Emergency Contraception, Breast Health a Priority for Slavens, Other House Democrats

The Canton state representative and two of her colleagues are promoting a package of bills that supports women's health.

Discussions about women's health care in Michigan often revolve around one topic: abortion. But a package of bills supported by State Rep. Dian Slavens (D-Canton) and other House Democrats aims to change that.  Slavens, Rep. Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills) and Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods) spoke at the Farmington Community Library Main Library Monday afternoon about four bills and three resolutions: "Earlier this year, House Democrats went on a listening tour ... and one of the things we heard repeatedly is that Michigan is letting down its women when it comes to access to health care," Lipton said.  Democrats know they'll have to negotiate with their Republican colleagues to pass the bills, all of which have been …

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Heise Named Chairman of State House's Criminal Justice Committee

New committee formed to handle criminal law issues facing Legislature.

Rep. Kurt Heise, R-Plymouth, has been named chairman of the newly formed Criminal Justice Committee in the Michigan House of Representatives, according to a news release from Heise's office. Heise previously served as vice-chair of the House Judiciary Committee in the previous legislative term. According to that news release, the new Criminal Justice Committee was created out of that committee in response to the variety of complex criminal law issues facing the Legislature. “We’re serious about fighting crime and promoting public safety,” Heise said in a news release, citing human trafficking, medical marijuana reform, crimes against children and senior citizens, illegal drugs, and victims’ rights as his legislative priorities. According …

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House Candidates Tackle Education, Voter ID Laws at Candidate Forum in Canton

Kurt Heise, Tim Roraback and Dian Slavens face League of Women Voters at Canton Public Library.

Candidates for the 20th and 21st districts of the Michigan House of Representatives tackled education and jobs Monday during a candidate forum in front of about 80 attendees at the Canton Public Library. In the 20th District race, Rep. Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth) and challenger Tim Roraback (D-Plymouth) attended the forum, moderated by Paula Bowman from the League of Women Voters of Northwest Wayne County. From the 21st District race, Rep. Dian Slavens (D-Canton) appeared, but her opponent, Joe Barnabei (R-Van Buren Township), did not attend.  The 20th District covers Northville, Plymouth and the eastern portion of Canton. The 21st District includes most of Canton, Belleville and Van Buren Township. Both Slavens and Roraback took aim at the …

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House Candidates Face Off Tonight at Canton Public Library

Candidates in 20th, 21st State House races slated to appear at forum moderated by League of Women Voters.

Learn more about the candidates you will be voting for on Nov. 6 at a candidate forum tonight for the 20th and 21st State House races (collectively covering Plymouth, Canton, Northville, Van Buren and Belleville) at 7 p.m. at Canton Public Library, 1200 S. Canton Center Road. The public is invited to attend this forum and submit questions for the candidates. Questions will be asked by a League of Women Voters moderator. If you cannot attend but would like to post a question to the candidates, please send your question via email to the League at lwvmail@yahoo.com.  The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that never supports or opposes any candidate or political party. Incumbent Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth) is challenged by Tim …

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POLL: Should Michigan Ban Cell Use by Novice Teen Drivers?

Senate-passed bill would affect new motorists with graduated licenses.

Cellphones and the youngest drivers don't go together safely, a majority of Michigan senators believe. Under a proposal that passed the Senate by a 28-10 vote Thursday, teens with Level 1 or 2 graduated licenses could be ticketed and fined for driving while chatting on a phone – even in hands-free mode. The bill now goes to the state House. Backers want to reduce risky distractions among newcomers behind the wheel. Some senators voted against the measure because they favor a broader crackdown, the Associated Press reports. The legislation is called "Kelsey's Law" in memory of a Sault Ste. Marie 17-year-old who had a fatal crash while talking on her phone in 2010. Teens with Level 3 licenses, typically issued to 17-year-olds, would be …

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Joni Hubred-Golden

8:57 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

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Michigan House Votes To Lift Charter School Cap

A bill that would lift the state cap on charter schools passed the Michigan House 58-49 Wednesday night. It passed the state Senate in a close vote earlier this year.

Rep. Dian Slavens on Lawmakers' Health Care Perk

Slavens writes that she's disappointed the new law stopped short of ending existing lifetime healthcare benefits for lawmakers and their families.

Statement from State Rep. Dian Slavens, D-Canton, following Gov. Rick Snyder's signing of a law reducing taxpayer-funded lifetime health care for two current state lawmakers: Our state leaders are not sharing in the sacrifice they have been preaching by signing legislation which will still cost taxpayers $5 million a year to pay for lifetime health care for past and over a dozen current lawmakers. Michigan's hard-working men and women don't receive the kind of luxurious perks that Lansing politicians are receiving which shows just how out of touch they are with the struggles our citizens are going through in these tough economic times. I and many of my Democratic colleagues already voluntarily gave up the option for ourselves, and it is …

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