Latest news with #HouseGovernmentOperationsCommittee
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michigan lawmakers consider photo, signature requirements on food assistance cards to curb fraud
Michigan Capitol | Susan J. Demas Electronic theft of benefits and unauthorized use of food assistance cards is costing Michiganders millions if not billions of dollars in fraud, supporters of legislation to require a photo and a signature on Michigan Bridge cards said during a Thursday meeting of the state House Government Operations Committee. Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell), sponsor of House Bill 4515, told lawmakers Thursday that Michigan has seen instances of organized crime stealing people's Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, data to drain people's SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, benefits which are informally known as food stamps. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A May statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said SNAP benefit fraud efforts have 'dramatically' increased in recent years through card skimming and cloning efforts. And as President Donald Trump's administration has zeroed in on cracking down on bad actors stealing food assistance dollars from those who need them, Judicial Officer of the United States Department of Agriculture John Walk said these crimes hurt Americans on multiple levels. 'These are truly sick and depraved individuals who are stealing food from low-income Americans for their own profit,' Walk said in May. 'It is especially disturbing when international criminal organizations siphon tax dollars away from SNAP beneficiaries to fund their own illicit activities.' Woolford's bill would require those using Michigan's food assistance card, known as the Bridge Card, to have their photograph and signature appear on the card. The bill isn't meant to inconvenience anyone in need of food assistance in Michigan more than the inconvenience many Michiganders face when getting a photo for a driver's license, passport, or a Costco membership card, Woolford said. And although the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency places estimates of implementing photo and signature requirements at between $1.5 million to $4.5 million annually, based on other states that have done so, Woolford said the change could save taxpayers billions in fraud. 'That's my concern, that the amount of money we're losing here, money that quite honestly could go to other people that are being denied benefits or that we don't have the money to take care of because of the waste, fraud and abuse,' Woolford said. In the House Fiscal Agency's analysis of the bill, savings to Michigan as a result of reduced fraud are indeterminate and likely negligible. Regardless of whose image would appear on a card, in order for whole families to benefit from food assistance, federal rules mandate that states can't hinder members of a household from permitted purchases, so anyone with the pin number can make a purchase regardless of the image on the card, the analysis said. On Thursday, Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford Township) said during his law enforcement career prior to joining the Legislature, he saw frequent fraudulent use of food assistance cards. At the same time, when considering concerns that having to get a photo taken would place an undue burden on recipients, Harris said he'd be interested in seeing if the bill could be further fleshed out to allow images already in the Michigan Department of State's database for state IDs to be used for Bridge Cards.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bills spark debate over trans athletes in women's sports
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – A Thursday meeting at the Michigan Capitol is sparking heated discussion over two new bills that would ban biological males from women's sports. The House Government Operations Committee held a hearing on them Thursday morning. The bills up for discussion are House Bills and . Supporters say the goal of the legislation is to protect the safety and well-being of young girls. 'This is not about putting anyone down. This is about lifting up our young girls who have dreams,' said State Representative Rylee Linting (R-Grosse Ile). '[It's about] making sure they have a level playing field, that they're not robbed of scholarship opportunities, a spot on the team, or worse, seriously injured.' However, others believe it would lead to dangerous discrimination against transgender students. 'We should want more young people to play sports in our state, not put up more barriers for all girls like invasive inspections and ridicule about what gender they are because their hair is too short, they're too tall, their shoulders are too broad, or because they have a good serve,' said Emme Zanotti, Senior Director of Movement Building & Political Affairs with Equality Michigan. HB 4066 would require single-sex sports teams, while HB 4469 would allow schools to determine a child's eligibility in athletics based on the biological sex listed on their birth certificate. 'Together, these bills would cause a host of issues,' said Kyle Zawacki, Legislative Director with ACLU of Michigan. 'They would violate equal protection principles, require an invasion of medical privacy, undermine civil rights protections, and suppress both speech and advocacy'. The Michigan High School Athletics Association currently allows two biological males to compete in female sports. Supporters say this should not be allowed. Payton McNabb, a former high school athlete, shared her experience playing volleyball against a biological male and getting hit by a spiked ball. 'I'm still suffering a little over two years later,' said McNabb. 'I got hit directly in the face and got knocked unconscious…They explained I had a concussion, permanent whiplash, and a small brain bleed.' Opponents say the legislation could lead to invasions of medical privacy and affect the mental and emotional well-being of transgender students. 'Transgender youth, like all young people, deserve the opportunity to thrive both in the classroom and in school-sponsored activities and athletics,' said Alexandra Stamm, Education Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy. 'Athletic participation is also linked to improved mental health and positive perceptions of school climate. This is especially important for our transgender youth who support higher rates of bullying as well as increased symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to their peers'. Supporters of the bills say they will ensure safety and fairness in girls' sports, while others believe they will cause lasting adverse effects for transgender youth. The bills have been referred to a second hearing before moving to the House floor for a vote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michigan lawmakers hear bills to ban sanctuary cities, cut social welfare services for noncitizens
Lisa Hile of the Rural Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party speaks to the Michigan state House Government Operations Committee on April 24, 2025 to testify against legislation to ban sanctuary cities and limit social services to those of legal citizen status. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols Republican lawmakers in Michigan are advancing legislation to ban sanctuary cities and counties that shield noncitizen residents from federal immigration enforcement, as well as bills barring those residents from receiving social welfare services. As bill sponsors in the Michigan House Government Operations Committee argued Thursday that sanctuary statuses threaten public safety and social welfare and housing funds should go towards only legal citizens, immigration stakeholders argued the proposals are dehumanizing and destructive. All of the bills presented Thursday cleared the Republican-controlled committee without support from the two Democratic members, though the bills would not likely gain enough support in the Democratic-led state Senate to make it to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, also a Democrat, to be signed into law. Bills the committee heard testimony for, House Bills 4338 and 4339, would ban local governments and counties from creating or enforcing sanctuary city or county policies, ordinances or laws. Municipalities with existing sanctuary city policies would have 60 days after the bill goes into effect to remove the policy. Additionally, Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton) is sponsoring House Bill 4342 to penalize any municipality that doesn't cut its sanctuary policies by withholding state revenue sharing dollars, which fund local police and fire departments, as well as road repairs and sewage systems. 'My goal in speaking here today is to stress how reckless sanctuary policies are and how they shield criminals and put them before Michigan residents who want to raise their families in safe communities,' DeSana said. 'Communities that choose to ignore our federal immigration laws are putting lives at risk and it's time we hold them accountable.' Official sanctuary cities are nearly non-existent in Michigan, with some cities like Lansing operating as unofficial sanctuary municipalities, instructing law enforcement not to inquire about a person's immigration status unless necessary. Some municipalities like Detroit and Bay City have adopted 'welcoming' statuses to welcome individuals of all immigration statuses. Amongst the organizations that wrote in their opposition to the bills was the Michigan Sheriffs' Association. With the strains that are already on public safety agencies, Yvonne Navarrete, policy director for We the People Michigan, said the last thing they should be prioritizing is dedicating any time or resources to complying or helping federal immigration officials. And with individuals already being detained and deported without due process under President Donald Trump's administration, further opening the door to federal agents will only further weaken the systems of justice in the U.S., Navarrette said. 'I'm begging for competence…You can't even define what a sanctuary policy is,' Navarrete said. 'All I'm asking is that if you are so bold enough to take my public tax dollars and be a policy maker, at least be competent and write coherent policies that are efficient, that don't waste our public tax dollars and actually do the thing you want them to do.' Other bills the committee considered were House Bills 4340 and 4341, which would amend Michigan's Social Welfare Act and State Housing Development Authority Act to prohibit non U.S. citizens from receiving services or grants provided under those acts. Downriver Reps. Rylee Linting (R-Grosse Ile) and Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown), who are sponsoring the bills, asserted that these policies would allow limited state services to go to 'lawful citizens' who are struggling. There is a lot of suffering in Michigan, Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) said, from food insecurity, homelessness and in general, barriers to family prosperity. However, the bills before the committee appear to leave the most vulnerable individuals in the state left out of life-saving services, Fitzgerald said, asking if noncitizens who are survivors of domestic violence or children who have experienced violence would still be allowed access. 'They would absolutely be eligible for services if they are legal Americans, if they came here legally,' Thompson said, offering her concern for the people in her district that can't find affordable housing amidst Michigan's housing crisis. 'It is important that we prioritize those who are here legally and are actually American citizens before we move on to anything else,' Linting said. 'These bills are showing compassion to… the veterans living on the streets who served our country, families that are struggling, and ultimately, it is a slap in the face to immigrants who have come here legally, waited in line and now they are struggling and need help, for us to put someone here illegally, to put them ahead of them.' There's a presumption that Michigan's noncitizen community doesn't contribute to the state's economy, Lisa Hile of the Rural Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party said. But immigrants are the backbone of Michigan's agricultural industry, a top industry in the state, Hile said, and beyond that, they are valued members of communities all over Michigan. 'They're not taking anything from you,' Hile said. 'You're turning people on each other for absolutely no reason whatsoever. I'm tired. You're… trying to get people to believe there's problems that's not here.' A 2024 study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimated that undocumented immigrants in Michigan contributed more than $290 million in state and local taxes in 2022.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Undocumented student bill passes 8-7 in TN House committee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — It was another committee stop, another close margin Monday for a Republican-sponsored bill that would challenge the federal law requiring all children be provided a free public education regardless of legal immigration status. PREVIOUS: Educators, lawyer speak on TN proposal to require schools to check students' legal status The House Government Operations Committee voted 8-7 in favor of Rep. William Lamberth's (R-Portland) House version, HB 0793, with Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) joining six Democrats in opposition. The bill, which has a companion measure sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson), would allow public school systems in Tennessee to require K-12 students without legal status in the country to pay tuition or face denial of enrollment. While that decision for school districts is optional in the current bill, it does require that each school district statewide collect documentation from each enrolling student that they are a citizen or are otherwise legally in the United States. The measure, if it becomes law, is likely to land in federal court. The 1982 Plyler v Doe Supreme Court decision established a right of all students, regardless of immigration status, to be provided a free public education. 'We're not talking about immigrants, we're talking about illegals,' Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston) said during discussion on the bill. 'There is a distinct difference. 14th Amendment, both Section 1 and Section 4 help us understand that. There is not greater act of rebellion in these United States than illegally coming across that border.' The bill has been roundly condemned by Democratic members of both the House and Senate, and drawn guest speakers in opposition at most of its stops in various committees. That trend continued Monday, with continued arguments that it's inhumane, economically questionable and would stick school systems with a large unfunded mandate. But proponents also continued to defend the bill, saying school systems already collect demographic information, including birth certificates in arguing any additional costs would be minimal. They also argued that aside from that, school systems are perfectly welcome to continue serving undocumented students, while others could help recoup what they say are quickly escalating costs to provide ELL (English Language Learner) courses. Tiffany Anderson, a teacher in rural Bedford County south of Nashville, was one of two guest speakers who voiced their opposition to the bill. Anderson called the bill 'a direct assault on our children's rights to free and equitable education. It would take away their freedom to learn simply because of who they are or where they were born,' she said. Anderson said undocumented Tennesseans pay an estimated $300 million-plus in taxes each year, helping support the state's education system, among other services. Calling it an effort 'to score cheap political points' that is using children as 'pawns,' Anderson spoke of the fact that her students' backgrounds, including immigration status, have never mattered in the school or classroom. 'I've watched my students including undocumented students grow up to become productive members of our community,' Anderson said. 'I never believed I would stand in front of a committee to explain why my students not only should be allowed to continue getting a free public education but deserve it,' she added. Fritts argued that the 14th Amendment, whose Equal Protection Clause Plyler v Doe cites as a basis, actually has other language that should support the Tennessee bill. 'I would offer that when you read the 14th Amendment, take some time with it and understand that that's an all-encompassing document,' Fritts said. 'It is timeless — those words are timeless. While they were written following the Civil War and the use of the word 'rebellion' certainly between the United States and the Union. But there is no greater act of rebellion in the United States than to illegally cross into these United States.' Fritts also made a brief response to opponents' arguments that the bill is a misguided way to respond to the country's immigration problem. 'The last thing I would offer would be this,' Fritts said. 'We don't necessarily have a broken immigration system now. President Trump's correcting that.' Fritts's comments contrasted markedly with an impassioned floor speech from Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville). Clemmons said immigrants tend to make an outsized contribution to the U.S. economy, citing everything from small business creation rates to patents to representation in the Fortune 500. 'None of this is possible without an education to which these children are constitutionally guaranteed,' Clemons said, referencing the Tennessee Constitution as well as the U.S. Constitution. 'There is nothing fiscally sound about this and we know it's not going to fix the broken immigration system in this country.' Clemmons argued the bill was not about fixing a broken immigration system. 'This is about denying innocent children of their God-given right as guaranteed by this state constitution to get an education, as upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court,' he said. 'If I sound frustrated and if I sound mad as hell it's because I am. We cannot keep doing this to our children.' Clemmons thanked committee chairman before concluding: 'There is nothing in this that speaks to good public policy. There is nothing in here that has even a hint of love in it. We are better than this. We must be better than this as a state.' In the House, the bill now moves to the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee. In the Senate, it has been referred to the calendar committee for placement before the full Senate. A number of Republicans in both the House and Senate have voted against the bill in committee, including four out of 15 senators and about half a dozen house members. Compared to the numbers voting in favor and given the 27-6 Republican margin in the Senate and the 75-24 margin in the House, a higher percentage of Republicans than have opposed it so far would have to materialize for the bill to fail. If it passes, it is almost certain to face legal challenges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bollin pitches constitutional amendment requiring a supermajority to pass bills during lame duck
House Appropriations Committee Chair Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Twp.) takes questions from reporters following the presentation of the governor's executive budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2026 on Feb. 5, 2025. | Kyle Davidson In an effort to 'increase accountability in Michigan's legislative process,' state Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Twp.) has put forward a proposal to require a two-thirds vote to pass legislation during the lame duck period. Members of the Michigan House are up for election every two years, while state Senators serve for four years. The lame duck period begins in November on the even numbered years after legislative elections, when a lawmaker has either won reelection, or an opponent of successor has been elected. 'Lame-duck sessions have been used to force through controversial policies that wouldn't stand a chance under the full scrutiny of voters,' Bollin said in a statement. 'This reform is about restoring integrity and ensuring that the will of the people guides the decisions made in Lansing.' House Joint Resolution A, which cleared the House Government Operations Committee Tuesday, aims to amend the state constitution to require two-thirds of lawmakers in each chamber in order t'o become a law. If Bollin's proposal is approved, it will be placed on the ballot, where Michigan voters will have the final say. In order to move forward, any bill passed under this proposal would need strong bipartisan support. 'Too often, politicians try to avoid accountability — whether it's by forcing something through in lame duck or by taking the cowardly route and waiting until after an election to act, hoping voters won't notice,' Bollin said. 'We must make it clear that lawmakers should be accountable for every vote they take, every time.' Bollin's proposal received support from a number of Republicans with Democratic Reps. Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City), Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) and Angela Witwer (D-Delta Twp.) also signing on as cosponsors. Requiring a two-thirds vote for lame duck bills was one of several transparency efforts backed by Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) at a Jan. 30 press conference. Hall also backed Bollin's resolution creating a series of reforms for legislative spending initiatives, also known as earmarks. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
