LANSING, Mich. (Nov. 2, 2021) — Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) has issued the following statement after the Michigan Senate passed Senate Resolution 86 today along party lines:
“Educators, administrators, and school board members across our state and country have faced a near impossible task because of a pandemic my Republican colleagues have refused to fully acknowledge, and this resolution outright endorses the hostility they face now, too. When it comes to wearing masks, encouraging students to learn about all aspects of our nation’s history, or protecting students who identify as gay or trans, it is clear my Republican colleagues’ reaction with rage, rather than reconciliation, has no end. This divisive discourse needs to stop.
“Let me be clear: nothing about these issues is ‘harmful,’ despite the fact that this word is used in the language of the resolution to justify why it was created. This is nothing more than another piece of legislation that chases lies and pretends to boast about ‘protecting kids and parents’ when the reality is that it only further drives a wedge and fosters greater division on issues that should not be political to begin with.
“What would be a more effective and efficient use of everyone’s time, however, would be if we worked on legislation that was based in reality for problems that truly exist.”
School employees and school board members across Michigan are increasingly being targeted by parents dissatisfied with existing school policies. On Oct. 14, 2021, Sen. Polehanki introduced Senate Bill 689, which would increase penalties for anyone who assaults, batters, wounds or endangers school staff or school board members acting in their official duties.
It was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, where it has yet to be acted upon.
###