Rep. Andy Schors' Site Feed

House Dems' Education Task Force to Hold First Meeting

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:00:28 -0400

LANSING — The Michigan House Democrats’ Education Task Force will hold its first meeting from 2-4 p.m. on Monday, May 20, in Room 426 of the Capitol Building in Lansing. Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods), who is the Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Education Committee, and Rep. Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids), the Democratic vice chairman of the House School Aid subcommittee, will co-chair the task force. Other members are Reps. Theresa Abed (D-Grand Ledge), Terry Brown (D-Pigeon), Douglas A. Geiss (D-Taylor), John Kivela (D-Marquette), Collene Lamonte (D-Montague), Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw), David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti), Andy Schor (D-Lansing), Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit) and Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor).

The task was formed in response to House Republicans’ effort to expand the unproven Education Achievement Authority across the state, even though students in the 15 schools currently run by the EAA have reported conditions detrimental to learning in those schools. Task force members are seeking real solutions that will work for our state.

WHO: Reps. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods), Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids), Theresa Abed (D-Grand Ledge), Terry Brown (D-Pigeon), Douglas A. Geiss (D-Taylor), John Kivela (D-Marquette), Collene Lamonte (D-Montague), Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw), David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti), Andy Schor (D-Lansing), Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit) and Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor).

WHERE: Michigan State Capitol, Room 426
Lansing

WHEN: Monday, May 20, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Committee Hears Testimony on Rep. Schor's Election Bills

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:22:08 -0400

LANSING - The House Committee on Elections and Ethics heard testimony today on state Representative Andy Schor’s (D-Lansing) two bills aimed at making voting easier for Michigan residents and a third bill addressing the payment of late filing fees.

“I want to thank the committee chair for acting quickly to give my bills a committee hearing,” said Schor. “My bills will ensure all Michigan voters are able to exercise their right to vote, and will prevent unintentional acts by voters that could result in their vote being disqualified. These are common-sense bills that I think we can all agree will improve the election process in Michigan.”

Schor’s first bill, House Bill 4477, would allow a voter to take a photograph of himself or herself (but not a photo of his/her ballot) in a polling place. Currently, many voters take pictures of themselves feeding the ballot into the machine then share this on social media sites such as Facebook. Under Secretary of State rules, this practice is illegal and the ballot can be invalidated. Schor’s second bill, HB 4478, would allow a voter who is unable to sign his or her name on an election document to use a signature stamp. Now, voters who cannot sign their names must make their mark (an X) on a ballot because signature stamps are not allowed. In East Lansing, a voter tried to vote using a signature stamp and the ballot could not be accepted. Schor’s third bill, HB 4479, makes a technical change to campaign finance law which unifies the ways that candidates can pay late fees.

“It was an honor to present these bills to the Ethics and Elections Committee today, and I look forward to this legislation moving through the process in order to ensure that all voters can vote and to prevent disqualification of votes.”

Legislation Improving Access to Women's Health Care Backed by Dem Leader Greimel and Ingham Dems

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:16:35 -0400

House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) and state Representatives Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon), Tom Cochran (D-Mason), Andy Schor (D-Lansing) and Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) announced their support for a package of four bills and three resolutions that would improve access to womenâ��s health care, educate women about health care options, support rape survivors and address health care inequities women face.

Legislation Improving Access to Women's Health Care Backed by Dem Leader Greimel and Ingham Dems

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:33:00 -0400

LANSING - House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) and state Representatives Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon), Tom Cochran (D-Mason), Andy Schor (D-Lansing) and Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) announced their support for a package of four bills and three resolutions that would improve access to women’s health care, educate women about health care options, support rape survivors and address health care inequities women face.

“We have all heard from women and their families across Michigan that they need better access to women’s health care services,” said Greimel. “This legislative package puts women’s health care issues front and center where they should be. It says that our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and all the women in our lives deserve the best health care possible and that House Democrats will fight to see that they get it.”

“These bills aim to fix the problems that too many women experience in the health care system.” said Cochran.

The package of legislation includes:

House Resolution 140, naming May 12-18 “National Women’s Health Week” in Michigan (introduced by Rep. Gretchen Driskell)
HR 138, urging the DCH to promote programs that identify and address inequities in the prevention, treatment and research of diseases threatening women (Rep. Winnie Brinks)
HR 139, recommending that the state intensify efforts to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies (Rep. Collene Lamonte)
House Bill 4067, requiring all health facilities and agencies to offer emergency contraception to rape survivors (Rep. Charles Smiley)
HB 4722, which directs the Department of Community Health (DCH) to develop and disseminate information about emergency contraception, including a description, explanation of use, safety efficacy and availability of emergency contraception (Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright)
HB 4721, requiring age-appropriate, medically accurate and objective sexuality education to be taught in public schools (Rep. Jeff Irwin)
HB 4260, requiring doctors to give information on breast density and give notice to women who have dense breast tissue that they may want to seek further testing (Rep. Winnie Brinks)

“This package of legislation will significantly improve women’s access to health care, and the information that is available to girls and women of all ages,” said Singh. “Health care is a woman’s right and she shouldn’t have to break down barriers to get the care she needs. These bills address a critical need in Michigan and should be quickly approved and signed into law.”

“These proposals go a long way toward addressing women’s health concerns in Michigan,” said Schor. “I continually hear that the Legislature and state need to do more to address women’s health. These common sense proposals show that women’s health is a top priority for Michigan and we are ready to proactively address the problems that need to be faced by women in our own families and all Michigan women.”

Schor Bill to Retain Talent and Combat Brain Drain Gets Committee Hearing

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:37:58 -0400

LANSING - State Representative Andy Schor (D-Lansing) testified along with other citizens today on his bill, House Bill 4182, which offers a tax credit to Michigan graduates who choose to stay and work in the state. The bill was on the agenda today in the House Michigan Competitiveness Committee, of which Schor is a member.

“I am glad that Chairman Shirkey wanted the committee to hear about the importance of talent retention here in Michigan. Graduates of our colleges and universities are key to reversing the brain drain, and my plan can help create an incentive to keep these students working here in Michigan after they graduate,” said Schor. “If Michigan’s economy is to continue growing, then we need to offer options that will help our best students want to stay here instead of going to other states. This tax credit will make our state more competitive for employers looking for talented, hard workers.”

HB 4182 would encourage students graduating from Michigan’s higher education institutions to live and work in Michigan after graduation by offering income tax credits for a portion of their student debt. Eligible individuals could claim an income tax credit equal to 50 percent of the amount of qualified student loan payments made during a tax year - up to 20 percent of the average yearly tuition for Michigan’s public universities.

“I appreciate the committee testimony on this bill and this important subject. I look forward to continuing debate on this bill and on other legislation that will help to create great places where students want to live, work, and play here in Michigan,” said Schor. “Students win, Michigan employers win and our economy wins by continuing to grow with the help of our talented, smart college graduates.”

Schor Drops Legislation to Adjust Term Limits, Introduce Lobbying Restrictions

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:37:01 -0400

LANSING - State Representative Andy Schor (D-Lansing) today introduced a joint resolution to adjust term limits for members of the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate and to put in place restrictions on lobbying after serving in public office. Both initiatives are meant to address concerns he heard throughout his campaign for the state House and have significant bipartisan support.

“One of the most prevalent issues that I heard from folks in my district last summer was a concern about the turnover and experience of legislators,” Schor said. “While they were excited to support my run for the state House, they were also disappointed to see former state Representative Joan Bauer forced from office so soon after she was elected.” Schor added that as tougher issues come before the Legislature, the value of institutional knowledge and elected experience to the legislative process has become clearer than ever. He noted, “Michigan has some of the most restrictive term limits in the nation. Too often, these short terms force public servants out of office who would otherwise continue to be capable, effective advocates for their communities and our state.” Schor also called attention to concerns voiced by residents about elected officials leaving the Legislature and immediately becoming lobbyists.

Schor’s legislation, HJR S, adjusts current term limits for Michigan House and Senate members to allow a person to be elected to the office of state representative no more than six times and to the office of state Senate no more than three times, making for a total of twenty-four years of service for those regularly elected. Now, lawmakers are restricted to three two-year terms of service in the House and to two four-year terms in the Senate. Schor’s joint resolution also bans former members of the Michigan House or Senate from becoming lobbyists or a lobbyist agent for the two years immediately following their last term in office.

“I’m confident that this measure will help our state avoid some of the negative effects of frequent turnover and loss of talent in the Legislature and help prevent the appearance of impropriety of behalf of lawmakers by preventing them from immediately becoming lobbyists upon their departure from office,” Schor added.

Rep. Andy Schor Speaks on the House Proposed State Budget

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:31:00 -0400

Rep. Andy Schor voices his concerns regarding the House proposed budget bill.