a:1:{s:15:"field_news_body";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:"value";s:4271:"<span style="font-size: large;">BILL PUSHED TO WEDNESDAY 6/19/13 IN THE SENATE<br />
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As of Tuesday afternoon the Senate had not taken any action on the Medicaid Expansion Bill but the bills supporters were continuing to try to convince uncommitted Senators to vote it.<br />
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At the end of Tuesday's session passage of the Medicaid Expansion remained uncertain with just two days remaining before the Legislature breaks for the summer after Thursday&rsquo;s session.<br />
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A spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, stated that the bill MIGHT NOT be brought up for a vote if the expansion is not supported by at least 13 of the 26-member Senate Republican caucus. However that doesn&rsquo;t mean they won&rsquo;t if they can get enough republicans to vote with the progressive democrats for passage.<br />
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They are currently working on a substitute bill that will make it more palatable to the uncommitted Senators.<br />
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The Governor</span><span style="font-size: large;">'</span><span style="font-size: large;">s Budget Director&nbsp; and House Speaker Bolger spoke to the Senate GOP caucus Tuesday afternoon attempting to gain support for the bill. Obviously they were unable to get the votes they needed but they aren</span><span style="font-size: large;">'</span><span style="font-size: large;">t about to give up. <br />
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You know the Governor&rsquo;s mantra, &quot;relentless positive action,</span><span style="font-size: large;">&quot;</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and he wants this bill to pass.<br />
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If all 12 Senate Democrats vote yes, all that is needed is eight Republican Senators to join with them to push the bill through. <br />
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If just seven Republicans vote yes and 19 vote no, the bill would be deadlocked with Lt. Governor Calley currently in the UP. It isn't out of the realm of possibility that when he gets back he could be the deciding vote.<br />
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Governor Snyder has said he wants Medicaid expansion to pass before the legislature adjourns for the summer on June 20, so the big push will continue until they adjourn for the summer.<br />
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As responsible citizens who are informed on the facts about this legislation we need to hold our legislators accountable for their votes.<br />
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Call and let your SENATOR no where you stand:<br />
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CLINTON COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN CALL OR EMAIL THEIR SENATOR AT:<br />
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Senator Judy Emmons<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Phone: (517) 373-3760<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fax:&nbsp; (517) 373-8661<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; email:<br />
http://www.senate.michigan.gov/ima_form.asp?name=comment33&amp;form_path=e:/...<br />
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I did not have the opportunity to talked to Senator Emmons on Tuesday but hopefully she is still a </span><span style="font-size: large;">&quot;</span><span style="font-size: large;">NO</span><span style="font-size: large;">&quot;</span><span style="font-size: large;"> vote from when I talked to her last Thursday.<br />
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Senator Rick Jones<br />
(Will be running to represent Clinton County in 2014)<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Phone:&nbsp; (517) 373-3447<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fax:&nbsp; (517) 373-5849<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Email:&nbsp; SenRJones@senate.michigan.gov. <br />
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I talked to Senator Jones on Tuesday night after Tuesday</span><span style="font-size: large;">'</span><span style="font-size: large;">s session and he said that he is a </span><span style="font-size: large;">&quot;</span><span style="font-size: large;">HARD NO</span><span style="font-size: large;">&quot;</span><span style="font-size: large;"> vote.<br />
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Take the time to call your State Senator. We don</span><span style="font-size: large;">'</span><span style="font-size: large;">t have the money and influence that lobbyists do, but together we can let our elected officials who represent us know what matters to us.<br />
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ONLY BY BECOMING ACTIVE CAN YOU HAVE A VOICE IN WHAT YOUR ELECTED LEADERS DO -- MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHERE YOU STAND ON THE ISSUES!<br />
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Steve Willis, Chairman<br />
Clinton County Republican Party<br />
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