LEGAL NEWS and LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

It's an election year--just thought I'd remind you again.  Expect to see an increase in political ads, mail from every candidate in the area and lots of promises.  I am sure you have experienced the overwhelming feeling as you enter the voting booth of " WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE ANYWAY?"  Informing yourself about the candidates and what are their values and beliefs can be intimidating to say the least.  So here are some suggestions and resource to help you vote with some knowledge about candidates and issues. 

1.      Look at you voter registration card.  It tells you which State House and Senate districts you are in and where your polling place is! 

2.      Register to vote by Oct. 7, if you are not already registered.  More info www.michigan.gov/sos can tell you if you are registered to vote.  Get absentee ballots for your college kids!

3.      Contact you local clerk's office, either city or county clerk, and ask for a list of candidates or a sample ballot or go to  www.michigan.gov/sos site, Michigan Voter's Information Center, follow the prompts. 

4.      Read voter's guides.  Attend candidate forums.  Pay attention to candidate ads or profiles in local papers.  Look at who is supporting the candidate.

5.      Locate the candidates phone number--either from materials mailed to you or go on-line and follow the prompts carefully: state of Michigan's website, www.michigan.gov/sos, click on Elections in Michigan; go to Michigan Electronic Voter's Guide.  This will get you to an alphabetical listing of the candidates.  Locate your candidate, click on the yes for financial information; here you'll get contact information for candidates.

More contact sites on line: www.michiganvotes.org,  www.rtl.org, www.goctv.org

Candidate sites and or phone numbers that I  (Kathy H) have found informative: 

Michael Warren, Michigan State Board of Education  www.WarrenForMichigan.com

Marc Wilkins, Candidate for 14th State Senate District,  e-mail mwilkins@poeplepc.com or 248-539-9374

Sylvia Jordan Candidate for 35th State House District  248-354-8513

Need a good comparison of the Gubernatorial candidates www.EducationReport.org  click on "Special Focus", go to Michigan Education Report, Articles.

Vitally important …PRAY  for this election.  Right to Life of Michigan has designated  Tuesdays as days of praying and fasting from now through election day, November 5.  Intercessors for America asks to pray for specific candidates and issues (ie.  abortion, cloning, security, economic policy)

IMPORTANCE OF ELECTION 2002…for the homeschool community.   The election this year will bring a change. During the Engler administration, families and homeschoolers have had an advocate in both the executive and legislative branches of Michigan government.   Because of this, our freedom to homeschool has been preserved and protected from several assaults.  The election this November could change this.

We are not the only group to recognize this.  The Michigan Education Association (MEA) making an all out effort to put politicians in office that oppose parental choice in schooling.  The director of policy for the Triangle Foundation, Sean Kosofsky said, "The Engler era is over. Because of term limits and re-districting the elections this November are critical and will determine the direction of Michigan for at least the next decade.  Everyone should register to vote and get politically involved."   Battle grounds are taking shape across Michigan. Get involved,  volunteer for a candidate. Work with a candidate that you can support.  It's a great experience for you and your children.  The experience is a genuine education in civics and government.  You also leave an impression of what "homeschoolers" are like.  This may effect the way that elected official votes.


“Let us bow our heads in repentance and raise our voices in prayer". Sandy Laba, 1999

Saturday, Oct. 5th, 10 am Homeschoolers meet with candidates at the Knapps Office Building, 300 S. Washington.  More information, contact Laura Lazet at walnutridge6@msn.com; title the subject line "RSVP" or call Paul DeWeese's headquarters for more information at 517-267-9222.