STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
101st Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2022
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Thursday, January 27, 2022.
10:00 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Garlin D. Gilchrist II.
The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was present.
Alexander—present Horn—present Polehanki—present
Ananich—present Huizenga—present Runestad—present
Barrett—present Irwin—present Santana—present
Bayer—present Johnson—present Schmidt—present
Bizon—present LaSata—present Shirkey—present
Brinks—present Lauwers—present Stamas—present
Bullock—present MacDonald—present Theis—present
Bumstead—present McBroom—present VanderWall—present
Chang—present McCann—present Victory—present
Daley—present McMorrow—excused Wojno—present
Geiss—present Moss—present Wozniak—present
Hertel—present Nesbitt—present Zorn—present
Hollier—present Outman—present
Senator Winnie Brinks of the 29th District offered the following invocation:
God, allow us to serve others with a joyful heart; not keeping score, always giving, not expecting to receive. Allow us to give of ourselves, to give of our talents and our goods, to give of our time and our energy, to give of our hearts and our souls. Help us to understand the needs of others, never criticizing or demeaning, never scolding or condemning. You have been so gracious to us; loving, forgiving, restoring, never gloating over our defeats, even when we have been so wrong. Keep a condemning spirit far from our hearts and further from our lips.
Allow us to serve others with gentleness, compassion, and tenderness; never diminishing the worth of another, and choosing to extend mercy to the brokenhearted, as You have repeatedly done for us. Amen.
The President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motions and Communications
Senator Lauwers moved that Senator Shirkey be temporarily excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Chang moved that Senator Ananich be temporarily excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Chang moved that Senator McMorrow be excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Introduction and Referral of Bills
A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The Michigan penal code,” by amending sections 16, 18, 200i, 204, 207, 209, 210, 211a, 316, 436, and 543f (MCL 750.16, 750.18, 750.200i, 750.204, 750.207, 750.209, 750.210, 750.211a, 750.316, 750.436, and 750.543f), sections 16, 18, 200i, 204, 207, 209, 210, 211a, 436, and 543f as amended by 2014 PA 23 and section 316 as amended by 2014 PA 158, and by adding section 506b.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
Senator Shirkey entered the Senate Chamber.
Senators MacDonald, Irwin, Bullock, Wojno, Santana, Chang, Polehanki, Bayer, Hollier, Moss and Brinks introduced
A bill to amend 1953 PA 232, entitled “Corrections code of 1953,” by amending section 34 (MCL 791.234), as amended by 2019 PA 14.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
Senators Santana, Irwin, Bullock, Wojno, Chang, MacDonald, Polehanki, Bayer, Hollier, Moss and Brinks introduced
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of criminal procedure,” by amending sections 1 and 1b of chapter IX (MCL 769.1 and 769.1b), section 1 as amended by 1999 PA 87 and section 1b as amended by 1998 PA 520; 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 and Public Safety.
Senator Ananich entered the Senate Chamber.
Senators VanderWall, Irwin, Hollier, Bullock, Wojno, Santana, Chang, MacDonald, Polehanki, Bayer, Moss and Brinks introduced
A bill to amend 1939 PA 288, entitled “Probate code of 1939,” by amending section 18 (MCL 712A.18), as amended by 2020 PA 389.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
A bill to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled “Michigan employment security act,” by amending section 62 (MCL 421.62), as amended by 2017 PA 231.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic and Small Business Development.
A bill to make, supplement, and adjust appropriations for various state departments and agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022; to provide for certain conditions on appropriations; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
A bill to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled “Michigan employment security act,” (MCL 421.1 to 421.75) by adding section 62a.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic and Small Business Development.
A bill to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled “Michigan employment security act,” (MCL 421.1 to 421.75) by adding section 32f.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic and Small Business Development.
A bill to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled “Michigan employment security act,” (MCL 421.1 to 421.75) by adding section 10b.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic and Small Business Development.
A bill to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled “Michigan employment security act,” by amending section 62 (MCL 421.62), as amended by 2017 PA 231.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic and Small Business Development.
A bill to create the office of the unemployment insurance
advocate; to provide a process for investigating certain complaints; to provide
for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities;
and to provide for penalties and remedies.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic and Small Business Development.
A bill to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled “Michigan employment security act,” by amending sections 32 and 33 (MCL 421.32 and 421.33), section 32 as amended by 2020 PA 258 and section 33 as amended by 2011 PA 269, and by adding section 32g.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic and Small Business Development.
A bill to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled “Michigan employment security act,” (MCL 421.1 to 421.75) by adding section 32e.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic and Small Business Development.
Recess
Senator Lauwers moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
The motion prevailed, the time being 10:10 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist.
By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of
Messages from the House
A bill to create the Michigan first-time home buyer savings program; to provide for first-time home buyer savings accounts; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state agencies, boards, and departments; to allow certain tax deductions; and to provide for penalties and remedies.
The House of Representatives has substituted (H-4) the bill.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill as substituted (H-4) and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
Pending the order that, under rule 3.202, the bill be laid over one day,
Senator Lauwers moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The question being on concurring in the substitute made to the bill by the House,
The substitute was concurred in, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 9 Yeas—36
Ananich Geiss MacDonald Schmidt
Barrett Hertel McBroom Shirkey
Bayer Hollier McCann Stamas
Bizon Horn Moss Theis
Brinks Huizenga Nesbitt VanderWall
Bullock Irwin Outman Victory
Bumstead Johnson Polehanki Wojno
Chang LaSata Runestad Wozniak
Daley Lauwers Santana Zorn
Nays—1
Alexander
Excused—1
McMorrow
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
Senator Lauwers moved that the bill be given immediate effect.
The motion prevailed, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.
The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.
A bill to make appropriations for the department of health and human services for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.
The House of Representatives has appointed Representative Brabec to replace Representative Hammoud as conferee.
The message was referred to the Secretary for record.
A bill to make appropriations for the department of health and human services for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.
The House of Representatives has appointed Representative Brabec to replace Representative Hammoud as conferee.
The message was referred to the Secretary for record.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Third Reading of Bills
Senator Lauwers moved that the Senate proceed to consideration of the following bill:
Senate Bill No. 720
The motion prevailed.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 720, entitled
A bill to amend 1993 PA 327, entitled “Tobacco products tax act,” by amending sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 5a, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 7, 7b, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13 (MCL 205.422, 205.423, 205.424, 205.425, 205.425a, 205.426, 205.426a, 205.426b, 205.426c, 205.426d, 205.427, 205.427b, 205.428, 205.429, 205.431, 205.432, and 205.433), sections 2 and 11 as amended by 2020 PA 326, sections 3, 5, and 6 as amended and section 6b as added by 1997 PA 187, sections 5a and 6a as amended by 2012 PA 188, section 6c as added by 2002 PA 503, section 6d as added by 2003 PA 285, section 7 as amended by 2021 PA 102, section 7b as added by 2002 PA 607, section 8 as amended by 2008 PA 458, section 9 as amended by 2004 PA 474, section 12 as amended by 2018 PA 639, and section 13 as amended by 1995 PA 131, and by adding sections 3a and 6f.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the
members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 10 Yeas—36
Alexander Daley Lauwers Santana
Ananich Geiss MacDonald Schmidt
Barrett Hertel McBroom Shirkey
Bayer Hollier McCann Stamas
Bizon Horn Moss Theis
Brinks Huizenga Nesbitt Victory
Bullock Irwin Outman Wojno
Bumstead Johnson Polehanki Wozniak
Chang LaSata Runestad Zorn
Nays—1
VanderWall
Excused—1
McMorrow
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 721, entitled
A bill to amend 1987 PA 264, entitled “Health and safety fund act,” by amending section 3 (MCL 141.473), as amended by 1998 PA 529.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 11 Yeas—36
Alexander Daley Lauwers Santana
Ananich Geiss MacDonald Schmidt
Barrett Hertel McBroom Shirkey
Bayer Hollier McCann Stamas
Bizon Horn Moss Theis
Brinks Huizenga Nesbitt Victory
Bullock Irwin Outman Wojno
Bumstead Johnson Polehanki Wozniak
Chang LaSata Runestad Zorn
Nays—1
VanderWall
Excused—1
McMorrow
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 722, entitled
A bill to amend 1999 PA 244, entitled “An act to require tobacco product manufacturers to place funds in escrow for medical expenses incurred by the state due to tobacco related illnesses; to establish a formula for determining the amount of the escrow; to establish the conditions for release of funds from escrow; to prescribe powers and duties of the attorney general; and to provide for civil penalties for violation of this act,” by amending sections 1 and 2 (MCL 445.2051 and 445.2052), as amended by 2016 PA 42.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 12 Yeas—36
Alexander Daley Lauwers Santana
Ananich Geiss MacDonald Schmidt
Barrett Hertel McBroom Shirkey
Bayer Hollier McCann Stamas
Bizon Horn Moss Theis
Brinks Huizenga Nesbitt Victory
Bullock Irwin Outman Wojno
Bumstead Johnson Polehanki Wozniak
Chang LaSata Runestad Zorn
Nays—1
VanderWall
Excused—1
McMorrow
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
The Senate
agreed to the title of the bill.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 642, entitled
A bill to amend 1984 PA 431, entitled “The management and budget act,” by amending section 237b (MCL 18.1237b), as added by 2002 PA 504.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 13 Yeas—37
Alexander Geiss MacDonald Schmidt
Ananich Hertel McBroom Shirkey
Barrett Hollier McCann Stamas
Bayer Horn Moss Theis
Bizon Huizenga Nesbitt VanderWall
Brinks Irwin Outman Victory
Bullock Johnson Polehanki Wojno
Bumstead LaSata Runestad Wozniak
Chang Lauwers Santana Zorn
Daley
Nays—0
Excused—1
McMorrow
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 706, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending sections 2b, 642, 665, and 665a (MCL 257.2b, 257.642, 257.665, and 257.665a), sections 2b and 665 as amended and section 665a as added by 2016 PA 332 and section 642 as amended by 2012 PA 498, and by adding sections 665c, 665d, and 666a.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
Senator Horn offered the following substitute:
Substitute (S-2).
The substitute was adopted, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 14 Yeas—33
Alexander Geiss MacDonald Schmidt
Ananich Hertel McCann Shirkey
Bayer Hollier Moss Stamas
Bizon Horn Nesbitt VanderWall
Brinks Huizenga Outman Victory
Bullock Johnson Polehanki Wojno
Bumstead LaSata Runestad Wozniak
Chang Lauwers Santana Zorn
Daley
Nays—4
Barrett Irwin McBroom Theis
Excused—1
McMorrow
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: President
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
Protests
Senators Theis and Barrett, under their constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of Senate Bill No. 706.
Senator Theis moved that the statement she made during the discussion of the bill be printed as her reasons for voting “no.”
Senator Theis’ statement, in which Senator Barrett concurred, is as follows:
I absolutely agree that we need to make autonomous vehicle testing possible in this state. However, this bill goes too far in its delegation of authority from the Legislature to the bureaucratic agency, giving the Department of Transportation not only the power to study but the power to promulgate rules, contract, and designate these locations with minimal legislative oversight. The Legislature has delegated far too much of its authority, especially lately, and I’m loath to delegate more of our responsibilities. The rulemaking process provides limited legislative overview over bureaucratic agencies, and this would put the Legislature in a very difficult position of having to prohibit spending on roads if we disagree with that bureaucratic decision. Further, I have concerns that this might—existing roads, it might create new lanes, but they’re going to be lanes for very few people moving forward and I just don’t think this is the best expenditure of our funds right now.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Horn’s statement is as follows:
Just a reminder to my colleagues that this bill is very limited in its scope. It is for a pilot project to add a lane to one of our roads so that we can take a look at how we’re going to manage automated vehicles in the future.
We’ve gone a long way in dealing with actual automated vehicles and how we produce them, how we’re going to produce software to deal with all kinds of issues. We’re going to be dealing with cloud issues and software issues and all kinds of satellite issues. On the freeway, the big question we were asking, Mr. President, When a car brakes three or four cars ahead of you on the freeway, and you’re in a car with a sensor, how do you know? The road is going to be part of this process. These cars of the future are going to be connected to each other, they’re going to be connected to the roads, they’re going to be connected to the buildings around them, they’re going to know things going on inside intersections, it’s time for us to understand how this works in the real world. The tolling that’s going to go on this particular lane is going to be for this lane only.
At some point in the future, we’re going to have to decide how we’re going to pay for roads as we electrify cars and people stop buying gasoline, but this bill doesn’t address that. It only addresses this lane. Again, very limited in scope but this is a very big, very positive step for the future and I ask for members’ support.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Resolutions
Senators Chang, Wojno, Bullock, Geiss, Bayer and Brinks offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 104.
A resolution to recognize February 1, 2022, as World Hijab Day.
Whereas, World Hijab Day, started by Nazma Khan, is a day for women of different cultures, who do not normally wear the hijab, to experience wearing one for the day. Its purpose is to encourage religious tolerance, cultural understanding, and international solidarity; and
Whereas, The hijab, a traditional veil which covers a woman’s hair and chest, has been very important to the history of Islam. It is meant to promote dignity and respect for women while maintaining modesty and respect for their religion; and
Whereas, On February 1, 2013, the world celebrated its first annual World Hijab Day in recognition of millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab and live a life of religious faith; and
Whereas, Since its inception, World Hijab Day has participants from all over the world; and
Whereas, To combat prejudice, leaders in the American Muslim community are working tirelessly to show that the wearing of the hijab is a choice, a freedom, and a blessing, while also educating their fellow citizens about Islam in relevant and meaningful ways; and
Whereas, One of America’s greatest strengths is our ability to embrace different faiths and allow members to express themselves freely; and
Whereas, Michigan citizens come from a variety of backgrounds and are united in affirming the inherent dignity of all people, the right of every person to be treated with respect, and the right of all citizens to practice religion freely; and
Whereas, World Hijab Day encourages the wearing of the hijab as a proud display of religious faith and communal bonding which will make us stronger as a more accepting nation; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That members of this legislative body recognize February 1, 2022, as World Hijab Day.
Senator Lauwers moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Senators Moss and Stamas were named co-sponsors of the resolution.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Chang’s statement is as follows:
I rise today to offer a resolution to honor World Hijab Day which takes place on February 1 each year. This is a day to recognize the millions of Muslim women around the world who choose to wear the hijab and live a life of modesty. It’s also an open invitation to women of all walks of life to wear a hijab and stand in solidarity with Muslim women.
The hijab is a traditional
veil worn around a woman’s hair and chest and a very important part of the
history of Islam. For many, the hijab is a symbol that promotes dignity and
respect for women. Leaders in the American Muslim community have been working
tirelessly to show that wearing a hijab is a personal choice, a freedom, and a
blessing. It’s an opportunity to show that Muslim women who choose to wear a
hijab are proud and strong, not oppressed. The day was started by a Muslim
woman who experienced bullying and hate speech in school over the hijab she
chose to wear while living in New York. Nazma Khan, the day’s founder, wanted
to create a world where we could be united through our diversity. To do this,
World Hijab Day is used to raise awareness around this issue, including to
provide education and empowerment as we seek to dismantle bigotry,
discrimination, and prejudice.
Now, ten years after the first celebration, there are people in 190 countries who will take part in next Tuesday’s celebrations and wear a hijab to show solidarity with Muslim women and girls who are often unfairly discriminated against for how they choose to dress. America’s greatest strength is our ability to embrace people from different faiths and walks of life, much like a melting pot, and it’s important that we embrace our differences and people of other cultures.
Michigan is a diverse state and World Hijab Day is a fantastic opportunity for us to participate and learn about our neighbors. We have so much to learn from others, and this day is our chance to proudly display our support of religious freedom and bond with people from different backgrounds and show respect for our fellow Michiganders. I ask for your support of this resolution.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Statements
The motion prevailed.
Senator Runestad’s statement is as follows:
Mr. President, the darling of the left, poet Maya Angelou once wrote, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them.” This insight was never more true than this last week when the Michigan Democratic Party proudly proclaimed their position on parents’ rights and their children’s education. Their position, apparently, parents shouldn’t have any rights, any say. On Sunday, the official Michigan Democratic Party account posted, “Not sure where this ‘parents-should-control-what-is-taught-in-schools-because-they-are-our-kids’ is originating, but parents do have the option to choose to send their kids to a hand-selected private school at their own expense if this is what they desire.” The Democratic Party’s position is a slap in the face to every parent in Michigan who cannot afford a private school but who still would like the very best for their children’s education. The Democrats further write, “The purpose of a public education in a public school is not to teach kids only what parents want them to be taught. It is to teach them what society needs them to know. The client of the public school is not the parent, but the entire community, the public.” That’s right. That’s what the Democrats believe. That is a quote. Oh, those meddlesome parents.
Unfortunately, this is not some new fringe way of thinking for the Democrats. No, it’s become official doctrine from those on the left. We’ve seen it from union leaders, government officials, from state school board, and now we’re seeing it out in the open for all to see. However, I am certain that after what happened in Virginia with Glenn Youngkin, Governor Whitmer likely fired off a memo to the party demanding the removal of this dangerous post and this kind of talk needs to be delayed until after the election. Now, the new tidied-up post says parents have an important role to play in their children’s education. But this new flash of insight is simply CYA resulting from the national backlash they have received.
The first post, I believe, properly reflects the Democrats’ position that the proper role of education for children is to reflect a statist indoctrination of leftist wokeism. It is obvious that the Democrats view parents as interlopers, those concerned parents who show up at school board meetings who are concerned about critical race theory—yes, it is being taught in schools—and the inclusion of radically inappropriate sexual material and content. This kind of malignant thinking is what generates lower standards, poisonous indoctrination, discrimination based on skin color, and even more tragedies like we have seen in Loudoun County, Virginia. It is the parents, not the educrats, who know what is best for their own children, and they deserve the right to make their voices heard and known.
I believe the parents here in the state of Michigan are now coming to the harsh realization that perhaps the only recourse they have is to start running for and winning school board races. Section 380.10 of the Revised School Code states, “It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching…of their children.” Coming from a family of educators and having an education degree myself, and literally taking over classrooms in over 100 school districts in Michigan, I for one intend to stand up for the constitutional rights of parents and hope you will join me.
Senator Theis’ statement is as follows:
I rise today to speak for the thousands of Michigan children who our Governor failed to speak up for in her State of the State speech last night. The thousands of children who remain locked out of their classrooms in spite of being in some of our biggest school districts. Thousands of children sitting in front of a computer every day, falling further and further behind according to every study of virtual learning. And the thousands of children who are unable or unwilling to turn their computers on. A recent report indicated that as many as 4 in 10 Detroit public school students weren’t participating in virtual learning at all.
The Governor admitted the obvious in her speech, that these kids need to be in their classrooms, but she refused to call on the schools who remain closed to open last night. When pressed this morning as to whether or not she was calling on them to reopen, she simply responded, Yes. That’s not advocacy; that’s not leadership. Beyond that, she vetoed the scholarships that would have allowed parents to make choices for their children’s education when their schools were failing them.
Mr. President, the State of the State speech is a tremendous platform for our Governor. It’s an opportunity to bring attention to issues of great importance. I can think of few issues more important than the education of our children, especially those in low-income communities. These kids needed their Governor to speak up for them last night; she failed them. As a result, the doors remain closed for their classrooms.
Senator Irwin’s statement is as follows:
There are very few things that our State Constitution guarantees and one of them is a free, quality, public education for every child. I think that has been one of the great successes of our nation, it’s been one of the smartest, most successful things we have ever done. There was a time in our history when schools couldn’t keep certain subjects; when political or theological powers prevented the teaching of evolution, prevented the teaching of human physiology, tried to prevent young people from understanding how their bodies worked, or tried to prevent young people from understanding the history that brought humans to where they are today. There was even a time when government forces tried to prevent the teaching of Copernicus, that the Earth wasn’t the center of the universe. There have been many times throughout our history where politicians, motivated by theology and their own view of religion and god have tried to organize the forces of government to make sure that what was educated in our schools was in line with their theology, not in line with the facts that we see here in this world.
So if there is anybody who wants to stand up and talk about dumbing down education here in Michigan and replacing a free, quality, public education with a theocratic model where we only teach certain things because they’re in the good book, I’m going to stand up and oppose that. I think that is wrong. I think that one of the smart things we did here in this country is we said that we are going to have a wall between church and state, that we aren’t going to fund religious teaching in our schools, that we are going to fund the teaching of math, science, physics, and history. That is what I want to see taught in our schools. I don’t want to see this Legislature try to get involved and say, You can’t teach history, you can’t teach human biology. That takes us back to the dark ages. That takes us back to the dark alleys. I know that there are people who want to go back. You want to go back to a time where people didn’t believe in the rights of all people. Where people didn’t stand up for equal protection under the law. But, those times are in the rear view mirror. We are going forward. We are going to keep trying to convince the public to put the car into D so we can drive forward, not drop into R and go backwards to the back-alleys and the dark ages.
So when I hear people stand up here and give political speeches about how schools are important, where I want to stand up, the political speech I want to give is to say, No, we need our schools to be free and fair, we need them to teach history and science, and we need them to be properly funded because right now we are asking people to come into our schools and teach math, teach science, teach history, but we are not giving them the resources to do it. That is why we have a crisis with keeping our schools doors open. So thank you for the opportunity and impetus to talk about the importance of the separation of church and state, to talk about the importance of investing in real education, not theological indoctrination.
Senator Moss’ statement is as follows:
We just heard a lot of hot rhetoric, not just today but over the last several weeks here that has been particularly disturbing to me and I think it’s very apt on today to kind of refocus what our education system is about. Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day and typically I would give a presentation about this on Yom HaShoah, which is actually later on in the year. In normal times we would have Holocaust survivors that would join us in the rotunda of the Capitol for a program and we honor this day, and them, and the memories of those who perished with a resolution that we will hopefully adopt here again later on this year.
Their stories serve as a grim warning to all of us of what can happen when bigotry and discrimination goes unchecked, and can lead to the worst horror of human history. And, because this Legislature a few years ago put aside partisan politics and did not make education curriculum, and truth in education curriculum a political football—we worked across the aisle, Republicans and Democrats alike. We stripped ourselves, actually, of our partisan ID to ensure that the Holocaust is a part of Michigan curriculum here in this state because education, truth in education, is the best way to combat the ills of society that can lead to horrific things that are just a grasp away.
To that end, we have a lot of ills to talk about when it comes to the Holocaust. One of the things that we typically remind ourselves of, especially on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, is the story of the St. Louis, the ship that carried Jewish refugees out of European discrimination and antisemitism, and brought these Jewish refugees to the shores of North America. That ship pleaded with the American government to accept these Jewish refugees and this country turned them away. That is the truth. Many of them, miles from shore, in this country, were turned back to their deaths. A sizeable portion of the passengers on that ship died in Auschwitz. Today we recognize and commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz, in which people—who tried to get to this country were on our shore and our government turned them away—ended up perishing in Auschwitz.
I also listen to this rhetoric about every societal ill from the other side, a particular member blames it on illegal immigration, it’s an important reminder that the first wave of illegal immigration at the Mexican border, at the turn of the last century, were Jews trying to come through Mexico to Texas synagogues. What they wouldn’t give to have made it to this country, undocumented or otherwise, for the freedom that this country is supposed to afford people trying to better themselves and seek a better life. So I am just kind of sick to be quite honest of all societal ills being blamed on education curriculum, all societal ills being blamed on undocumented immigrants. We have got to get back to that moment where we serve together and we’re able to work across the aisle to embrace some of these things, to make a difference in our kids’ schools, to ensure that education was there; accurate, truthful education so we don’t repeat the horrors of our history.
I hope these remarks are printed in the Journal as a forewarning, because if we get too far off this partisan path I don’t know what is going to happen.
Announcements of Printing and Enrollment
House Bill Nos. 5265 5525 5528 5549 5550 5551 5552 5553 5554
The Secretary announced that the following bills and resolution were printed and filed on Wednesday, January 26, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:
Senate Resolution No. 103
House Bill Nos. 5689 5690 5691 5692 5693 5694 5695 5696 5697 5698
Committee Reports
The Committee on Finance reported
Senate Bill No. 768, entitled
With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
The committee further recommends that the bill be given immediate effect.
Jim Runestad
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Runestad, Nesbitt, Daley, Bumstead and VanderWall
Nays: Senators Chang and Alexander
The bill and the substitute recommended by the committee were referred to the Committee of the Whole.
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Committee on Finance submitted the following:
Meeting held on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 12:30 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building
Present: Senators Runestad (C), Nesbitt, Daley, Bumstead, VanderWall, Chang and Alexander
Economic and Small Business Development – Thursday, February 3,
12:00 noon, Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-1721
Energy and Technology – Tuesday, February 1, 2:00 p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower (517) 373-1721
Oversight – Tuesday, February 1, 2:00 p.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5312
Senator Lauwers moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion prevailed, the time being 11:11 a.m.
The President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, declared the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.
MARGARET O’BRIEN
Secretary of the Senate