Legislative Briefing

2008 Briefing

You don’t want to miss this once-a-year event!

When: Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 9:30 AM - 4 PM
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Where: Boji Tower, 124 W Allegan St, downtown Lansing
(parking) (directions)

This is an opportunity for us to bring YOU up to speed on what is happening in Lansing and Michigan statewide. Leaders are making critical decisions that affect you and your families and we want you to know about these issues and how you can be influential on preserving traditional family values! This event is free and it only comes once a year.

One of the most important things to consider though, as you contemplate attending: this is an election year. It is one of the most important in the history of our state and nation. It is crucial that we elect leaders that will voice our values. And there are many races in this state (State House, MI Supreme Court and local judicial races) that you need to know about! Please pray about joining us and bring as many friends as you can grab.

Schedule:
9:30 a.m. - Welcome
9:50 a.m. - House & Stem Cell Update, Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker
10:25 a.m. - Faith & America & Politics, CTV President James Muffett
11:00 a.m. - Life Issues, MI Right to Life President Barb Listing
11:30 a.m. - Economy & Social Conservatives, Amy Hagerstrom (AFP) & Todd Anderson (SBAM)
12:15 p.m. - Lunch
1:00 p.m. - Election Panel: Professor William Wagner (courts), Patrick Meyers (house races), Lori Wortz (petition drives)
2:00 p.m. - Student Statesmanship Institute Presentation
2:15 p.m. - Traditional Family Values Issue Update, MI Attorney General Mike Cox
2:40 p.m. - Senate Update, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop
3:10 p.m. - Traditional Family Values Issue Update, MI Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land
3:20 p.m. - Greetings, Senator Alan Cropsey
3:30 p.m. - Education Update, Senate Education Committee Chair Wayne Kuipers

Lunch: Box lunches will be available, upon request, for a cost of $6 per person. You must let us know ahead of time if you want a lunch. We will not have them available for those who have not requested them ahead of time. Thank you.

Sessions to attend: we would encourage you to attend the whole day, if possible, but you are welcome to attend any portions of the program that you wish.

Who to bring/invite: your pastor, grassroots leaders and fellow activists in area, fellow parishioners, community leaders (county chairs, business leaders, community elected officials), home school families, your small group/network.

RSVP: by Tuesday, March 4 by emailing us at ctv@ctvmichigan.org or by calling 517-321-1390. Please provide your name, the number of people attending with you and if you will need box lunches. RSVP is not required, but we do appreciate it as it helps with our planning.

For questions: check back here for developments, email us at ctv@ctvmichigan.org or call us at 517-321-1390. (If you get our voicemail, please leave a detailed message and our staff will get back with you ASAP. Thank you for your patience.)

2007 Briefing Report

March 15, 2007

Lansing, MI – Over 150 grassroots activists, community leaders, concerned citizens, home schooling parents, high school students & State lawmakers joined us for our 15th Annual Legislative Briefing. The event was held Thursday, March 15 in downtown Lansing at the beautiful Senate hearing room of the Boji tower, overlooking the State Capitol.

The audience heard from a wide variety of experts and leaders in the State: Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford Taylor, Senator Majority Floor Leader Alan Cropsey, House Assistant Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer, State Representative John Moolenaar. A wide range of topics were covered including an update on hot button issues in the State House & Senate, and an insider’s look at the Supreme Court and the importance of maintaining a conservative court.

Also, Michigan Family Forum and Right to Life of Michigan were joined by anti-gambling expansion group "23 is Enough" as they presented issues affecting our families. They addressed the current topic of stem cell research and gambling expansion among other things.

We were also joined by an expert on the economy as he addressed the current budget woes and clarified the status of Michigan’s finances. As a representative from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, his expertise was greatly appreciated.

One of the highlighting, yet daunting, moments of the day was an analysis of the 2006 election and a look toward 2008. Susanne Miller Allen, from a local PR firm, The Sterling Corporation, presented the challenges ahead and made sure people were in the loop on present and upcoming dangers and threats to conservative values. The audience appreciated her viewpoint.

The day was well received. We broke for lunch at one point, to give individuals an opportunity to network.

Our goal of this event is to educate leaders from around the state on important issues affecting them, but also help activate them even more.

One attendee said: "In just a few hours, I gained knowledge of and insights into the issues facing the MI Legislature this year as well as in the coming election cycle. This understanding will be invaluable to me in the coming months as we educate the members of our church about important cultural issues and the need for them to make their voices heard." (M.S. Bloomfield Hills)

Another attendee noted: "CTV is filling a need in our state of politically educating and motivating the faithful. Thank you for inviting me to this very worthwhile event... His [James Muffett's] analysis of the election is imperative for the party faithful to be armed with as we move forward to victory in the next election cycle. Thank you." (C.K.)

Our goal was accomplished! We look forward to the next briefing in spring 2008. You definitely won’t want to miss this one!