Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wrights' Site Feed

Legislation Improving Access to Women's Health Care Backed by Reps. Lamonte, Hovey-Wright

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:59:46 -0400

LANSING - State Representative Collene Lamonte (D-Montague) and Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) announced their support for a package of four bills and three resolutions that would improve access to women’s health care, educate women about health care options, support rape survivors and address health care inequities women face.

“When I worked as a high school teacher, it was startling and disheartening to see how many young women were becoming pregnant and having children,” Lamonte said. “Being a teen mother makes it difficult to finish high school, enter college and establish a career that can sustain a family. We need to do more to help our daughters protect their futures, and I’m proud to sponsor a measure to do that. All of these proposals give women a better shot at a good life.”

The package of legislation includes:

House Resolution 140, naming May 12-18 “National Women’s Health Week” in Michigan (introduced by Rep. Gretchen Driskell)
HR 138, urging the DCH to promote programs that identify and address inequities in the prevention, treatment and research of diseases threatening women (Rep. Winnie Brinks)
HR 139, recommending that the state intensify efforts to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies (Rep. Collene Lamonte)
HB 4067, requiring all health facilities and agencies to offer emergency contraception to rape survivors (Rep. Charles Smiley)
HB 4722, which directs the Department of Community Health (DCH) to develop and disseminate information about emergency contraception, including a description, explanation of use, safety efficacy and availability of emergency contraception (Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright)
House Bill 4721, requiring age-appropriate, medically accurate and objective sexuality education to be taught in public schools (Rep. Jeff Irwin)
HB 4260, requiring doctors to give women information on breast density and encourage those who have dense breast tissue to consult with their doctors about other screening options (Rep. Brinks)

“Women’s health care doesn’t only just matter to women, but to their husbands, sons and brothers. Unfortunately, our Legislature has been making it harder for women to get the care they need to stay healthy and take charge of their well-being, and House Democrats are taking action to change that.”

Rep. Hovey-Wright Receives National Association of Social Workers Award

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:11:28 -0400

LANSING — State Representative Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) has been named the 2013 Stabenow Political Leadership Award recipient by the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. The award is given each year to someone who “has shown extraordinary political and legislative leadership through advocacy, activism and passion.”

“It is such an honor to receive this award. Social justice, social work and political action have been three constants in my life,” Hovey-Wright said. “As a social worker, I was always aware of the ways policy decisions impact our most vulnerable people. As a legislator, I know that those who put me in office want me to work on behalf of them, not special interests or big corporations. To be recognized for my work is humbling, and I aim to prove myself worthy of the honor every day.”

Before joining the Michigan House of Representatives in 2011, Hovey-Wright worked for 12 years as a school social worker, and before that, she worked at a health maintenance organization, or HMO. She has also worked with women facing crisis pregnancies and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo. Politically, Hovey-Wright has worked with the National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood and on numerous political campaigns.

“I’m truly grateful to receive this award from the National Association of Social Workers,” Hovey-Wright said. “Social workers routinely help some of our society’s most challenged people, often in dangerous environments. They are heroes to me.”

The Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers represents about 6,800 members in Michigan.

Democrats Announce Legislation to Bring Pay Equity to Michigan

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

LANSING — State Representatives Collene Lamonte (D-Montague) and Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) announced legislation today to create pay equity in Michigan. Full-time working women in the state make 74 percent of their male counterparts, even less than the nationwide gap of 77 percent.

“As of 2011, Michigan ranked 44^th in the nation in pay equity. The average full-time working woman makes about $37,000, while the average man makes about $50,000. This is unacceptable,” Lamonte said. “In this economic climate, we can’t make it harder for women to make ends meet.”

April 9 is recognized as Pay Equity Day because it is the calendar date by which women catch up to their male counterparts in earnings from the previous year. Women’s groups around the nation use the occasion to highlight the issue of income inequality. Michigan House Democrats are marking the day by introducing a package of bills to bring pay equity to our state. The package includes legislation to:

Prohibit an employer from failing to provide equal compensation for work of comparable value for several reasons, including sex
Create penalties for employers who pay different wages to men and women who are “similarly situated” - employees with similar qualifications, experience, etc.
Create a state commission on pay equity
Require an employer to provide, at an employee’s request, wage information for “similarly situated employees”

“This should not be a partisan issue. It comes down to simple fairness: providing equal pay for equal work,” Hovey-Wright said. “I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this critical legislation.” When we discriminate with unfair wages, women and families in our state suffer.”

Shrinking or No State Tax Refund This Year? Thank a Republican

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:08:14 -0500

LANSING - State Representative Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) said today that Michigan’s middle-class families now know just how little legislative Republicans and Gov. Rick Snyder think of them as they fill out their tax returns and potentially face higher tax bills and smaller tax refunds, if they get any refund at all.

“As Michigan’s middle-class families sit down to prepare their tax returns, they’re realizing exactly what Republican-backed tax changes mean to them,” Hovey-Wright said. “A lot of the deductions and credits families relied on are reduced or gone completely. The $600 per-child deduction is gone, as is the charitable giving deduction and college tuition and fees credit. The Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit has been reduced to a fraction of what it once was, and 400,000 taxpayers will no longer qualify for the Homestead Property Tax Credit, while others will qualify for less of a credit. Retirement income for seniors is now being taxed, which is going to force several seniors back into the workforce, where there still aren’t enough jobs to go around.”

Republican-backed changes to the Michigan income tax include:

Eliminating the extra child deduction — separate from the exemption taxpayers can still take for their children — which was worth $600 for each dependent child age 18 or younger.
Slashing the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is based on the taxpayer’s household situation and number of children, from 20 percent of the federal EITC to just 6 percent. In the past, some taxpayers have seen this credit be worth $1000 or more, which means more money to spend on necessities for their family.
Cutting the Homestead Property Tax Credit by about $270 million. Some seniors who used to qualify for a 100 percent credit will now qualify for less than that. That credit is now only available to those earning $50,000 or less per year.
Freezing the income tax rate at 4.25 percent instead of gradually lowering it to 3.9 percent by 2015, as it previously had been scheduled to do.

“All of these tax changes, which punish our hard-working families, were made because Republicans said we need to give tax breaks to corporate special interests,” Hovey-Wright said. “While big corporations reap the benefits of Michigan’s tax changes, middle-class families are finding it harder to make ends meet, save up for their kids’ education or prepare for retirement. Nobody likes paying taxes, but Republicans have made it downright painful. Rolling back these tax changes are one of my main goals in the Legislature.”

Citizens Air Concerns at Grand Rapids Listening Tour Stop

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:56:44 -0500

GRAND RAPIDS — State Representative Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) hosted the Grand Rapids stop of the Michigan House Democrats’ Listening Tour on Monday at the Grand Rapids Public Schools administration building. The event was held to give middle-class families a chance to say how they’ve been impacted by Republican tax increases and education cuts in Michigan. The Listening Tour event was one of several House Democrats’ Listening Tour stops being held across the state. Joining Brinks at the event were state Reps. Collene Lamonte (D-Montague), Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) and Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon).

“The voices of middle-class families, students and seniors have been shut out of the state Capitol. It’s time for their priorities to be heard,” Brinks said. “They’re telling us that they want better funding for schools and fairer taxes, and the Michigan House Democrats share those priorities.”

Gov. Rick Snyder claimed Michigan is on the right track when he gave his State of the State address. House Republicans also offered an “Action Plan” that tries to convince citizens of their intention to work for the people. However, said Lamonte, “Our kids and our families are falling further behind under Republican-backed policies that slashed school funding and middle-class tax credits and deductions. We were told we had to make these sacrifices to create jobs. Michigan’s middle-class families have sacrificed, but the jobs still aren’t here.”

In response, House Democrats announced they would be conducting town hall-style events where average working Michiganders could express how two years of misguided policies have hurt them. Residents can also go to www.RealStateOfOurState.com for information and to speak out. Taxes on seniors and families have increased, school funding has seen a massive disinvestment, unemployment remains stubbornly high and women are being denied access to legal health care.

“In the past two years, Republicans created several laws that harm students, raise taxes on middle-class families and make it more difficult for women to access health care,” Hovey-Wright said. “People told us this is wrong for Michigan, and we heard them. That’s why we’re working to undo the damage that has been done.”

For the last two years, Gov. Rick Snyder and legislative Republicans have ignored the will of Michiganders. In the last legislative session, the majority enacted laws that are out of touch with what middle-class families want. Even after the 2012 election, when voters soundly rejected those policies, more divisive and harmful bills were passed during the lame duck session: personal property tax reform, which shifts the tax burden from corporations to local communities; a reprise of the emergency financial manager law, which voters repealed at the polls; and a so-called “right-to-work” package, which attacks collective bargaining rights and will lower wages across the state. When people came to Lansing to express their outrage, they were forcibly removed from the Capitol and shut out of the legislative process.

“Shutting people out of the legislative process runs contrary to what a democracy is supposed to be all about,” Dillon said. “The people of Michigan want to be heard, and we listened. We’re working to make the policies coming out of Lansing reflect the priorities of Michiganders, not corporate special interests.”

Dem Reps Demand Certified Teachers for Muskegon Heights Students

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:20:38 -0500

LANSING — State Representatives Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) and Collene Lamonte (D-Montague) today condemned the use of unlicensed teachers in the Muskegon Heights School District. The financially struggling school district was taken over by an emergency manager appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder last year, and the emergency manager contracted with a for-profit charter school company to run the district’s schools.

“By Michigan law, every teacher in the state — whether at a public, private or charter school — must be certified by the state of Michigan before being hired,” Hovey-Wright said. “It is the law because we must ensure that our kids are being taught by qualified people who have the skills, knowledge of childhood development and an understanding of the ethics and legal obligations of their job. Allowing uncertified teachers to lead classrooms is illegal, but just as importantly, it’s also irresponsible of Mosaica to compromise the quality of our kids’ education.”

According to a recent investigation, the Muskegon Heights district had at least eight uncertified teachers as of January, comprising more than 10 percent of the district’s teaching staff. Mosaica Education, the for-profit company managing the district, could face fines of more than $100,000 if an ongoing Michigan Department of Education investigation finds the company acted illegally and could lose its contract with the state. The district has had trouble retaining teachers since being transformed into a charter school district, and news reports have said that a quarter of the district’s teachers quit in the first three months of the school year.

“What’s going on in Muskegon Heights proves the dangers that come with recklessly expanding the state’s authority over local schools,” Lamonte said. “The state contracted with a company that was looking to make a quick buck, but it’s our children who are really paying the price. As a certified teacher myself, I know all the hard work, dedication and training it takes to be a qualified educator. We should never settle for less when it comes to our kids.”

Rep. Hovey-Wright Announces Her House Committee Assignments

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:37:28 -0500

LANSING — State Representative Marcia Hovey-Wright (Muskegon) announced today that she has been assigned to serve on the House Agriculture Committee and as minority vice chairwoman of the House Families, Children and Seniors Committee.

“Having worked as a licensed social worker and psychotherapist, I am enthusiastic about bringing my experience to the table as vice chairwoman of the Families, Children and Seniors Committee,” Hovey-Wright said. “Families across Michigan are struggling, and I’m eager to help create solutions that will work for them.”

Hovey-Wright, who holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan and founded and chairs the Democratic Legislative Women’s Caucus, spent several years working with families in the Muskegon area and in schools throughout the state. She will also bring her interest in agriculture to her other House committee assignment. Last session, Hovey-Wright sponsored a bill that would have created a loan program for farmers who wanted to start or expand agricultural processing businesses. She intends to reintroduce the proposal in the current Legislative session.

“Agriculture is one of the largest sectors in Michigan’s economy,” Hovey-Wright said. “I look forward to taking an active role in helping farmers and food processors in our state create programs that will develop this important part of our economy.”

State Reps. Lamonte, Hovey-Wright Urge Year-Round Volunteering

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:53:00 -0500

MUSKEGON - State Representative Collene Lamonte (Montague) and State Representative Marcia Hovey-Wright (Muskegon) today urged Michiganders to make the good works done on the National Day of Service a year-round effort. Lamonte and Hovey-Wright took part in a food gathering event to benefit the Muskegon Veterans Food Pantry on the National Day of Service on Saturday.

“I truly appreciate to the National Day of Service and the chance to help out others in our community. Collecting food for our veterans in particular is a worthy cause,” Lamonte said. “But the truth is, the need lasts longer than a day. There are many people who need help in our community and many efforts that need volunteers, whether it is providing food to food banks, teaching adults to read or mentoring kids. That’s why I hope the spirit of the National Day of Service will carry on throughout the year, and why I will always be ready to help out our community.”

Hovey-Wright said that volunteering benefits the volunteer as well. She has been actively involved in many community and neighborhood projects over the years.

“Few things are as enriching as reaching out to neighbors in need,” Hovey-Wright said. “Volunteering not only assists the person who receives help, but it also rewards the volunteer and brings our community closer together. I was glad to participate in this year’s National Day of Service, and I will continue to help out in our area.”

Rep. Hovey-Wright: Return Surplus Funds to Struggling Schools

Thu, 17 May 2012 16:15:00 -0400

LANSING - State Representative Marcia Hovey-Wright (Muskegon) said Thursday that the state Legislature should use excess money in the School Aid Fund budget to prevent massive teacher layoffs in the troubled Muskegon Heights School District.

“Yesterday, we found out in the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference that the School Aid Fund revenue is expected to increase by about $112 million this year,” Hovey-Wright said. “Rather than stashing that away in a rainy day fund, that money should be used to help school districts like Muskegon Heights that are fighting for survival now. Districts like Muskegon Heights aren’t just having a rainy day. They’re in the middle of a perfect storm.”

Hovey-Wright said decisions of the Republican-controlled Legislature have contributed greatly to the financial stress in many school districts across the state. Last year, the Legislature reduced per-pupil school funding by $470 per student and drained nearly $1 billion from public school funding. At the same time, housing values have fallen dramatically in many parts of the state, resulting in lower school revenue from property taxes. And Muskegon Heights’ situation was worsened when the state gave it a $7.9 million loan last year that comes due later this summer, a pay-back time frame that is impossible to meet.

“The state played a part in bringing the district to this crisis point,” Hovey-Wright said. “Therefore, it only makes sense to return funds to desperate school districts like Muskegon Heights if there is a surplus.”

Because of its troubles, Emergency Manager Donald Witherspoon was appointed to run the cash-strapped school district April 23. This week, Witherspoon declared that the publicly elected school board would now act only in an advisory capacity and made himself the sole decision-maker for personnel matters. Yesterday, the district’s 158 teachers, staffers and administrators were told they would lose their jobs on June 8, after the school year ends. It’s unclear what will happen when the next school year begins.

Hovey-Wright said that while Muskegon Heights is one of the most severely challenged districts in the state, many more are nearing the financial brink. The way in which Muskegon Heights’ problems are handled signal to parents around the state what they can expect if an emergency manager is appointed to their districts.

“You cannot have a school without teachers,” Hovey-Wright said. “Families in Muskegon Heights need to know if their kids will have a school to go to in the fall. We can’t afford to play games with the future of our children. Our schools must be supported.”

House Dems Demand Hearing on Michigan 2020 Plan

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:54:25 -0400

LANSING - State Reps. Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids), Joan Bauer (D-Lansing), Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) and Steve Lindberg (D-Marquette), sent a formal request today to the State Rep. Jim Stamas (R-Midland), Chairman of the House Committee on Government Operations, asking that their bills to create the Michigan 2020 Plan be given a committee hearing. The plan, which would cover the cost of college tuition for all Michigan high school graduates, has been touted by education officials, business leaders and economists as the best investment Michigan can make to rebuild our economy and bring job providers to our state.

“Recent hearings in the Michigan Senate regarding these proposals have drawn attention to the fact that a college education is becoming financially unattainable for many Michigan families,” said Dillon, the sponsor of House Bill 5467 in the Michigan 2020 Plan package. “My colleagues and I who are the sponsors of this package in the House are confident that similar open and public discourse in the House is critical, given the rapidly growing cost of higher education in Michigan.”

Under the Michigan 2020 Plan - outlined in House Bills 5467, 5470, 5471, and House Joint Resolution SS - high school graduates in Michigan, whether they attended a public or private school or home schooled, would be eligible for an annual grant for their higher education costs. The maximum amount of the grant would be equal to the median tuition level (currently $9,575/year) of all of Michigan’s public universities. Students could choose to attend any of Michigan’s community colleges or public universities and use that money toward the cost of tuition, books and other eligible expenses.

“Higher Education is important for our students and the economic well-being of Michigan so we need to start this discussion on how to make college affordable for all of our students,” said Representative Bauer, sponsor of House Joint Resolution SS.

The estimated $1.8 billion per year cost of the Michigan 2020 Plan would be funded entirely by eliminating ineffective corporate tax loopholes that are carved out by special interest lobbyists, as well as cutting costs within the thousands of contracts that the state currently administers. Michigan currently grants nearly $35 billion annually in tax credits with little transparency or accountability that ensures they are effective in growing our economy or job market. Eliminating a mere 5 percent of those tax credits would more than fund the Michigan 2020 Plan.

“The Michigan 2020 Plan could help us attract new jobs and businesses because it will clearly state that we are serious about educating our students for the workforce,” said Rep. Hovey-Wright, sponsor of House Bill 5471. “We need to start the discussion on this plan now.”?Â�

“A committee hearing will let us hear just how difficult college costs are for so many families, and how the Michigan 2020 Plan is one solution that will help these families and their students,” said Rep. Lindberg, sponsor of House Bill 5470.

The bills would establish the Michigan 2020 grant program and require that all tax credits sunset every four years, direct the state fiscal agencies to grade all tax credits based on the number of jobs they create, and assign a legislative commission to review all $35 billion worth of tax credits.

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