Shiawassee Democrats

Our video wall has been updated. Catch the latest videos on our wall at Shiawasseedems.com, or watch them on youtube:

• President Obama Weekly Address - 7/4/09
• GE to open new Michigan research center

Our video wall has been updated. Catch the latest videos on our wall at Shiawasseedems.com, or watch them on youtube:

• President Obama Weekly Address - 5/16/09
• President Obama’s 3 Principles for Real Health Care Reform

The Shiawassee County Democratic Party will be holding their next monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at the Corunna City Hall. Doors open 6:30 pm. The business meeting for Members begins at 6:45, and the public program begins at 7:15. The speaker will be Sheriff George Braidwood. The public is invited to attend. For further information contact Carol Spaniola by phone at 989-743-3293, or by email at carol@shiawasseedems.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2009

Contact: Tom Lenard
Phone: 517-373-8421

Prusi: Senate GOP Stopping Action on Foreclosure Relief
After speedy, overwhelming passage by House, Senate fails to act

LANSING, Mi. –– While the House approved foreclosure prevention measures within an hour of the agreement yesterday, Senate Republicans inexplicably failed to act on the legislation today. Senate Democrats have consistently fought for foreclosure relief and demanded answers explaining the delay this afternoon.

“Michigan families who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads have waited long enough for help from Lansing,” said Senate Democratic Leader Mike Prusi (D- Ishpeming). “There better be a darn good reason for Senate Republicans to have put them off yet again by sitting on their hands for another five days at least.”

Senate Democrats stood ready to approve legislation that passed in an overwhelming bipartisan vote by the House yesterday, which would force banks to negotiate with homeowners before foreclosing. The agreement also included a judicial enforcement provision sought by Democrats that Senate Republicans initially tried to strip out of their versions of the bill.

The Republican-controlled Senate was in session for just over an hour this morning, voted on a handful of noncontroversial bills, then adjourned at 11:15 am until next week without taking up the foreclosure prevention legislation. Senate Republicans held a press conference on an unrelated issue at 11:30.

“If Republicans have time to pose for the cameras, they can make time to help people about to lose their home,” said Prusi. “I hope today’s inaction is just a matter of poor judgment and time management and not a sign that Republicans are considering backing out of the agreement on this important legislation.”

# # #

Tom Lenard
Senate Democratic Caucus
Communications Director
Phone: 517-373-8421
Fax: 517-373-1373
www.senate.michigan.gov/dem

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2009
Contact: John Tramontana
517-371-5410

Mike Cox: Pay Me $143,000 For Public Records On Lawsuit Settlements

Cox: Government Transparency For Everyone But Me

LANSING – Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer today blasted Attorney General Mike Cox for charging over $143,000 to search for public records on lawsuit settlements sought in a FOIA request by Brewer.

“For a man who has been claiming for years that he supports open government, it is pure hypocrisy for Mike Cox to hide behind these obscene fees,” Brewer said. “What is he hiding? Michigan taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent.”
Brewer hand delivered the original request on April 8, 2009. The Attorney General then gave himself an extension before submitting a response on April 30, 2009.

“Cox’s office has already located and reviewed the public records containing much of the requested information to create the self-promoting settlement ‘summaries’ and press releases on his website,” observed Brewer. “The only reason to charge such an outrageous fee is to prevent the public from discovering the real facts for themselves by seeing those public records.”

Brewer today hand delivered a letter to Cox’s office seeking to have these charges reversed.

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Paid for by the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee
606 Townsend St., Lansing, 48933.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee

Thursday, May 21, Genesee County Democratic Progressive Caucus and the Southern Genesee Democratic Club will co - host a Healthcare Forum featuring Olivia Boykins (Congressman John Conyers’ Special Assistant) and Dr. James Mitchiner (Physicians for a National Healthcare Plan).

The forum will begin at 7;00 PM at the Fenton Community Center, Fenton. Questions may be directed to Judy Ford at (989) 723-5319, email judy@votejudyford.com and Maryion Lee at (h) 810-659-3772 or (c) 810-730-4397, email sharmarfam@aol.com and www.progressivegendems.com.

Happy Mother’s Day, Democrats!

Our video wall has been updated. Catch the latest videos on our wall at Shiawasseedems.com, or watch them on youtube:

• President Obama on New Training for New Job Creation
• Ford Chooses Michigan to Manufacture Its First Battery Electric Vehicle
• Governor Granholm Tours Cascade Engineering With Dr. Ed Montgomery
• 5/9/09: Your Weekly Address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2009
Contact: Mark Brewer
517-371-5410

MIKE COX’S FORECLOSURE FORUMS: HYPOCRISY AND POLITICS
Cox Benefits From Home Foreclosures, Forums Are Political Stunts

LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) today pointed out the hypocrisy and political agenda behind Attorney General Mike Cox’s so-called “foreclosure forums” planned for this week.

“Mike Cox’s alleged concern about home foreclosure victims is newfound and insincere,” observed MDP Chair Mark Brewer. “For years, he has personally benefited from home foreclosures and only now that is he preparing to run for governor does he feign concern about home foreclosures. Mike Cox is using these forums and the people who attend them for his own selfish political purposes.”

“These foreclosure forums highlight at least three serious deficiencies in Cox’s record:

• First, if Mike Cox had done his job as Attorney General during the last 6 years, and stopped predatory and unfair mortgage lending practices, many of the people attending these events would not have to. Where was Cox when these foreclosure victims really needed his help?
• Second, some of the banks at these events are political donors to Cox. Who is Cox really helping? People facing foreclosure? Or is this just a way to pay back his donors and help them improve their poor public image?
• Finally, these events expose Cox’s rank hypocrisy. He takes campaign funds from people and organizations who profit from home foreclosures. Indeed one of those Cox donors, David Trott, serves on the Business and Finance Advisory Committee for his gubernatorial bid. If Cox cares so much about people facing foreclosure, why does he personally benefit from their misery to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions and why does he put one of those profiteers in a leadership role in his campaign?”

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Paid for by the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee
606 Townsend St., Lansing, MI 48933
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee

For more information on the Mike Cox foreclosure controversy, check out this coverage of his slush fund scandal.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2009
Contact: Phil Volk
734-340-4868
philvolk2004@yahoo.com

Citizens Lobby Against Bullying in Michigan Schools

May 13 Lobby Day in Lansing

A coalition of Michigan organizations is banding together to lobby for the passage of anti-bullying legislation. They plan to hold an All American Lobby Day on May 13 to support Senate Bill 0159.

“It is time to put an end to this violence in our schools so all our children can be safe,” said Phil Volk, one of the lead organizers. Volk heads two caucuses of the Michigan Democratic Party and serves on its State Central Committee.

SB 0159, sponsored by Senator Glenn Anderson of Wayne County, will protect all Michigan youth from bullying and make our schools safe. The bill specifies that all minorities, including religious and racial minorities and youth with disabilities, are protected.

Sponsoring and endorsing organizations, including Project Light, National HRC, White House LGBT Task Force, Michigan Equality, U of M College Democrats, Michigan Democratic Youth Caucus, American Family Committee, Order of St. John the Beloved (Catholic Order) and many more, ask citizens to make appointments with their legislators that day, urging them to vote for the bill and sponsor a version of it in the House.

“My own son was bullied in school, so my heart really aches for these kids who are getting hurt,” Volk said. “The purpose of going to school is to get an education, but kids can’t learn if they fear for their safety.”

The lobby day will include a press conference at noon in the Capitol (room to be announced).

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Paid for by the Michigan Democratic LGBT and Allies Caucus,
U of M College Democrats, and the Michigan Democratic Youth Caucus
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee

We have updated our video wall. New videos -

• President Obama’s weekly address
• Michigan’s First Stimulus Funded Road Project Breaks Ground in Ogemaw County
• The President On His 100th Day
• Governor Granholm Announces Michigan College Access Network

Visit the Shiawassee Dems site to see the latest videos, or follow the links to watch them on youtube.