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Tag: COLBECK

House Votes For Charter Caps To Be Lifted

By JGillman, Section News
Posted on Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 09:03:54 AM EST
Tags: Michigan, SB618 Pavlov, Colbeck, Emmons, Hansen, Robertson, Schools, Charter Caps, Competition (all tags)

Figured I would toss this update in here. Charter schools, and the competition they offer can do much by encouraging all sectors to a higher performance standard.

House votes to put students, parents first; lifts arbitrary cap on charter schools

LANSING - As students across Michigan end the fall semester and prepare to break for Christmas, the state House of Representatives on Wednesday approved Senate Bill 618, legislation to lift the arbitrary cap on charter schools in Michigan, empowering parents and putting children first.

Two-thirds of the state's charter schools, most in urban districts like Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit, have waiting lists as parents demand more choices and better results for their children.

"Parents want the best for their children, and that starts with a quality education," said the bill's sponsor, Senate Education Committee Chair Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township. "Today's action by the House of Representatives to lift the cap on charter schools and give parents quality options for their kids' education is a critical step toward improving Michigan's whole education system."

SB 618 was previously approved by the state Senate in October. The bill now goes to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.

Continued below.

(8 comments, 386 words in story) Full Story

As If It Makes It OK?

By JGillman, Section News
Posted on Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 09:15:06 AM EST
Tags: Michigan, Abortion, Health Care, Exchanges, Banning, Right, Left, State Senators, JANSEN, SCHUITMAKER, ROBERTSON, GREEN, BRANDENBURG, COLBECK, CASWELL, HILDENBRAND, EMMONS (all tags)

There is no question the Insurance exchange moving successfully through the Senate was bad, and frankly capitulating to big brother Fed. But some of the participants in its passing, including State Senator Mark Jansen might think THIS makes it OK:

Sec. 3407c. (1) A qualified health plan offered through a state exchange pursuant to the patient protection and affordable care act, Public Law 111-148, and the health care and education reconciliation act of 2010, Public Law 111-152, shall not provide coverage for elective abortion. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an individual, organization, or employer participating in a qualified health plan offered through a state exchange from purchasing optional supplemental coverage for elective abortion outside of the exchange as provided in subsection (2).

Read the rest. Its as if its thrown in there to appease conscience conservatives. Of course we don't wish to see tax dollars spent on abortion. We don't want to see abortions frankly.

However, every time a bill is crafted to capitulate with the left and its great society plans, it seems there has to be riders and subsequent action to (hopefully) silence dissent from the right.

I believe it may be best to take the ink out of all of their writing utensils for a couple years.

(12 comments) Comments >>

A Message To Our Legislators - Beware False Choices

And While You Are At It

By JGillman, Section News
Posted on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 05:00:40 PM EST
Tags: KAHN, GREEN, COLBECK, WALKER, BRANDENBURG, HANSEN, PAPPAGEORGE, English, Michigan, Official Language (all tags)

Be sure to give them an 'attaboy.'

Regular readers know Michigan State Senator Kahn and a couple of others are on a watch list. At times some of us have asked that you contact them in opposition to their "mistaken" positions regarding legislation. Typically legislation that is neither conservative, or even remotely 'Republican' in its nature.

If you happen to come across any these legislators during your calls, or emails, etc., be sure to give them a little positive feedback on one particular piece of legislation; 2011 SB 638.

A bill to designate English as the official state language; to provide certain rights; and to provide the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials.

Senators KAHN, GREEN, COLBECK, WALKER, BRANDENBURG, HANSEN and PAPPAGEORGE are right on target in sponsoring this legislation that will save state government in a number of ways.

This legislation comes before the Government Operations Committee: