SOS?Benson testifies in front of U.S. Senate Committee on protecting voting rights
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration this morning in support of the For the People Act and the need to preserve access to the vote amid attempts from state legislatures across the nation to roll back recent voting rights expansions.
“While states will always serve as laboratories of democracy, federal minimum standards ensure equal protection of every citizen’s right to vote and can prevent attacks on our democracy, both foreign and domestic, that take advantage of the uneven patchwork of state laws throughout our country,” said Secretary Benson. “This is particularly important when state lawmakers, as we are seeing now, choose party over country and pursue legislation that makes it harder for everyone to vote.”
Secretary Benson testified about the success of Michigan’s November election, which saw a record 5.5 million voters cast ballots and more than 3 million vote absentee, and the importance of the citizen-led voting reforms passed in 2018 that helped enable that success. She also spoke about the bipartisan support for the widely popular reforms, and the work her administration has done to implement them. The For the People Act would codify many of these reforms on a national level and safeguard against current and future attempts at voter suppression.
“History instructs – and the current moment demands – that the United States government once again step in and defend democracy against the reprehensible rollback of the right to vote that is sweeping our state legislatures,” said Secretary Benson. “This legislation is our best chance to stop this rollback and ensure the voice and vote of every citizen – no matter where they live or who they vote for – is protected.”
State moving kids, wants to yank license of juvenile center
SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) — The state of Michigan is moving to revoke the license of a private juvenile detention center near Saginaw after investigators found "physical abuse" and other safety violations, a spokesman said Tuesday.
Wolverine Secure Treatment Center in Buena Vista Township is operated by Wolverine Human Services. The state is finding other placements for 35 kids, said Bob Wheaton of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The department is recommending the "license be revoked," Wheaton said. "The recommendation is based on a special investigation that substantiated physical abuse and safety-related licensing violations."
No details were publicly disclosed. Wheaton said a report about the investigation has not been finished. The 35 kids were placed there by judges or the state.
"We strongly disagree with the state's effort to revoke the license at our secure treatment center, and we plan to appeal this decision to prevent major disruption to the lives of the many young people and families we serve," said Judith Fischer Wollack, Wolverine chief executive.
An appeal has a few stages and could ultimately reach the desk of department director Elizabeth Hertel.
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