Elliot-Larsen Changes Proposed by Senate Minority Leader

During a meeting of the Senate Government Operations Committee, Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) made a motion for a bill to expand the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, the state’s non-discrimination protection. With Senator Morris Hood III (D-Detroit) and Senator Goeff Hansen (R-Hart) absent Mr. Ananich was unable to receive a second and the motion failed. It is unlikely that Mr. Hood’s attendance would have changed the outcome, as Republicans hold a 3-2 advantage on the committee.

Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) has said that his caucus is not yet ready to consider an expansion of the Elliot-Larsen Act, as many of his fellow Republicans are more interested in passing Senate Bill 4, Michigan’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), especially in the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision surrounding same-sex marriage. Senator Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake), sponsor of Michigan’s RFRA has stated that it is his personal goal to ensure that the bill becomes law as soon as possible.

Governor Rick Snyder has openly stated that in order for him to consider signing a Religious Freedom Restoration Act it would have to be accompanied by an expansion of the state’s non-discrimination act, otherwise he would veto the measure. Senator Ananich has attacked the idea that the Republicans want to first look at legislation protecting religious freedoms, arguing that Michigan needs to be brought up-to-date and this legislation would do so. He also stated that he would not give up the push to pass the expansion, as it is a major issue for his caucus.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, July 17, 2015 10:24 AM
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