No. 30
STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
93rd Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2005
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Wednesday, April 13, 2005.
10:00a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr.
The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was present.
Allen--present Emerson--present Olshove--present
Barcia--present Garcia--present Patterson--present
Basham--present George--present Prusi--present
Bernero--present Gilbert--present Sanborn--present
Birkholz--present Goschka--present Schauer--present
Bishop--present Hammerstrom--present Scott--present
Brater--present Hardiman--present Sikkema--present
Brown--present Jacobs--present Stamas--present
Cassis--present Jelinek--present Switalski--present
Cherry--present Johnson--present Thomas--present
Clark-Coleman--present Kuipers--present Toy--present
Clarke--present Leland--present Van Woerkom--present
Cropsey--present McManus--present
Pastor William Chapman of Bible Baptist Church of Leslie offered the following invocation:
John 3:14 says, "And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, must be lifted up on the pole so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it."
Father, we thank You for this day. We praise You for the blessings that You have given to this state, to these men and women who serve in this Senate. Father, we thank You for the privilege that You allow us to serve not only the people of this state, but also the people of this country. The petition that we bring today before You is this: That, Lord, You will grant us the wisdom to serve with righteousness; that, Father, You will give us the direction that we need to make the decisions to honor You in all that is said and done.
And, Father, might we humbly serve You this day. We come to You in the precious name of our Savior. We love You and thank You. Amen.
The President, Lieutenant Governor Cherry, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Senators Goschka, Kuipers and Thomas entered the Senate Chamber.
Motions and Communications
The following communication was received:
Unemployment Insurance Agency
March 31, 2005
In accordance with Section 8 of the Michigan Employment Security Act, being Section 421.8 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the Unemployment Insurance Agency is required to report annually to the Governor and the Legislature any amount, in excess of $1.00, that the maximum weekly unemployment benefit rate would increase if the annual increase in the United States Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index (CPI) were applied to the maximum weekly benefit rate.
I am therefore transmitting to the Governor, and to the House and Senate for publication along with this letter in the Journals of their respective bodies, the enclosed report showing that since the last increase in the maximum weekly benefit rate to $362.00, the increase in the CPI would result in an increase in the maximum weekly unemployment benefit rate to $389.51. Using the method of applying a percentage of the state average weekly wage, the maximum weekly benefit rate would increase to $443.77.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon M. Bommarito
Director
The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.
The Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Tuesday, April 12:
House Bill Nos. 4143 4144
Messages from the House
Senator Schauer moved that Senator Brater be temporarily excused from today's session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Hammerstrom moved that consideration of the following bills be postponed for today:
Senate Bill No.171
Senate Bill No.174
The motion prevailed.
Senate Bill No.194, entitled
A bill to amend 2004 PA 402, entitled "Armed forces commemoration act," by amending section 2 (MCL 435.342).
The House of Representatives has passed the bill, ordered that it be given immediate effect and pursuant to Joint Rule 20, inserted the full title.
The question being on concurring in the committee recommendation to give the bill immediate effect,
The recommendation was concurred in, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.
The Senate agreed to the full title.
The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.
Senator Brater entered the Senate Chamber.
Third Reading of Bills
Senator Hammerstrom moved that the following bill be placed at the head of the Third Reading of Bills calendar:
Senate Bill No.228
The motion prevailed.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No.228, entitled
A bill to establish a loan repayment program for repayment of certain educational loans to agricultural employees in rural areas; to provide for the administration of the program; and to prescribe certain powers and duties of certain state officers, agencies, and departments.
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.70 Yeas--24
Allen Cropsey Hardiman Prusi
Barcia Garcia Jelinek Sanborn
Birkholz George Johnson Sikkema
Bishop Gilbert Kuipers Stamas
Brown Goschka McManus Toy
Cassis Hammerstrom Patterson Van Woerkom
Nays--14
Basham Clark-Coleman Leland Scott
Bernero Clarke Olshove Switalski
Brater Emerson Schauer Thomas
Cherry Jacobs
Excused--0
Not Voting--0
In The Chair: President
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
General Orders
Senator Hammerstrom moved that the Senate resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of the General Orders calendar.
The motion prevailed, and the President, Lieutenant Governor Cherry, designated Senator Barcia as Chairperson.
After some time spent therein, the Committee arose; and, the President, Lieutenant Governor Cherry, having resumed the Chair, the Committee reported back to the Senate, favorably and without amendment, the following bill:
House Bill No.4117, entitled
A bill to amend 1955 PA 133, entitled "An act to provide for the granting of military leaves and providing re-employment protection for officers and enlisted men of the military or naval forces of the state or of the United States," (MCL 32.271 to 32.274) by adding section 3a.
The bill was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.
Resolutions
The question was placed on the adoption of the following resolution consent calendar:
Senate Resolution No.21
The resolution consent calendar was adopted.
Senator Bishop offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No.21.
A resolution to establish April 2005 as Youth Financial Literacy Month.
Whereas, The informed use of credit and other financial products and services benefit individual consumers and promotes economic growth; and
Whereas, Financial literacy encourages greater economic self-sufficiency, higher levels of homeownership, and enhances retirement security, particularly among low to moderate-income citizens; and
Whereas, The past decade has seen declining personal savings rates, increased bankruptcy filings, and a rising percentage of family income devoted to servicing household debt; and
Whereas, A 2004 study by the National Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy found that high school students still are not graduating with the personal finance knowledge and skills they need to attain financial security; and
Whereas, A 2004 survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education found as little as 10 hours of personal financial instruction not only significantly increased young people's understanding of money management, but also improved their financial behavior in the ensuing months; and
Whereas, Personal financial education is essential to ensure that our youths are prepared to manage money, credit, and become responsible workers, heads of households, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and citizens; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby establish the month of April 2005 as Youth Financial Literacy Month in the state of Michigan to raise public awareness about the need for increased financial literacy in our schools and among our children, and the serious problems that are associated with a lack of understanding about personal finances; and be it further
Resolved, That the Michigan Senate calls on each parent, school, business, community organization, and unit of government to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities.
Senators Barcia, Basham, Birkholz, Brown, Cherry, Clarke, Goschka, Hardiman, Jacobs, Kuipers, Prusi, Schauer, Switalski, Thomas and Van Woerkom were named co-sponsors of the resolution.
Introduction and Referral of Bills
Senators Toy, Patterson, Allen, Johnson, Kuipers, Birkholz, McManus, Stamas, Sikkema, Hammerstrom, Bishop, Cassis, Sanborn and Van Woerkom introduced
Senate Bill No.372, entitled
A bill to provide for the oversight of the operation of certain water and sewer systems within this state; to create an authority; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain governmental officials and entities.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Local, Urban and State Affairs.
Senators McManus, Kuipers, Birkholz, Basham, Patterson, Barcia, Goschka, Gilbert, Jelinek, Toy, Sanborn, Cherry, Allen, Bishop and Prusi introduced
Senate Bill No.373, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "Natural resources and environmental protection act," (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 40111b.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
Senators Patterson, McManus, Cropsey, Basham, Goschka, Gilbert, Birkholz, Jelinek, Toy, Sanborn, Allen, Bishop and Stamas introduced
Senate Bill No.374, entitled
A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled "Revised judicature act of 1961," by amending sections 2950 and 2950a (MCL 600.2950 and 600.2950a), section 2950 as amended by 2001 PA 200 and section 2950a as amended by 2001 PA 201.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Senators McManus, Patterson, Cropsey, Basham, Barcia, Goschka, Gilbert, Birkholz, Jelinek, Toy, Sanborn, Allen, Bishop and Stamas introduced
Senate Bill No.375, entitled
A bill to amend 1927 PA 372, entitled "An act to regulate and license the selling, purchasing, possessing, and carrying of certain firearms and gas ejecting devices; to prohibit the buying, selling, or carrying of certain firearms and gas ejecting devices without a license or other authorization; to provide for the forfeiture of firearms 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 4, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5h, 5j, 5k, 5m, 5o, 5w, 6a, and 8 (MCL 28.424, 28.425, 28.425a, 28.425b, 28.425c, 28.425d, 28.425e, 28.425f, 28.425h, 28.425j, 28.425k, 28.425m, 28.425o, 28.425w, 28.426a, and 28.428), section 4 as added by 1992 PA 219, sections 5, 5a, 5e, 5h, 5k, 5m, and 5w as added and section 8 as amended by 2000 PA 381, section 5b as amended by 2003 PA 31, sections 5c, 5d, 5f, and 5o as amended by 2002 PA 719, section 5j as amended by 2004 PA 254, and section 6a as amended by 1991 PA 34.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Senators Jacobs, Leland, Clark-Coleman, Basham, Schauer and Prusi introduced
Senate Bill No.376, entitled
A bill to establish an organ donor leave time program for certain individuals employed by this state; to provide for implementation and administration of the program; and to prescribe powers and duties of certain state officers and agencies.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Senators Jacobs, Leland, Clark-Coleman, Basham, Schauer and Prusi introduced
Senate Bill No.377, entitled
A bill to require certain credit reporting agencies to place security alerts and security freezes on certain consumer credit information; to authorize and limit fees; and to provide remedies.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions.
Senators Jacobs, Clark-Coleman, Leland, Schauer and Prusi introduced
Senate Bill No.378, entitled
A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled "The insurance code of 1956," (MCL 500.100 to 500.8302) by adding section2111a.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions.
Senators Van Woerkom, Johnson, Goschka, Bishop and Hardiman introduced
Senate Bill No.379, entitled
A bill to establish and regulate the court-appointed special advocate program.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Senator George introduced
Senate Bill No.380, entitled
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled "Public health code," by amending sections 17820 and 17822 (MCL 333.17820 and 333.17822), section 17820 as amended and section 17822 as added by 1987 PA 213.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
Senators Bernero, Jacobs, Switalski, Garcia, Schauer, Toy, Barcia, Prusi, Cherry, Olshove, Brater, Emerson, Clarke and Bishop introduced
Senate Bill No.381, entitled
A bill to prohibit employers from making employment decisions based upon certain conduct that is unrelated to employment; and to provide remedies.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
House Bill No.4143, entitled
A bill to amend 1996 PA 160, entitled "Postsecondary enrollment options act," by amending section 3 (MCL 388.513), as amended by 2004 PA 594.
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 Education.
House Bill No.4144, entitled
A bill to amend 2000 PA 258, entitled "Career and technical preparation act," by amending section 3 (MCL 388.1903), as amended by 2004 PA 592.
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 Education.
Statements
The President pro tempore, Senator Birkholz, assumed the Chair.
Senators Cropsey, Scott, Bernero and Bishop asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Cropsey's statement is as follows:
When our country was founded, and throughout our history, there has been a concern for criminal offenders who faced the power of the state being used to prosecute them. Rights for criminal defendants were written into the Constitution, and our current Michigan Constitution has at least 17 specified rights for criminal offenders. Ask any rape survivor how they felt in court, and the common response was that they felt like they were being victimized a second time, or just ignored while all of the attention and any sympathy went to the rapist. Over the years, practitioners and researchers have noted an increasing lack of remorse on the part of some offenders and a corresponding increase in violence against victims.
A public feeling developed that something had to be done, and in 1985, Representative Bill VanRegenmorter succeeded in having a law passed as the Crime Victim's Rights Act. We were the first state in the country to have comprehensive rights, and our law has been copied by literally dozens of other states.
I remember the debate here in the Senate, and I'm sure Senator Johnson remembers the debate in the House of Representatives. Some members were concerned that a victim's rights would trump offender's rights. Some members thought that allowing victims to have input into the process would inject emotionalism and remove objectivity from the courts. And I remember judges and attorneys saying that no matter what we passed into law, they had no intention of honoring crime victim's rights. That was 20 years ago.
Largely in response to these arguments, and in response to some reluctance on the part of some to honor the crime victim's rights, in 1988, the people of Michigan voted overwhelmingly to amend our Constitution to add rights for victims of crime, for the first time in the history of our state placing crime victim's rights on the same level as offender's rights.
I've practiced in the courts, and I've defended people charged with crimes. I know the personal stories and hardships that many have that led to their committing a crime. But I've also talked with victims or their surviving relatives, usually parents or spouses, and I always find their stories deeply moving, and I feel keenly their loss. And so we all should.
The statistics are frightening. Since we adopted our current Constitution, there have been almost 35,000 murders in Michigan and close to 200,000 rapes. Since we instituted crime victim's rights, over 22 million crimes have been reported here in Michigan, and it is estimated that millions more were never reported, especially sex crimes. In the eight years that we all expect to serve in the Senate, over 8 million crimes will be committed in Michigan. That will be over 5 million victims of crime. On average, that's 72 crimes per day in each Senate district, 365 days a year. While crime does not occur everywhere with the same frequency, while you serve here, the constituents of your district will suffer an average of over 210,000 crimes. Over 130,000 of your constituents will be victims of crime, including an average of over 11,000 victims of a violent crime.
But now those victims have rights, and those rights are too important not to be remembered. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Representative Bill VanRegenmorter, and I want to publicly thank him for his tireless advocacy for victims.
These are some of the rights that victims now have: the right to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy through the judicial process; the right to timely disposition of the case following arrest of the accused; the right to be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process; the right to notification of court proceedings; the right to attend trial and all other court proceedings the accused has the right to attend; the right to confer with the prosecution; the right to make a statement to the court at sentencing; and the right to restitution.
I mention all of this because this is National Crime Victim's Rights Week. And so, all year long, but especially this week, I think it appropriate that we keep all victims of crimes in our thoughts, in our deliberations, and in our prayers.
Senator Scott's statement is as follows:
Yesterday on the MSN website, there was some information on, guess what? Insurance. According to a Runzheimer International study, the annual car insurance average nationwide is $870.00; that's $72.50 a month. The annual car insurance average in Detroit is $5,162.00; that's $430.17 for a month. According to 2003 U.S. Department of Census information, the median household income in Detroit is $26,157.00. The median household income in the United States is $43,318.00. This means that the average household in Detroit pays 19.73 percent of its income into auto insurance, while the average household in the United States pays 2.0 percent of its income into auto insurance.
As I indicated to you yesterday and a few weeks ago, I started this website. Well, I just want to read to you a few of the hits on the website. As you know, I represent Grosse Pointe as one of my cities. Well, one of my citizens from Grosse Pointe wrote, "My home insurance jumped drastically a couple of years ago. When I called my agent, he said it was because of 9/11. Excuse me? We have had more disasters that cost more money than 9/11. They are using this as a way of gouging because they think people will feel guilty and not argue with this reasoning. We own two condos in Colorado on more land than our home in Grosse Pointe is on. The yearly insurance is $700.00. Our insurance in Grosse Pointe is $1,580.00 a year. It has doubled in the last three years." Well, that same home in Detroit is $3,000.00.
Well, here is another one and this is from a Grosse Pointer, "My mother lives in River Rouge. She's 84 years old, on a fixed income, just drives locally, and has lived in her home since 1965. Her insurance for both her 1970 car and her home built in 1920 are way higher than mine, and I know it's because River Rouge is redlined."
Here is one from Detroit, "I'm a homeowner with two car notes and insurance payments. The price for auto insurance is getting unbearable to the point you almost have to drive without insurance. Something needs to be done. Why is Detroit worst than any other metro city?"
Another one, "My wife and I have been Detroit residents for most of our married life. We have watched our insurance costs rocket to over $1,400.00 a year. This is with only one claim in over 30 years."
Another Detroiter, "I pay twice the insurance premiums as friends that live north of 8 Mile."
One from Hamtramck, "The rate of auto theft may be slightly higher in the urban areas, but auto theft rings cash in on more expensive cars in the suburbs. In addition, the accident rates are higher in the suburbs than in the city, and the damage to the more expensive cars cost insurance companies more. No matter what you call it, the insurance companies are redlining, and that is not only illegal but unethical. The lower classes get ripped off again, and inequitable rates smack of racism."
Well, my time is up, so I haven't been talking about a pie in the sky. These are real, legislators. Let's do something about it and let's do it now.
Senator Bernero's statement is as follows:
Today, I have introduced Senate Bill No.381 with bipartisan support. This bill protects workers' privacy while respecting business prerogatives to run their businesses. The legislation was prompted by the firing of four workers at Weyco for engaging in legal conduct outside the workplace on their own time.
This is America. Your personal time should be your own. When you punch out at work, your privacy should be assured. This is something that most of us take for granted. To fire workers for legal conduct outside the workplace is, in my opinion, unfair and un-American.
Twenty-nine other states have adopted laws that provide some kind of protection for worker privacy. It's time that Michigan recognizes that same right. Some have said that this issue is about smoking, but it isn't. It's about the rights of Americans, our constituents, to live as they would.
This chamber recently approved lifting the helmet law for motorcycle drivers, largely based on arguments based on freedom and the freedom of individuals to choose and to live their lives as they see fit. What about the freedom to live your life, the pursuit of happiness outside the workplace, the freedom to live in your home? We say the home is your castle, but now without this protection, we've seen an example of where a company has reached into the private lives of workers, right here in Michigan, and tried to control aspects of their lives outside the workplace.
I hope that this Legislature will act. I am gratified that there is bipartisan support at this point. I hope that my colleagues will follow this and continue to support and see to it that Senate Bill No.381 moves through the process and into adoption.
If I could, Madam Chair, I would like to take a moment to introduce two of the workers, wonderful women, courageous women, who even though they lost their positions at Weyco and could have moved on and forgotten about the issue and forgotten about other Michigan workers, have chosen to get involved and become advocates for changing the system and improving protection for Michigan workers. In the west Gallery, we have Anita Apolito and Kara Stifler, whom I would like my colleagues to help me welcome to the Senate.
Senator Bishop's statement is as follows:
I listened to the previous speaker's comments regarding insurance rates with great interest. Given the fact that I, too, reviewed and had a chance to read the article that she spoke of, I have a copy of it if anyone would like to see it. It was posted on March 27 and, I believe, was from a magazine dealing with car reports. But it had some specific information with regard to all of the insurance rates across the state and those areas that were paying the most. I researched these things on the Internet because I want to know. I want the question to be answered, "Why are the rates so high?" I'm eager to get that answer, and I know that the previous speaker means well when she raises the issue as frequently as she does.
I wish, however, that we would take the time to actually read these articles instead of actually just reading the headline. The headline reads "Detroit tops list of cities with highest car insurance rates." That's a very dramatic statement and one that catches all of our attention. But if you read down the list of reasons for that fact, you find that the director of this group, who runs Hymer Group, said Detroit earned that honor based on its record of theft, repair, and medical claims. Those are issues that are specific to that sector--Detroit. This issue is not governed or driven by any other reasons other than those three major reasons which is theft, repair, and medical claims. Those are issues that we should be focusing on.
What can we do about those issues? We have got to stop politicizing this and demagoguing this issue and start talking about things that we can actually do to address those issues that are driving rates up in the city of Detroit.
I would also indicate that the speaker spoke of redlining. Redlining is a very serious, illegal activity. It's an activity that is regulated by our chief state regulator at OFIS. And if, in fact, such activity exists, it was not uncovered in their recent report provided in the data call, which I spoke to some weeks ago. The report thoroughly reviewed the market and found that the markets across our state to be uniformly competitive. I did not see any indication, nor did the commissioner advise me of any indication of redlining. If such activity exists, I would encourage the previous speaker to bring that information to the commissioner's office and report it and have it investigated to ensure that it doesn't actually have any foundation. In fact, if it does, we need to do whatever we can to uproot it and see that it does not happen.
Madam President, my intent in rising today is not to inflame this discussion. It is just to drive it back on point. My suggestion to everyone when we talk about this issue is not to approach it from the perspective of how we can raise the most political ire, but to do it from the perspective of what we can do together as a Legislature to address the issue--to have a positive impact on our industry, the insurance industry in the state, to bring real relief to ratepayers across this state--and I think the process of political demagoguery is not the way we do that. I would encourage our continued attention to this matter and look forward to all of your support and participation as we move forward with our workgroup, the insurance workgroup that's going on right now.
Committee Reports
The Committee on Transportation reported
House Concurrent Resolution No.4.
A resolution to memorialize Congress to enact highway reauthorization legislation with a level of funding that closes the gap between federal fuel tax dollars paid by Michigan motorists and dollars received to address Michigan's transportation needs.
(For text of resolution, see Senate Journal No.17, p. 248.)
With the recommendation that the concurrent resolution be adopted.
Judson S. Gilbert II
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Gilbert, Kuipers and Leland
Nays: None
The concurrent resolution was placed on the order of Resolutions.
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Committee on Transportation submitted the following:
Meeting held on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at 1:00p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building
Present: Senators Gilbert (C), Kuipers and Leland
Excused: Senators Goschka and Basham
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on General Government submitted the following:
Meeting held on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at 1:00p.m., Room 810, Farnum Building
Present: Senators Garcia (C), McManus and Switalski
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on Department of Transportation submitted the following:
Meeting held on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at 1:00p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building
Present: Senators Johnson (C), Stamas and Barcia
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Committee on Commerce and Labor submitted the following:
Meeting held on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at 3:00p.m., Room 100, Farnum Building
Present: Senators Allen (C), Toy, McManus and Schauer
Excused: Senator Olshove
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on General Government submitted the following:
Meeting held on Wednesday, April 13, 2005, at 8:30a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building
Present: Senator Garcia (C), McManus and Switalski
Scheduled Meetings
Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism - Thursday, April 14, 9:00a.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-1635)
Appropriations -
Subcommittees -
Agriculture - Thursdays, April 14, 2:30p.m.; and April 21, 3:00p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower (373-5932)
Capital Outlay - Thursday, April 14, 9:00a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2523)
Commerce, Labor and Economic Development - Wednesdays, April 20 and April 27, 3:00p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2420)
Community Health Department - Thursdays, May 5, 2:30p.m.; and May 12, 2:00p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower; May 19, 2:30p.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building; and June 2, 2:00p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower (373-7946)
Family Independence Agency - Thursday, April 14, 11:00a.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-1801)
General Government - Tuesdays, April 19 and April 26, 1:00p.m., Room 810, Farnum Building; Wednesday, April 13 and Thursday, April 21, 8:30a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2420)
History, Arts, and Libraries - Tuesdays, April 19, 3:00p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (CANCELED); and April 26, 3:00p.m., Room 810, Farnum Building (373-0793)
K-12, School Aid, Education - Thursday, April 28, 12:30p.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building (373-6960)
State Police and Military Affairs - Thursdays, April 14, 1:00p.m.; and April 21, 2:00p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower (373-5932)
Transportation Department - Tuesdays, April 19 (CANCELED) and April 26, 1:00p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2523)
Education - Thursday, April 14, 2:00p.m., Room 210, Farnum Building (373-6920)
Health Policy - Wednesday, April 20, 1:00 p.m. Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower (373-3543)
Local, Urban and State Affairs - Thursday, April 14, 2:00p.m., Putney Lecture Hall, Room 1010, John E. Fetzer Center, Western Michigan University, 1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo (373-1707)
Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs - Tuesday, April 19, 3:00p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-3447)
Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs and House Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use and Environment - Thursday, April 14, 8:00a.m., Room 519, House Office Building (373-3447)
Transportation - Tuesday, April 19, 1:00p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-7708)
Senator Hammerstrom moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion prevailed, the time being 10:46a.m.
The President pro tempore, Senator Birkholz, declared the Senate adjourned until Thursday, April 14, 2005, at 10:00a.m.
CAROL MOREY VIVENTI
Secretary of the Senate