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Democrats Demand Revenues Go To Schools, Families, Cities

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:36:34 -0400

LANSING -?? House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) and state Representative Rashida H Tlaib (D-Detroit), Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, said today the House Republicans and Gov. Rick Snyder should be using the increased revenues the state will take in this year to increase funding for schools, help Michigan’s middle-class families and help cash-strapped cities provide services such as police and fire protection. The additional revenue figures were announced today at the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference held in Lansing.

“I think that it’s clear where these additional revenues should go: to tax relief for struggling middle-class families and to our schools that have been trying to educate our kids after having nearly $2 billion of their funding cut over the past two years,” said Greimel. “In order to turn our economy around, we need to reinvest in families and schools that have borne the brunt of Republican tax hikes and education cuts.”

Both the Senate and House Fiscal Agencies announced better-than-expected revenues for the state, with the House Fiscal Agency’s (HFA) estimates slightly lower than those of the Senate Fiscal Agency (SFA). The revenue estimating conference said today that the state can expect $482.6 million more combined General Fund and School Aid Fund revenue in FY 2013 and $219.3 million combined General Fund and School Aid Fund revenue in FY 2014 compared the January estimates.

“Schools are closing early this year and the Education Achievement Authority operating in Detroit is diverting state funds away from school districts because it can’t pay its bills, so I think it’s painfully clear that a portion of this money is desperately needed to save our students,” said Tlaib.

House Democrats’ priorities remain those that were outlined earlier this year: protecting seniors and veterans, giving real tax relief to struggling families and seniors hit hard with the senior retirement tax and increasing funding to severely underfunded schools. Republicans have so far this year turned down Democratic efforts to fund Meals on Wheels for seniors, increase funding to local communities to keep police officers on the streets and firefighters on the job, increase the per-pupil funding for students, increase funding for Great Start early childhood enrollment, protect veterans by funding substance abuse and mental health treatment and failed to strengthen protections against abuse and neglect at the state’s veterans homes. The state’s most vulnerable children also would suffer under the proposed budget which cuts hundreds of necessary workers who would protect children from abuse and neglect.

“Turning Michigan’s economy around depends on keeping our communities and families strong and properly educating our kids so they can be successful,” said Greimel. “This money came from Michigan taxpayers and we should return it to them in the form of sorely needed tax relief and funding for their kids’ schools.”

Legislation Improving Access to Women's Health Care Backed by Dem Leader Greimel and Ingham Dems

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:16:35 -0400

House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) and state Representatives Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon), Tom Cochran (D-Mason), Andy Schor (D-Lansing) and Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) announced their support for a package of four bills and three resolutions that would improve access to womenâ��s health care, educate women about health care options, support rape survivors and address health care inequities women face.

Legislation Improving Access to Women's Health Care Backed by Dem Leader Greimel and Ingham Dems

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:46:00 -0400

LANSING - House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) and state Representatives Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon), Tom Cochran (D-Mason), Andy Schor (D-Lansing) and Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) announced their support for a package of four bills and three resolutions that would improve access to women’s health care, educate women about health care options, support rape survivors and address health care inequities women face.

“We have all heard from women and their families across Michigan that they need better access to women’s health care services,” said Greimel. “This legislative package puts women’s health care issues front and center where they should be. It says that our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and all the women in our lives deserve the best health care possible and that House Democrats will fight to see that they get it.”

“These bills aim to fix the problems that too many women experience in the health care system.” said Cochran.

The package of legislation includes:

House Resolution 140, naming May 12-18 “National Women’s Health Week” in Michigan (introduced by Rep. Gretchen Driskell)
HR 138, urging the DCH to promote programs that identify and address inequities in the prevention, treatment and research of diseases threatening women (Rep. Winnie Brinks)
HR 139, recommending that the state intensify efforts to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies (Rep. Collene Lamonte)
House Bill 4067, requiring all health facilities and agencies to offer emergency contraception to rape survivors (Rep. Charles Smiley)
HB 4722, which directs the Department of Community Health (DCH) to develop and disseminate information about emergency contraception, including a description, explanation of use, safety efficacy and availability of emergency contraception (Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright)
HB 4721, requiring age-appropriate, medically accurate and objective sexuality education to be taught in public schools (Rep. Jeff Irwin)
HB 4260, requiring doctors to give information on breast density and give notice to women who have dense breast tissue that they may want to seek further testing (Rep. Winnie Brinks)

“This package of legislation will significantly improve women’s access to health care, and the information that is available to girls and women of all ages,” said Singh. “Health care is a woman’s right and she shouldn’t have to break down barriers to get the care she needs. These bills address a critical need in Michigan and should be quickly approved and signed into law.”

“These proposals go a long way toward addressing women’s health concerns in Michigan,” said Schor. “I continually hear that the Legislature and state need to do more to address women’s health. These common sense proposals show that women’s health is a top priority for Michigan and we are ready to proactively address the problems that need to be faced by women in our own families and all Michigan women.”

Greimel Calls Republican Medicaid Alternative Heartless, Irresponsible

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:59:00 -0400

LANSING â�� House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) condemned a Republican plan to gut Medicaid expansion unveiled Thursday, criticizing it for offering only token assistance to people in desperate need of health care while requiring working poor families to spend up to 5 percent of their annual income on a watered-down health plan. The plan relies wholly on federal dollars and would end as soon as the state would have to contribute a single cent to help Michiganders, possibly allowing the state to lose out on hundreds of millions of federally matched dollars.

“This plan is a slap in the face to anyone in desperate need of health care who had hoped our state would do the reasonable thing and accept federal funds to expand Medicaid,” Greimel said. “We should have done the responsible thing and accepted federal funds to pay for Medicaid expansion, bringing health care to 400,000 Michigan residents who currently have none. Instead, Republicans want some of our most struggling families to pay 5 percent of their annual income to get limited access to health care for a short time only â�� while insisting the state never contribute a single penny to the program Republicans proposed. It’s heartless, irresponsible and an insult to the people of Michigan.”

The Republican plan would cut non-disabled people off of the plan after 48 months of care. It would also expect families that fall within 133 percent of the federal poverty line to pay up to 5 percent of their income a year to access the substandard plan.

“Medical conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis and emphysema don’t magically disappear after four years, but the ‘help’ being offered by Republicans does,” Greimel said. “And when an adult earns just $15,281a year â�� 133 percent of the federal poverty level â�� they need every dollar to go toward paying rent, buying groceries and utilities. They can’t afford to pay 5 percent of their income for a mediocre health plan. The Republican plan is shameful. We can do better than this.”

House Dems Announce Caucus Stance Against Auto No-Fault

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:20:00 -0400

House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills), Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Insurance Committee Rep. Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) and other members of the House Democratic Caucus announced today that the entire caucus vehemently opposes House Bill 4612, legislation that cuts the amount of care available to those catastrophically injured in auto accidents and locks in an insurance premium rate cut for only one year.

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:51:45 -0400

House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) announced the House Democratic Caucus’ opposition to auto no-fault insurance reform during a press conference at the Capitol on Friday, May 3, 2013. Leader Greimel was joined by Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Insurance Committee state Rep. Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) and Reps. Andy Schor (D-Lansing), Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), Theresa Abed (D-Grand Ledge) and Tom Cochran (D-Mason). Brian Culver, who was catastrophically injured in a car accident 19 years ago, attended the press conference to share his story and voice his opposition to the bill.

House Dems Announce Caucus Stance Against Auto No-Fault

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:47:00 -0400

LANSING — House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills), Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Insurance Committee Rep. Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) and other members of the House Democratic Caucus announced today that the entire caucus vehemently opposes House Bill 4612, legislation that cuts the amount of care available to those catastrophically injured in auto accidents and locks in an insurance premium rate cut for only one year.

“This is a bill that every member of our caucus agrees would hurt the residents we represent,” said Greimel. “It is clear to each of our members that this is another example of Gov. Rick Snyder and some legislative Republicans choosing big corporations over Michigan residents, and this time insurance companies win over the catastrophically injured. As Democrats, we put people before profits, a concept the Republican majority cannot fathom.”

Under the bill, there would be a $1 million cap placed on personal protection insurance (PIP) coverage for policies issued or renewed after December 31, 2013. There would also be new limits on rehabilitative care and new co-pay costs on those receiving attendant care.

“As the Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Insurance Committee, I have had the opportunity to hear testimony from doctors, insurance providers and numerous Michigan residents about the ways in which this bill would harm the people of our state,” said Segal. “Those who are injured in catastrophic auto accidents deserve every bit of care currently available to them; to limit the amount and types of benefits to which they are entitled is cruel. This bill guts the benefits and opportunities our current system provides to accident victims, thereby completely undermining future victims’ recovery before it even starts.”

On top of the benefits cap, the bill would also phase out the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) and replace it with the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Corporation (MCCC), another private entity. The MCCA would continue to pay its current claims until it pays its final liability. It would remain shielded from making any new disclosures about its use of the money collected from Michigan citizens.

Under the bill, motorists would still pay a yearly fee set by and paid to the MCCC, plus an additional $25 that would go to a Medicaid fund. Although certain disclosures are required, as a private entity, the new MCCC would not be subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

“Republicans are trying to fool Michigan residents by claiming this bill is necessary to reduce the cost of auto insurance. Unfortunately for them, we know how to read,” said Rep. Thomas Stallworth (D-Detroit), chairman of the House Detroit Caucus. “As written, HB 4612 only promises an annual rate reduction of $125 for the first year. Following that year, insurance agencies can raise the rates at their discretion. This reform does not benefit Michiganders, it was written to increase profits in the insurance sector.”

Additionally, this week the House Detroit Caucus unanimously voted to oppose the legislation as well.

Greimel Calls for Republicans Who Left Auto No-Fault Hearing to be Replaced

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:42:00 -0400

LANSING - House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) denounced four Republican members of the House Insurance Committee who deserted a public hearing Thursday on changes to Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance law just as families of catastrophic auto accident victims prepared to give testimony. Greimel said the Republican legislators showed contempt for citizens — many in wheelchairs — who came to Lansing from across the state on short notice to explain why changing no-fault laws would be bad for Michigan residents, and he said House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) should replace them with legislators willing to fulfill their duties as committee members.

“The Republican members sat through hours of testimony from people representing the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and other special interest groups,” Greimel said. “But as soon as regular citizens came up to testify, they decided it was time to go. If these legislators can’t remember that they serve the people of Michigan and not its corporations, they don’t belong on the House Insurance Committee.”

The legislators who left the meeting are Reps. Andrea LaFontaine (R-Columbus Township), Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto), Margaret O’Brien (R-Portage) and Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton).

The committee was taking testimony on proposed changes to the no-fault insurance law, including instituting a $1 million cap on medical and rehabilitative care. Had they chosen to stay, the Republican legislators would have heard from families who came from across Michigan to testify that $1 million isn’t nearly enough to address the medical care needed by people suffering from traumatic brain injuries, paralysis and amputations. Many of the people giving testimony use wheelchairs, and others needed family members to speak on their behalf because they can no longer communicate on their own.

“These people came to the Capitol to remind legislators that serious car accidents create long-lasting medical needs,” Greimel said. “Republicans are more interested in giveaways to big insurance corporations than helping Michigan citizens who have life-changing injuries. The people who came to the Capitol on Thursday know better than anyone what the proposed changes to no-fault would mean for Michigan residents, but four Republican committee members couldn’t be bothered to listen to them. The citizens who came to the Capitol — in fact, all the citizens of Michigan — deserve better than that.”

Democrats Oppose Spending Plan That Harms Families, Children

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

LANSING — House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills), state Representative Rashida H. Tlaib (D-Detroit), Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids), Democratic vice chairman of the Appropriations School Aid Subcommittee, expressed their dismay at the passage of House Bills 4228 and 4328, which cover education and state government spending for the coming fiscal year. The bills passed the House 58-52 and 59-51, respectively, and will go to the Senate.

“This is just the latest example of Republican priorities at odds with the needs of Michigan’s middle-class families, veterans, seniors and school children,” Greimel said. “They continue to show they care more for their special-interest backers and corporate donors than the people who elected them.”

Republicans have refused to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid and cut a proposed state allocation to expand Healthy Kids Dental, items Gov. Rick Snyder endorsed. They refused Democratic amendments to fund Meals on Wheels for seniors and increase funding to local communities to keep police officers on the streets and firefighters on the job. They even turned down measures to protect our veterans by refusing to fund substance abuse and mental health treatment for them and failing to strengthen protections against abuse and neglect at veterans homes. They also cut hundreds of necessary workers who protect children from abuse and neglect.

“This budget is immoral, irresponsible and downright dangerous. The services getting cut or being refused funding often mean the difference between life and death for our most vulnerable citizens,” Tlaib said. “I’m appalled at the lack of decency some of my colleagues showed today in voting for this bill.”

On the education side, Republicans failed to reverse the nearly $2 billion in cuts our children and their schools have been forced to endure over the past two years. Many school districts are getting no per-pupil funding increase, and some are even getting cut again. It reduces the proposed allocation for Great Start early childhood enrollment. Democratic amendments to correct both of these faults were denied. In addition, it continues to raid the School Aid Fund for use in areas other than K-12 education and forces colleges and universities to jump through several hoops to get necessary funding increases.

“House Republicans continue to show what little regard they have for our children and their future. Even after cutting nearly $2 billion from public schools, they can’t find a way to give anything back to them,” Dillon said. “Overcrowded classrooms and school closures will continue to be the norm for Michigan, and our children will continue to suffer.”