Monthly Archive for Michigan
Michigan Stories Posted in July 2008
Universal Healthcare for Michigan Ballot Measure Fails to Acquire Enough Signatures, Other Ballot Proposals May Qualify
Category: Healthcare · State: Michigan · Source: Michigan State University
A universal health care proposal will not be on Michigan's November ballot because supporters fell short of collecting enough signatures from voters. The Healthcare for Michigan Ballot Committee got about 133,000 signatures for a proposal to require the Legislature to pass laws ensuring every state citizen has affordable and comprehensive health coverage. More than 380,000 valid signatures, or 10 percent of the total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election, are needed to put before voters measures changing the state constitution. John Freeman, a former state representative who led the campaign, said Friday that grass-roots support was great with hundreds of volunteers helping circulate petitions. But the group had money woes, a crucial factor because ballot drives often have to pay people to collect signatures. Freeman said it was tough to raise money because potential donors were tapped a lot during the lengthy Democratic presidential primary season. About 450,000 signatures would have been needed by July 7 as a cushion to get the health care proposal on the ballot, Freeman said. "That's a huge challenge," he said.
Shut the Spigots on Selling Out State Water
Category: Environment · State: Michigan · Source: Detroit Free Press
If you're not in favor of commercializing the Great Lakes, you won't be pleased by the water policy Michigan's Legislature has just enacted. The PR campaign would have you believe that the new laws are a giant breakthrough in the protection of Michigan and Great Lakes water. The reality: While the laws contain some worthwhile features, they establish a state policy that the water in Michigan's lakes and streams and springs can be sold; that our water can be exported in any volume as long as it goes out in containers of 20 liters or less; that up to 25% of any Michigan river or stream can be legally consumed by water exporters and others; and that groundwater, which supplies up to 50% of the flow to the rivers and Great Lakes that we enjoy for fishing, boating, swimming and drinking, is not protected by a public trust standard.
Other Monthly Archives for Michigan
- July 2008 (2)