Bill Text: MI HR0016 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: A resolution to urge the House of Representatives to recognize the Michigan Legislative Hispanic Caucus and urge the Speaker to provide it with the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities having been afforded the other recognized caucuses of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-3)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-02-19 - Referred To Committee On Government Operations [HR0016 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2015-HR0016-Introduced.html

            Rep. Santana offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 16.  

            A resolution to urge the House of Representatives to recognize the Michigan Legislative Hispanic Caucus and urge the Speaker to provide it with the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities having been afforded the other recognized caucuses of the Michigan House of Representatives.

            Whereas, Article IV, Section 16 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963 states:

Each house, except as otherwise provided in this constitution, shall choose its own officers and determine the rules of its proceedings…

; and

            Whereas, Under the Standing Rules of the House of Representatives, the Speaker serves as the leader and chief administrator of the House of Representatives; and

            Whereas, Traditionally, the Speaker recognizes and authorizes funding to support the two major party caucuses represented in the House; and

            Whereas, It is a fundamental responsibility of this Legislature to address, to the fullest breadth and scope, the concerns and needs of the Michigan citizenry irrespective of a constituency's size, demographic composition, or geographic saturation or location; and

            Whereas, To adequately and efficiently fulfill the needs of all Michiganders, it is necessary that members of the House of Representatives be permitted to form caucuses, organized around and united by a common philosophy and interest, that through its discussions and advocacy, advance the message, concerns and needs of the community represented; and

            Whereas, The Latino population of our state has grown significantly and increasingly represents a larger share of all Michiganders. Fifteen years ago, the Latino population accounted for 3.3 percent of Michigan's 9.9 million residents. Five years ago, that share increased to 4.4 percent, nearly a 35 percent increase in size, despite an overall reduction in the state's population. By 2020, it's estimated that the Latino population could increase by another 35 percent; and

            Whereas, Despite significant growth in the Latino population of our state, the concerns and needs of the Latino community remain underserved in this legislative body. Therefore, it is necessary to organize and empower a caucus dedicated specifically to serving and representing the interests of Michigan's Hispanic communities, and through bipartisan support, pursue action on issues of common concern to all segments of that community; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the House of Representatives to recognize the Michigan Legislative Hispanic Caucus and urge the Speaker to provide it with the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities having been afforded the other recognized caucuses of the Michigan House of Representatives; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives.

 

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