Your Defending Fathers

2 days ago

1st hour discussion today, Tuesday 2-25-20; MIRS NEWS

Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Whether Religious Beliefs Trump Gay Rights In Foster Care

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether foster care agencies can use their religious beliefs to decline to work with same-sex couples seeking to foster or adopt.

The court agreed today to hear Fulton v. Philadelphia, Case No. 19-123, which might have an effect on similar cases in Michigan where religious-based adoption agencies continue to challenge a proposed federal settlement that prevented faith-based adoption agencies in the state from declining to work with same-sex couples. (See "Judge Halts Same-Sex Adoption Settlement," 9/26/19; "Another Catholic Charity Files Challenge To AG's Adoption Settlement," 4/6/19; and "New Lawsuit Challenges Same-Sex Adoption Settlement," 4/15/19.)

"Whatever the court does, it is likely to have some effect on the controversies we've had in Michigan," Samuel BAGENSTOS, a civil rights attorney and University of Michigan law professor, told MIRS today.

According to court documents, the city of Philadelphia ended its contract with Catholic Social Services because church officials declined to consider same-sex couples because it violates their sincere religious beliefs. The city argued it requires its contractors to abide by the city's civil rights provisions, including a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation.

"Just as no LGBT couples are prevented from marrying because a particular church does not perform same-sex weddings, no LGBT couples are prevented from fostering because a particular church cannot provide an endorsement," plaintiffs' attorneys said in their July petition to the court. "Yet, many churches will be prevented from exercising religion by caring for at-risk children, all due to a disagreement with the government about marriage."

Bagenstos said one of the questions presented in Fulton is whether the government violates the First Amendment if it excludes religious agencies from social services for following its religious beliefs. An affirmative response could have an effect in Michigan, he noted.

The court also could decide to reverse its 1990 opinion, written by the late conservative icon Antonin SCALIA, in Employment Division v. Smith, which held the state could deny unemployment benefits to a person fired for violating a state prohibition on the use of peyote, even though the use of the drug was part of a religious ritual.

Peyote is a powerful hallucinogen used in religious ceremonies in the Native American Church.

While Congress passed legislation that reversed the decision in cases involving the federal government, the Smith decision remains the law in state cases and many people on the Religious Right have pushed to overrule the controversial decision.

However, Bagenstos noted, Chief Justice John ROBERTS Jr.'s court has been "very solicitous of the interest of religious organizations that sought exemptions from civil rights law and other mandates designed to promote social welfare objectives."

The replacement of President Ronald Reagan appointees, Scalia and Justice Anthony KENNEDY, by President Donald TRUMP's nominees, Justices Neil GORSUCH and Brett KAVANAUGH, respectively, has led to an expectation that the court is moving even further to the right on these religious liberty issues.

"It has been a major priority of the Religious Right for a long time to try to get more religious exemptions from general laws, and particularly from anti-discrimination laws and from anti-discrimination like provisions, like a rule that says you can't participate in our adoption services if you discriminate against same-sex couples," Bagenstos said.

"I think a lot of people would be putting down bets today that the folks who are seeking religious exemption would win here, but I don't know about that," he added. "That seems plausible to me, but I think the real question is how broadly the win will extend and what exactly is the court going to say that is really going to make all the difference in these cases." ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers

1 month ago

1st Hour discussion, today, Monday 1-13-20;
CALL TO ACTION - TONIGHT AT 6 PM - PETOSKEY, MI!!!

Please attend the County Commissioners' Board meeting in Petoskey, MI. Emmet County Court House (200 Division St.) - Commissioners' Room, starting right at 6:00 pm.

Emmet County Chair for Michigan for 2A Sanctuary Counties - David McKay, will be presenting our Resolution to the County Commissioners, and he needs your support and encouragement!! ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers

2 months ago

1st hour discussion today, Thursday 1-2-20; Michigan for 2A Sanctuary Counties, and the World's History of what happened when citizens were disarmed (the government took their guns away). ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers

2 months ago

2nd hour discussion today, Monday 12-16-19;
MIRS News Service

Legislature, Governor Combine For Fewest PAs Since 1960

Feel like the 2019 session was slower than usual? You're not mistaken.

The 2018 session saw 690 public acts (PAs) signed into law, second only to John ENGLER's last year in office in 2002 (747) as the most since the 1963 Constitution.

Assuming Gov. Gretchen WHITMER signs all 34 outstanding bills awaiting action, the 2019 session of the Michigan Legislature will have gotten 180 public acts enacted, the fewest number of PAs since Gov. Soapy WILLIAMS' last year in office in 1960.

This collection of PAs is based on numbers collected from the official state of Michigan book of public acts published at the end of each year's session.

As of Dec. 12, Whitmer has signed 146 bills into law. She had two on her desk awaiting action, with one of them being the reversal of the deer baiting ban, which is highly unlikely to be signed.

The House Clerk's office has 27 bills to send her and the Secretary of the Senate has another five to process. In all likelihood, Whitmer will sign no more than 179 bills this session.

By comparison, the Legislature sent to former Gov. Rick SNYDER 401 bills in lame duck alone, meaning lawmakers passed twice as many bills in the last six weeks of 2018 than all 52 weeks of 2019.

Historically, odd-numbered years produce fewer bills than even-numbered years, as bills started at the beginning of the term wrap up at the term's end. The average number of bills signed into law in odd-numbered years from 1951 to 2017 is 280. The average number of bills signed in even-numbered years from 1952 to 2018 is 443.

Before 1951, the state Legislature tended to only meet in odd-numbered years until May or June. The Governor did call the Legislature into special session in even-numbered years pre-1952, but the workload was nowhere near the same as the regular odd-numbered-year session.

After 1952, when the Legislature started meeting regularly every year, 1960 is the only other year outside of 2019 in which fewer than 200 bills have been signed into law.

Here's some other notes:

- Of the 179 bills Whitmer is expected to sign, 110 are House bills and 69 are Senate bills.

- Snyder signed 323 bills in his first year in 2011. Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM signed 322 in her first year with a Republican Legislature in 2003. Gov. John ENGLER signed 201 in his first year in 1991. Gov. James BLANCHARD signed 259 in 1983.

- In 1969, when Gov. Bill MILLIKEN took over, 346 bills were signed. Gov. George ROMNEY signed a combined 317 public acts (249 in the regular session and first special session and another 68 in a second special session). Gov. John SWAINSON signed 239 in 1961. Williams signed 317 in his first year in 1949.

- In 1960, Williams' last year in office, the Republican-led Legislature got 163 PAs out of the Governor until he called a pair of special sessions to create a health care program for those 65 and older and to pass legislation implementing the voter-approved 4% sales tax. They ended up getting another four PA’s out of the session.

MIRS reached out to the Governor's office, House Speaker and Senate Majority Leader for response. Gideon D'ASSANDRO, press secretary for House Speaker Lee CHATFIELD (R-Levering), commended the new dual review process in the House for properly vetting all bills before they come to the floor.

Highlighted by the new Ways & Means Committee, most bills are getting a second set of eyes before going to the floor and that may not mean policy is moving quicker, but what is moving is more thoroughly reviewed, D'Assandro said.

In speaking with various lawmakers, lobbyists and officials over the last week about the fewer number of bills in 2019, a few observations have been shared confidentially:

- Whitmer's intense focus on raising money to fix more roads has pushed many other policy initiatives to the backburner, leaving some lawmakers without a clear idea where she stands on their issues.

- The Senate Majority Leader and Speaker made it clear that reforming the state's auto no-fault insurance law would be their top priority in 2019, and it was. Much of the oxygen in both chambers was sucked up on this issue in the spring and that didn't result in more than a few PAs.

- With a Democratic governor and Republican Legislature, there haven't been many natural areas of agreement outside of criminal justice reform, which has accounted for about a quarter of the PAs signed to date.

- The budget stalemate of the summer and fall locked up discussion on any bill involving the spending or raising of money for at least half the year. ... See MoreSee Less

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3 months ago

TONIGHT,...Tuesday Dec. 3rd at 7:00 PM!!!

Join us on a conference call by calling; 712.770.8002
Then enter the PIN/Code #; 605097 #

Leadership of the Michigan Heartbeat Coalition will be giving us an update on the petition drive and answer your questions!!!Please share with all your friends in Emmet County! ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers

3 months ago

Looking forward to interviewing the candidates running to replace U.S. Congressman - Justin Amash to represent the 3rd Congressional District of Michigan, on tomorrow's Monday, December 2, 2019 show starting at 10:15 am. Then driving down to Grand Rapids to assist the moderator of their debate starting at 7 pm,...going to be a fun filled day!!! Listen on 97.7 FM - WCHY in Cheboygan or online at; www.yourdefendingfathers.com ... See MoreSee Less

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3 months ago

Northern Michigan,...ENJOY the Super Hits of the 60's, 70's. MoTown and the Roots of Rock & Roll,...with a few Christmas Songs,...ALL WEEKEND LONG!!! 97.7 FM - WCHY, Cheboygan,...and online at; www.wchy.us ... See MoreSee Less

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3 months ago

Please Share!!!Please share with all your friends in Emmet County! ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers shared a post.

3 months ago

Our morning show host - Steve Gruber Show conducted an interview with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, and it will air on our station, Thursday, Nov. 21st, 2019 at 7:30 am. Be sure to tune in and hear this great interview!!! ... See MoreSee Less

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4 months ago

We had a power and internet outage this morning. Working to get the music back on 97.7 FM, but NO show for "Your Defending Fathers" this morning. We are working on the problem and hopefully will be back on tomorrow. Thanks for understanding and listening!!! ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers

4 months ago

1st hour discussion today, Tuesday 11-5-19; MIRS News Service

Gilchrist Letter Signals Potential Breakthrough In Negotiations

Gov. Gretchen WHITMER and legislative leaders may, at long last, have found their common ground in regards to the elongated back-and-forth over the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget.

Lt. Gov. Garlin GILCHRIST penned a letter today that reads Whitmer is open to allowing the Legislature to insert boilerplate provisions into budgets that would block the Governor from using her administrative board powers to move around money within departments.

This proposal appears to match legislation introduced last week by Rep. Shane HERNANDEZ (R-Port Huron) that would give the Legislature the power to block the Administrative Board transfers (See "Whitmer Offers To Undo 'Certain' Ad Board Transfers; Lawmakers Suggest 'All,'" 10/29/19).

The Gilchrist letter reads, that the Governor would support "Boilerplate language that would reflect the agreement not to use the state administrative board transfer powers, which the governor would agree to follow and not challenge."'

Whitmer would sign a message that would affirm this agreement. She'd also make it part of a negotiated target agreement that would be discussed at a joint press conference. She said she would rescind one or more of the state administrative board transfers.

"We were all sent here by our constituents to work together on their behalf and find pathways through any impasse," Gilchrist wrote. "I know this is possible."

Would Whitmer sign legislation making this agreement permanent, however?

Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5176 simply reads that the state Administrative Board has the authority to transfer money around within departments "unless otherwise provided by law," meaning a budget bill would block a transfer.

If Hernandez's Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5176 is what Whitmer has in mind or can be amended to reflect what she has in mind (a possible sunset?), it could signal a significant breakthrough in the standoff between the two. Whitmer meets with House Speaker Lee CHATFIELD (R-Levering) and Senate Majority Leader Mike SHIRKEY (R-ClarkLake) Tuesday. ... See MoreSee Less

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4 months ago

Today's (Wednesday) noon press conference will be streamed live on the Michigan Heartbeat Coalition's Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/MIHeartbeat

Be sure to tune in! ... See MoreSee Less

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4 months ago

AMEN Bob Cushman,...great sign!!! ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers

4 months ago

3rd hour discussion today Wednesday, 10-23-19;
MIRS News Service

Shirkey, Chatfield Working With VNP On Term-Limit Expansion

Michigan's legislative leaders are working on a legislative term-limit expansion deal with Voters Not Politicians, the grassroots organization that brought the state the new redistricting commission, and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

The conceptual plan, which won't be finalized until December, would be that lawmakers could serve a combined 20 years in both the House and Senate before they would be broomed from office.

The length of the combined years is still flexible and would be based on what future polling looks like. As part of the arrangement, House Speaker Lee CHATFIELD (R-Levering) and Senate Majority Leader Mike SHIRKEY (R-Clarklake) would add other ethics reform measure into the mix that VNP members are passionate about.

Other questions on whether the expansion would include currently serving or past members also needs to be fleshed out. Legislative leaders are conscious about not wanting the proposal to appear to be self-serving, but they also don't to run into any legal problems of excluding a certain group of people from the expanded restriction.

Reforms VNP have been interested in pursuing include lame-duck reform, ending the "revolving door" of legislators becoming lobbyists and expanding the Freedom of Information Act to legislators and the executive branch.

"The Senate Majority Leader has a known interest in addressing the issue of term limits and the fact that they have been a failed experiment," said Shirkey spokesperson Amber McCANN. "He and the Speaker have found a willing partner in VNP. They have some reforms that they would like to pursue in conjunction with the issue of term limits changes. We have found some common ground and are moving forward with that consensus."

Shirkey and Chatfield briefed their respective legislative chambers on the development today.

"I have always prioritized greater government transparency, accountability and efficiency," Chatfield said. "I'm glad to be partnering with anyone who is willing to come to the table and work together on a real, responsible plan to make state government better for the people of Michigan."

Reached for comment, Michigan Chamber of Commerce President Rich STUDLEY told MIRS that, yes, there have been recent discussions with "traditional and non-traditional partners" as well as legislators about seeing what proposals the Legislature could enact to strengthen state government and transparency.

While there is no "agreement or proposal," just yet, Studley said the Chamber is open to discussions. The thinking is if those proposals are enacted, it might give the public more confidence and allow the door to be cracked on reforming term limits -- something Studley noted the Chamber has been discussing on and off for years.

In 1992, Michigan voters passed a constitutional amendment that limits Michigan residents to being elected to three two-year terms in the state House and two four-year terms in the state Senate.

A change to the Constitution would require a vote of the people. To put a term-limits amendment on the ballot, the Legislature could either pass a joint concurrent resolution with a two-thirds vote majority or VNP would need to collect 425,059 valid Michigan voter signatures within a six-month window.

To get the amendment on the Nov. 3, 2020 ballot, the signatures would need to be turned in by July 6, 2020.

Today's breakthrough is substantial. Former House Speaker Rick JOHNSON and former Senate Majority Leader Randy RICHARDVILLE are among the many state leaders who have talked about expanding the six-year limitation in the House and eight-year limitation in the Senate.

Each time, however, the proposal collapsed on its weight as internal polls showed any term-limits expansion effort would fail. According to Patrick ANDERSON, CEO of the Anderson Economic Group, who worked for the original term-limits proposal in 1992, the same would happen with this proposal if it ever got off the ground.

All the focus groups and polls in the world won't produce a "faux-populist," "pushmi-pullyu" proposal that would fool the voters, he said.

"The legislature, VNP and the Michigan Chamber all coming together. What could go wrong?" Anderson chuckled. "This is more like a concept for a game show than a plan for government. How are we going to explain this to our kids? And exactly who thought that keeping legislators in office for two decades was a plan for ‘transparency?’"

The efforts have continuously fallen apart amid poor polling data. Working with Voters Not Politicians, who successfully pushed through a petition drive in 2018 to create a new citizen redistricting commission, gives legislative leaders a popular ally to help make reforms.

VNP Executive Director Nancy WANG said earlier this summer that her members were putting together "good government, pro-democracy reforms" for a potential petition drive in 2020 or 2022. Reforming term limits -- either extending or eliminating them -- was among the ideas on the table (See "VNP 'Actively Looking' At Term Limits For Possible Ballot Drive," 7/12/19).

"Today, she said, Voters Not Politicians is committed to advancing reforms that will make our government more transparent and accountable to the people, including ending the revolving door, term limits, opening the Legislature and governor to FOIA, and ethics reforms all aimed at restoring Michigan voters’ faith in our state and democracy.

"We have spoken with many groups, including some lawmakers, who could move these reforms forward, and we will consider taking them to the ballot should that be necessary."

Fifteen states have legislative term limits and only Arkansas has terms as restrictive as Michigan's. California's term limits were modified in 2012 to a 12-year cumulative total, in either or both chambers. ... See MoreSee Less

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