Michigan Votes Forum

I emailed and also called Rep. George Cushingberry but have not heard back yet.

While in prison. Screen for it. Pay for medical attention necessary while it prison. Do it, like, yesterday. Ignoring the problem leaches money from the taxpayer longterm.

What does this mean?

Sandie sent a e-mail out today also. Let me know if you hear anything and I will do the same. Have a good week!

I did not sign in but this is Sandie. I just got power back tonight.I will responed in the morning.

I pray that everyone who visits this website is safe tonight!

I don't think you should release prisoners early just because of good behavior. If someone is sentenced to prison for whatever reason, they should serve their entire sentence. This new bill gives prisoners a chance to cheat their terms and get out early without paying their debt to society. By the way, ever hear of "acting"? I hear that people get rich in Hollywood for it.Here's a crazy theory for you: Any prisoner with half a brain, and a little bit of knowledge of how to use it, can pretend to be good and "rehabilitated", behave well, get released early, then go on to do more of what landed him in prison in the first place. This will NOT work!!!

I totally agree with "Get rid of the women!" Women, I think, don't fit the bill for acting as security guards in prison, especially death row convicts and rapists. Leave the dirty work to the men.

I do not know who you are but I have my suspicions. Your way of thinking went out along time ago. Women are just as capable as men. I will say maybe women in the women's prison and men in the men's prison that would work.

So we just keep all of them there and our taxes go higher and higher. As a student you do the samething you work hard, earn good grades and you are given credits towards graduation, and when you get out of school and apply for a job they look at your records in school to see how you have done, to determine if you can be hired. this bill lets inmates work and earn good time credits and the parole board checks to see how they have done and may deduct time off their sentence for good behavior. Sam principle.

don't have their overall graduation requirements reduced for meeting a few of them. By your logic, wouldn't it be cheaper for us all if NO ONE got incarcerated?

It's not just your grades in school that employers and even colleges look at.Its your performance in sports, leadership, involvement in school activities, your behavior, too. It is what you earn as an all around student that they look at. Yes inmates have made mistakes and it would be cheaper for all if they had not, but why can they not have a chance at changing their lifes around and earn credits to get out a little early? If you fail the ACT'S the first time do you not get a second chance some even get a third?

I am in contact with various represenitives.Alma Smith has said that it is very unlikely that this bill will be looked at further until after the elections, sometime in the last two months of the year.

Are you independently going to pay to house all these inmates, you wish to keep incarsirated. Plus a majority of legislation does not include violent offenders or inmates on anything other than a A prefix. I am not dismissing your grief or love for your grandparents. But all prisoners are not violent offenders.

Have you once considered narrowed minded thinking people as yourself could be one of the reasons re-entry is unsuccessful in many cases, along with addiction and alcaholism and mental illness. These issues need to be adressed for any successful re-entry. Oh wait I just threw in the name narrowed minded before you could reply me the Dimwitted2

When will this law be address by the state law makers, because it's been over a year for response? Everyone is getting tried of waiting and all the sarcastic remarks from those who don't believe in second chances.

Now WHY would you want to get rid of the women who work just as hard as the men do IF not harder. There are men who DO NOT do crap in those prisons as guards. I have actually seen it in action as I was going through the level 5 salle ports into the building of a prison to visit a friend. Now, women signed a bill back in the day for the women's liberal status and YOU WANT to delete women all together in being able to work in a Male prison? PLEASE, give me a break; What garbage can did you learn this from?

I have to agree with you. This Bill for the good time had originally came out in 2005 and was being discussed then left on a desk, picked back up in 2007 and again discussed and dropped on the desk to be left lay until they are ready to talk about it again. We have other bills that are less important to talk about so yes, WHY cant they bring it back up and get it passed for those who regret for doing wrong and give them a that second chance in life to "PROVE" themselves that they can be good this time. Look at it this way, WHAT would we do IF God said, "oh you were bad so now I am going to let you sit and rot in prison" , not likely, GOD would give them a second chance and so should we, just have a little bit more tighter rules or put them on a tether IF they are worried so much about them reoffending again.

Go to: www.prisontalk.com, become a member (its free to join) and it has ALL kinds of stuff there to help you understand what these inmates and there families go through on daily basis and then ask yourself; "Am I being selfish or what?" "Should we really give these prisoners a second chance?"

Yes, I would like to see anyone to have a second chance. Everyday, there is a crime being committed be it known or unknown. God's word said, he who without sin please cast the first stone. Many have done something they have regreted and wish for a second chance. Did you receive it or not. No one will know but you. However, people have so much bitterness in their hearts. Everyone needs to look first at your self before you make a state should some receive a second chance. See if you can focus first on that beam in your eye before you can pull the molt out of somebody else eye. Yes, these men need to have an program to help them get back into society to live a normal life. Will you be that good stewart and help them find a job when he or she get out to move to the next level, or will you be that person who will always be standing by the side waiting to criticize that person. The only person who can make a change for the good is the prisoners. If they are willing to change their life style for the good. Then yes, they desire a second chance. Just remember there is a lot of crooked people in the world and lyers who has not been caught yet. Bu, God gives them another chance to get it right.

Correction, not desire a second chance, but deserves second chance. Have a Bless Day.

How is your grandson doing?

He is doing great. He has a job working with a tree service. It's hard and long hours but he loves it. A girl that he grew up with has moved back to Michigan after being gone 5 years and they are togather when he is not working ,she is very good for him.

Yes I agree. Those who critizes the most need to check the skeletons in their own closets first before critizing others. Second chances are good for everyone even those who do not get caught the first time.

That is great news! I am very glad to hear that he is doing well for himself!

So....What happened to the trolls? I'll bet someone finally exposed who thet really were!

SHHHH! I think they finally decided they were not getting anywhere so they moved on.. To troll someone else.

women are harder than the men on the prisoners. Some of the male guards look only TOO HAPPY to strip search

They must have given up. It's about time!! G-Ma: Glad to hear your grandson is doing good now that he's gotten out. Tell him to stay strong!

Thank you. What can we do right now to make sure this bill is put in place as soon as possible, at least by the end of the year?

This is so true..

Missed Votes Date range: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 to Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Senators: Legislator Total Missed Votes* Sen. Jason Allen (R) 0 Sen. Glenn Anderson (D) 9 Sen. Jim Barcia (D) 36 Sen. Ray Basham (D) 13 Sen. Patricia Birkholz (R) 24 Sen. Mike Bishop (R) 1 Sen. Liz Brater (D) 58 Sen. Cameron Brown (R) 1 Sen. Nancy Cassis (R) 7 Sen. Deborah Cherry (D) 14 Sen. Irma Clark-Coleman (D) 47 Sen. Hansen Clarke (D) 15 Sen. Alan L. Cropsey (R) 21 Sen. Valde Garcia (R) 169 Sen. Tom George (R) 6 Sen. Jud Gilbert (R) 3 Sen. John Gleason (D) 40 Sen. Bill Hardiman (R) 22 Sen. Tupac Hunter (D) 75 Sen. Gilda Jacobs (D) 20 Sen. Mark Jansen (R) 20 Sen. Ron Jelinek (R) 24 Sen. Roger Kahn (R) 4 Sen. Wayne Kuipers (R) 32 Sen. Michelle McManus (R) 19 Sen. Dennis Olshove (D) 14 Sen. John Pappageorge (R) 25 Sen. Bruce Patterson (R) 46 Sen. Michael Prusi (D) 4 Sen. Randy Richardville (R) 0 Sen. Alan Sanborn (R) 58 Sen. Mark Schauer (D) 22 Sen. Martha G. Scott (D) 74 Sen. Tony Stamas (R) 26 Sen. Michael Switalski (D) 16 Sen. Samuel B. Thomas, III (D) 98 Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom (R) 1 Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D) 9 Representatives: Legislator Total Missed Votes* Rep. Frank Accavitti, Jr. (D) 41 Rep. Daniel Acciavatti (R) 61 Rep. David Agema (R) 77 Rep. Fran Amos (R) 75 Rep. Kathy Angerer (D) 5 Rep. Richard J. Ball (R) 112 Rep. Joan Bauer (D) 1 Rep. Doug Bennett (D) 40 Rep. Steve Bieda (D) 8 Rep. Darwin Booher (R) 3 Rep. Jack Brandenburg (R) 76 Rep. Terry Brown (D) 1 Rep. Pam Byrnes (D) 3 Rep. Barb Byrum (D) 63 Rep. Brian Calley (R) 18 Rep. Tom Casperson (R) 20 Rep. Bruce Caswell (R) 21 Rep. Bill Caul (R) 61 Rep. Marsha Cheeks (D) 147 Rep. Brenda Clack (D) 57 Rep. Ed Clemente (D) 16 Rep. Paul Condino (D) 21 Rep. Bob Constan (D) 0 Rep. Marc Corriveau (D) 0 Rep. Andy Coulouris (D) 0 Rep. George Cushingberry (D) 144 Rep. Robert Dean (D) 5 Rep. Craig DeRoche (R) 137 Rep. Andy Dillon (D) 56 Rep. Marie Donigan (D) 12 Rep. Kate Ebli (D) 20 Rep. Kevin A. Elsenheimer (R) 15 Rep. Judy Emmons (R) 46 Rep. John Espinoza (D) 47 Rep. Barbara Farrah (D) 51 Rep. Edward Gaffney (R) 23 Rep. John Garfield (R) 170 Rep. Matthew Gillard (D) 93 Rep. Lee Gonzales (D) 33 Rep. Kevin Green (R) 56 Rep. Martin Griffin (D) 64 Rep. Richard Hammel (D) 17 Rep. Ted Hammon (D) 0 Rep. Goeff Hansen (R) 9 Rep. Dave Hildenbrand (R) 2 Rep. Morris Hood, III (D) 18 Rep. Jacob Hoogendyk, Jr. (R) 35 Rep. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D) 20 Rep. Kenneth Horn (R) 6 Rep. Bill Huizenga (R) 89 Rep. Joe Hune (R) 0 Rep. Shanelle Jackson (D) 44 Rep. Bert Johnson (D) 9 Rep. Rick Jones (R) 0 Rep. Robert Jones (D) 9 Rep. Marty Knollenberg (R) 14 Rep. Michael Lahti (D) 8 Rep. Philip LaJoy (R) 19 Rep. David Law (R) 19 Rep. Kathleen Law (D) 116 Rep. Richard LeBlanc (D) 0 Rep. Gabe Leland (D) 4 Rep. LaMar Lemmons, Jr. (D) 101 Rep. Steven Lindberg (D) 1 Rep. Jim Marleau (R) 13 Rep. Jeff Mayes (D) 1 Rep. Gary McDowell (D) 2 Rep. Mark Meadows (D) 50 Rep. Arlan Meekhof (R) 18 Rep. Andy Meisner (D) 21 Rep. Tim Melton (D) 21 Rep. Kimberly Meltzer (R) 14 Rep. Fred Miller (D) 0 Rep. John Moolenaar (R) 11 Rep. Tim Moore (R) 8 Rep. Chuck Moss (R) 9 Rep. Neal Nitz (R) 9 Rep. Mike Nofs (R) 29 Rep. Paul Opsommer (R) 27 Rep. Brian Palmer (R) 82 Rep. David Palsrok (R) 1 Rep. John Pastor (R) 53 Rep. Phil Pavlov (R) 3 Rep. Tom Pearce (R) 21 Rep. Gino Polidori (D) 7 Rep. John Proos, IV (R) 2 Rep. David Robertson (R) 7 Rep. Tory Rocca (R) 0 Rep. Michael Sak (D) 0 Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) 10 Rep. Bettie Scott (D) 110 Rep. Rick Shaffer (R) 4 Rep. Fulton Sheen (R) 94 Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D) 1 Rep. Mike Simpson (D) 2 Rep. Alma Smith (D) 19 Rep. Virgil Smith, Jr. (D) 62 Rep. Dudley Spade (D) 8 Rep. John Stahl (R) 38 Rep. John Stakoe (R) 48 Rep. Glenn Steil, Jr. (R) 92 Rep. Steve Tobocman (D) 27 Rep. Aldo Vagnozzi (D) 80 Rep. Mary Valentine (D) 6 Rep. Howard Walker (R) 0 Rep. Chris Ward (R) 268 Rep. Rebekah Warren (D) 46 Rep. Lorence Wenke (R) 91 Rep. Lisa Wojno (D) 48 Rep. Coleman Young (D) 15 *Missed votes include all roll calls on which a legislator did not vote, regardless of whether the legislator was present or absent.

Do anyone know what is going on with the law 4262? When will this law be addressed.

Once again this bill has been ignored but I am sure it will be reintroduced soon as it has the past three years.When it comes back we must contact EVERYONE we know who supports it and have them contact there legislation.

This is pretty sad info!

Want to change mandatory sentencing laws? Here's how. The FAMM action center helps you communicate with your elected lawmakers in Congress (the federal level) and in your state. Elected lawmakers have the power to reform harsh mandatory sentencing laws, but they must have the support of you - their constituent - to do so. It's so easy to do! Just use the links below to look up your lawmakers and start building a relationship with them by responding to FAMM e-alerts, writing letters and making telephone calls about your concerns. When possible, a handwritten or typed letter is always best, but you can also use e-mail to get your point across. Fair and proportionate sentencing laws can be achieved if we work together to inform lawmakers. Take action today! http://capwiz.com/famm/home/

Thanks Sandie will do. Have a nice week.

you are really the most ignorant person i have ever encountered. please do some research and put your self in someone elese's situation before speaking your mind next time.

Is Michigan's no-nonsense approach to law and order coming at the expense of taxpayers during already tough economic times? Many are asking this question while belts get tightened in a state that has been rocked by unemployment, a plummeting housing market and a crumbling automotive industry. Critics of programs that would allow early releases from prison point to the possibility of increased crime rates, which could spark emotional and fiscal costs on the law-abiding public. Proponents, however, argue that the longer sentences of nonviolent offenders and technical parole violators are unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer money. It's a issue that carries the burdensome weight of balancing fiscal responsibility with making sure criminals are properly punished. Here is the link in todays Oakland Press: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/071308/loc_20080713315.shtml

what you need to do is take a quick african american history class! While your info may be true about slavery in the north as well, it was much harsher in the south, conditions and racism for blacks still is. While slavery did exist and was put up with in both area's I would argue that the south was not a good place for blacks during slavery PERIOD I don't care how you try to spin it. This is why many of the family members I have that are older and were born in the south left AS SOON AS THEY COULD and don't return. If you want to see how this hatred of blacks continues there go on down and be a mixed couple as my husband and myself were and listen and look. One sees really quicky just how tolerant the south really is.