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Back to ContentsTim Yow, Chair
Before delegates elected me to office as the new state Chair (this past June), I shared my vision of ensuring the party was making an impact in a few key areas. While we continue to strive to get elected, to office, at every level, more consistently.
One of those areas was a much expanded scope for the Legislative Committee. This would include a page on the website they would use to keep our party membership informed regarding bills that impact the cause of liberty (both positive and negative).
Traditionally, the legislative committee was a team of around 2 to 5 people. Usually they were within close proximity to Lansing, and had the sole purpose of visiting the State House to testify, regarding pending bills. The idea of this new and improved effort is to enable the members to become an extension of the committee. This way they would make sure Lansing (and DC) heard our voices to a greater degree. The new page is intended to help facilitate that effort and give the state members 24/7 access to the findings of the committee.
I am excited to announce that this part of the vision has come to fruition, and we now have a web-page called "Eye on Lansing." It appears to be the first of its kind for state Libertarian Party affiliates.
This page links to various articles. The committee has written about vitally important legislation happening in Lansing and DC. The page informs our membership of coming meetings, for the committee, and offers a search feature where you can input your address and get a rather thorough list of officers that have you in their jurisdiction. It ranges from the President all the way down to county office holders. Also it lists various channels for contacting any of these officers.
One can find this page under "Get Involved," within the navigation menu. Be sure and bookmark it and check it often.
I want to thank the committee and, both our current and previous, webmasters for their hard work, in making this happen. Our members should find this new online resource extremely helpful. I hope they will use it to assure we regularly do more to startle Lansing, with our voices!
I know that the committee is still working hard to build on this and other ways of helping each Libertarian Party of Michigan member "keep their finger on the pulse" of what our officeholders are doing. If you think you would like to contribute to this effort, feel free to call me at 888.FREE.NOW (888-373-3669) and I will be happy to put you in contact with the committee chair.
By Aaron Gardner
In recent days, matching bills have been introduced in both the state house and senate, which are intended to undermine our inherent right to self-defense, as guaranteed under the Michigan and US Constitutions.
The proposed bills would criminalize the sale and possession of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, starting in 2023.
HB 5628 and SB 785 are identical bills, introduced on December 9, 2021, pretending to be in response to the school shooting at Oxford High School. In reality, this was opportunistic politicking in the aftermath of a tragic event. In conjunction with these bills, HB 5627 and SB 786 have been introduced to add these bills to the index of the criminal code.
The infringements to the United States Constitution are obvious to anyone who understands the concept of "shall not be infringed". This is something that Libertarians should obviously oppose. There are other elements of the bills that are less obvious but should also concern us. One of those elements is the de facto registration of existing magazines, disguised as an exception under the law:
A person may continue to possess a magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition that the person legally possessed before the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section if that person reports possession of the magazine to the person's local law enforcement agency.Already, pistol owners in Michigan are subject to this sort of mandate, but this would extend that mandate to many rifle owners as well. The other important element to consider is the impact this has on the inaction of existing magazine owners. According to this bill, anyone who possesses a normal capacity magazine after January 1, 2023, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Furthermore, this includes previous owners of these tools unless they notify law enforcement. If an owner does not notify law enforcement, they are instantly guilty of a misdemeanor, simply for DOING NOTHING.
We cannot stand silent while the legislature seeks to infringe our rights and makes criminals out of everyday people.
This is a CALL TO ACTION. Please call and email the chairs of the respective committees in the House and Senate, and request that they let these bills die by refusing to introduce them to the committees.
In the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, please contact:
Chair, Roger Victory (517) 373-6920, SenRVictory@senate.michigan.gov
Other committee members:
Curt VanderWall (517) 373-1725, SenCVanderwall@senate.michigan.gov
Tom Barrett (517) 373-3447, SenTBarrett@senate.michigan.gov
Ruth Johnson (517) 373-1636, SenRJohnson@senate.michigan.gov
Jim Runestad (517) 373-1758, SenJRunestad@senate.michigan.gov
Doug Wozniak (517) 373-7670, SenDWozniak@senate.michigan.gov
Stephanie Chang (517)-373-7346, SenSChang@senate.michigan.gov
Jeff Irwin (517)-373-2406, SenJIrwin@senate.michigan.gov
In the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee, please contact:
Chair, Beau LaFave (517) 373-0156, BeauLaFave@house.mi.gov
Other committee members:
Andrew Beeler (517) 373-0835, AndrewBeeler@house.mi.gov
Julie M. Rogers (517) 373-1785, JulieRogers@house.mi.gov
Gary Eisen (517) 373-1790, GaryEisen@house.mi.gov
Bob Bezotte (517) 373-8835, RobertBezotte@house.mi.gov
David Martin (517) 373-7557, DavidMartin@house.mi.gov
Sarah Anthony (517) 373-0826, SarahAnthony@house.mi.gov
Kevin Coleman (517) 373-2576, KevinColeman@house.mi.gov
Richard Steenland (517) 373-0854, RichardSteenland@house.mi.gov
Scotty Boman, Editor
Editors note: This article is about a resolution passed by an affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Michigan. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Libertarian Party of Michigan, it's officers, committees, or any other affiliates. The Michigan Libertarian will publish properly submitted articles submitted by any of it's affiliates.
Dearborn, MI - On December 8th 2021 the Libertarian Party of Wayne County held their monthly meeting at Habib's Cuisine. They unanimously passed the following resolution.
Whereas National Convention Delegates travel to national conventions at great expense;Whereas one of the reasons they do this is to elect new Libertarian National Committee (LNC) officers; andWhereas the current LNC has usurped the will of said delegates by purging elected Secretary Caryn Ann Harlos from the LNC; now, therefore, be itResolved that we the Libertarian Party of Wayne County (Michigan) demand the immediate reinstatement of Caryn Ann Harlos to the office of Secretary of the LNC.
By Scotty Boman, Editor
At the December 13th Libertarian Executive Committee (LEC) meeting, they selected Mr. Nathan Hewer to be the Libertarian Party of Michigan (LPM) Platform Committee Chairperson. The 2022 Platform Committee will be work-shopping proposals to amend the current* LPM Platform.
Delegates will vote on Platform amendments at the Spring 2022 State Convention. Platform Committee Chairperson Hewer is selecting members to fill this committee. The LEC will review the slate, of potential committee members, at the January 10th LEC meeting.
LPM members, interested in participating as a member of the 2022 Platform Committee, should submit an application to Platform Committee Chairperson Nathan Hewer at nathan.hewer@gmail.com.
* Note: In 2022 Delegates will be amending the 2021 platform. See clarification at the end of this article.
In another development, the 2022 Convention Committee has locked in a date and venue for the 2022 National Delegate Selection Convention (BKA "Spring" Convention): Sunday, March 13th, at Weber's Boutique Hotel and Restaurant in Ann Arbor. This is the first of two LPM Conventions to be held this year. Later in the Summer, the LPM will hold a Candidate Nominating Convention. It will be before the August Primary. Save the Date!
Delegates to the National Delegate Selection Convention (BKA "Spring" Convention) will vote on the LPM's delegation to the Libertarian National Committee (LNC) Convention neer Reno Nevada. The National Convention will be from May 26th to May 29th at Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada.
The LEC also voted to allow amendments to the LPM Platform at this event.
Members of the public are welcome to the convention, but cannot vote. Also, affiliates will nominate delegates, to the nominating convention, but must comply with the Bylaws (which delegates last amended in 2021).
Editor's note: I may change or remove this section pending updates.
The Bylaws, as amended in 2019, are posted here:
https://michiganlp.org/bylaws/
As for Amendments made in 2021... Please feel free to listen to and view the Bylaw discussion on the following video.
Upcoming Events
Please contact local affiliate officers (see above listing) to learn how to get involved in their meetings.The Michigan Libertarian recommends contacting an affiliate officer or check the Website (or Facebook page) associated with the meeting host (if they have one) before arriving at a meeting. Some meetings can get canceled, or locations can change with short notice.
January 4, 2022 - Southwest Michigan Libertarian Party Affiliate Meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Traveler's Cafe and Pub. 5225 Portage Rd. Portage, MI 49002
For more information, contact Jason Brandenburg email at swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net
January 6, 2022 - Livingston County Monthly Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Brewery Becker. 500 W Main St, Brighton, MI, 48116.
For more information, contact James Weeks II at 810.422.8769 or email jamestweeks@outlook.com.
January 8, 2022 - West Michigan Meet & Greet, 1:00 PM
The Libertarian Party of West Michigan will host an opportunity to meet other West Michigan Libertarians.
This is a purely social opportunity to meet, talk politics with like-minded people, and let us know what kind of future activities you would support. Biggby coffee shop (in the Haworth Hotel at Hope College). 225 College Ave, Holland, MI.
For more information, contact Steve Fox at at sfoxphoto@gmail.com or call (616) 633-8390.
January 12, 2022 - Libertarians of Macomb County Affiliate Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
BD's Mongolian Grill. 13150 Hall Road, Sterling Heights, MI, 48313.
For more information, contact Mike Saliba at macomblp@gmail.com
January 12, 2022 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County Business Meeting, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Habib's Cuisine. 14316 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI, 48126.
Please visit the Libertarian Party of Wayne County's new Website for updates.
For more information, contact Jami Van Alstine, jamiracquel2004@yahoo.com
January 13, 2022 - Huron-Raisin Affiliate Meeting, 6:00 PM
Pizza to The Wurst Bar. 705 W Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197
For more information, contact Larry Johnson at 734-475-9792 or email michlibertarian@gmail.com or call (734) 320-7237
January 16, 2022 - Capital Area Affiliate Meeting 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Harper's Restaurant and Brewpub. 131 Albert Ave, East Lansing, MI
Contact Luke Sciberras at 248-302-1064 or email capitalarealp@gmail.com for event details and instructions to join.
January 18, 2022 - Upper Peninsula Libertarian Party Business Meeting, 8:00 PM.
The UPLP will be holding this meeting by Zoom Teleconference. Please link to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89324982981
The Meeting ID is 893 2498 2981 and one can call (312) 626-6799, and enter the Meeting ID, to join.
Everyone interested in learning about the UPLP and the Libertarian Party is welcome to join. We will have games, speakers, and more!
If you would like to get involved please contact Ryan Roberts [ryan_r03@hotmail.com, (906) 420-2995] or Joshua Jongema.cannyds@gmail.com.
UPLP.org
January 19, 2022 - Jackson-Hillsdale Affiliate Meeting 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Steve's Ranch Restaurant. 311 W Louis Glick Hwy, Jackson, MI
Contact Norman Peterson, (269) 330-2980 norman.peterson@comcast.net
https://www.jhlp.org
January 19, 2022 - Libertarian Party of Oakland County Affiliate Meeting, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM.
Farmhouse Coffee and Ice Cream. 29936 West 12 Mile Road. Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Business starts at 7:00 PM. To confirm the meeting email Paul Vainer at: paul.vainer@gmail.com https://lpocmi.org/
January 23, 2022 - Libertarian Party of Genesee County Affiliate Meeting (Convention), 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM.
White Horse Tavern. 621 W Court St, Flint, MI, 48503.
Business is from Noon to 2:00 PM. To confirm the meeting email Chair David Canny, cannyds@gmail.com.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LPGCMI
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If you are new to the Michigan Libertarian, you can link to 2016 issues here, http://michiganlp.org/category/newsletters . Other issues are preserved in our historical archives here: http://old.michiganlp.org/resources-2/newsletter.
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