2009 House Bill 4229 (Give ex-legislators funeral benefits)

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Introduced by Rep. Fred Durhal, Jr. (D) on February 11, 2009, to create a new law called the "Legislative Funeral Act." As introduced the bill would require the state to give at government expense a state flag to the survivor of an ex-legislator who dies, and provide a state police escort at the funeral. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Bettie Scott, Bert Johnson, Shanelle Jackson, Womack, Coleman Young, Jones, Schmidt, Hansen, LeBlanc, Constan, Cushingberry, Spade, Tlaib, Genetski, Haines, Green, McMillin, Marie Donigan.
- Referred to the House Government Operations Committee on February 11, 2009.

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1) Re: 2009 House Bill 4229 (Give ex-legislators funeral benefits) [by FreeSpeaker on June 4, 2009]

The timing of this bill is terrible, of course, but what it asks for is reasonable and very proper.

In fact, I am appalled that the simple and inexpensive courtesies this bill provides for -- a State of Michigan flag and State Police escort at the funeral, if requested by the family -- have not in the past been extended to the families of deceased ex-legislators.

Whether I agree with their "politics" or not makes no difference. I do respect the offices legislators hold, and the services they perfrom. And in death, I will show the simplest common courtesy of not begrudging them a modest participation by the State in their funerals.

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2) Re: 2009 House Bill 4229 (Give ex-legislators funeral benefits) [by albaby2 on June 4, 2009]

Oh yeah, some real heros they are. They are paid well for their "service". What a joke! How about a New Orleans type funeral complete with paid bands, marchers, wailers, white horses etc.

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3) Re: 2009 House Bill 4229 (Give ex-legislators funeral benefits) [by moralmatters.org on May 17, 2009]

Sadly and pathetically this “House Bill 4229,” was introduced by Representative Fred Durhal, a Democrat from Detroit. In short, this law, if passed, would suck more of the taxpayers’ hard earned money and pay for unneeded State Police escorts at the scene of a deceased politician’s funeral. It isn’t enough that politicians while alive, cause financial grief for the taxpayer. Now, they have found a way to stick it to the general public even after they have finally passed on!

I firmly believe that our Michigan legislatures are paid enough for their "services." They rank towards the top paid politicians in the country. Their benefits, I am sure rank better than most in the private sector. This bill illustrates the arrogance of politicians to keep extorting from the very people who fund their livelihoods. It is an insult to Michigan taxpayers, forcing them to keep shelling out their tax monies when this state needs to balance its budget.

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