STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
100th Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2019
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
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 Outman—present
Ananich—present Irwin—present Polehanki—present
Barrett—present Johnson—present Runestad—present
Bayer—present LaSata—present Santana—present
Bizon—present Lauwers—present Schmidt—present
Brinks—present Lucido—present Shirkey—present
Bullock—present MacDonald—present Stamas—present
Bumstead—present MacGregor—present Theis—present
Chang—present McBroom—present VanderWall—present
Daley—present McCann—present Victory—present
Geiss—present McMorrow—present Wojno—present
Hertel—present Moss—present Zorn—present
Hollier—excused Nesbitt—present
Our Dear Heavenly Father, I thank
You Lord that we still have the opportunity to pause and take time to call on
Your name and ask for help in this great hall. In my own town of Port Huron,
20-plus pastors meet weekly to pray for these esteemed leaders in the Michigan
Legislature.
It truly is a privilege this
morning to be with some of the brightest and best men and women in this state,
as they represent approximately 10 million people. So without thinking too
highly of ourselves, we humble ourselves today to ask You for Your
intervention. You said in Micah 6:7 that You have told us what is good and what
You require of us. This is to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly
with You.
So I pray that You would give
these Senators great strength, as they face the many strong temptations of
pride, arrogance, greed, deceitfulness, immorality, substance abuse, and
discouragement. I pray that they would look to You and grow in You, so they
will have Your power to resist these traps that can destroy their lives and
families, as well as their leadership effectiveness.
I ask that You would give them
the “Spirit of Courage” to do the right thing, no matter what the personal cost
is. I pray that Your word would not depart from them, as they meditate on it,
and do what is written in it. Then You will make their way prosperous and have
good success.
Finally, I pray that You would
grant our leaders the “Spirit of Wisdom and Discernment,” that they would have
clarity and good sense to make the difficult decisions that affect Michigan.
You said if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of You, who gives to all
liberally.
I thank you Lord for your concern
for this state, and am confident that You hear this prayer and will act on
behalf of these requests. I pray all of this in Your most powerful name, Jesus.
Amen.
The
President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, led the members of the Senate in
recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motions and Communications
The motion prevailed.
Senator Chang moved that Senator
Hollier be excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Messages from the Governor
The
following messages from the Governor were received:
Date: October 31, 2019
Time: 9:14 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and
signed
Enrolled
Senate Bill No. 102 (Public Act No. 97), being
An act to amend 1939 PA 280,
entitled “An act to protect the welfare of the people of this state; to provide
general assistance, hospitalization, infirmary and medical care to poor or
unfortunate persons; to provide for compliance by this state with the social security
act; to provide protection, welfare and services to aged persons, dependent
children, the blind, and the permanently and totally disabled; to administer
programs and services for the prevention and treatment of delinquency,
dependency and neglect of children; to create a state department of social
services; to prescribe the powers and duties of the department; to provide for
the interstate and intercounty transfer of dependents; to create county and
district departments of social services; to create within certain county
departments, bureaus of social aid and certain divisions and offices
thereunder; to prescribe the powers and duties of the departments, bureaus and
officers; to provide for appeals in certain cases; to prescribe the powers and
duties of the state department with respect to county and district departments;
to prescribe certain duties of certain other state departments, officers, and
agencies; to make an appropriation; to prescribe penalties for the violation of
the provisions of this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on specific
dates,” (MCL 400.1 to 400.119b) by adding section 117i.
(Filed with the Secretary of
State on October 31, 2019 at 1:40 p.m.)
Date: October 31, 2019
Time: 9:36 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and
signed
Enrolled
Senate Bill No. 84 (Public Act No. 108), being
An act to amend 2013 PA 93,
entitled “An act to create the Michigan indigent defense commission and to
provide for its powers and duties; to provide indigent defendants in criminal
cases with effective assistance of counsel; to provide standards for the
appointment of legal counsel; to provide for and limit certain causes of
action; and to provide for certain appropriations and grants,” by amending
section 3 (MCL 780.983), as amended by 2018 PA 214.
(Filed with the Secretary of
State on October 31, 2019 at 2:02 p.m.)
Date: October 31, 2019
Time: 9:38 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and
signed
Enrolled
Senate Bill No. 90 (Public Act No. 109), being
An act to amend 1939 PA 288,
entitled “An act to revise and consolidate the statutes relating to certain
aspects of the family division of circuit court, to the jurisdiction, powers,
and duties of the family division of circuit court and its judges and other
officers, to the change of name of adults and children, and to the adoption of
adults and children; to prescribe certain jurisdiction, powers, and duties of
the family division of circuit court and its judges and other officers; to prescribe
the manner and time within which certain actions and proceedings may be brought
in the family division of the circuit court; to prescribe pleading, evidence,
practice, and procedure in certain actions and proceedings in the family
division of circuit court; to provide for appeals from certain actions in the
family division of circuit court; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain
state departments, agencies, and officers; to provide for certain immunity from
liability; and to provide remedies and penalties,” by amending sections 1 and 3
of chapter XIIA (MCL 712A.1 and 712A.3), section 1 as amended by 2016 PA 496
and section 3 as amended by 1996 PA 409.
(Filed with the Secretary of
State on October 31, 2019 at 2:04 p.m.)
Date: October 31, 2019
Time: 9:40 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and
signed
Enrolled
Senate Bill No. 93 (Public Act No. 110), being
An act to amend 1974 PA 150,
entitled “An act to provide for the acceptance, care, and discharge of youths
committed as public wards; to prescribe the liability for the cost of services
for public wards; to prescribe procedures for the return of public wards who
absent themselves without permission; to provide a penalty for the violation of
this act; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 2 (MCL
803.302), as amended by 1998 PA 517.
(Filed with the Secretary of
State on October 31, 2019 at 2:06 p.m.)
Date: October 31, 2019
Time: 9:42 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and
signed
Enrolled
Senate Bill No. 97 (Public Act No. 111), being
An act to amend 1939 PA 288,
entitled “An act to revise and consolidate the statutes relating to certain
aspects of the family division of circuit court, to the jurisdiction, powers,
and duties of the family division of circuit court and its judges and other
officers, to the change of name of adults and children, and to the adoption of
adults and children; to prescribe certain jurisdiction, powers, and duties of
the family division of circuit court and its judges and other officers; to
prescribe the manner and time within which certain actions and proceedings may
be brought in the family division of the circuit court; to prescribe pleading,
evidence, practice, and procedure in certain actions and proceedings in the
family division of circuit court; to provide for appeals from certain actions
in the family division of circuit court; to prescribe the powers and duties of
certain state departments, agencies, and officers; to provide for certain
immunity from liability; and to provide remedies and penalties,” by amending
sections 14 and 15 of chapter XIIA (MCL 712A.14 and 712A.15), section 14 as
amended by 2012 PA 163 and section 15 as amended by 1998 PA 474.
(Filed with the Secretary of
State on October 31, 2019 at 2:08 p.m.)
Date: October 31, 2019
Time: 9:44 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and
signed
Enrolled
Senate Bill No. 99 (Public Act No. 112), being
An act to amend 1927 PA 175,
entitled “An act to revise, consolidate, and codify the laws relating to
criminal procedure and to define the jurisdiction, powers, and duties of
courts, judges, and other officers of the court under the provisions of this
act; to provide laws relative to the rights of persons accused of criminal
offenses and ordinance violations; to provide for the arrest of persons charged
with or suspected of criminal offenses and ordinance violations; to provide for
bail of persons arrested for or accused of criminal offenses and ordinance
violations; to provide for the examination of persons accused of criminal
offenses; to regulate the procedure relative to grand juries, indictments,
informations, and proceedings before trial; to provide for trials of persons
complained of or indicted for criminal offenses and ordinance violations and to
provide for the procedure in those trials; to provide for judgments and
sentences of persons convicted of criminal offenses and ordinance violations;
to establish a sentencing commission and to prescribe its powers and duties; to
provide for procedure relating to new trials and appeals in criminal and
ordinance violation cases; to provide a uniform system of probation throughout
this state and the appointment of probation officers; to prescribe the powers,
duties, and compensation of probation officers; to provide penalties for the
violation of the duties of probation officers; to provide for procedure
governing proceedings to prevent crime and proceedings for the discovery of
crime; to provide for fees of officers, witnesses, and others in criminal and
ordinance violation cases; to set forth miscellaneous provisions as to criminal
procedure in certain cases; to provide penalties for the violation of certain
provisions of this act; and to repeal all acts and parts of acts inconsistent
with or contravening any of the provisions of this act,” by amending section
15b of chapter IV (MCL 764.15b), as amended by 2001 PA 209.
(Filed with the Secretary of
State on October 31, 2019 at 2:10 p.m.)
Date: October 31, 2019
Time: 9:46 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and
signed
Enrolled
Senate Bill No. 100 (Public Act No. 113), being
An act to amend 1939 PA 288,
entitled “An act to revise and consolidate the statutes relating to certain aspects
of the family division of circuit court, to the jurisdiction, powers, and
duties of the family division of circuit court and its judges and other
officers, to the change of name of adults and children, and to the adoption of
adults and children; to prescribe certain jurisdiction, powers, and duties of
the family division of circuit court and its judges and other officers; to
prescribe the manner and time within which certain actions and proceedings may
be brought in the family division of the circuit court; to prescribe pleading,
evidence, practice, and procedure in certain actions and proceedings in the
family division of circuit court; to provide for appeals from certain actions
in the family division of circuit court; to prescribe the powers and duties of
certain state departments, agencies, and officers; to provide for certain
immunity from liability; and to provide remedies and penalties,” by amending
section 2 of chapter XIIA (MCL 712A.2), as amended by 2018 PA 58.
(Filed with the Secretary of State
on October 31, 2019 at 2:12 p.m.)
Date: October 31, 2019
Time: 9:48 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and
signed
Enrolled
Senate Bill No. 101 (Public Act No. 114), being
An act to amend 1939 PA 280,
entitled “An act to protect the welfare of the people of this state; to provide
general assistance, hospitalization, infirmary and medical care to poor or
unfortunate persons; to provide for compliance by this state with the social
security act; to provide protection, welfare and services to aged persons,
dependent children, the blind, and the permanently and totally disabled; to
administer programs and services for the prevention and treatment of
delinquency, dependency and neglect of children; to create a state department of
social services; to prescribe the powers and duties of the department; to
provide for the interstate and intercounty transfer of dependents; to create
county and district departments of social services; to create within certain
county departments, bureaus of social aid and certain divisions and offices
thereunder; to prescribe the powers and duties of the departments, bureaus and
officers; to provide for appeals in certain cases; to prescribe the powers and
duties of the state department with respect to county and district departments;
to prescribe certain duties of certain other state departments, officers, and
agencies; to make an appropriation; to prescribe penalties for the violation of
the provisions of this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on specific
dates,” by amending section 117a (MCL 400.117a), as amended by 2018 PA 580.
(Filed with the Secretary of
State on October 31, 2019 at 2:14 p.m.)
Respectfully,
Gretchen
Whitmer
Governor
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Recess
Senator MacGregor moved that the
Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
The motion prevailed, the time
being 10:06 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by
the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist.
During the recess, Senators Stamas and
Shirkey entered the Senate Chamber.
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 bills:
House
Bill No. 4209
House
Bill No. 4408
Senate
Bill No. 172
The motion prevailed.
The following bill was read a third
time:
House Bill No. 4209, entitled
A bill to amend 1893 PA 206, entitled “The general property tax act,” by
amending section 44 (MCL 211.44), as amended by 2012 PA 482.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
Senator Theis offered the following amendment:
1. Amend page 3, line 11, after “individual”
by inserting “acting on behalf of the
township treasurer in compliance with section 43(2)”.
The amendment 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. 293 Yeas—37
Alexander Geiss MacGregor Santana
Ananich Hertel McBroom Schmidt
Barrett Horn McCann Shirkey
Bayer Irwin McMorrow Stamas
Bizon Johnson Moss Theis
Brinks LaSata Nesbitt VanderWall
Bullock Lauwers Outman Victory
Bumstead Lucido Polehanki Wojno
Chang MacDonald Runestad Zorn
Daley
Nays—0
Excused—1
Hollier
Not
Voting—0
In The
Chair: President
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.
Pursuant
to Joint Rule 20, the full title of the act shall be inserted to read as
follows:
“An act to provide for the assessment of rights and interests, including
leasehold interests, in property and the levy and collection of taxes on
property, and for the collection of taxes levied; making those taxes a lien on
the property taxed, establishing and continuing the lien, providing for the
sale or forfeiture and conveyance of property delinquent for taxes, and for the
inspection and disposition of lands bid off to the state and not redeemed or
purchased; to provide for the establishment of a delinquent tax revolving fund
and the borrowing of money by counties and the issuance of notes; to define and
limit the jurisdiction of the courts in proceedings in connection with property
delinquent for taxes; to limit the time within which actions may be brought; to
prescribe certain limitations with respect to rates of taxation; to prescribe
certain powers and duties of certain officers, departments, agencies, and
political subdivisions of this state; to provide for certain reimbursements of
certain expenses incurred by units of local government; to provide penalties
for the violation of this act; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,”.
The Senate agreed to the full title.
The following bill was read a third
time:
House Bill No. 4408, entitled
A bill to amend 2000 PA 321, entitled “Recreational authorities act,” by
amending section 27 (MCL 123.1157).
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. 294 Yeas—37
Alexander Geiss MacGregor Santana
Ananich Hertel McBroom Schmidt
Barrett Horn McCann Shirkey
Bayer Irwin McMorrow Stamas
Bizon Johnson Moss Theis
Brinks LaSata Nesbitt VanderWall
Bullock Lauwers Outman Victory
Bumstead Lucido Polehanki Wojno
Chang MacDonald Runestad Zorn
Daley
Nays—0
Excused—1
Hollier
Not
Voting—0
In The
Chair: President
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.
Pursuant
to Joint Rule 20, the full title of the act shall be inserted to read as
follows:
“An act to provide for the establishment of recreational authorities; to
provide powers and duties of an authority; to authorize the assessment of a
fee, the levy of a property tax, and the issuance of bonds and notes by an
authority; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain government
officials,”.
The Senate agreed to the full title.
The following bill was read a third
time:
Senate Bill No. 172, entitled
A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” by
amending section 513 (MCL 500.513), as added by 2001 PA 24.
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. 295 Yeas—35
Alexander Geiss MacGregor Schmidt
Ananich Hertel McBroom Shirkey
Barrett Horn McCann Stamas
Bizon Irwin McMorrow Theis
Brinks Johnson Nesbitt VanderWall
Bullock LaSata Outman Victory
Bumstead Lauwers Polehanki Wojno
Chang Lucido Runestad Zorn
Daley MacDonald Santana
Nays—2
Bayer Moss
Excused—1
Hollier
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
The motion prevailed, and the
President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, designated Senator Bullock as
Chairperson.
After some time spent therein,
the Committee arose; and the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, having
resumed the Chair, the Committee reported back to the Senate, favorably and
without amendment, the following bills:
House Bill No. 4959, entitled
A bill to amend 1998 PA 58,
entitled “Michigan liquor control code of 1998,” by amending section 601 (MCL
436.1601).
House Bill No. 4960, entitled
A bill to amend 1998 PA 58,
entitled “Michigan liquor control code of 1998,” by amending section 107 (MCL
436.1107), as amended by 2001 PA 223.
House Bill No. 4961, entitled
A bill to amend 1998 PA 58,
entitled “Michigan liquor control code of 1998,” (MCL 436.1101 to 436.2303) by
adding section 608.
The bills were placed on the order of
Third Reading of Bills.
By unanimous consent the Senate
proceeded to the order of
Introduction and Referral of Bills
Senators
Chang, Brinks, Geiss, Moss, Alexander, Bullock, Irwin, Bayer, Santana and
McCann introduced
Senate Bill No. 631, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle
code,” by amending sections 51a, 307, and 314 (MCL 257.51a, 257.307, and
257.314), section 51a as amended by 2008 PA 7, section 307 as amended by 2018
PA 604, and section 314 as amended by 2011 PA 159, and by adding section 307c.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and
referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Senators Brinks, Chang, Geiss, Moss,
Alexander, Bullock, Irwin, Bayer, Santana and McCann introduced
A bill to amend 1972 PA 222, entitled “An act to
provide for an official personal identification card; to provide for its form,
issuance and use; to regulate the use and disclosure of information obtained
from the card; to prescribe the powers and duties of the secretary of state; to
prescribe fees; to prescribe certain penalties for violations; and to provide
an appropriation for certain purposes,” by amending sections 1 and 2 (MCL
28.291 and 28.292), section 1 as amended by 2018 PA 605 and section 2 as
amended by 2018 PA 669, and by adding section 1b.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and
referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Senators Polehanki,
Geiss, McCann, Bayer, Brinks, Wojno, McMorrow, Chang, Alexander, Hertel,
Santana and Irwin introduced
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised
school code,” by amending section 1280f (MCL 380.1280f), as added by 2016 PA
306.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and
referred to the Committee on Education and Career Readiness.
Senators Irwin, Brinks, Bayer and Geiss
introduced
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural
resources and environmental protection act,” by amending section 61524 (MCL
324.61524), as amended by 1998 PA 252.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and
referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
A bill to amend 1972 PA 382,
entitled “Traxler-McCauley-Law-Bowman bingo act,” by amending sections 2, 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 8, 9, 10, 11b, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, and 19 (MCL
432.102, 432.103, 432.103a, 432.104, 432.104a, 432.108, 432.109, 432.110,
432.111b, 432.112, 432.113, 432.114, 432.115, 432.116, 432.118, and 432.119), sections 2 and 9 as amended by 2008
PA 401, sections 3, 4a, and 12 as amended by 2012 PA 189, sections
3a, 8, 10, and 11b as amended by 2006 PA 427, sections 4, 13, 14, 15, 16, and
18 as amended by 1999 PA 108, and section 19 as amended by 1995 PA 263, by
designating sections 1 to 20 as article 1, and by adding article 2; and to
repeal acts and parts of acts.
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 Regulatory Reform.
A bill to regulate the conduct of fantasy contests; to
protect Michigan participants in fantasy contests; to require licensing of the
operators of fantasy contests; to impose fees on the operators of fantasy
contests; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental
officers and entities; to prohibit violations of this act; to prescribe civil
sanctions; and to prescribe penalties.
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 Regulatory Reform.
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of
criminal procedure,” by amending section 14d of chapter XVII (MCL 777.14d), as
amended by 2016 PA 272.
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 Regulatory Reform.
A bill to amend 1995 PA 279, entitled “Horse racing law
of 1995,” by amending sections 8, 17, 20, and 22 (MCL 431.308, 431.317,
431.320, and 431.322), as amended by 2016 PA 271.
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 Agriculture.
A bill to create the lawful internet gaming act; to
require licensure for persons to offer internet gaming; to impose requirements
for internet gaming; to provide for the powers and duties of the Michigan
gaming control board and other state and local officers and entities; to impose
fees; to impose tax and other payment obligations on the conduct of licensed
internet gaming; to create the internet gaming fund; to prohibit certain acts
in relation to internet gaming and to prescribe penalties for those violations;
to require the promulgation of rules; and to provide 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 Regulatory Reform.
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of
criminal procedure,” by amending section 14d of chapter XVII (MCL 777.14d), as
amended by 2016 PA 272.
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 Regulatory Reform.
A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The Michigan
penal code,” (MCL 750.1 to 750.568) by adding section 310d.
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 Regulatory Reform.
A bill to create the lawful sports betting act; to
require licensing of persons to engage in sports betting via the internet,
including through mobile applications; to impose requirements for such sports
betting; to impose tax and other payment obligations on the conduct of licensed
sports betting; to create the internet sports betting fund; to prohibit certain
acts in relation to sports betting and to prescribe penalties for those
violations; to require the promulgation of rules; and to provide 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 Regulatory Reform.
A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The Michigan
penal code,” (MCL 750.1 to 750.568) by adding section 310d.
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 Regulatory Reform.
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of
criminal procedure,” by amending section 14d of chapter XVII (MCL 777.14d), as
amended by 2016 PA 272.
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 Regulatory Reform.
Statements
The
motion prevailed.
Senator Horn’s statement is as follows:
I’ll be joined here momentarily
by Senator Ananich and Senator Daley because they both serve the 5th District
that was served so faithfully by Congressman Bob Traxler.
U.S. Congressman Bob Traxler
passed away Wednesday evening. He died peacefully at home; his funeral is
tomorrow.
Bob Traxler served in the
Michigan Legislature, and in the House they will read a proper tribute to the
former State Representative. Among other accomplishments, they will certainly
highlight his effort to allow bingo and other games of chance for Michigan
charities. Then they will certainly read into the record that while in the U.S.
Congress, Bob Traxler rose through the ranks to serve as chair of the House
Appropriations Subcommittee on HUD-Independent Agencies. While his efforts in
the Michigan House earned him the affectionate nickname “Bingo Bob,” his
position in the U.S. House of Representatives earned him a spot in history as
one of the cardinals of Capitol Hill.
I rise today to talk more about a
personal experience with Bob Traxler. My wife joined the Congressman’s staff
and worked out of his Saginaw office. It naturally got us both involved in
politics. In the early 1990s, Bob Traxler was instrumental in my decision to
run for office. At first, with his dry sense of humor, he expressed
disappointment to learn that I had chosen to run as a Republican, but he
understood politics and the district better than anybody I’d ever met.
He gave me three pieces of advice
as I ran for my county commission seat. No. 1, never lie, even if it hurts. It’ll
always come back to haunt you. No. 2, trust is the coin of the realm. If you
tell me you’re going to vote “yes,” stick with it. If you’re going to vote “no,”
I’ll go look somewhere else. If you change your mind, always let me know in
plenty of time. No. 3, you’re joining a 15-member board. You’ll be in the
minority. Learn to count to eight. It took me a bit of time, but I learned that
counting to eight wasn’t just an exercise in math. It was about building
relationships—about building that trust. This was Bob Traxler’s greatest
strength.
After congratulating me on my
election to the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners, he must have thought in
his mind ‘what in the world have I done?’ because in early January 1993, Bob
Traxler announced his retirement from Congress. Veronica and I maintained
contact with Congressman Traxler and there were times that we’d visit him at
his home on the bluff on Mackinac Island. I supplied the Frankenmuth Band Boy
cigars and Bob offered up beverages as we’d sit for hours on his back porch
overlooking the lights of St. Ignace and the Mackinac Bridge. I spent time
listening as Bob told stories.
It was through Jerome Bob
Traxler—born July 21, 1931—that I learned to compartmentalize politics and
policy; that partisanship did not have to be an obstacle when we put people
first.
I also learned where to find the
best Friday fish dinners anywhere in the Saginaw Bay region.
Congressman Bob Traxler—Bingo
Bob, a cardinal of Capitol Hill—he will be missed, and he will be remembered.
A moment of silence was observed
in memory of J. Bob Traxler, former member of the United States House of
Representatives.
Announcements of Printing and
Enrollment
The Secretary announced the enrollment printing and
presentation to the Governor on Monday, November 4 for her approval the following
bills:
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 47 at 2:13
p.m.
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 255 at 2:15
p.m.
The
Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate
and filed on Thursday, October 31:
House
Bill Nos. 4173 4308 4309 4310 4311 4312 4323 4916 4917 4918
The
Secretary announced that the following bills were printed and filed on
Thursday, October 31, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:
Senate
Bill Nos. 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630
House
Bill Nos. 5179 5180 5181 5182 5183 5184 5185 5186 5187 5188 5189 5190
Committee Reports
COMMITTEE
ATTENDANCE REPORT
The
Committee on Agriculture submitted the following:
Meeting
held on Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 8:30 a.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office
Building
Present:
Senators Daley (C), Victory, Lauwers and Polehanki
Excused:
Senator Ananich
COMMITTEE
ATTENDANCE REPORT
The
Committee on Advice and Consent submitted the following:
Meeting
held on Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 12:00 noon, Room 1300, Binsfeld Office
Building
Present:
Senators Lucido (C), LaSata, Nesbitt, McBroom and Hertel
COMMITTEE
ATTENDANCE REPORT
The
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety submitted the following:
Meeting
held on Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 8:30 a.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld Office
Building
Present:
Senators Lucido (C), VanderWall, Barrett, Johnson, Runestad, Chang and Irwin
COMMITTEE
ATTENDANCE REPORT
The
Committee on Local Government submitted the following:
Meeting
held on Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 1:30 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office
Building
Present:
Senators Zorn (C), Johnson, Daley, Alexander and Moss
Scheduled
Meetings
Administrative Rules - Wednesday,
November 6, 3:30 p.m. or after committees are given leave by the House to meet,
Room 326, Anderson House Office Building, (517) 373-5630
Appropriations - Wednesday, November 6, 2:00 p.m.,
Harry T. Gast Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (517) 373-5307
Subcommittee -
Universities
and Community Colleges and House Higher Education and Community Colleges Appropriations Subcommittee - Thursday,
November 7, 9:00 a.m., Harry T. Gast Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building, (517)
373-2768
Economic and Small Business Development - Thursday,
November 7, 12:00 noon, Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-1721
Finance - Wednesday,
November 6, 12:30 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5312
Insurance and Banking - Wednesday,
November 6, 8:30 a.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5314
Oversight -
Tuesday, November 12, 2:00 p.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517)
373-5312
Transportation and Infrastructure - Wednesday, November 6, 12:30 p.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld
Office Building (517) 373-5323
Senator
Lauwers moved that the Senate adjourn.
The
motion prevailed, the time being 11:39 a.m.
The President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, declared
the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 10:00 a.m.
MARGARET O’BRIEN
Secretary of the Senate