Michigan Democrats urge Trump to reverse course on refugee ban
In the House, Rep. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, introduced a resolution to urge Trump to reverse his immigration order.
In the House, Rep. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, introduced a resolution to urge Trump to reverse his immigration order.
Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday touted Michigan as “one of the most welcoming states for legal immigration and properly vetted refugees” but said a controversial new order by President Donald Trump has prompted a “much-needed national dialogue” on immigration policy.
Immigration wasn’t the only thing on the minds of protesters Monday as hundreds of people gathered in front of congressional offices in Troy and Brighton to voice their dismay with the policies of President Donald Trump.
Bi-partisan support is building to repeal the senior pension tax which is the centerpiece of the Snyder administration’s tax policy.
Under the governor’s pension tax, the state now removes about $400 for every $10,000 in your retirement check.
Serica Simon braved the cold Monday to join hundreds on a peace march to honor the memory and legacy of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
She said she has participated in the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Peace Walk Celebration in Southfield for the last eight years to teach her three young children — Harmoni, 10, Imani, 5 and Willie, 4 — about history.
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and there are several events taking place throughout Metro Detroit.
One of them is a peace walk celebration in Southfield.
Rep. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), who also voted "no", told The AANews via email the resolution was "factually and morally wrong."
He added that legislators would better serve their constituents by working to promote compassion for refugees, as has been a basic tenet of our democracy.
"Refugees from Syria and other unstable parts of the world are seeking relief and safety from violently oppressive governments and terrorist organizations," he said. "These individuals and their families have asked the United States for the cloak of safety and security; and in keeping with the best traditions of this nation and our standing in the world, our political leaders should extend a welcoming hand to Middle Eastern refugees."
Majority Republicans on Tuesday abandoned — for now — legislation that would have eliminated health insurance for newly hired municipal workers and closed the pension system to new teachers, removing highly contentious items from the postelection agenda and turning their attention toward bills with widespread support.
Police and firefighter organizations testified in opposition to legislation that could cut some health care benefits for retirees on Wednesday, citing early retirement and the bills' impact on binding arbitration.
Rep. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, agreed that the problem is worth addressing at some point but criticized the new proposal as a “cuts-only” approach. He suggested there are “more creative options” to drive revenue toward local governments facing looming health care costs.