Bill Text: MI HR0237 | 2011-2012 | 96th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the Governor to implement and fund the necessary programs to support his Special Message on Public Safety.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-04-25 - Referred To Committee On Government Operations [HR0237 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2011-HR0237-Introduced.html
Rep. Santana offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 237.
A resolution to urge the Governor to implement and fund the necessary programs to support his Special Message on Public Safety.
Whereas, Recent Federal Bureau of Investigation data ranks Flint, Detroit, Pontiac, and Saginaw as among the 10 most violent cities in the country. Governor Snyder recently observed that "murders alone in these four cities cost Michigan taxpayers more than $1,600,000.00"; and
Whereas, The Governor recently released a Special Message to the Legislature on public safety, promoting service consolidation and innovation among communities to emphasize local public safety. The Public Safety Initiative would appropriate additional funds to reduce crime in high-risk urban areas. The Governor concluded his special message with this statement: "For far too long, Michigan has turned a blind eye to the conditions of many of our cities and those who live there"; and
Whereas, It is most encouraging that Governor Snyder recognizes the serious problem facing our cities, state, and residents. Additionally, he notes that "One of the best crime prevention tools is a bright future for young people." Sadly, his Special Message was weak on solutions that would provide constructive alternatives for our young people facing a long and hot Michigan summer; and
Whereas, Many Michigan cities are financially strapped and have run out of cash. They have drastically cut back on youth centers, parks, and recreation programs that were used to keep young people constructively occupied in decades past. The current unemployment rate for Detroit youth ages 16 to 19 is over 55 percent; and
Whereas, The state of Michigan currently has a budget surplus and a need to assist struggling cities with funding public safety measures. The Governor needs to expand and follow through on his public safety message, detailing the measures he will fund and implement to address the issues of gang violence in Detroit, to increase state police patrols throughout the struggling cities identified by the FBI data, to consider appointing a task force to coordinate efforts, and to increase local police initiatives; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Governor to implement and fund the necessary programs to support his Special Message on Public Safety; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Governor Snyder, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
