What’s the purpose of a Michigan Senator? A disgruntled newcomer asks the question
As somewhat of a newcomer to the world of politics, who has lived away from Michigan for a number of years, I have a question. What’s the purpose of our Michigan state senators? OK, I’m 26 years old --- I should have learned this in grade school. I know the usual answer: They propose, review and pass bills; they approve the state’s budgets; and they provide checks and balances to other branches of government.
But isn’t there more that we should expect of our state legislative body? Shouldn’t we expect that these men and women will come to work everyday not with their own agendas in mind, but with the wants and needs of their constituents? And maybe some of those constituents want to raise their children without exposing them to toxic chemicals daily? Isn’t that why we elect our senators in the first place --- to act as representative voices for the people who elected them? I only ask because I thought I understood all this, but after my first lobbying day in Lansing on Tuesday, I’m starting to question how often this actually happens.
The day started out wonderfully. I drove up to join my colleagues from The Michigan Network for Children’s Environmental Health, who had organized a press event in order to rally attention for a bill that has been sitting in the senate for more than a year --- the Children’s Safe Products Act.
This bill, while not regulating any chemicals found in children’s toys, would be a great step toward protecting children’s health by requiring large manufactures and importers to disclose the most harmful toxic chemicals to the Michigan Department of Community Health, who would in turn make this information accessible to the public.
As I helped inflate the 25-foot rubber ducky, I saw pedestrians and camera crews starting to take notice (How could you not? The thing is like the Godzilla of rubber duckies). Once the duck reached its maximum inflatable potential, it hovered over the capitol lawn like a looming warning to our state senators: Pass the Children’s Safe Products Act --- or else.
The only problem is, or else what? The purpose of this rally was to generate support for the bill and specifically target Sen. Tom George, the chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee, where the bill sits idly in this lame duck session.
But after the event, a few environmental health professionals spoke with Sen. George, and guess what? The senator wanted nothing to do with it. With term limits in place, Sen. George is on his way out and frankly feels no reason to heed to the pressure of his constituents, nor the physicians and children’s advocates who advised him about the repercussions of allowing manufactures to produce toys that contain dangerous levels of cadmium and mercury. So the only “or else” falls on our children, who will continue to be exposed to dangerous levels of toxic chemicals in toys.
I understand, Sen. George, that you have a lot on your plate right now. And maybe passing a bill that allows consumers the right to know what toxics are in their toys isn’t your highest priority. Maybe it will take more than a rubber ducky to set you straight.
But this commonsense bill isn’t just about you. It’s about your children, and their children, and all of our children who are too young to vote, or even to take a stand for their rights. Many of the physicians, activists and state representatives present on Tuesday were also parents. They would never outright feed, bathe or clothe their children in toxic chemicals; yet because they do not have laws that require manufacturers to disclose what hazardous chemicals exist in toys, they unknowingly put their children at risk for health problems everyday.
So, I ask again: What is the role of our Michigan state senators? Is it to pass legislation whenever they feel like it, or whenever it fits their own agenda? Or is to listen to their constituents, whether they are up for re-election or not? I’d like to stay an idealist and believe the latter. I’d like to believe that a state senator would never have too much on their plate to protect a child’s life.
We need your help. Give Senator Tom George a reason to pass this bill.
On Nov. 30, the Michigan Network for Children’s Environmental Health will host a Lansing Lobby Day.
Join us in Lansing to tell our state senators to pass the Children’s Safe Products Act. With a lame duck session, this is one of the last chances to advocate for this bill. Join teams of parents, health professionals, and children’s advocates as we ask our senators directly why this bill has been stalled in the Senate Health Policy committee.
Senators from across the state will gather to hear from their constituents on these important issues. You’ll be teamed with experts, so you’ll have all of the information and support you need. We need you to make this day a success.
Lansing Day Details
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 30
Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Michigan Health & Hospital Association
Capitol Advocacy Center, Conference Rm.
110 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1200
Lansing, MI 48933
Please RSVP HERE
You’re welcome to participate for all or part of the day. We hope you’ll join us to advocate for children’s environmental health.
Please help us spread the word and share this flier our friends and family.
--- Posted by Erica Bloom, Michigan LCV, Program Manager
