Oct. 28, 2011 Weekly Roll Call Report

See how state legislators voted on the past week's legislation. To find out who your state senator is go here; for state representatives go here.

Senate Bill 619, Passed restrictions on public "cyber schools:" Passed 20 to 18 in the Senate
To eliminate a cap of two on the number of online public “cyber schools,” and also eliminate a cap of 1,000 on the total number of students that can be enrolled in all state cyber schools. Reportedly, there is now a waiting list of 4,500 students who want to get in but are not allowed. The bill would also reduce restrictions on entities contracted to run a cyber school, repeal a mandate that every cyber school operate all grades from K to 12, and more. Republican Senators Casperson, Kahn, Nofs, Caswell and Rocca joined all Democrats in voting "no."

Who Voted "Yes and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 622, Repeal restrictions on non-public high school students taking some college courses: Passed 26 to 12 in the Senate
To allow a home-schooled student or one at a non-public high school to participate in a “dual enrollment” program that allows a high school student to take some community college or university classes, with the cost covered by the state through the local school district. The bill passed on a party line vote.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

House Bill 4061, Revise microbrewer free samples restrictions: Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate
To allow microbrewers or brewpubs to hold home brewer club meetings on their licensed premises at which samples of up to six ounces of beer produced by home brewers are shared, subject to various restrictions.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

House Bill 4071, Revise jail double-bunking restrictions: Passed 33 to 5 in the Senate
To eliminate or reduce certain restrictions and conditions on double-bunking inmates in county jails.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

House Bill 4582, Authorize farm equipment tax break: Passed 103 to 5 in the House
To exempt machinery used to install land tile on farm property from the personal property tax, which is a property tax imposed on the tools and equipment used by businesses. “Land tile” is defined as “fired clay or perforated plastic tubing used as part of a subsurface drainage system."

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 502, Give liquor licenses to public university and colleges' commercial meeting facilities: Passed 105 to 3 in the House
To authorize liquor licenses for commercial facilities operated by any Michigan community college or state university, but only for alcohol served at activities that "further the college's or university's community or academic mission," and not "public and private gatherings or meetings that do not have a direct correlation" to the school's academic mission. This refers to commercial meeting facilities that some schools have created which compete with private sector facilities.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"