District 1 Issues

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="044005a0exvipq.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC33" FACE="Copperplate Gothic Bold" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Eastside Republican Club"><U><B>Home</B></U></A><B>    </B></FONT><B> | </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Copperplate Gothic Bold" ><B>Eastside Republican Club</B></FONT></div> <div>                                                   </div> <div> <A HREF="erc_meeting_dates.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Events"><U>Events</U></A>   |   <A HREF="eastside_republican_review_summary.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ERC Review"><U>ERC Review</U></A>   |   <A HREF="michigan_s_13th_district.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Congressional District News"><U>Congressional District News</U></A>   |   <A HREF="civic___governmental_links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="erc_officers.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U>About Us</U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> <B>District 1 Issues</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="link_to_michigan_gop.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michigan Republicans"><U><B><IMG SRC="05358580.gif" border=0 width="88" height="88" ALT="Michigan GOP" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="ed_gaffney_news_m.htm#pesticides_approved" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="District 1 Issues"><U><B>Push for Pesticide Notification</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="ed_gaffney_news_m.htm#office_hours" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="District 1 Issues"><U><B>District 1 Office Hours</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="redistricting_maps_based_on_2000_census_first_house_district__michigan_legislature_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="District Maps"><U><B>Boundaries of House Dist. 1</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.gophouse.com/gaffney.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gophouse.com/gaffney.htm"><U><B>Gaffney's Online Office</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div>  <A NAME="top_of_district_1_issues_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>House approves Gaffney measure to protect children from pesticides</B><B> <A NAME="pesticides_approved"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> The state House recently gave unanimous approval to legislation sponsored by Rep. Ed Gaffney to protect Michigan children from the harmful effects of pesticides.<IMG SRC="97204e20.jpg" border=0 width="260" height="226" ALT="Sally Garrett of Grosse Pointe Park talks with Rep. Ed Gaffney on pesticide issue" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="3" VSPACE="4"></div> <div> House Bill 5154 requires universal 48-hour notification to parents when schools or day care centers plan to apply pesticides.</div> <div> “Many of the most commonly used pesticides at schools and day care centers can cause debilitating or life threatening health effects for children,” said Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms. “Pesticides have been linked to asthma, cancer, learning disabilities and other problems in children.”</div> <div> Studies have found pesticide residue on supplies in schoolrooms up to two weeks following pesticide application.</div> <div> Current law requires schools to inform parents only at the beginning of the school year of their right to request notification of pesticide application. There is no provision in existing law for day care centers.</div> <div> The measure requires schools and day care centers to notify parents of the intent to apply a pesticide by posting a sign at the school, putting a notice on the school's web site or by sending a mailing to parents.</div> <div> “We must give parents the information they need to make educated decisions regarding the health and safety of their children,” Gaffney said. “This bill ensures parents have access to clear and accurate information regarding pesticide applications and will help provide a safer and healthier learning environment for our children.”</div> <div> The bill now moves to the Senate.</div> <div> <B>Representative Gaffney Honored for Support of Michigan Traffic Safety</B></div> <div> The Traffic Safety Association of Michigan (TSAM) recently honored state Rep. Ed Gaffney for his support of Michigan's graduated driver licensing law and sponsorship of House Bill 4600.<IMG SRC="ba3aac10.jpg" border=0 width="170" height="193" ALT="State Rep. Ed Gaffney, right, accepts the award from TSAM chairman Brian Glowiak" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="4"></div> <div> Gaffney was honored December 5, 2003, at TSAM's annual luncheon in Detroit. TSAM chairman Brian Glowiak presented the award.</div> <div> The House Bill prohibits a first year teenage driver with a Level Two license from transporting more than one passenger other than family members. </div> <div> “I am honored to receive this award,” said Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms. “My legislation will help achieve our shared desire for safer teenage drivers and it's my hope this legislation will soon be signed into law.”</div> <div> “We appreciate the hard work that Rep. Gaffney has done to encourage safe driving in Michigan,” said Tom Reel, TSAM president. “With his help, we are making Michigan roads safer and saving lives.”</div> <div> <B>Gaffney Re-Write of Grandparent Visitation Law Moves Through House</B></div> <div> The state House has unanimously approved legislation sponsored by state Rep. Ed Gaffney to restore the state's grandparent visitation law that was struck down during 2003 by a Michigan Supreme Court ruling.</div> <div> “This is really a victory for grandchildren who will be able to spend quality time with their grandparents,” said Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms. “As a grandparent, I realize that grandparents are an integral part of a child's growth and development. I'm pleased to see this legislation move forward.”</div> <div> Gaffney believes it is essential that the uncertainty created by the Supreme Court be eliminated so grandparents can be assured of the validity of visitation orders in Michigan.</div> <div> “In the vast majority of cases, grandparents need and deserve to see grandchildren on a regular basis,” Gaffney said. “Where there is a valid reason not to allow visitation, then the court needs to be given guidance on how to weigh the equities.”</div> <div> The legislation is a response to Justice Elizabeth Weaver's separate opinion that appealed to the Michigan Legislature for action to correct constitutional flaws in the statute.</div> <div> House Bill 5039, co-sponsored by more than 80 representatives, sets standards for judges to use in granting court ordered grandparent visitation and standing to sue. If a grandparent were denied visitation, then the burden would be on him, not the parent, to prove grandparent visitation is in the best interest of the child.</div> <div> <B>Gaffney Seeks E-Mail Addresses f</B><B>or New Electronic Newsletter</B></div> <div> District 1 State Representative Ed Gaffney is soliciting e-mail addresses from 1<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> District residents interested in receiving his “Capitol News,” e-mail newsletter.<IMG SRC="add608d0.jpg" border=0 width="96" height="141" ALT="District 1 State Representative Ed Gaffney" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="2"></div> <div> The electronic newsletter will be an addition to the traditional newsletter Gaffney sends to residents of the First District, and will be e-mailed about six times annually. It will contain up-to-date information on Lansing legislative happenings.</div> <div> Gaffney said, “The Capitol News contains information about the budget process and other issues of importance to 1<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> District residents. This e-mail newsletter is an easy way for constituents to keep up-to-date with the Legislature.”</div> <div> Those interested in receiving the newsletter are invited to forward their e-mail addresses to Gaffney at <A HREF="mailto:edwardgaffney@house.mi.gov" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:"><U>edwardgaffney@house.mi.gov</U></A><I>.</I></div> <div>  <A NAME="cap_on_prop_taxes"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>Gaffney Measure Would Keep Cap on Property Taxes</B></div> <div> State Rep. Edward Gaffney introduced legislation in June to allow home buyers who are relocating in their same community to retain the existing capped value on the property for tax purposes.<IMG SRC="aab7dd20.jpg" border=0 width="125" height="210" ALT="Rep. Ed Gaffney >>More Gaffney" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="2"></div> <div> Currently, every time a home is sold, the value is adjusted and the buyer is subject to taxes that sometimes increase by several thousand dollars. House Bill 4784 allows buyers, who have lived in a municipality for three years, to purchase a home in the same municipality and pay the same amount in taxes as the previous owner.</div> <div> “The increase in taxes makes it difficult for young couples to purchase larger homes and seniors to downsize,” said Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms. “If something is not done soon, this problem will only get worse. Property taxes will become more and more of a burden and will stymie the real estate market.”</div> <div> When prospective buyers are in the process of closing on their purchase, they often discover the property taxes will increase dramatically over what is currently paid, according to the Grosse Pointe Board of Realtors. The board also estimates that 10 percent of all sales are killed when the information is discovered.</div> <div> “The current law discourages real estate sales and keeps people from fulfilling their dream of home ownership,” Gaffney said. “This measure encourages people to relocate in their own community and discourages urban sprawl and poor land use practices.”</div> <div> <B>Gaffney Sponsors Re-write of Grandparent Visitation Law</B> <A NAME="grandparent_visitation"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> Representative Ed Gaffney, (R) Grosse Pointe Farms, in August 2003, requested legislation be drafted to restore the state's grandparent visitation law which the Michigan Supreme Court struck down in July.</div> <div> Gaffney noted, “As a grandparent I realize that grandparents are an integral part of a child's growth and development.” Gaffney believes it is essential that the uncertainty created by the Supreme Court be eliminated so grandparents can be assured of the validity of visitation orders in Michigan.</div> <div> “In the vast majority of cases grandparents need and deserve to see grandchildren on a regular basis,” Gaffney contended. “Where there is a valid reason not to allow visitation, then the court needs to be given guidance on how to weigh the equities.”</div> <div> Gaffney said he is responding to Justice Elizabeth Weaver's separate opinion that appealed to the Michigan Legislature to act quickly to correct the constitutional flaws in the state statute.</div> <div> The bill request by Representative Gaffney asks that the bill be modeled along the lines of a Utah statute that gives parents the right to decide whether or not a grandparent may see the child. If a grandparent were denied visitation, then the burden would be on him, not the parent, to prove grandparent visitation is in the best interest of the child.</div> <div> Gaffney said he will ask House Leadership to make this issue a top priority, and to take up the issue as soon as possible.<IMG SRC="adb0eb20.jpg" border=0 width="270" height="434" ALT="Susan and Dave Pendy of The Hill Seafood & Chop House with Rep. Ed Gaffney" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="8"></div> <div>  <A NAME="tradition"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>Grosse Pointe Farms Restaurant</B></div> <div> <B>Goes to Lansing for Gaffney</B></div> <div> Members of the Michigan House of Representatives in Lansing enjoyed a delicious sampling of mouth-watering food courtesy of The Hill Seafood and Chop House, 1223 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms, and the Michigan Restaurant Association.</div> <div> The event commemorated June passage of District 1 <A HREF="http://house.michigan.gov/rep.asp?DIST=001" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://house.michigan.gov/rep.asp?DIST=0"><U>State Representative, Ed Gaffney</U></A>'s first piece of legislation--House Bill 4495, creating uniform standards for marking handicapped parking spaces. >><A HREF="#handicapped_parking" TITLE="District 1 Issues"><U><I>More</I></U></A>.</div> <div> Dave and Susan Pendy, owners of the restaurant, personally served about 140 state representatives and staff. The menu featured tenderloin of beef with béarnaise sauce, the Hill's signature salad, penne pasta with mushrooms and grilled chicken, chicken and tuna salad, spring rolls, and an assortment of gourmet desserts. “It is the best spread I have seen all year,” noted Rep. Chris Ward, R-Brighton.</div> <div> Majority Floor Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, said: “In the nearly five years since I have been here, I can't remember a better assortment of fine food than was presented by The Hill Seafood and Chop House.”</div> <div> Gaffney said, “I appreciate the support of the Pendy family and other small-business owners like them in the Grosse Pointe area for the way they contribute to the community. It is because of their strong community and family involvement that I asked them to join me in Lansing.”</div> <div> It is a long-standing tradition for legislators to bring in a snack or light meal to show appreciation to colleagues on the passage of their first piece of legislation. Gaffney did not intend to step on tradition.</div> <div> “This excellent meal continues this time honored tradition of the House of Representatives,” said Speaker Rick Johnson, R-LeRoy.</div> <div> Gaffney said: “I thought my colleagues deserved a taste of Grosse Pointe. I am very grateful to David and Susan Pendy for their most generous donation to this fine tradition.”</div> <div> <B> <A NAME="handicapped_parking"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <B>Gaffney Handicapped Parking </B><B>Bill</B><B> Unanimously Okayed by Committee</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="994180d0.jpg" border=0 width="280" height="269" ALT="Gaffney and Mike Harris, right, from the Michigan chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, testify before the House Transportation Committee regarding House Bill 4495, which establishes uniform guidelines for striping and marking handicapped van-accessible parking spaces" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="8" VSPACE="6">Legislation unanimously approved by the House Transportation Committee on May 15, 2003, would establish uniform guidelines for striping and marking handicapped van-accessible parking spaces, said District 1 <A HREF="http://www.gophouse.com/Members/Gaffney/gaffney_DistrictPage.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gophouse.com/Members/Gaffney/"><U>State Representative, Ed Gaffney</U></A>, sponsor of the measure.</div> <div> Gaffney, along with Mike Harris from the Michigan chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, testified in support of House Bill 4495.</div> <div> “Currently, you can go to ten different parking lots and find that the handicapped spots are marked with ten different stripings and dimensions,” said Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms. “My bill creates uniform guidelines to make identification and accessibility easier.”</div> <div> <IMG SRC="a855a5a0.jpg" border=0 width="90" height="90" ALT=">>Handicapped Parking" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="2">House Bill 4495 requires that following construction or resurfacing of a parking lot, handicapped van-accessible parking spaces are painted blue with diagonal stripes. Under current law people parked in a van-accessible aisle can be fined $100. However, aisle markings are left to individual interpretation, making enforcement impractical.</div> <div> “Those who are in a wheelchair and require lifts in their vehicles should have access to appropriate handicap parking,” Harris said. “Uniformity will make parking easier and help law enforcement officers more easily identify and cite violators.”</div> <div> The bill <A HREF="#tradition" TITLE="District 1 Issues"><U>passed the full House</U></A>.</div> <div>  <A NAME="drug_testing"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>Ed Gaffney Supports Drug Testing Resolution</B></div> <div> The Michigan House is officially urging the governor to seek U.S. Supreme Court review of the Sixth Circuit's recent ruling that invalidated state welfare recipient drug testing requirements, state Rep. Edward Gaffney announced.</div> <div> “The lower court's ruling will put at-risk Michigan families in greater peril, especially the children of welfare recipients,” said state Rep. Ed Gaffney, who supported a resolution urging the review. “Children will have little chance of success in life if their parents are unable to properly care for them.”</div> <div> A total of 28 percent of adults receiving assistance abuse or are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Child abuse and neglect occurs roughly three times more frequently in households with parents receiving assistance than in households with parents not receiving assistance.</div> <div> “Drug testing will ultimately help people overcome their addictions so they can support themselves and their family,” said Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms. “If welfare recipients are using their assistance to buy drugs instead of food for their children, we need to know this so we can provide help.”</div> <div> Failure to participate in the program or failure to comply with a drug treatment plan will result in reduced public assistance and elimination of assistance after four months of noncompliance.</div> <div> The concurrent resolution has been referred to the Senate Committee on Families and Human Services.</div> <div>  <A NAME="pesticide_notice"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>Gaffney Meets with Sally Garrett on Push for Pesticide Notification</B></div> <div> District 1 State Representative Ed Gaffney welcomed Sally Garrett of Grosse Pointe Park and other members of Michigan's Junior League to the state Capitol on May 7, 2003.</div> <div> The group was in Lansing, meeting with lawmakers and promoting legislation aimed at notifying parents of a planned school or day care center pesticide application. They offered support for legislation Gaffney is working on to require universal, 48-hour parental notification in such cases.</div> <div> “Children are affected more than adults because their bodies are still growing and developing. We need to raise awareness so parents can make educated choices that protect their children,“ said Sally Garrett, Park resident and Junior League of Detroit member.</div> <div> “The most commonly used pesticides in schools can cause debilitating or life threatening health effects,” said Gaffney.</div> <div> In other news, Gaffney joined Republican colleagues in the Michigan House in taking first steps to save Michigan's Merit Award Scholarships from the budget axe.</div> <div>  <A NAME="office_hours"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>Gaffney Stays in Touch with Taxpayers</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.gophouse.com/gaffney.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gophouse.com/gaffney.htm"><U><IMG SRC="84f61a10.jpg" border=0 width="97" height="161" ALT="Representative Ed Gaffney >>Read more" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="2"></U></A>In series of local, Monday morning meetings District 1 <A HREF="http://house.michigan.gov/rep.asp?DIST=001" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://house.michigan.gov/rep.asp?DIST=0"><U>State Representative, Ed Gaffney</U></A>, will be available to meet with his constituents.</div> <div> The First District lawmaker will provide residents with a legislative update and take their questions and comments. Gaffney's staff emphasizes that no appointment is necessary.</div> <div> “I look forward to meeting with my constituents, updating them on legislative news and answering their questions,” said Gaffney. “These meetings offer me a tremendous opportunity to learn more about the issues of importance to the people of the First District.”</div> <div> The meetings will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on most Mondays in convenient local locations on a rotating basis. >><A HREF="http://www.gophouse.com/Members/Gaffney/gaffney_DistrictPage.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gophouse.com/Members/Gaffney/"><U>C</U></A><A HREF="http://www.gophouse.com/Members/Gaffney/gaffney_DistrictPage.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gophouse.com/Members/Gaffney/"><U><I>omplete schedule listed by community is here</I></U></A><I>.</I></div> <div> Constituents may call this toll-free number for further information: (888) 254-LAW1. >><A HREF="http://www.gophouse.com/gaffney.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gophouse.com/gaffney.htm"><U><I>Gaffney's Online Office</I></U></A>.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="#top_of_district_1_issues_1" TITLE="District 1 Issues"><U>back to top</U></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>