BACKGROUND:
On October 2, our state’s highest court rescinded the “Emergency Powers of the Governor Act” of 1945, which authorized Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to issue many Executive Orders during the Covid pandemic.
One of the Executive Orders, EO 2020-144, was to restore water to all occupied homes that had been shut off due to lack of payment.
During this pandemic, it has become even more evident why families need water in their homes to stay safe and healthy. And yet, low income families across the state are in jeopardy of having their water turned off. For the safety and well being of these families and our communities as a whole we must keep the water on!
A SOLUTION:
Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang and other government and environmental groups have made efforts to put forward legislation to codify the Governor’s Executive Order on water restorations (EO 2020-144).
On the legislative front, mostly Democratic House and Senate representatives are seeking to “codify” (i.e., arrange laws or rules into a systemic code). In particular, there is a modified version of SB 241 — a water protection shutoff bill — that incorporates the Executive Order 2020-144 and was introduced in the Senate on October 13th by Senator Chang. Although no action was taken that day, Senator Chang has called on water advocates to urge key legislators and our own Senators and Representatives, to support SB 241 before it comes up for a vote as soon as next Tuesday, October 20th. It will be helpful to remind State legislators that $25 million has already been allocated by the State to help local communities assure access to water for their families.Some Republicans are meeting with the Governor to address our COVID pandemic crisis.
HERE’S WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO IMMEDIATELY:
1. Please email and call your Michigan Representative and Senator, especially they are in Republican districts. Urge them to “codify EO 2020-144 regarding water restorations and shutoff protection.” Click HERE for phone/email of your State Senator.Click HERE for phone/email of your State Representative.
2. Contact at least three (3) Senators and Representatives outside your community that you are familiar with, e.g., where your children or parents live; where you have a vacation home; where you have some type of connection to ask them to “codify EO 2020-144 regarding water restorations and shutoff protection.”
Here are four legislators suggested by Senator Chang:
3. Finally, if you have not already done so, please complete this online form from ACLU Michigan so you can send an email to your Senator and Representative to Keep the Water On.
The Peoples Water Board (PWB) is trying to keep track of legislators you have reached. Please reply to me jennifer.a.teed@gmail.com after you have made your connections and let me know who you contacted, I will forward the information to PWB.
As always, thank you for engaging in this very important human rights work, rooted in our UU values.
THANK Michigan Senators for Their Plans to Vote NO on this Nominee
Our access to affordable health care, reproductive rights, LGBTQ justice, voting rights and democracy itself are threatened by the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett (ACB) to the Supreme Court in the middle of the 2020 election. Clearly, President Trumps wants an ally on the Supreme Court if he decides to challenge the outcome of the election. He has refused to commit to a “peaceful transition” if he doesn’t win the election. Both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chair Senator Lindsey Graham are flip floppers. They refused to allow President Obama appoint Judge Merrick Garland to the high court because it was “too close’ (seven months away) to an upcoming Presidential election. Now they are trying to PACK THE COURT in a pre-election power play. Let key Senators know that we do not approve!
Here are four other reasons to urge our Senators and five other key Senators to vote NO!
We already miss the conscientious, hard working leadership of Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Court to protect access to health care, voting rights, women’s rights, and justice for LGBTQ+ people. Judge Ginsburg’s last words were: “it is my most fervent wish that I not be replaced until a new President is installed”.
Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network is a statewide organization that works for justice with other faith groups and allies. Click HERE to join or support support our movement.
Email Sharon Pedersen, sspedersen@sbcglobal.net, for more information
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https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvfuGprT4oEtMEpMWnmCDQxNOKr59VN-Q8
The Unitarian Universalist Association invited the nation to call on Michigan voters…I don’t have to tell you that the stakes are high. Far right white supremacist groups have been emboldened by frightening calls to action from the White House. The COVID pandemic continues to threaten the lives and jobs of millions. Voter suppression is ramping up across the country. We have the power to change course. We have the opportunity to advance legislation to protect healthcare, to grow our economy and fight climate change through the Green New Deal, and to defend Black lives with the Breathe Act. One way that we get there is by making sure every voice is heard in November.
Join Michigan UU Social Justice Network and Restaurant Opportunities Center at our phonebank on Thursday, October 15 at 6:30-8:30 pm ET/ 3:30-5:30 PM PT.
The election is on in Michigan! Early voting started on September 24th. Thanks to democracy reforms that organizers have won here, we have lots of voting options to help folks vote early and safely in this year’s election–vote by mail, in person at the clerk’s office, ballot drop boxes, on-line voter registration and in person election day registration but a lot of people don’t know about them. Can you help us Get Out the Vote in Michigan, a critical state in this election?
UUs in Michigan along with Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN-our state action network) are partnering with the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC-MI), an organization that has been working for fair wages for restaurant workers and now for covid-relief and electoral justice. They are in full swing to Get Out the Vote among people of color and others who are often targeted for voter suppression. Many of these workers and their families are infrequent voters who do not get reminder calls from partisan campaigns. Their voices need to be heard and we can help people get the information they need to be able to fight for their needs during this time of pandemic, economic crisis, racial injustice and democracy on the line.
Now that we’re in the homestretch, UU the Vote is asking UUs from around the country to join UUs and their partners in Michigan for a National Phonebank on October 15 from 6:30-8:30 pm EST.
On our calls we will be helping people check their registration, make on-line absentee ballot requests, answer any questions about voting by mail and encourage them to vote early. We will also be offering them the opportunity to sign up to be a paid poll worker as part of ROC’s organizing efforts to ensure everyone can vote and all the votes are counted.
Our frontline partners have been dealing with the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the health and economic conditions for people of color. MUUSJN has been organizing with them to cut through the campaign of election misinformation being waged in MI by those who want to suppress the vote. We UUs can help fill a critical need in electoral organizing in Michigan and help them make some calls!
Help your congregation organize phone banks if you are not currently participating in them. Email sspedersen@sbcglobal.net to set up a training as needed.
In solidarity,
Sharon Pedersen
Project Manager (she/her/hers)
MUUSJN Interfaith GOTV Campaign
Demand that all Judicial confirmation processes be halted until after January 20th
Sen. McConnell: 202-224-2499
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Contact
Sen. Lindsey Graham: (202) 224-5972
https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=contact-form
Senator Debbie Stabenow: (202) 224-4822
https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/contact
Senator Gary Peters: (202) 224-6221
https://www.peters.senate.gov/contact/email-gary
(Use drop down box to “Comment on Issue”)
The Michigan Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition, a statewide group that includes representatives from 25 Michigan faith, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights groups, voted on October 5th to demand that hearings on a nomination to U.S. Supreme Court to fill the seat of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG), be delayed until after the installation of the next President in January 2021. Hearings on President Trump’s Supreme Court nomination are scheduled to start on October 12th. The coalition strongly believes that a candidate for the U.S. Supreme Court should be nominated by a President who reflects the views of the American people.
The Coalition, which monitors policies and takes action on reproductive justice issues that affect both women and people from the LGBTQ communities, said it was the final wishes of Ruth Bader Ginsburg that her replacement only be made by the next President in January. Th Coalition is concerned that President Trump’s court nomination, Amy Coney Barrett, seems likely to threaten women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, and undermine access to health care and voting rights.
In February, 2016, Senator Mitch McConnell, after the death Judge Antonin Scalia, adamantly stated that “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice…Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.” Likewise, Senator Lindsey Graham, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee that would hold hearings on the nominee, outspokenly insisted that no hearings be held in advance of an election. Despite these vows, the Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee have done an about face and now pledge to confirm President Trump’s Supreme Court judicial nominee.
Randy Block, staff for the Coalition with the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN), said that “the Coalition urges the public to hold Senator McConnell and Senator Graham to their word. We demand that all judicial confirmation processes be delayed until a new president is installed”.
TELL Senators Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters
The Coalition is a project of the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN), a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that works with 26 UU congregations and progressive faith and secular allies for justice. Click HERE to support our movement.
When the President gets COVID-19, he has the best health care that money can buy. But many families are uninsured or underinsured. Nearly 25% of the workforce have no paid sick leave. As the Senate prepares to take on the House’s COVID relief bill, contact your Senators. Urge them to support family and medical paid leave coverage for all Americans, not just elected officials. https://paidleaveforall.org/take-action
On October 7th, Kamala Harris and Mike Pence will face off in a debate. America’s workers will be watching to hear what they say about health care coverage and family medical leave. Please contact your Senators. Urge them to pass the HEROES Act 2 relief package that includes health coverage and paid sick leave. https://paidleaveforall.org/take-action
Click this link for more information on the HEROES Act 2: https://conta.cc/2SocEdO
This call for action is being supported by the MI Paid Leave Coalition of which the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network is a member. For more information, email or call Randy Block: randyblock@yahoo.com or 248-224-5572 (cell).
On October 1st, the U.S. House passed H.R. 8406, a $2.2 trillion “HEROES Act – 2” an update of the House’s $3.4 trillion COVID relief bill that included a lifeline of support for state and local governments and and economic aid to families who need it most. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who’s been negotiating with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi all last week, has offered a $1.6 trillion relief package. Although there is a $600 million difference between the two bills, the divisions also are a matter of values. Republicans want to give $150 billion in benefits for some of the wealthiest people in the country. Democrats have proposed $149 billion for children, according to Rep. Pelosi. Republicans also want to shelter businesses, e.g., nursing homes, from liability when they risk the health of their customers or patients during the COVID pandemic.
On October 3rd, in his first act while in the hospital, President Tweeted “OUR GREAT USA WANTS & NEEDS STIMULUS. WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE. Thank you!”
So, in spite of everything, a deal is possible. We are concerned that the virus continues. Millions have lost their jobs, lost their health and paid leave coverage, face evictions from their homes, lack access to the internet and have difficulty putting food on the table. The House covid relief bill includes provisions that help. We need to urge our two Michigan Senators to become champions for COVID relief legislation. They need to push Senators to pass a robust package.
MUUSJN is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that works with 26 UU congregations and progressive faith and secular allies for justice. Click HERE to support our movement.
With the unfortunate delays in postal service (promoted by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy) and the threat of voting in person on election day (due to COVID-19) we have are experiencing new threats to our democracy. Voting early is one way to protect your vote and keep you safe.
STEP 1: REGISTER TO VOTE: Click: michiganvoting.org/register-to-voteYou can register to vote or request a voter registration form.
STEP 2: REQUEST YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT ON LINE OR BY DOWNLOADING AN APPLICATION:a. Confirm the status of your application: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/voter/indexThere you can see when your application was received, when your ballot was mailed and when it was received.b. Request an application at: www at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/VoteAtHomec. Complete application, request a ballot for the general election. Sign it, mail it, hand deliver it oremail your application to your local clerk. For address, go to: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/voterSearch for your clerk under “Search for your city/township clerk”.
DON’T DELAY – CLERKS STARTED MAILING ABSENTEE BALLOTS ON SEPTEMBER 24TH!
STEP 3: COMPLETE YOUR BALLOT, SIGN IT AND MAIL IT BACK TO YOUR CLERK ASAP.
STEP 4: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Go to https://www.michiganvoting.org/know-your-rights
STEP 5: CONSIDER BEING A POLL WORKER: Go to: michiganvoting.org/be-a-poll-worker
Over 7,780 Vigils Held Saturday to Mourn the Loss of Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg
We were shocked and dismayed to learn that on Friday, September 18th, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, died at the age of 87. Ginsburg worked her entire career to eliminate gender based stereotyping in legislation and regulations. Appointed Associate Justice in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, she was the second woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court in its 212 year history.
While Justice Ginsburg was only a little more than five feet tall, but she proved herself to be giant in her smart, thoughtful leadership on the Court to protect voting rights, women’s rights, justice for LGBTQ+ people and the right to access to health care. Ginsburg’s last words were “it is my most fervent wish that I not be replaced until a new President is installed”. Democracy demands that the people’s choice of leaders on November 3rd should be reflected in who is appointed to the high court. This was the argument of Senator Mitch McConnell in 2016 used when he insisted that, after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, President Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the bench would be inappropriate nine months in advance of that year’s election.
Now Senator McConnell, hours after the death RBG, has declared that he will soon hold hearings in the Senate to rule on President Trump’s nominations to the Supreme Court. He is rushing to fill the vacancy with a person who can support #45’s desire to gut the Affordable Care Act, to repeal Roe v. Wade and suppress voting rights. Some Republican Senators have said they oppose appointing someone to the Supreme Court shortly before a Presidential election or before the President is installed. If three Republicans (and all Democrats) vote against confirmation, an appointment could be blocked. For more information on key Senators (as of 9/20) click HERE.
Click HERE to find the phone and email of your State Representative. Tell him/her:
A record number of absentee ballots were cast during the 2020 primary as a result of people taking advantage of Michigan’s new no reason absentee ballot law during the COVID-19 pandemic. Election activists, clerks and legislators from both parties are concerned that the outcome of close races could delayed three or more days, creating election related chaos.
Senator Ruth Johnson (R), a former clerk and sponsor of SB 757, said starting the ballot process a day early should be a priority since “there may be 3 million absentee votes in November, which is double our last highest amount almost”. In addition to creating uncertainty with certain close races, Senator Johnson said additional processing time means that poll workers will have to work longer shifts, perhaps 20 hours or more. Starting a day before the election will allow more reasonable shifts for poll workers on election day.
Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson urged legislators to support SB 757. This bill was adopted on 9/15 and was transferred that same day to the House Elections and Ethics Committee chaired by Rep. Julie Calley (R- 87th District). MUUSJN was informed that the bill will retain its same number (SB 757) in the House. Other committee members are: Jason Sheppard (R-56th Dist); Pamela Hornberger (R-32nd Dist); Steve Marino (R-24th Dist); Brad Paquette (R-78 Dist); Vanessa Guerra, Minority Vice Chair (D-95th Dist); and Kara Hope (D-67 Dist).
SB 757 will allow a clerk in a city or township with a population of at least 25,000* people to perform certain pre-processing activities on the day before the election if notice has been given to the Secretary of State at least 40 days before election day. This would not involve tabulating absentee ballots but would mainly involve removing ballots from an outer envelope. *Correction:The minimum population was incorrectly listed as 25 million in a previous email.
Click HERE to find the phone and email of your state Representative. Tell him/her:
A record number of absentee ballots were cast during the 2020 primary as a result of people taking advantage of Michigan’s new no reason absentee ballot law during the COVID-19 pandemic. Election activists, clerks and legislators from both parties are concerned that the outcome of close races could delayed three or more days, creating election related chaos.
Senator Ruth Johnson (R), a former clerk and sponsor of SB 757, said starting the ballot process a day early should be a priority since “there may be 3 million absentee votes in November, which is double our last highest amount almost”. In addition to creating uncertainty with certain close races, Senator Johnson said additional processing time means that poll workers will have to work longer shifts, perhaps 20 hours or more. Starting a day before the election will allow more reasonable shifts for poll workers on election day.
Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has urged legislators to support SB 757. A staff at Senator Majority Leader Mike Shirkey office, who now seems receptive to this bill, informed MUUSJN that a vote on SB 757 is “likely” tomorrow (Tuesday, September 15th). There is a sister bill to SB 757 that has been introduced by Democrats in the Michigan House.
SB 757 will allow a clerk in a city or township with a population of at least 25 million to perform certain pre-processing activities on the day before the election if notice has been given to the Secretary of State at least 40 days before election day. This would not involve tabulating absentee ballots but would mainly involve removing ballots from an outer envelope.
