2001 House Bill 4759 - Michigan Votes

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2001 House Bill 4759

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Introduced by Rep. Gary Newell (R) on May 10, 2001, to establish a “Choose Life Fund,” funded with revenue from the sale of a “Choose Life” specialty license plate. The fund would distribute money to counties to fund non-governmental not-for-profit organizations that provide services and counseling to women who have unplanned or unwanted pregnancies, except agencies involved or associated with abortion counseling, referrals to abortion clinics, or providing abortions. This bill is part of a legislative package comprised of House Bill 4759 and Senate Bill 466.
- Referred to the House Transportation Committee on May 10, 2001.
- Amendment offered in the House on December 4, 2001, to insert the number of the bill which is tie-barred to this bill. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on December 4, 2001.
- Substitute offered by Rep. Gary Newell (R) on December 4, 2001, to replace the previous version of the bill with a version recommended by the committee which reported it. The substitute incorporates changes resulting from committee testimony and deliberation. These changes do not affect the substance of the bill as previously described. The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on December 4, 2001.
Passed 68 to 35 in the House on December 5, 2001.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

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1) Rep. Clarke's "no vote explanation" by Admin002 on December 8, 2001
"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I voted against HB 4759 because it would not fund agencies that offer a broad range of family planning services and counseling to women."
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2) Rep. Lemmons' "no vote explanation" by Admin002 on December 8, 2001
"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I voted against HB 4759 because it involves the State in collecting money to support only one side of a controversial and divisive political issue. Thus, the bill is tantamount to State sponsorship of a political message that is in conflict with our Constitutional rights as upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. If the bill is signed into law it is certain to be challenged in court and will subject Michigan taxpayers to the expense of defending a law that is likely to be overturned."
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3) Rep. Kolb's "no vote explanation" by Admin002 on December 8, 2001
"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I voted no on House Bill No. 4759, a bill to create a 'Choose Life' license plate with the funds going to 'crisis pregnancy' centers, because this legislation is blatantly unconstitutional. The 'Choose Life' logo is a recognized slogan of narrow interests in the 'anti-abortion' movement. It does not belong on a state license plate. If a citizen wants this slogan on their car, there is already a place for it. That place is the car bumper and if a person wants that slogan on their car they can use a bumper sticker to do that, not a state-sanctioned license plate. In Louisiana, where similar legislation was passed, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction calling the 'Choose Life' plates 'very likely an unconstitutional restraint of free speech as it restricts the forum to only one view-that being the view of the State.' This legislation involves the State in collecting money to support only one side of a controversial and divisive political issue. Thus, the bill is tantamount to State sponsorship of a political message that is in conflict with our Constitutional rights as upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. If this bill is signed into law it is certain to be challenged in court and will subject Michigan taxpayers to the expense of defending a law that is likely to be overturned."
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