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Election Update
Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health
I. Primary Election Results available online at
Click here: GONGWER NEWS SERVICE
2002 Election
http://www.gongwer.com/2002vote.html
or www.michigan.gov
(Click on State Departments,
Secretary of State).
II. Healthy Michigan Ballot Initiative
With the Governor's Veto of Local Revenue Share Funds and
subsequent override by the House and Senate, the Ballot
Initiatives are in the news and on people's minds.
The Healthy Michigan Amendment changes Michigan’s constitution
to require that at least 90% of the funds from the tobacco
lawsuit settlement be spent on health care.
According to the Citizens for a Healthy Michigan
www.alam.org/advocacy/tobacco_ballot.asp,
the Healthy Michigan Amendment would require that the
funds be spent in three ways…
1. To fund research into tobacco-related illnesses
2. To fund prevention and education programs so that fewer
people will smoke.
3. To pay for the care of those who are suffering from
tobacco-related illnesses.
A Group called the People Protecting Kids and the Constitution
have formed to oppose the Healthy Michigan Amendment because
they believe there should not be a change to the Michigan
Constitution and elected officials should have the ability to
determine how public money is spent.
Currently the tobacco settlement funds are being used for
health care, the state’s Michigan Merit Awards, and a portion
to the general fund for police protection, K-12 schools and
other critical state purposes.
The signatures to put the Healthy Michigan Amendment on the
ballot are expected to be certified the first week in Sept.
Please see the above websites to assist you in determining
your position on the Ballot Initiative.
III. Candidates positions on maternal and child health.
1. Jennifer Granholm, Democratic nominee and Dick Posthumus,
Republican nominee, will be briefed on public health concerns
by a coalition called the Future of Public Health in coming
weeks. Both candidates have agreed to three public debates
which are TBA. To find out more about where the candidates
stand on the issues please see:
2. The Future of Public Health Report will be released at a
press conference on Wed. Sept. 18 at 1:00 pm at the State
Capitol. Candidates will be briefed locally. Contact Paul
Shaheen at
pshaheen@mcmch.com for more
information.
3. MCMCH and the Michigan Public Health Association are
sending a candidate survey out to all the Senate, House, and
Congressional candidates on public health issues including
immunizations, lead, school health, infant mortality, mental
health. The results will be available in late Sept.
IV. Election Advocacy Training- The Grand Rapids based Child
and Family Resource Council is hosting an election advocacy
training as part of their on-going advocacy curriculum.
Michele Strasz will be co-presenting. If you are interested in
attending contact Elizabeth Bethard at 616-454-HOPE or email
bethardce@yahoo.com.
If you communicate with candidates, please encourage them to
respond to candidate questionnaires on health issues and
educate them on the importance of maternal and child health
and prevention.
Please let us know if you have an election event you would
like to promote statewide.
Michele Strasz
Director of Community Outreach
Don't forget to Vote with Children in Mind on November 5!
Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health
(517)482-5807 ph.
(517)482-9242 fax |
