Capitol Update from Rep. Roberts

Dear Friends,

In this edition, you will find the latest information on the recent change to Michigan’s Court of Claims, proposed new fracking rules from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, useful information for families and seniors, my upcoming town hall meeting on fracking and dates for my December coffee hours. I also would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Join Me for a Town Hall Meeting on Fracking Thursday, November 21st.

Join me and my guests for an informative town hall meeting on fracking. Fracking is a process that uses large amounts of water mixed with chemicals and sand to fracture shale to release natural gas. Join me to learn more about this process, its impacts on our environment and to have your questions answered.

The town hall meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 21, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Church in the Parish Hall, 21201 E. 13 Mile Road, St. Clair Shores. I will be joined by special guests Nic Clark, Director of Michigan Clean Water Action; Nick Shroeck, Director of the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center at Wayne State University; and Jack Schmitt, Deputy Director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.

I hope to see you there!

Legislature’s Court of Claims `Reform’ is Not a Reform At All

I was disappointed when the majority party approved, and the governor signed into law, Senate Bill 652 that moves the state’s Court of Claims from the Ingham County Circuit Court to the state Court of Appeals. This move means that the Michigan Supreme Court chief justice would decide which judges hear cases brought against the state. I believe that this will make it harder for citizens to challenge the constitutionality of controversial laws or to bring Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act claims against the state.

It’s crucial to our democracy that citizens are able to challenge laws they feel are unconstitutional and have a fair trial in a court of law. Our government is supposed to be transparent and accountable to the people it represents, and this bill is completely counter to that.

SB 652 has now been signed into law, and four judges have been picked to preside over Court of Claims cases. I still believe that this change muddies the lines of separation of powers and turns the state’s judicial system into an extension of a political party by allowing one person to pick which judges sit on the Court of Claims. This change moved quickly through the legislative process after being introduced to the Senate on October 24. I believe that a change of such great importance for our government and citizens at least deserved more careful consideration.

Our founding fathers separated the branches of government to make sure that no one had too much power. This new law essentially allows one party in charge of the legislative branch to unfairly exert authority over the judicial branch. Majority approval of this law was, I believe, a sad day for democracy and justice in Michigan.

New DEQ Regulations Offer Opportunity to Focus on Fracking Bills in the House

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently announced it will create new rules for hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” The proposed rules focus on four areas: water withdrawal assessment and monitoring, water quality sampling, monitoring and reporting, and chemical additive disclosure.

It’s great that the DEQ is proposing new requirements on fracking operations in Michigan, particularly around the water withdrawal assessment tool and reporting. Baseline water quality testing and ongoing monitoring should be a best practice for the industry across the United States. We know that Michigan can do more to protect our water from the risks and potential dangers of high-volume horizontal hydraulic fracking. Earlier this year, I partnered with a number of my colleagues in the State House and environmental community to develop a comprehensive common sense package of bills to address these issues. Yet, this legislation has not moved since introduction. The newly announced DEQ regulations offer us an opportunity to refocus our attention on the bill package. It also allows us to work in a bipartisan manner and explore other legislative options to ensure proper safeguards are in place that will protect Michigan’s most vital asset, our fresh water.

House Bills 4899-4906 were introduced in July of this year. The legislative package addresses a number of fracking issues including public participation, increase setbacks from schools and churches, full chemical disclosure and requiring the state to conduct a full comprehensive study of all the associated fracking risks and impacts on the public health and environment.

Across the state, Michiganders are concerned about how fracking will impact Michigan. I am hosting a town hall on this issue to hear your thoughts on the subject. I hope to see you there.

Help With Heating Bills for Senior Citizens

Winter is coming and with it high heating bills. Michigan law provides special protection from shutoffs for seniors 65 and older (Detroit Edison customers qualify at age 62). Between Nov. 1 andMarch 31, utility companies cannot shut off a senior citizen’s heat even if they make no payments. However, seniors must pay the amount owed between April and October, and daytime shut-offs are allowed during this period. Seniors with past due bills should immediately notify their utility that they are 65 or older (or 62 or older) and qualify for the “Winter Protection Plan.” If you have a complaint about your gas or electric company, and the company hasn’t resolved it to your satisfaction, call the Michigan Public Service Commission at (800) 292-9555.

Governor Calls for Nominations for Governor’s Fitness Awards

The goal of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports is to improve lives and strengthen communities by helping people eat healthy and be physically active. The Governor’s Fitness Awards recognizes individuals, organizations and events that encourage others to make healthy choices by teaching, volunteering, role modeling or through other community involvement. The governor is calling on Michiganders to nominate people for the nine 2014 awards that will be given out. To read about the awards and nominate people visit the website atwww.michiganfitness.org/gfa.

Coffee with Sarah

My coffee hours are held the first Saturday and the third Monday of every month. My December coffee hours will be held on:

• Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Luna Cafe, 23415 Greater Mack Ave., in St. Clair Shores.

• Monday, Dec. 16, from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Coffee Break, 19156 E. 10 Mile Road in Eastpointe.

These coffee hours provide you with an opportunity to have an informal conversation about improving state government and to give me the opportunity to listen to your concerns. Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

State Representative Sarah Roberts
18th House District

This newsletter was provided by Rep. Sarah Roberts.