that rule 3.901 be suspended to allow photographs to be taken from the Senate floor.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Recess
Senator Kowall moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
The motion prevailed, the time being 10:04 a.m.
10:16 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Calley.
During the recess, Senators Pavlov and Green introduced the North Branch High School Girls Varsity Volleyball Team, 2014 MHSAA Class B State Champions; Coach James Fish, Superintendent Thomas A. English, and Principal Mark Hiltunen; and presented them with a Special Tribute.
Coach Fish responded briefly.
Messages from the Governor
The following messages from the Governor were received and read:
January 16, 2015
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointments to office:
Chair - Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates
Lisa Klaeren of 6248 Valley Forge Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009, county of Kalamazoo, succeeding herself, is reappointed for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.
Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates
Lisa A. Klaeren of 6248 Valley Forge Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009, county of Kalamazoo, succeeding herself, is reappointed for a term expiring January 26, 2019.
Brian Boyle of 7111 Cedarbank Drive, West Bloomfield, Michigan 48324, county of Oakland, succeeding himself, is reappointed for a term expiring January 26, 2019.
Luke A. McMurray of 4197 E. Cook Road, Grand Blanc, Michigan 48439, county of Genesee, succeeding himself, is reappointed for a term expiring January 26, 2019.
Beatrice B. Logan of 25171 Delphi Court, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48336, county of Oakland, succeeding herself, is reappointed for a term expiring January 26, 2019.
David P. Grunewald of 11 Torrey Road, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236, county of Wayne, succeeding himself, is reappointed for a term expiring January 26, 2019.
Chris D. Slater of 1695 Flowers Mill Drive, N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, county of Kent, succeeding himself, is reappointed for a term expiring January 26, 2019.
Robert J. Tjapkes of 10840 Midway Road, Clarksville, Michigan 48815, county of Ionia, succeeding himself, is reappointed for a term expiring January 26, 2019.
E. Louis Ognisanti of 625 Westfield Drive, Saginaw, Michigan 48602, county of Saginaw, succeeding himself, is reappointed for a term expiring January 26, 2019.
January 20, 2015
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office:
Michigan Board of Medicine
Stacey T. Frankovich of 112 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, Michigan 48346, county of Oakland, representing the general public, succeeding Carol Sheridan, is appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2018.
January 21, 2015
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office:
Great Lakes Water Authority
Earl Hood of 1980 Stonebridge Drive North, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, county of Washtenaw, representing ratepayers from the other suburban counties touched by the system, is appointed for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.
Sincerely,
Rick Snyder
Governor
The appointments were referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of
Motions and Communications
The following communications were received and read:
Office of the Auditor General
January 22, 2015
Enclosed is a copy of the following audit report:
Performance audit of Data Security Using Mobile Devices, Department of Technology, Management, and Budget.
January 22, 2015
Enclosed is a copy of the following audit report:
Financial audit of the Michigan Finance Authority, a discretely presented component unit of the State of Michigan, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.
Sincerely,
Doug Ringler
Auditor General
The audit reports were referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
The Secretary announced that pursuant to Rule 2.109 of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following expense reports have been filed with the Secretary of the Senate for the quarter from July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014, and are available in the Secretary’s office during business hours for public inspection:
Committee Chairperson
Agriculture Senator Joe Hune
Appropriations Senator Roger Kahn
Banking and Financial Institutions Senator Darwin Booher
Compliance and Accountability Senator Arlan Meekhof
Economic Development Senator Mike Kowall
Education Senator Phil Pavlov
Energy and Technology Senator Mike Nofs
Families, Seniors and Human Services Senator Judy Emmons
Finance Senator Jack Brandenburg
Government Operations Senator Randy Richardville
Health Policy Senator Jim Marleau
Infrastructure Modernization Senator Roger Kahn
Insurance Senator Joe Hune
Judiciary Senator Rick Jones
Local Government and Elections Senator David Robertson
Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes Senator Tom Casperson
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Senator Goeff Hansen
Redistricting Senator Joe Hune
Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Senator Mark Jansen
Regulatory Reform Senator Tory Rocca
Transportation Senator Tom Casperson
Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security Senator John Moolenaar
The Secretary announced that the following bills were printed and filed on Thursday, January 22, and are available at the Michigan Legislature website:
Senate Bill Nos. 25 26 27 28 29 30
House Bill Nos. 4035 4036 4037 4038 4039 4040 4041 4042 4043 4044 4045 4046 4047
The Secretary announced that the following bills were printed and filed on Friday, January 23, and are available at the Michigan Legislature website:
House Bill Nos. 4048 4049 4050 4051 4052 4053 4054 4055 4056 4057 4058
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Resolutions
Senators Pavlov, Stamas, Nofs, Casperson, Kowall, Green, Colbeck, Proos, Robertson, Marleau, Knollenberg, Horn, Hildenbrand, Jones, Schuitmaker, Booher and Hune offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 5.
A resolution to declare January 25-31, 2015, as Catholic Schools Week in the state of Michigan.
Whereas, There are 55,886 students attending 228 Catholic elementary and high schools throughout our great state; and
Whereas, The Constitution of Michigan states: “Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged”; and
Whereas, Catholic school parents pay tuition in addition to supporting public schools through their taxes; and
Whereas, Catholic schools comply with the same health, safety, and general welfare regulations required of public schools, but without compensation from the state government; and
Whereas, The viability of Catholic schools should be encouraged so that declines in Catholic school enrollment, which necessitate increases in public expenditures in the School Aid Fund, can be avoided; and
Whereas, Catholic schools produce students who are strongly dedicated to faith, values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment rich in spiritual character and moral development, making them responsible citizens of our state and nation; and
Whereas, Catholic schools educate many students who are non-Catholic and many students who are economically disadvantaged, ensuring that a good education remains the single best way out of poverty; and
Whereas, With their traditionally high academic standards and high graduation rates, Catholic schools and their graduates make a positive contribution to American society; and
Whereas, January 25-31, 2015, has been designated as Catholic Schools Week, with the theme “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service,” as denoted by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; and
Whereas, The common good of the state of Michigan is strengthened through the continued existence of Catholic schools; and
Whereas, Catholic schools are part of a solution to support families and to build productive lives for future generations; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body declare January 25-31, 2015, as Catholic Schools Week in the state of Michigan. We support the continued dedication of Catholic schools across Michigan toward academic excellence and the key role Catholic schools play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for students; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Catholic Conference with our highest esteem.
Pending the order that, under rule 3.204, the resolution be referred to the Committee on Government Operations,
Senator Kowall moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The resolution was adopted.
Senators Bieda, Emmons, Hopgood, O’Brien and Schmidt were named co‑sponsors of the resolution.
Senators Pavlov, Stamas, Nofs, Casperson, Kowall, Green, Colbeck, Proos, Robertson, Marleau, Knollenberg, Hildenbrand, Booher and Hune offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 6.
A resolution recognizing January 25 - January 31, 2015, as Michigan School Choice Week.
Whereas, All children in Michigan should have the right to the highest-quality schools possible; and
Whereas, Citizens across Michigan agree that improving the quality of education and expanding access to highly-effective schools should be issues of importance to our state’s leaders; and
Whereas, Michigan recognizes the critical role that an effective and accountable system of education plays in preparing all children to be successful in a global economy; and
Whereas, There are a multitude of high-quality public schools, public charter schools, and nonpublic schools in the state of Michigan; and
Whereas, Michigan has many outstanding teaching professionals in public, private, and charter schools across the state who are committed to educating children; and
Whereas, The vital cause of education reform is one that transcends ideology and political party affiliation; and
Whereas, Research in Michigan and across the nation demonstrates conclusively that providing parents with multiple schooling options improves academic performance; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby commemorate January 25 - January 31, 2015, as Michigan School Choice Week in the state of Michigan, and we call this observance to the attention of all our citizens; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the National School Choice Week organization with our highest esteem.
Pending the order that, under rule 3.204, the resolution be referred to the Committee on Government Operations,
Senator Kowall moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The resolution was adopted.
Senators Emmons and Schmidt were named co‑sponsors of the resolution.
Senator Casperson offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 7.
A resolution to support scientifically-based state management of gray wolves and to call for legislative action by the U.S. Congress and an appeal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in an effort to remove the Western Great Lakes gray wolf population from the endangered and threatened species list.
Whereas, On December 19, 2014, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia returned the Western Great Lakes population of gray wolves to the federal endangered and threatened species list. This is the third time in the last decade that federal courts have disregarded the judgment of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scientists and overturned a delisting of the gray wolf in the Great Lakes regions; and
Whereas, Based on objective scientific criteria, gray wolves have made a remarkable recovery from near extinction and are no longer endangered in Michigan. Michigan’s gray wolf population exceeds by more than three times the number of wolves biologists consider necessary to maintain a healthy population and has grown steadily for more than a decade. Michigan’s wolf population has met all federal recovery goals for delisting, both in terms of the number of wolves and the stability of those numbers; and
Whereas, The extreme protection afforded gray wolves under the federal Endangered Species Act prevents sound management of this species in Michigan. Gray wolves increasingly endanger people and domestic animals as they encroach more and more on developed areas, and they also impact other wildlife. In 2014, deadly wolf attacks on livestock and dogs increased 75 percent in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. As a result of the court’s decision, Michigan’s laws allowing citizens to protect their valuable livestock and dogs from wolves have been invalidated. The federal law was designed to bring back species from the brink of extinction, not manage the complicated interactions between people and an increasingly large and expanding predator population; and
Whereas, Michigan is well-prepared to manage gray wolves. The state of Michigan has developed a scientifically-based management plan that will continue to maintain a healthy gray wolf population while allowing for more flexibility when conflicts between people and wolves arise. This plan will allow the state to meets its obligations under sections 51 and 52 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963 to protect the public health and natural resources in the interest of the general welfare of the people; and
Whereas, Michigan cannot properly manage the gray wolf population until gray wolves are removed from the federal endangered and threatened species list in the Great Lakes region. The federal courts’ continued interference infringes on this state’s rights under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and the U.S. District Court’s ruling must be overturned or the fundamental flaws in the federal Endangered Species Act corrected so that science and reason can prevail; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we support scientifically-based state management of gray wolves by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources; and be it further
Resolved, That to achieve that end, we support federal legislation to lift federal protections on the Western Great Lakes gray wolf population so they are no longer considered endangered, and we call on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to appeal the recent federal court ruling that returned gray wolves in the Great Lakes region to the federal endangered and threatened species list; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, and the director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Pending the order that, under rule 3.204, the resolution be referred to the Committee on Government Operations,
Senator Kowall moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The question being on the adoption of the resolution,
Senator Kowall moved that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
The motion prevailed.
Senators Emmons, Proos and Zorn were named co‑sponsors of the resolution.
Introduction and Referral of Bills
Senator Hood introduced
Senate Bill No. 31, entitled
A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The Michigan penal code,” (MCL 750.1 to 750.568) by adding section 81f.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Senator Hood introduced
Senate Bill No. 32, entitled
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 16d of chapter XVII (MCL 777.16d), as amended by 2012 PA 365.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Senators Pavlov, Proos, Hansen, Booher and Schuitmaker introduced
Senate Bill No. 33, entitled
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised school code,” (MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding section 1136.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senators Green, Meekhof, Kowall, Casperson, Proos, Hildenbrand, Pavlov, Colbeck, Jones, Robertson, Schuitmaker, Knezek, Schmidt, Horn, Hansen, Emmons, Shirkey, Stamas, MacGregor, Zorn, Nofs and Knollenberg introduced
Senate Bill No. 34, entitled
A bill to amend 1927 PA 372, entitled “An act to regulate and license the selling, purchasing, possessing, and carrying of certain firearms, gas ejecting devices, and electro-muscular disruption devices; to prohibit the buying, selling, or carrying of certain firearms, gas ejecting devices, and electro-muscular disruption devices without a license or other authorization; to provide for the forfeiture of firearms and electro-muscular disruption devices under certain circumstances; to provide for penalties and remedies; to provide immunity from civil liability under certain circumstances; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies; to prohibit certain conduct against individuals who apply for or receive a license to carry a concealed pistol; to make appropriations; to prescribe certain conditions for the appropriations; and to repeal all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act,” by amending sections 1, 2a, 4, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5j, 5k, 5l, 5o, and 8 (MCL 28.421, 28.422a, 28.424, 28.425, 28.425a, 28.425b, 28.425c, 28.425d, 28.425e, 28.425f, 28.425j, 28.425k, 28.425l, 28.425o, and 28.428), section 1 as amended by 2014 PA 203, section 2a as amended by 2013 PA 3, section 4 as amended by 2014 PA 6, sections 5 and 5a as added by 2000 PA 381, section 5b as amended by 2014 PA 207, sections 5c and 5d as amended by 2002 PA 719, section 5e as amended by 2014 PA 204, sections 5f and 5k as amended by 2012 PA 123, section 5j as amended by 2004 PA 254, section 5l as amended by 2012 PA 32, section 5o as amended by 2014 PA 206, and section 8 as amended by 2008 PA 406, and by adding section 5x; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Senators Green, Meekhof, Casperson, Proos, Hildenbrand, Pavlov, Colbeck, Marleau, Jones, Robertson, Schuitmaker, Knezek, Schmidt, Horn, Hansen, Emmons, Kowall, Shirkey, Stamas, MacGregor, Zorn, Nofs and Knollenberg introduced
Senate Bill No. 35, entitled
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 11b of chapter XVII (MCL 777.11b), as amended by 2012 PA 124.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Senators Booher, Colbeck, Marleau, Jones, MacGregor, Meekhof, Hildenbrand and Hansen introduced
Senate Bill No. 36, entitled
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised school code,” (MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding part 20c.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senators Booher, Colbeck, Marleau, Jones, MacGregor, Meekhof, Hildenbrand and Hansen introduced
Senate Bill No. 37, entitled
A bill to amend 1966 PA 331, entitled “Community college act of 1966,” (MCL 389.1 to 389.195) by adding section 132.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senators Hansen, Booher, Colbeck, Marleau, Jones, MacGregor, Meekhof and Hildenbrand introduced
Senate Bill No. 38, entitled
A bill to authorize state universities to offer academic credit for concurrent enrollment courses provided by public high schools in this state; and to authorize lower tuition rates for those courses.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senators Casperson and Booher introduced
Senate Bill No. 39, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 503, 504, 2104, 2106, 2126, 2130, 2131, 2132, 2136, 52501, 52503, and 52506 (MCL 324.503, 324.504, 324.2104, 324.2106, 324.2126, 324.2130, 324.2131, 324.2132, 324.2136, 324.52501, 324.52503, and 324.52506), section 503 as amended by 2012 PA 294, section 504 as amended by 2009 PA 47, section 2104 as amended by 1998 PA 28, sections 2106, 2130, and 2136 as added by 1995 PA 60, section 2126 as amended by 2011 PA 323, sections 2131 and 2132 as amended by 2012 PA 622, and section 52501 as amended and sections 52503 and 52506 as added by 2004 PA 125, and by adding sections 514, 2137, and 72117.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
Senators Booher and Casperson introduced
Senate Bill No. 40, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 2135, 2154, and 51106 (MCL 324.2135, 324.2154, and 324.51106), section 2135 as added by 1995 PA 60 and sections 2154 and 51106 as amended by 2012 PA 604.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
Senators Marleau, Green, Zorn, Hertel, Schuitmaker and Knezek introduced
Senate Bill No. 41, entitled
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” (MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211) by adding part 52A.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
Senator Casperson introduced
Senate Bill No. 42, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending sections 7a, 18b, 25, 67a, 212, 259, 306, 307, 309, 310d, 310e, 312e, 312f, 319, 319b, 324, 732, 803b, and 904 (MCL 257.7a, 257.18b, 257.25, 257.67a, 257.212, 257.259, 257.306, 257.307, 257.309, 257.310d, 257.310e, 257.312e, 257.312f, 257.319, 257.319b, 257.324, 257.732, 257.803b, and 257.904), sections 7a and 212 as amended by 2002 PA 534, section 18b as added and section 67a as amended by 1988 PA 346, section 306 as amended by 2014 PA 120, section 307 as amended by 2012 PA 55, section 309 as amended by 2012 PA 355, section 310d as amended by 2004 PA 62, section 310e as amended by 2011 PA 124, sections 312e and 803b as amended by 2011 PA 159, section 312f as amended by 2012 PA 473, section 319 as amended by 2012 PA 306, section 319b as amended by 2012 PA 498, section 324 as amended by 2006 PA 298, section 732 as amended by 2012 PA 592, and section 904 as amended by 2008 PA 461, and by adding section 306a.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation.
Senator Knezek introduced
Senate Bill No. 43, entitled
A bill to amend 1978 PA 566, entitled “An act to encourage the faithful performance of official duties by certain public officers and public employees; to prescribe standards of conduct for certain public officers and public employees; to prohibit the holding of incompatible public offices; and to provide certain judicial remedies,” by amending section 3 (MCL 15.183), as amended by 2014 PA 190.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Local Government.
Statements
Senator Colbeck moved that the statement he made on January 22 on the order of Statements be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Colbeck’s statement is as follows:
We are a little over a week into the start of the 98th Legislature. I believe it is a good time for some introspection. My colleagues, I would like to tee up this introspection with a very simple question: Why are you here? Why did you subject yourselves, your families, and your friends to the lies, character assassinations, and hardships of all sorts that are all too often associated with running for elected office?
Are you here because you like being called Senator? Do you like the power and prestige that may go along with the title? Perhaps your motives are nobler. Perhaps you have seen bad government in action and want to make sure that bad policies are replaced with good policies. Perhaps members of your community lobbied you to be their voice in Lansing, because they respect you. Perhaps you simply want to serve others.
Many of you have started out your public service with the noblest of intentions. Is that still what drives you today? Politicians consistently poll in the single digits when citizens are asked which professions they trust. This lack of trust translates into a lack of trust in our political system—a political system that has brought our nation unparalleled prosperity, a precious spirit of generosity, and status as a beacon of hope for the rest of the world. We need to restore trust in our political system.
While it is no small task, this is the mission that motivates me to serve. We need to move beyond political politics as usual and foster a political environment that restores the public’s trust in our system of government. Too often in Lansing, we find ourselves caught up in a cesspool of playground politics filled with false narratives, whisper campaigns, and attempts to elevate oneself by demeaning another. We are better than this.
Together, we can convert Lansing into an environment that promotes nobler virtues worthy of our proud American heritage, worthy of today’s electorate, and worthy of posterity; virtues such as honesty and integrity; virtues such as freedom; virtues such as the promotion of the idea that our citizens deserve the best solutions to the problems that we face, not simply a solution that benefits only an influential subset of our citizens.
It was painful whenever I encountered people on the campaign trail who had given up on our system of government; who had given up on the promise of a government that they could trust; who had given up on the idea that any politician would put the best interests of their constituents above their own self-interests; who had given up on the idea that elected officials would legislate in a manner consistent with their campaign promises.
At risk is the very concept of living under a government that is of the people, for the people, and by the people. Each of us reaffirmed the following oath last week: “I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this state, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of State Senator according to the best of my ability”—so help me God. Please note that we did not swear an oath to serve our own best interests. We did not swear an oath to serve our favorite lobbying group. We did not swear an oath to a specific individual. We took an oath under God with our hands on the Bible to serve the best interests of We the People. This same Bible tells us that no servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. That is from Luke 16:13.
I am asking each of us, including myself, to reflect upon a simple question: Whom are you serving?” Are you serving the best interests of all the citizens of this state? If not, why not? Are you afraid? Are you afraid to speak up for what you know in your heart is right? Are you afraid of being misrepresented and ridiculed in the media? Are you simply afraid that you may not be up to the task? I implore each of you: Do not be afraid. God did not give us a spirit of timidity or fear, but one of power, of love, and of self-control. I believe that is how we are called to serve.
In today’s political environment, so often driven by self-interest, there doesn’t seem to be any room for the pursuit of ideals bigger than oneself. We can change that. Together, we can provide citizens with a quality of public service that truly earns the salutation of honorable. It all starts with each of us answering a simple question with complete honesty: Whom do you serve?
Committee Reports
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Senate Fiscal Agency Board of Governors submitted the following:
Meeting held on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building
Present: Senators Meekhof (C), Hildenbrand, MacGregor, Ananich and Gregory
Scheduled Meetings
Appropriations - Wednesday, January 28, 2:00 p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-1801)
Subcommittees -
Agriculture and Rural Development - Tuesdays, February 17, March 10, March 17, and March 24, 3:00 p.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building (373-2768)
Capital Outlay - Wednesday, January 28, 4:00 p.m. or later after committees are given leave by the House to meet, House Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-8080)
General Government and Economic Development - Thursday, January 29, 1:30 p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower (373-2768)
Human Services - Thursday, January 29, 2:00 p.m., Room 100, Farnum Building (373-2768)
State Police and Military Affairs - Thursdays, January 29 (CANCELED), February 19 (CANCELED), February 26 (CANCELED), March 5 (CANCELED), March 12 (CANCELED), and March 26 (CANCELED), 1:00 p.m.; Tuesdays, February 3, February 17, February 24, March 3, March 10, and March 24, 8:30 a.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building (373-2768)
Economic Development and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee - Thursday, January 29, 1:30 p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower (373-5312)
Natural Resources - Wednesday, January 28, 12:30 p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building (373-5314)
Regulatory Reform - Wednesday, January 28, 12:30 p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower (373-5314)
Transportation - Thursday, January 29, 8:30 a.m., Room 210, Farnum Building (373-5323)
Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security - Thursday, January 29, 2:00 p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-5314)
Senator Kowall moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion prevailed, the time being 10:24 a.m.
The President, Lieutenant Governor Calley, declared the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at 10:00 a.m.
JEFFREY F. COBB
Secretary of the Senate
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