Tag: Arlan Meekhof

We're getting to them . . . and they've just screwed up large.

Jack Hoogendyk penned a piece the other day that might have turned a few heads.  His email article "Money, Power, Quid Pro Quo - How it Destroys Good Policy" used a story from the 'watching Michigan' site that suggested Arlan Meekhof's position on Medicaid expansion might be compromised by a desire for leadership.  The article painted a scenario under which it seemed possible that Senator Meekhof might capitulate to expansion:

"But, by rising to the seat power as leader, you too are owing to someone. All that money you spread around during the campaign; where did that come from? The lobbyists. And those lobby groups that endowed you with all that cash, do you think maybe they have a few quid pro quos as well? Oh, yeah.

...

I remember when there was a key vote on insurance reform in 2003. Blue Cross/Blue Shield had much to gain if the vote went their way. They had to put a full court press on Republican lawmakers to get the needed votes. Several members were swayed by promises that "your campaign debt will go away."

Hoogendyk ended with wonderment of of the house votes and a question whether Arlan Meekhoff, as a man of integrity would cave to the a desire to grow in office.

"... Were they promised help in the upcoming election? A few seats could be in trouble because of the Freedom to Work vote. Some future campaign cash could be helpful...in exchange for a key vote now.

I know Arlen Meekhof quite well. He is a man of integrity. I appreciate that he has always stood tall on social issues. He is a staunch defender of life and traditional values. But, is he vulnerable to the intoxicating lure of power? Will Arlen Meekhof compromise his principles in exchange for leadership? Only time, his votes and his post-election campaign finance report will tell for sure."

Michigan State Representative Tom McMillin, the 2013 chair, joined by State Senators John Pappageorge, (Alternate Chair) Arlan Meekhof, Jim Marleau, Tupac Hunter, Bert Johnson Representatives Jim Stamas, Amanda Price, Harvey Santana, & Douglas Geiss make up the JCAR (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules).  Bolger reports in his email blast:

"The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) has been especially active this session, monitoring, questioning, and confronting red tape that goes beyond what is written into law. More than 1,000 administrative rules have already been reviewed, leading to several JCAR actions that have produced concrete results. These actions include the rescission of a proposed sales tax rule that exceeded statutory authority and elimination of a Department of Education policy prohibiting 16- and 17 year-old students from being lifeguards. The MDE policy was not derived from any particular official rule or statutory authority - it was simply a policy created by bureaucrats. We are taking a more proactive approach to using JCAR this session as a means of reviewing and investigating administrative rules that are often just getting in the way of Michiganders living their lives."

We should be hoping for a complete report soon?

As this is a great way to assure that our Michigan legislative action is properly implemented, it might also be a great lesson we can pass along to the representatives we send to DC.  Seriously, its a good time to pass along a great idea.

A Michigan legislator wants legislation that bans the murder of children who happen to be unfortunate enough to have been conceived and carried in Michigan.  "Unfortunate" at least till now.

State Sen. Arlan Meekhof, is introducing (not yet enrolled)  SB 160 to ban the practice of partial birth abortion in Michigan.  The practice which has had other attempts to ban it by legislators only to be shot down by the former governatrix Jennifer Granholm. When presented with the opportunity as passed by the house 72 34 and senate 24 to 13 in 2008.

This time its different.  Or at least one would think so.

First off, the language is supposed to mirror already constitutionally vetted language by congress, because another attempt was through a citizen initiative, and was ruled unconstitutional by the 6th circuit court:

Constitutionality: The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, affirming the U.S. District Court's decision in Northland Family Planning v Cox (docket Nos. 05-2417 and 05-2418, published June 4, 2007), held that the Legal Birth Definition Act, an act initiated by citizen petition, is unconstitutional. The court held that "invalidation of the law is the only available course" since the act "imposed an undue burden on a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy by prohibiting the D and E procedure, because it failed to adequately protect the health of the woman, and because it was void for vagueness due to its confusing language."

I would encourage the fast passage of this protection of our unborn.