STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
102nd Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2024
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Thursday, February 1, 2024.
10:00 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Jeremy Moss.
The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was present.
Albert—present Hauck—present Moss—present
Anthony—present Hertel—present Nesbitt—present
Bayer—present Hoitenga—present Outman—present
Bellino—present Huizenga—present Polehanki—present
Brinks—present Irwin—present Runestad—excused
Bumstead—present Johnson—present Santana—present
Camilleri—present Klinefelt—present Shink—present
Cavanagh—present Lauwers—present Singh—present
Chang—present Lindsey—present Theis—present
Cherry—present McBroom—excused Victory—present
Daley—present McCann—present Webber—present
Damoose—present McDonald Rivet—present Wojno—present
Geiss—present McMorrow—present
Senator Dan Lauwers of the 25th District offered the following invocation:
Lord, I pray that all of us as elected officials would commit in our hearts to what is good, beautiful, and true in our work as legislators and leaders; that we would uphold Your precepts and always love our neighbors as ourselves.
In Your name we pray. Amen.
The President pro tempore, Senator Moss, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motions and Communications
Senator Nesbitt entered the Senate Chamber.
Senator Lauwers moved that Senator Johnson be temporarily excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Lauwers moved that Senators Runestad and McBroom be excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Singh moved that Senator McMorrow be temporarily excused from today’s session.
Recess
Senator Singh moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
The motion prevailed, the time being 10:02 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Moss.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Resolutions
Senate Resolution No. 88
Senate Resolution No. 89
Senate Resolution No. 90
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Senator Santana offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 88.
A resolution to recognize February 2024 as School-Based Health Care Awareness Month.
Whereas, Michigan’s school-based and school-linked health centers (also known as child and adolescent health centers) have been delivering comprehensive primary health care, mental health care, and prevention services for over 30 years; and
Whereas, There are over 300 school-based and school-linked health centers and programs in Michigan that deliver a range of primary, preventive, early intervention, and mental health services to children and youth of all grade levels in urban, rural, and suburban schools across the state; and
Whereas, Children and youth served by
school-based and school-linked health centers show improved rates of school
attendance, enhanced scores on standardized tests, less absenteeism due to
illness, and increased immunization rates, while having their wellness and
health care needs addressed; and
Whereas, School-Based Health Care Awareness Month acknowledges the commitment and passion that school-based and school-linked health center staff and parents/guardians have for all Michigan children and youth; and
Whereas, We also recognize the critical role these individuals play in improving the health and well-being of all Michigan children and youth; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize February 2024 as School-Based Health Care Awareness Month.
The question being on the adoption of the resolution,
Senator McMorrow entered the Senate Chamber.
Senators Bellino, Brinks, Geiss, Singh and Wojno were named co-sponsors of the resolution.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Santana’s statement is as follows:
February is School-Based Health Care Awareness Month. For over 30 years, Michigan’s school-based and school-linked health centers have provided comprehensive physical and mental health care, offering medical and mental health screening and treatment for children and teens.
There are over 300 school-based and school-linked health centers and programs in the state of Michigan delivering a range of primary, preventative, early intervention, and mental health services to children and youth of all grade levels in urban, rural, and suburban schools across the state. They are located in areas where families are economically disadvantaged and struggling to access medical services. The centers allow children to receive care in a school setting, meaning less missed school time and less missed work time for parents. The centers are designed to appeal to young people by creating a friendly atmosphere specific to their age group.
It is widely known there are many benefits of school-based health care—increased student attendance and graduation rates, improved school performance, success in preventing and treating conditions such as obesity and asthma, reduces hospitalization and emergency care usage, and also improves mental health. So, I encourage us all to recognize February as School-Based Health Care Awareness Month.
Senator Outman offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 89.
A resolution to commemorate February 1, 2024, as Blue Star Mother’s Day.
Whereas, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., is a national organization of mothers whose sons and daughters serve honorably in the nation’s armed forces; and
Whereas, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., was founded in Flint, Michigan, in 1942; and
Whereas, The purposes and activities of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., include all of the following:
• Perpetuating the memory of the men and women who have served our country as members of the armed forces;
• Welcoming home returning veterans;
• Visiting wounded veterans in hospitals and rehabilitation centers;
• Assisting in veterans ceremonies;
• Attending patriotic rallies and meetings;
• Maintaining true allegiance to the government of the United States;
• Upholding the American institutions of freedom, justice, and equal rights;
• Caring for the unsupported mothers who gave their sons and daughters to the service of the nation; and
• Providing moral support for members; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body commemorate February 1, 2024, as Blue Star Mother’s Day; and be it further
Resolved, That we recognize the contributions that Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., has made to our state and nation.
The question being on the adoption of the resolution,
The motion prevailed.
I rise to encourage a “yes” vote on my resolution that would designate February 1 as Blue Star Mother’s Day in Michigan. The Blue Star Mothers organization was founded in Flint in the wake of America’s entrance into World War II. In late January 1942, a local Flint paper asked for the mothers of servicemen to come together on February 1, 1942. Three hundred such mothers showed up for their first meeting. After that, Blue Star Mothers formed statewide chapters not just in Michigan but in many other states across the country, and in 1960, Congress officially chartered the organization.
The Blue Star Mothers’ service to our nation and our veterans is unquestionable. In addition to giving birth to and raising our servicemen and women, they also help by keeping alive the memory of our men and women in the armed forces, welcoming home returning veterans, visiting our wounded veterans, caring for the unsupported mothers who gave their sons and daughters to the service of our country, and many other ways that we veterans cannot thank them enough for.
I know that my family was certainly a recipient of the care of Blue Star Mothers. As a young, 19-year-old service member stationed in the Middle East, it was hard to understand what your family was going through while you were deployed. I was 19 years old, the world centered around me as a 19-year-old, and I didn’t really give a lot of thought to the gray hairs that were creeping up on my mother as she was waiting for news from me—of course, times were different, news wasn’t quite as readily available. It was snail mail or, if you were lucky enough to get to a phone booth, you could try to reach an international operator, wait a couple hours, and hope you could get through. But they were always waiting. They were always worrying. It was something I took for granted as young kid, but then the shoe was on the other foot when my son-in-law was deployed. My daughter came home with our first grandchild and stayed with us while my son-in-law was first deployed to, I think, Iraq first and then Afghanistan. I saw the worry on my daughter’s face, and I felt the worry of what he was going through.
It gave me a new appreciation—or maybe not even new, just an appreciation—that I hadn’t thought of exactly what our mothers, our fathers, our family members, what they were going through as they were waiting for us to come home. I can’t thank them enough. I can’t thank them enough for the care packages that we received; everybody waited for those. You didn’t get to eat them on your own, all the cookies and stuff, because as soon as you opened them, it was a madhouse. It was always, always appreciated.
As a matter of fact, we have a group of Blue Star Mothers up in the northwest Gallery who I would like us to recognize. We appreciate you and we love you. I ask my colleagues to adopt this resolution to commemorate Blue Star Mother’s Day and honor the service and sacrifice of our Blue Star Mothers.
Recess
Senator Singh moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
The motion prevailed, the time being 10:22 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Moss.
Senator Camilleri offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 90.
A resolution to affirm this chamber’s commitment to supporting an extension of the Affordable Connectivity Program, recognizing that this program provides Michigan citizens statewide with access to affordable broadband services.
Whereas, Congress has directed the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to administer the Affordable Connectivity
Program (ACP), which is a successor program to the Emergency Broadband Benefit,
a program that helped almost nine million households nationwide afford internet
access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the provisions of the ACP, eligible
households may receive up to thirty dollars per month toward internet service.
For households on qualifying tribal lands, this benefit may increase to seventy-five
dollars per month. The ACP also provides that eligible households may receive a
one-time discount of up to one hundred dollars to purchase a laptop, desktop
computer, or tablet from participating providers; and
Whereas, Where broadband internet access is available, the ACP allows subscribers to afford internet speeds and devices sufficient for key online activities, such as at-home learning, health care, banking, and public services. Where broadband access is not available, the ACP incentivizes the deployment of new broadband infrastructure; and
Whereas, The FCC recently announced that, due to a lack of additional funding provided for the ACP, it would begin the process of terminating the program. Over 900,000 households within the State of Michigan are currently enrolled in the ACP and are at risk of losing affordable access to internet services in 2024 if Congress does not fund an extension of the program. The ACP is a critical program for Michigan citizens and, along with other sources of state funding, is a vital means to build and improve broadband infrastructure, provide internet devices to those who lack them, and promote the adoption of modern technology among our least-connected citizens. All these factors demonstrate that the ACP is an essential catalyst for Michigan’s economic growth, workforce development, and innovation. Allowing this program to end would be a great disservice to Michiganians who rely on the program to access vital online services and resources; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we affirm this chamber’s commitment to supporting an extension of the Affordable Connectivity Program, recognizing that this program provides Michigan citizens statewide with access to affordable broadband services; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the Michigan congressional delegation.
The question being on the adoption of the resolution,
Senators Brinks, Geiss, Santana and Wojno were named co-sponsors of the resolution.
Introduction and Referral of Bills
Senators Huizenga, Damoose, Bellino, Webber, Hauck, Hoitenga and Daley introduced
A bill to amend 1967 PA 281, entitled “Income tax act of 1967,” by amending section 51d (MCL 206.51d), as amended by 2020 PA 75.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Senators Huizenga, Damoose, Bellino, Webber, Hauck, Hoitenga and Daley introduced
A bill to amend 1951 PA 51, entitled “An act to provide for the classification of all public roads, streets, and highways in this state, and for the revision of that classification and for additions to and deletions from each classification; to set up and establish the Michigan transportation fund; to provide for the deposits in the Michigan transportation fund of specific taxes on motor vehicles and motor vehicle fuels; to provide for the allocation of funds from the Michigan transportation fund and the use and administration of the fund for transportation purposes; to promote safe and efficient travel for motor vehicle drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other legal users of roads, streets, and highways; to set up and establish the truck safety fund; to provide for the allocation of funds from the truck safety fund and administration of the fund for truck safety purposes; to set up and establish the Michigan truck safety commission; to establish certain standards for road contracts for certain businesses; to provide for the continuing review of transportation needs within the state; to authorize the state transportation commission, counties, cities, and villages to borrow money, issue bonds, and make pledges of funds for transportation purposes; to authorize counties to advance funds for the payment of deficiencies necessary for the payment of bonds issued under this act; to provide for the limitations, payment, retirement, and security of the bonds and pledges; to provide for appropriations and tax levies by counties and townships for county roads; to authorize contributions by townships for county roads; to provide for the establishment and administration of the state trunk line fund, local bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds; to provide for the deposits in the state trunk line fund, critical bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds of money raised by specific taxes and fees; to provide for definitions of public transportation functions and criteria; to define the purposes for which Michigan transportation funds may be allocated; to provide for Michigan transportation fund grants; to provide for review and approval of transportation programs; to provide for submission of annual legislative requests and reports; to provide for the establishment and functions of certain advisory entities; to provide for conditions for grants; to provide for the issuance of bonds and notes for transportation purposes; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for the making of loans for transportation purposes by the state transportation department and for the receipt and repayment by local units and agencies of those loans from certain specified sources; to investigate and study the tolling of roads, streets, highways, or bridges; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending sections 10 and 11 (MCL 247.660 and 247.661), section 10 as amended by 2022 PA 50 and section 11 as amended by 2015 PA 175.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Senator Hertel introduced
A bill to amend 2018 PA 57, entitled “Recodified tax increment financing act,” by amending section 201 (MCL 125.4201).
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Local Government.
Senator Singh introduced
A bill to amend 1939 PA 280, entitled “The social welfare act,” by amending section 110a (MCL 400.110a), as added by 2018 PA 220.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Senators Singh, Lauwers and Moss introduced
A bill to amend 1980 PA 299, entitled “Occupational code,” by amending sections 1206, 1209, and 1210 (MCL 339.1206, 339.1209, and 339.1210), as amended by 1997 PA 97.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs.
Senators Singh, Lauwers and Moss introduced
A bill to amend 1980 PA 299, entitled “Occupational code,” (MCL 339.101 to 339.2677) by adding section 1205b.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs.
Senator Singh introduced
Senate Bill No. 704, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 11550 and 11582 (MCL 324.11550 and 324.11582), section 11550 as amended by 2022 PA 248 and section 11582 as added by 2022 PA 250.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of
Messages from the Governor
The following messages from the Governor were received and read:
January 31, 2024
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 223 of 1976, MCL 18.352:
Crime Victim Services Commission
Thomas Clement of
1525 Stanlake Drive, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, Ingham County, reappointed
to represent Independents and members admitted to practice law in this state
not less than 5 years immediately preceding his or her appointment, for a term
commencing January 31, 2024, and expiring September 27, 2026.
January 31, 2024
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointments to office pursuant to Public Act 350 of 1980, MCL 550.1652:
Michigan Health Endowment Fund Board
Ms. Zaineb Hussein of 26043 Shirley Lane, Dearborn Heights, Michigan 48127, county of Wayne, succeeding Susan Jandernoa whose term has expired, appointed to represent the nominee of the Speaker of the House, for a term commencing January 31, 2024, and expiring October 1, 2027.
Mr. David Nyberg of 430 West Park Street, Marquette, Michigan 49855, county of Marquette, succeeding Tina Reynolds whose term has expired, appointed to represent the nominee of the Senate Minority Leader, for a term commencing January 31, 2024, and expiring October 1, 2027.
Ms. Lynn Chen-Zhang of 7596 Oakshore Drive South, Portage, Michigan, 49024, county of Kalamazoo, succeeding Zaineb Hussein whose term has expired, appointed to represent the nominee of the House Minority Leader, for a term commencing January 31, 2024, and expiring October 1, 2027.
January 31, 2024
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointments to office pursuant to Public Act 368 of 1978, MCL 333.17021:
Michigan Board of Medicine
Holly Gilmer of 19471 Lowell Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48203, Wayne County, reappointed to represent physicians, for a term commencing January 31, 2024, and expiring on December 31, 2027.
Michael Lewis of 1009 South Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, Michigan 48067, Oakland County, reappointed to represent physicians, for a term commencing January 31, 2024, and expiring on December 31, 2027.
Angela Trepanier of 27785 Western Golf Drive, Livonia, Michigan 48154, Wayne County, reappointed to represent genetic counselors, for a term commencing January 31, 2024, and expiring on December 31, 2027.
Brigitte Lorenz of 779 Loggers Circle, Rochester, Michigan 48307, Oakland County, succeeding Ali Moiin whose term has expired, appointed to represent physicians, for a term commencing January 31, 2024, and expiring on December 31, 2027.
Stephen Zintsmaster of 20555 Lincoln Hills Court, Beverly Hills, Michigan 48025, Oakland County, succeeding Bryan Little whose term has expired, appointed to represent physicians, for a term commencing January 31, 2024, and expiring on December 31, 2027.
Respectfully,
Gretchen Whitmer
Governor
The appointments were referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of
Motions and Communications
Senate Bill No. 643, entitled
A bill to amend 1951 PA 51, entitled “An act to provide for the classification of all public roads, streets, and highways in this state, and for the revision of that classification and for additions to and deletions from each classification; to set up and establish the Michigan transportation fund; to provide for the deposits in the Michigan transportation fund of specific taxes on motor vehicles and motor vehicle fuels; to provide for the allocation of funds from the Michigan transportation fund and the use and administration of the fund for transportation purposes; to promote safe and efficient travel for motor vehicle drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other legal users of roads, streets, and highways; to set up and establish the truck safety fund; to provide for the allocation of funds from the truck safety fund and administration of the fund for truck safety purposes; to set up and establish the Michigan truck safety commission; to establish certain standards for road contracts for certain businesses; to provide for the continuing review of transportation needs within the state; to authorize the state transportation commission, counties, cities, and villages to borrow money, issue bonds, and make pledges of funds for transportation purposes; to authorize counties to advance funds for the payment of deficiencies necessary for the payment of bonds issued under this act; to provide for the limitations, payment, retirement, and security of the bonds and pledges; to provide for appropriations and tax levies by counties and townships for county roads; to authorize contributions by townships for county roads; to provide for the establishment and administration of the state trunk line fund, local bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds; to provide for the deposits in the state trunk line fund, critical bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds of money raised by specific taxes and fees; to provide for definitions of public transportation functions and criteria; to define the purposes for which Michigan transportation funds may be allocated; to provide for Michigan transportation fund grants; to provide for review and approval of transportation programs; to provide for submission of annual legislative requests and reports; to provide for the establishment and functions of certain advisory entities; to provide for conditions for grants; to provide for the issuance of bonds and notes for transportation purposes; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for the making of loans for transportation purposes by the state transportation department and for the receipt and repayment by local units and agencies of those loans from certain specified sources; to investigate and study the tolling of roads, streets, highways, or bridges; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” (MCL 247.651 to 247.675) by adding section 14b.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, and the bill was placed on the order of General Orders.
House Bill No. 5028, entitled
A bill to invalidate certain provisions in homeowners’ association agreements that prohibit the replacement, maintenance, installation, or operation of certain energy-saving improvements or modifications or the installation of solar energy systems; to provide for the adoption of certain policy statements; to prescribe penalties and remedies; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, and the bill was placed on the order of General Orders.
Senate Bill No. 558, entitled
A bill to invalidate provisions in homeowners’ association agreements that prohibit the installation of certain solar generators; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, and the bill was placed on the order of General Orders.
Senate Bill No. 643, entitled
A bill to amend 1951 PA 51, entitled “An act to provide for the classification of all public roads, streets, and highways in this state, and for the revision of that classification and for additions to and deletions from each classification; to set up and establish the Michigan transportation fund; to provide for the deposits in the Michigan transportation fund of specific taxes on motor vehicles and motor vehicle fuels; to provide for the allocation of funds from the Michigan transportation fund and the use and administration of the fund for transportation purposes; to promote safe and efficient travel for motor vehicle drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other legal users of roads, streets, and highways; to set up and establish the truck safety fund; to provide for the allocation of funds from the truck safety fund and administration of the fund for truck safety purposes; to set up and establish the Michigan truck safety commission; to establish certain standards for road contracts for certain businesses; to provide for the continuing review of transportation needs within the state; to authorize the state transportation commission, counties, cities, and villages to borrow money, issue bonds, and make pledges of funds for transportation purposes; to authorize counties to advance funds for the payment of deficiencies necessary for the payment of bonds issued under this act; to provide for the limitations, payment, retirement, and security of the bonds and pledges; to provide for appropriations and tax levies by counties and townships for county roads; to authorize contributions by townships for county roads; to provide for the establishment and administration of the state trunk line fund, local bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds; to provide for the deposits in the state trunk line fund, critical bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds of money raised by specific taxes and fees; to provide for definitions of public transportation functions and criteria; to define the purposes for which Michigan transportation funds may be allocated; to provide for Michigan transportation fund grants; to provide for review and approval of transportation programs; to provide for submission of annual legislative requests and reports; to provide for the establishment and functions of certain advisory entities; to provide for conditions for grants; to provide for the issuance of bonds and notes for transportation purposes; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for the making of loans for transportation purposes by the state transportation department and for the receipt and repayment by local units and agencies of those loans from certain specified sources; to investigate and study the tolling of roads, streets, highways, or bridges; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” (MCL 247.651 to 247.675) by adding section 14b.
The motion prevailed.
House Bill No. 5028, entitled
A bill to invalidate certain provisions in homeowners’ association agreements that prohibit the replacement, maintenance, installation, or operation of certain energy-saving improvements or modifications or the installation of solar energy systems; to provide for the adoption of certain policy statements; to prescribe penalties and remedies; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities.
Senate Bill No. 558, entitled
A bill to invalidate provisions in homeowners’ association agreements that prohibit the installation of certain solar generators; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities.
Recess
Senator Singh moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
The motion prevailed, the time being 11:03 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Moss.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Statements
The motion prevailed.
Senator Lindsey’s statement is as follows:
Mr. President, national security experts have been raising, excuse the pun, red flags about the risk China poses to the United States for several years. They’ve warned of the ways the Chinese Communist Party is trying to infiltrate and compromise our national security, including through industrial espionage. They’ve warned that Chinese corporations are beholden to the Chinese government, that they work hand-in-hand with the Chinese government, and that the Chinese government has become increasingly aggressive in its efforts in recent years.
Despite these repeated warnings, Governor
Whitmer and the majority in this chamber have not only allowed Chinese
corporations to locate on our shores, but have used taxpayer dollars to
subsidize them and incentivize them to do so. Billions of taxpayer dollars have
been directed to a company that could well be used to compromise our national
security.
But don’t take my word for it, you certainly haven’t up until this point. Yesterday, in a congressional hearing, Leon Panetta—mind you, he was Bill Clinton’s chief of staff and Barack Obama’s CIA director and Defense Secretary—specifically cited the Gotion battery plant as a threat to American security. Quote, “I don’t think there’s any question that they’re going to take advantage of that situation. …They’ll establish a manufacturing unit…and then they will use that for their own intelligence purposes. …They’ll use it to be able to gain the kind of advantages that are counter, frankly, to the interest of the United States,” end quote.
Mr. President, this is one of the Democratic Party’s leading national defense experts explicitly warning that the Gotion plant will be used by the Chinese Communist Party to harm the United States. What more does our Governor need to hear before she pulls back on this dangerous project? What more do my colleagues across the aisle need to hear? What will their press releases or their TikToks about some new jobs actually cost the people of Michigan, and at what risk to our national security? I don’t expect Democrats to listen to me, but maybe you’ll listen to people like Leon Panetta from your own party. Heed their warnings before not only allowing the CCP to locate in our backyard but paying them billions of taxpayer dollars to do so.
Senator Geiss’ statement, in which Senators Anthony and Santana concurred, is as follows:
I’m thrilled to be joined by my colleagues—our colleagues—Senators Anthony and Santana because I rise to recognize that today, as with every year pretty much since 1915, is the start of Black History Month—and yay, we get 29 days this year because it’s a leap year.
Black history isn’t just about one month; it’s every day, every year. In recent years, there’s been a theme for each Black History Month. This year’s theme, I’m really excited about this year’s theme y’all, this year’s theme is African Americans and the Arts. Most of you guys know, before I came here, my job was in architectural history. Let me just name some of the pantheon. Whether it’s Henry Ossawa Tanner, Faith Ringgold, Harry Belafonte, Beyoncé, Jacob Lawrence, Eartha Kitt, Kara Walker, Tyree Guyton of the Heidelberg Project, Alice Walker, Jean-Michel Basquiat, James Baldwin, Nikki Giovanni, the pantheon of Black artists—visual, performing, literary—is vast and wide and deep.
Here in Michigan, we have the first museum devoted to African American history. In fact, it inspired the National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History—which when I moved here 21 years ago today, was my first job in my field, at that museum, working on the And Still We Rise exhibition—and it happens to be located at 315 Warren Avenue to be exact, in Detroit. I want to urge our colleagues that this month, make it a point to go downtown and visit that very pivotal museum that is part of the fabric of not just Michigan, not just Detroit, but of our nation.
As we celebrate Black History Month and as we think about the different types of art and the way that Black artists have infused and injected every part of culture in this country, that you take some time to look at those very important, pivotal artists who influence all of us in ways that we know and don’t know. I want to thank you for this time and I hope everyone has a happy Black History Month.
Senator Johnson entered the Senate Chamber.
Senator Webber’s statement is as follows:
By now, my colleagues should be aware of the disturbing problems that plagued the Hawthorn Center, Michigan’s only psychiatric hospital for minors. Yesterday, it was reported by the Detroit Free Press that employees and parents of children at the hospital who sued the state after an unannounced active intruder drill in 2022 have reached a proposed settlement agreement with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for $13 million. The settlement represents an acknowledgment by the department that their patients and employees were deemed harmed by their ineffective and poor management of the Hawthorn Center.
While I hope that parents can find some solace of relief through this settlement, it points to the larger systemic problems throughout our state-run psychiatric hospitals. As one parent put it, the settlement agreement is a “lot of money for the state to throw out at this issue,” but that he was disappointed with the lack of “accountability for the decision-makers who made this decision in the first place.” We must ensure that these patients and their parents receive true accountability for this terrible situation.
Last June, I requested a Senate hearing to investigate ongoing problems at Hawthorn. As of today, seven months later, we have no action by the majority. While I am grateful that the Office of the Auditor General has accepted my audit request to investigate the Office of Recipients Rights for how it handles allegations at the Hawthorn Center and other state-run psychiatric hospitals, we can, and we must, do more.
Our state resources
should be going towards helping our residents who need the department’s
services instead of paying out legal fees and court settlements. More
importantly, families should not have to worry about the basic well-being of
their loved ones while in the state’s care. I look forward to the state Auditor
General investigating the department and holding our state officials
accountable, because that’s what these families deserve.
Appropriations and House Appropriations, Joint – Wednesday, February 7, 11:00 a.m., State Room, Heritage Hall, Capitol Building (517) 373-5307
Senator Singh moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion prevailed, the time being 11:23 a.m.
The President pro tempore, Senator Moss, declared the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
DANIEL OBERLIN
Secretary of the Senate