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Gibbs Will Deliver Keynote Address at Cobo Center in Detroit on April 28th
LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party is pleased to announce that Robert Gibbs will deliver this year’s keynote address at the annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner in Detroit. Jeff-Jack will take place at Cobo Center in Detroit on Saturday, April 28, 2012.
Robert Gibbs has been an advisor and strategist to President Obama from the early days of Obama’s 2004 Senate race to his sweep to the White House. Most recently, Gibbs has served as President Obama’s Press Secretary, presiding over daily press briefings at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He has traveled a long road with President Barack Obama, and his rapport and access to President Obama provides intimate and insightful commentaries. Gibbs is one of President Obama’s masterminds and he can speak with great authority and accuracy from a White House insider’s perspective on any of the issues that have crossed the President’s desk. His leadership of President Obama’s campaigns makes him a valuable commentator on the upcoming 2012 elections.
“Robert Gibbs can provide intimate insight into the Obama campaign and administration,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “His experience and leadership will be a great addition to this year’s Jeff-Jack program.”
“President Obama and Robert Gibbs have been fighters for Michigan for years,” added Brewer. “We’re looking forward to hearing from Robert Gibbs next month and look forward to celebrating with Democrats from across the state. Please join us for this exciting event on April 28th.”
For more information about this year’s Jeff-Jack event and ticket information, click the link below.
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U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today said that reforming farm programs is a top priority for her as the Committee works to reduce the deficit while developing strong risk management tools for farmers. Chairwoman Stabenow’s comments came during the final Farm Bill hearing before the committee will write a new Farm Bill, legislation passed every five years to set the nation’s agriculture policy. The current Farm Bill expires this year. Since last year, the committee has held a total of 20 hearings.
‘The country simply cannot afford to pay subsidies to farmers who are already doing well, or to pay farmers for crops they are not even growing,’ Chairwoman Stabenow said. ’It’s time for real reform. That’s why the era of Direct Payment subsidies is over.’
Stabenow said that farm policy should focus on risk management that only helps producers who have suffered a loss on the crops they actually grow. Stabenow said if farm subsidies that no longer made sense were cut, other risk management tools like crop insurance, which ensures that a few days of bad weather do not wipe out families or sink entire regions, could be strengthened while still reducing the deficit.
‘By cutting subsidies for those that don’t need them, we can strengthen protections for Michigan farmers who get hit with a disaster while still cutting the deficit by tens of billions. Every planting season, America’s farmers take a huge gamble that their investment will pay off — that the sun, the rain, and the markets will come together in just the right combination so they can make a living and support their families,’ Chairwoman Stabenow said. ‘One storm can wipe out an entire crop and jeopardize a farm in a matter of minutes – whether that crop is cherries in Michigan or wheat in Kansas – and farmers and our agriculture economy need to be protected. ‘
Today’s hearing featured testimony from a range of farmers, commodity groups, and other stakeholders all calling for strengthening risk management tools to continue producing a safe and affordable national food supply.
An archived webcast of today’s hearing can be viewed on the Committee website at http://ag.senate.gov.
Agriculture is Michigan’s second largest industry, supporting one out of every four Michigan jobs.
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow congratulated Port Huron Northern High School student, Nithin Tumma, for winning first prize in the Intel Science Talent Search. The research he conducted at Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, and Stony Brook University could lead to improved, and less harmful, treatments for breast cancer patients. Nithin’s research was first among 1,800 students nationwide.
‘It was a pleasure to meet this very impressive young man,’ said Senator Stabenow. ‘It’s amazing to see a high school student helping the medical community combat a disease that effects so many people Students like Nithin Tumma are a testament to the ingenuity and innovation that comes from Michigan, even at a young age. His dedication and hard work is a great reminder of the talented young minds we have in our state.’
Senator Stabenow welcomed Nithin Tumma to her office this week. A photo of that meeting is available by clicking here.
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today applauded U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk for taking action to address China’s illegal restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals. Today, the Trade Representative announced he was filing a case with the World Trade Organization challenging China’s anti-competitive practices. Senator Stabenow was among the first to urge the Administration to address this problem. These rare earth materials are important components in many U.S. made-products, including hybrid car batteries, wind turbines, energy efficient lighting, and automobiles.
‘I have been calling for strong action to address China’s illegal actions and am glad that action is now being taken,’ said Sen. Stabenow. ‘Michigan’s economic turnaround depends on innovative businesses being able to manufacture the products of the future. We cannot let China’s unfair trade practices stop job growth.’
China is currently hoarding rare earth elements critical to a wide range of industries – from hi-tech batteries for advanced technology vehicles, to smart phone batteries to important military technologies. China now controls production of more than 95% percent of the world’s supply-and has increasingly been using export controls to reduce the amount available on the world market. This in turn has sent costs skyrocketing for businesses that manufacture products that require rare earth elements. China also has policies to prevent foreign companies from mining rare earth elements within its borders.
The European Union and Japan joined the United States in requesting World Trade Organization consultations regarding China’s unfair export restraints on rare earths.
Senator Stabenow has also been leading the effort to help revive America’s rare earth development. Her Battery Innovation Act includes a provision that would improve our nation’s critical minerals supply chain.
LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party applauds the Third Circuit Court of Appeals recent decision in DNC v. RNC which will continue to prevent “the intimidation and suppression of minority voters” by Republicans.
In 1982, the DNC sued the GOP after the GOP attempted to restrict voting access by minorities. The lawsuit resulted in a national consent decree which prohibited the GOP from engaging in minority voter intimidation and suppression. Republicans tried to eliminate the decree but the Court reaffirmed the continuing need for the decree last week.
“This is a huge victory for voters across the nation,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “We will not tolerate Republican attempts to disenfranchise minority voters and prevent them from casting their ballots.”
“The Republican Party has a long history of trying to restrict voting access,” added Brewer. “We should be working to ensure that every eligible voter is able to vote in every election. Voting is the centerpiece of our democracy and this decision helps to prevent the GOP from threatening that.”
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Southfield District Judge Shelia Johnson created a community program to work with teens to deter criminal behavior and encourage positive career choices. As a judge, Johnson has imposed tough sentences to ensure families are protected from violent criminals. For 18 years, she defended the rights of individuals as a lawyer. She understands the need to be fair and impartial. On the Supreme Court, Judge Johnson will uphold the law with strength and integrity for Michigan families.
DETROIT – The Michigan Democratic Party today endorsed three candidates for the Michigan Supreme Court and eight candidates, two each, for four State Education boards.
Southfield District Court Judge Shelia Johnson, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Connie Marie Kelley, and University of Michigan Law Professor Bridget Mary McCormack were all endorsed by the Party on Saturday.
“Shelia Johnson, Connie Kelley, and Bridget McCormack have worked tirelessly in their legal careers to mentor and protect children. On the Michigan Supreme Court, they will ensure individuals and families get a fair hearing, and not just give preferential treatment to powerful, corporate special interests.”
“Under the current Supreme Court, Michigan families have been under assault with robo-foreclosures, taxing senior pensions, and allowing polluters to pollute and the taxpayers paying the cleanup bill. We need a Supreme Court that will work to make our communities safe, and where middle class families can be protected.”
“The choice is clear. This November, voters will choose between two distinctively different set of candidates – those supported by Democrats who work to protect children and middle class families, versus those supported by Republicans who side with insurance companies over patients, banks over homeowners, corporations over consumers and polluters over families. The Democratic Party is proud to endorse Shelia Johnson, Connie Kelley and Bridget McCormack who have worked hard in their legal careers to protect and mentor children.”
Delegates also endorsed Joel Ferguson and Brian Mosallam for Michigan State University Board of Trustees, Lupe Ramos-Montigny and Michelle Fecteau for the State Board of Education, Mark Bernstein and Shauna Ryder Diggs for the University of Michigan Board of Regents, and Sandra Hughes O’Brien and Kim Trent for Wayne State University Board of Governors.
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Speaking from a factory in Virginia, President Obama talks about how companies are creating more jobs in the United States, making better products than ever before, and how many are developing new technologies that are reducing our dependence on foreign oil and saving families money at the pump.
Bridget Mary McCormack has worked tirelessly as a voice for the voiceless. The University of Michigan Law Professor has provided legal counsel for those who need it most and has helped to protect women and children. We need Bridget Mary McCormack as a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today introduced a measure to boost clean energy jobs in America. Senator Stabenow’s measure prevents a tax increase on American entrepreneurs and innovators that are making cutting-edge products, creating jobs, and reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil. Senator Stabenow’s measure has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
‘We cannot allow a tax increase on American businesses that are creating clean energy jobs in America,’ said Senator Stabenow. ‘These entrepreneurs are inventing new technology, hiring workers, and producing cutting-edge new products that save consumers money and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Especially when gas prices are rising, we shouldn’t be raising taxes on innovators and job creators who are helping to lower America’s energy bills.’
As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Manufacturing Caucus, Senator Stabenow has long-championed efforts to support clean energy businesses that are hiring new workers and making investments in America. Senator Stabenow is the author of the original ‘Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit,’ a 30 percent tax credit for companies that re-equip or build new facilities for clean energy product manufacturing. The amendment that Senator Stabenow introduced today would renew this measure, which expired in 2010.
Senator Stabenow also wrote the Battery Innovation Act, the first comprehensive plan to help Michigan companies expand advanced battery production and job growth. As Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Stabenow authored her Grow it Here, Make it Here Initiative to spur bio-based manufacturing, an industry poised to grow and create jobs in Michigan while reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil. There are currently 2.7 million Americans whose jobs depend on the clean energy economy, a number Senator Stabenow’s proposals would help to grow.
Background on Senator Stabenow’s Measure:
The measure extends Senator Stabenow’s 48C Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit, which expired in 2010. This is a 30 percent tax credit for companies that expand, re-equip, or build new factories in the United States to produce clean energy technology to help clean energy companies invest and create jobs in America.
The measure extends the tax credit for companies that produce energy-efficient appliances, grants in lieu of tax credits, tax credits for companies that install charging stations for electric vehicles, tax credits for companies producing the next-generation of cellulosic biofuels, and others.
It also extends the Production Tax Credit for wind energy, which supports businesses and utilities that produce electricity from wind. In the U.S., there are more than a half a million jobs related to wind energy. In Michigan, there are 31 facilities manufacturing components for the wind energy industry and six more in the works.
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