Message to State Reps: VanderVeen, Clack, DUDLEY SPADE, Polidori & Lemmons Jr.

Michigan House Bill 5267

Michigan House Bill 5267 Hearing

Today's hearing on Michigan House Bill 5267 in the Family and Children Services Committee was a massive victory for Michigan children and families. It was VERY clear that Michigan families are DEMANDING change in our antiquated child custody laws. It was equally clear that the special interest groups were outnumbered. Those who profit from the current system at the expense of children and families had a blowing defeat.

Many speculated as to why the Democrats seemed united in defeating the bill. Many wondered if the Democrats cared about families or in pleasing the family law lobby. The hearing was that striking! One has to wonder since not a single Democrat attended the EQUAL Parents Week Rally in Sept that was organized by such highly respected organizations such as the Children's Rights Council. We certainly hope that the Democrats on the Committee will put Michigan families and children first. The testimony by the Family Law lobby seemed to help our case more than hurt it. This bill is in the "best interests of the children" and should therefore have bipartisan support.

Numerous organizations, fathers, mothers, and grandparents are traveling to State Representative Dudley Spade's district as this letter is being written. They are joining with those that live in State Rep. Spade's district to pass out flyers demanding that State Rep. Dudley Spade vote yes on MI HB5267. A pass on this vote will be seen by many as turning a blind eye to our current crisis in Michigan! Supporters of the bill showed up in mass and the vote count by their cards submitted clearly were in the favor of Michigan House Bill 5267.

The statistics alone paint the picture: Michigan has the largest number of families in Title IV-D per capita in the nation exceeding California by over 2 to 1. Michigan also has the largest ratio of Title IV-D cases per minor child in the nation. Surpassing California by 236 percent: 41.52% vs. 17.63% These statistics are shameful and an embarrassment to Michigan.

Phyllis Schlafly of the Eagle Forum states it best: “The federal incentives drive the system. The more divorces, and the higher the child-support guidelines are set and enforced (no matter how unreasonable), the more money the state bureaucracy collects from the feds. Follow the money. The less time that non-custodial parents (usually fathers) are permitted to be with their children, the more child support they must pay into the state fund, and the higher the federal bonus to the states for collecting the money. “

We would like to thank all of our Michigan House Representatives for considering the positive benefits of Michigan House Bill 5267 to our children and our society. We are very grateful that so many of you took the time to listen to our viewpoints. Several organizations are collectively launching an interactive website highlighting the Family and Children Services Committee members vote on this bill. We look forward to allowing Michigan voters an exciting way of discovering each member's vote on this children's rights bill. We look forward to reviewing the video footage. Any time we discuss allowing our children in Michigan the right to be loved and supported by both fit parents we will all benefit. Regardless of today's possible final vote, Michigan has taken a step forward in joining the 28 plus other states that have less antiquated child custody laws. Thank you once again for your time and thoughtful consideration. One thing is clear and that is Michigan families are demanding change! Our numbers grow daily and we become more united as the stakes grow for those children who are denied the love and affection of a fit, willing and loving parent. Regardless of the final vote today was a huge victory for children across Michigan.

Sincerely, Angela Pedersen, R.N.
A Child's Right
email: volunteer@fatherachildsright.org
web: http://www.achildsright.net

A Child's Right is now an official sponsor of Support: System Down - the movie

We are very excited here at A Child's Right! We are now an official sponsor of the movie "Support: System Down".