Capitol Update from Rep. Roberts

This newsletter was provided by State. Rep. Sarah Roberts

Dear Friend,

I hope this e-newsletter finds you well and enjoying your summer. June was a busy month in Lansing. I wrapped up a six-month long process to establish a package of eight bills to create a strong regulatory framework for hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. I also introduced a resolution urging Congress to oppose the construction of a nuclear waste repository in Ontario, Canada, that is near our drinking water source.

I was named co-chair of the Great Lakes and Conservation Task Force and we plan on holding public hearings across the state to hear from experts and the public.

We also now have a toll free number: 1-855-Sarah18 (727-2418)

Always feel free to contact me at any time to share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas.

Disappointing Month in Lansing

In June, the House of Representatives passed Medicaid expansion legislation. Medicaid expansion would provide health care for an estimated 400,000 people. Unfortunately, the Senate chose not to pass the Medicaid expansion legislation before breaking for the summer.

I am also deeply disappointed with the House of Representatives and the Senate’s decision to vote for the School Dissolution Act, House Bills 4813 and 4815. The bills set the criteria that allow the Michigan Treasurer and Michigan Superintendent for Public Instruction to dissolve school districts they deem financially insoluble. However, the criteria are framed in such a way that it unfairly targets specific low-income school districts, particularly two districts. While school districts must fail to meet the criteria, the ultimate decision whether or not a school is viable in the long-run is subjective and circumvents grassroots efforts to help the district. Currently, there are 55 school districts that are operating in a deficit, yet the Republicans refused to have a full discussion on why our schools are going bankrupt and instead legislatively dissolved two school districts.

Eight Bills to Protect Our Great Lakes and Public Health from Fracking

The Great Lakes are something that I have been passionate about for a long time. As your state representative, part of my goal is to ensure the longevity of Michigan’s abundant water resources. At the beginning of 2013, I assembled a coalition of organizations to pinpoint broad solutions to the many problems that plague our Great Lakes. With widespread support from these organizations, along with assistance from many of my colleagues, I am happy to announce an eight-bill package that will help us protect the Great Lakes, supply more transparency, and allow for increased local control by clarifying and tightening the current hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” laws.

The eight bills that are part of the package would:

• Require full disclosure of fracking chemicals to determine the chemicals’ impact on public health.

• Provide counties and townships with the ability to regulate fracking operations, locations, and abandonment of wells.

If you have any further questions on bill content, please contact my office.

Resolution to Urge Congress to Carefully Review Ontario, Canada’s Plan to Store Nuclear Waste Close to Lake Huron’s Shore

I introduced a resolution to urge Congress to oppose Ontario Power Generation’s proposed underground nuclear waste repository in Ontario, Canada.

The proposed repository or storage site is expected to house low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste less than a mile from Lake Huron’s Canadian shore and only 440 yards below lake level. Radioactive waste can remain dangerous for approximately 100,000 years, contaminating the surrounding area if not properly contained.

With this in mind, it is critical that we minimize the waste’s potential threat to public health and the environment by keeping it away from our water resources. If radioactive substances leaked from the repository, the drinking water for millions of Michigan residents who live downstream from Lake Huron could be contaminated.

Instead of constructing the repository so close to the Great Lakes shoreline, the United States should urge Canada to consider safer alternative sites that are further inland. The citizens of the United States should have a say in a project that could threaten their livelihood and health of future generations.

Free Pure Michigan Official State Travel Guides

Free Pure Michigan travel guides are now available to help you plan your summer vacation. Included are top Michigan travel destinations, upcoming festivals and events, as well as local attractions. Start making your travel plans today!

Please contact me to request a guide and it will be mailed to you.

Great Lakes Fun Facts

• The five Great Lakes - Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Superior - contain about 20 percent of the world’s fresh water.

• The total shoreline of the Great Lakes is 10,900 miles, which is approximately the distance from Toledo, Ohio, to Perth, Australia.

• If the contents of all five Great Lakes were suddenly released, the water would submerge 48 states under nine feet of water.

For more fun facts, logon to the Department of Natural Resources website at http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/LakeErieBirdTrailIndex/FactsTrivia/tabid/23144/Default.aspx

Fall Turkey Hunting Applications Available Through August 1

Hunters may apply for a turkey hunting license at any authorized license agent, at DNR Operations Service Centers or online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings.

A total of 51,850 licenses are available; 5,150 general licenses that may be used on public or private land and 46,700 licenses for private land only. Eleven wild turkey management units, totaling 44,943 square miles, are open to fall turkey hunting during theSeptember 15-November 14 season, including most of the southern Lower Peninsula, Beaver Island, five counties in the northern Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula.

Coffee with Sarah

My coffee hours will be held the first Saturday and the third Monday of every month. Coffee hours for the month of August will be held on:

Monday, August 19, from 8-9 a.m. at the Coffee Break, 19156 E. 10 Mile Road in Eastpointe

CANCELLED: The coffee hour on August 3 is cancelled due to a family event.

These coffee hours will be a chance for an informal conversation about improving state government and to give me the opportunity to listen to your concerns. Future coffee events will be announced in coming e-newsletters. Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

State Representative Sarah Roberts