About CARE

Current Events & News

Be an Advocate

Take Action

CARE Publications

Library

Privacy Statement

Donate Money

    

CARE Updates

A Message From CARE's President, March 9, 2008

It has been a long time since we have had an update, but there is still much happening on the adoption front. House Bill 4259 passed the Judiciary Committee last February, but unfortunately the bill has not been called for a full House vote thus far. This is the reality of the current political landscape. The Governor of Michigan is very supportive of second parent adoption, and she will be governor until December of 2010. The Democrats have a narrow majority in the Michigan House of Representatives. The Democratic leadership is willing to move this legislation if they see a likelihood of passage. The Republicans have a narrow majority in the Michigan Senate and it will remain that way until at least until December of 2010.

The math - CARE needs to have 56 “yes” votes in the Michigan House and 19 “yes” votes in the Michigan Senate and leadership of both chambers that is willing to move the bill. Currently the Leadership of the MI House and the Governor’s office is supportive. We must build 10 to 15 “buffer” votes in the Michigan house and 4 “buffer” votes in the MI Senate to advance the bill this session. This means we need 66-71 total votes in the house and 23 total votes in the Senate. Our goal is to best position HB 4259 for passage in the MI house before the end of 2008. Then our goals are to build on that work for the 2009-2010 session. Because of the difficulties with the budget this past year, the legislature focused mainly on economic issues, and so most legislation, even those not deemed "controversial," were held up and continue to be.

We have continued to work among a larger LGBT coalition with Affirmations, Triangle, Michigan Equality, ACLU-MI and others and meet on a monthly basis to plan and implement strategy around all lgbt related issues. This coalition will be launching a grass-roots "Friends and Neighbors Campaign" this spring. This campaign will take place in lieu of Family Lobby Day, and it will focus on educating people about 2nd parent adoption in targeted Republican and Democratic districts through door-to-door canvassing, phone banking and direct mail. When this campaign is launched, we will need your volunteer time and support, so we will keep you updated.

We also have partnered with Michigan Citizen Action, a statewide advocacy group, to secure a grant from the Arcus Foundation to do educational outreach on 2nd parent adoption. "Since it’s founding in 1992, Michigan Citizen Action has been a champion for the rights of everyday people, earning it the grassroots support of 50,000 strong across the state. Whether fighting for consumer rights or worker’s rights, the right to safe neighborhoods and better schools, or the right for everyday citizens to have an equal voice in local, state, and federal policymaking, Michigan Citizen Action has never shied away from a tough fight or a just cause." Michigan Citizen Action will be an instrumental ally for CARE, In c. in securing the passage of this legislation.

And last but not least, Save the Date for August 4, 2008 for the 3rd Annual Family Palooza....to be held at Kensington Metro Park again....volunteers are needed now to help plan for this event....if interested in volunteering please contact Joan Bennett at joanb@umich.edu.

It is hard to believe that CARE is heading into our 6th year of existence on June 11, 2008. We would like to thank all of you who have donated time and money in the fight for equality for all of our families. Remember that much has been accomplished these past years and it could not have been possible without your support.

Beverly Davidson, LMSW
CARE President

Action Alert - Contact Your Representative, Make Our Voices Stronger than Negative Voices from American Family Association

Due to our success at the judiciary committee hearing yesterday, the right-wing American Family Association has sent out an action alert urging its members to contact their legislators today and ask them to oppose HB 4259.

Because legislators are getting calls today from the opposition, we are asking all of our supporters to contact their legislators, as well as House Speaker Andy Dillon, and urge them to vote YES on HB 4259, the Second Parent Adoption bill. The bill will save the state money and will provide security and stability to thousands of Michigan's children. Speaker Dillon's phone number is 517-373-0857. His e-mail is andydillon@house.mi.gov.

To contact your state representative, go to http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp

Lets continue the momentum from yesterday's successful committee hearing.
Call or e-mail today!

House Bill 4259 Passed the Judiciary Committee - Vote of 8-5

I am so pleased to announce that House Bill 4259, the Second Parent Adoption Bill, passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 8-5 today.

The bill will now be sent to the full House of Representatives for a full vote by the chamber, and this date will be determined. Please take a moment and send the Representatives voting in favor a thank you note for their support.

Those voting in favor were:
Paul Condino (D), Committee Chair, 35th District
Andy Coulouris (D), Majority Vice-Chair, 95th District
Steve Bieda (D), 25th District
Mark S. Meadows (D), 69th District
Andy Meisner (D), 27th District
Bettie Cook Scott (D), 3rd District
Virgil Smith (D), 7th District
Rebekah Warren (D), 53rd District

Those voting against;
Tonya Schuitmaker (R), Minority Vice-Chair, 80th District
Kevin Elsenheimer (R), 105th District
John Stakoe (R), 44th District
Rick Jones (R), 71st District
Tory Rocc a (R), 30th District


Those passing/abstaining:
David Law (R), 39th District
Marc Corriveau (D) 20th District

There were 10 people who testified, with 7 people testifying in support and 3 testifying against. In support of the bill, there were representatives from the State Bar of MI Family Law Section, MI Women's Commission, NASW-MI, MI Association of Infant Mental Health, a local pediatrician, and a young man who took time out of his school day to talk about the happiness he has felt being adopted from foster care by his two moms. Plus, we had a plethora of supportive letters and research that we submitted to the committee members.

This was a phenomenal day for the rights of children. I can remember almost 5 years ago when we were told that a bill of this nature would never ever get a sponsor, let alone a committee hearing.....we did not listen to that and continued to advocate and move people with our stories and our committment to our children. Today, we met a milestone and got one step closer to making second parent adoption a reality.

Even in a perfect world, creating law and changing policy is an incremental and laborious process, and it takes dedication and perserverance to make things happen. We have passed this bill out of committee in a less than optimal political and financial climate, and everyone who has touched the life of this legislation either by writing a letter, donating money, or by merely speaking to a neighbor about your family has made this day possible.

We can't stop now. We will need every single legislator in the House of Representatives to understand what this bill is and how it protects children. Please continue to contact your legislators, both Representatives and Senators, to let them know about HB 4259.

Thanks again to all who have supported this legislation and CARE's efforts. Rejoice in this day.

 

On this page...

A Message from CARE's President

Action Alert - Contact Your Representative

House Bill 4259 Passed the Judiciary Committee