Veronica KlinefeltState SenatorDistrict 11
IN THIS EDITION
- Legislative Update
- In the Community
- Coffee Hours
- Resources
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Expanding ELCRA
Freedom and equality are both working promises. In 1963 Michigan became the first state in the nation to enshrine civil rights protections, and their enforcement, into its Constitution. Originally passed in 1976, Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) prohibits discriminatory practices, policies, and customs in the exercise of those rights based upon religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status. The changes to ELCRA further protect the rights and freedoms of Michiganders by including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in the language of the act.
Repealing 1931 Abortion Ban
The Michigan legislature has voted to repeal a near century old law criminalizing abortion. The Michigan Senate passed HB4006 and HB4032 as well as a package of Senate bills which revoke the 1931 ban on abortion.
The Michigan Senate Democrats’ bill package to protect Michiganders’ reproductive rights includes:
- Senate Bill 2, which would repeal Section 40 of the Michigan Penal Code; Section 40 prohibited the publication or sale of a publication that contains recipes or prescriptions in indecent or obscene language for the cure of chronic female complaints or private diseases, or recipes for compounds to prevent conception or that tend to produce miscarriage or abortion.
- Senate Bill 37, which would update the code of criminal procedure.
- Senate Bill 39, which repeals Section 14 of 1931 PA 328 that criminalizes providing an abortion.
- Senate Bill 93, which repeals penalties for the sale of drugs or medicine to procure a miscarriage.
The repeal comes not long after Michigan voters said yes to a constitutional amendment that would add protections for reproductive rights in the November 2022 election.Restoring Workers’ Rights
Right-to-work laws incentivize workers to reap the benefits of a collectively bargained agreement without contributing their share of the costs of negotiating or enforcing that agreement. With the historic passage of these bills, Michigan will be the first state to repeal anti-worker laws and restore collective bargaining rights since 1958.
“All workers have value and should be compensated fairly. I firmly believe that the State of Michigan should get back to the practice of seeking highly skilled workers and paying competitive wages on our construction projects. By paying prevailing wages, we not only lift Michigan families and increase the quality of life for workers in our state, but we also build better buildings, roads, and bridges which in turn, increases the quality and life of our infrastructure.” – State Senator Veronica Klinefelt
Common Sense Gun Safety Measures
Senate Bills 76-86 would require background checks to be performed for firearm purchases as well as a license for purchasing a firearm. Senate Bills 79-82, which are a part of the package, would require gun owners to be proactive about keeping their guns away from children and teens. The legislation asks gun owners to practice safety by storing their weapon in a locked box, keeping the firearm unloaded, or locking up the firearm if they know a minor is present. Also in the package is an extreme risk protection order, or red flag law, which allows family members, friends, and others to petition the court to remove guns from people who may use it to harm themselves or others.
“I understand the importance of protecting the rights granted to us under the Second Amendment. For the first time in some 40 years, Democrats in the Michigan legislature hope to deliver on the promise of advancing gun safety. As your elected leader for Senate District 11, it is my responsibility to do what I can to help keep our kids and our communities safe, and that means acting on common-sense gun reforms.” – State Senator Veronica Klinefelt
IN THE COMMUNITY
March is Reading Month!
Senator Klinefelt was excited to get invited to read to the students at Bellview Elementary and Pleasantview Elementary!
COFFEE HOURS
Thank you to those who attended our first coffee hours! We are excited to announce our next two coffee hours in the coming weeks.
Coffee Hour with Sen. KlinefeltWHEN: Monday, March 27, 2023, at 10amWHERE: Clinton Township Senior Center, 40730 Romeo Plank Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038
Coffee Hour with Sen. KlinefeltWHEN: Monday, April 10, 2023, at 10amWHERE: Heilmann Recreation Center, 19601 Brock Ave, Detroit, MI 48205
This is a great opportunity to hear more updates from our office as well as ask any questions you may have and share your thoughts with Senator Klinefelt. Stay tuned as we continue to schedule out more coffee hours!
You can check for upcoming events here: https://senatedems.com/klinefelt/events/
RESOURCES
Regional Housing Plan Kick-Off MeetingsWHEN: March 31, 2023, from 9 am – 12:30 pmWHERE: Lutheran Fraternities of America 16140 Aurora, Ave, Eastpointe, MI 48021