Health Care Reform will Bring Relief to Tens of Thousands of Detroit Citizens, Businesses
Aug 21, 01:38 PM | Leigh Fifelski
Citizens urge Granholm to reject dirty coal amid public opposition, new report
Aug 18, 11:29 AM | Chad Cyrowski
Senate Must Act Now as New Report Shows Michigan Families Under Great Stress
Jul 27, 11:22 AM | Leigh Fifelski
Dillon Proposal: A Distraction Michigan Residents Can’t Afford National Health Care Reform Should Be Priority
Jul 21, 12:56 PM | Leigh Fifelski
Online Campaign Targets ‘Say No’ Senate on Government Reforms
Jul 9, 05:03 PM | Leigh Fifelski
Cox Wants Someone Else To Fight Fraud – A Job He’s Supposed To Do
Jul 8, 04:10 PM | Leigh Fifelski
Health Care Costs Crippling in Michigan
Jun 23, 09:50 AM | Leigh Fifelski
The skyrocketing cost of insurance is increasingly putting health care out of reach of working people in Michigan, according to a new report released today by Health Care for America Now of Michigan.
Advocates: Senate Leaders Stalling Plan to Expand Unemployment
Jun 22, 09:42 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Citizens groups today called on the Michigan Senate majority leaders to provide relief to hundreds of thousands of unemployed Michigan workers by approving legislation that would use $138 million in federal stimulus funds to extend unemployment benefits for Michigan workers who participate in re-training or vocational programs.
Coalition to Fight Diesel Pollution, Call for Tough Action
Jun 18, 11:24 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
DETROIT – A new coalition of concerned citizens and organizations , Alliance for Healthy Air, today called on the Legislature to crack down on diesel pollution, which threatens public health, puts children at increased risk of diseases such as asthma and even affects jobs.
Groups Call For Senate To Act On Relief for Unemployed Families
Jun 3, 11:05 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Citizens groups today called on the Michigan Senate to move on legislation that would bring $138 million into Michigan’s economy and provide real relief to hundreds of thousands of unemployed Michigan workers.
More Than 150 Michigan Scientists Urge Members of Congress to Support Climate Change Solutions
May 20, 09:42 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – More than 150 scientists, researchers and academics from across Michigan have signed a letter of support calling on Michigan’s U.S. representatives and senators to take action against climate change and support measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Groups Call for Boycott on JP Morgan Chase
Apr 8, 12:31 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Progress Michigan and FireDogLake.com are calling for a sweeping, nationwide boycott of JP Morgan Chase today in protest over the bank’s refusal to help out struggling auto giant Chrysler. An online campaign was launched at http://action.firedoglake.com/jpmorganchase, and a Facebook group called “Americans Boycotting JP Morgan Chase” was set up to support the boycott. JP Morgan Chase runs a large portion of Chrysler’s debt, and is refusing to negotiate with the auto company on their debt: a move that that could put thousands of hardworking American auto employees out of their jobs by forcing Chrysler into bankruptcy. The groups urged everyone with a JP Morgan Chase bank account to close it out and to transfer their money to a local bank or credit union, and to cut up their Chase credit cards.
Progress Michigan Announces Hiring of New Executive Director
Apr 7, 01:48 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
Progress Michigan, a strong voice for the state’s progressive community, has named former reporter and non-profit national communications director David Holtz as its new Executive Director.
Obama Health Care Forum Critical for Stakeholders
Mar 13, 10:48 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
DEARBORN – Members of Health Care for America Now (HCAN), health care reform advocates, and concerned citizens gathered in Dearborn today to listen to Governor Jennifer Granholm and Melody Barnes, President Barack Obama’s director of White House Domestic Policy Council, discuss plans for much-needed reforms that would help fix America’s broken health care system. Obama’s administration placed the focus on making health care available and affordable this year.
Groups Support MEA in Defending Voters’ Rights
Mar 5, 05:35 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Progress Michigan, Michigan Election Coalition and Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote-Michigan joined the Michigan Education Association in blasting the Michigan Association of School Boards today and its executive director, Kathy Hayes, over an offensive and inflammatory comment made by Hayes in regards to the electoral process in school board elections. During a meeting with members of the Grand Rapids Press editorial board, Hayes remarked that the “right people” rarely tend to show up for school board elections, sparking accusations of insensitivity and ignorance.
Michigan Health Care for America Now Issues New Report: To Fix Michigan’s Economy, We Need To Fix Health Care Now
Feb 23, 04:25 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
Lansing – A new report released today by Michigan Health Care for America Now (HCAN) shows why we must fix our health care system now in order to fix Michigan’s economy. The report, “Next Step: Health Care: To Fix Michigan’s Economy, We Need To Fix Health Care Now,” details how out-of-control health care costs are crippling local businesses, busting state and local budgets, and making it hard for families to afford the health care coverage they need. Michigan is one of 39 states to release state-specific data showing how their states are being affected by unaffordable and insufficient health care coverage.
TIME Exposes ‘Clean Coal’ Myth; Coal-Burning Puts MI Future at Risk
Jan 15, 10:40 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – TIME Magazine this week exposed the myth of so-called “clean coal” at plants that burn coal but which have failed at reducing carbon dioxide pollution and fighting global warming, emphasizing the need for Michigan to stop its one-of-a-kind coal rush to protect lives and develop clean energy jobs.
Citizens Hit by Coal Rush Urge Governor to Crack Down on CO2
Jan 7, 03:17 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Concerned citizens from across Michigan affected by the coal rush today called on Gov. Jennifer Granholm to order the Department of Environmental Quality to establish protections against carbon dioxide pollution and to stop the permitting process for coal plants immediately. As the DEQ held hearings in Lansing on a proposed coal plant in Rogers City, the citizens called on Granholm to stand up to coal plants until strong safeguards that protect public health and reduce greenhouse gases are in place.
'We're Not Done with John McCain'
Oct 2, 04:27 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
McCain Health Care Plan Bad Deal for Michigan Families, Report Shows
Sep 30, 10:21 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
Middle Class Families Feel Burn of Shift from Employer-Based
LANSING – With ordinary Americans increasingly struggling under the combined impact of the banking and health care crises, the Center for American Progress Action Fund is preparing to release a report that details how the McCain health care plan would increase the burden on middle-class families in Michigan.
McCain's Energy Photo-Op Attempts to Hide Dismal Record
Sep 25, 10:57 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING — Citizens group Progress Michigan today exposed John McCain as a flip-flopper on energy and called his visit to a Dow Corning solar panel facility in Mid-Michigan a cynical attempt to hide his real record of opposing renewable energy at every turn.
Poll: Strong Public Support For Granholm Crackdown on Coal Plant Pollution
Aug 23, 10:01 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
Survey Finds Voters in Support of Restricting CO2 Pollution from Coal Plants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 21st, 2008
Contact: Dan Farough
517.999.3646
LANSING – The Sierra Club, Progress Michigan, and Clean Energy Now released a statewide poll today which found overwhelming support for stronger protections against global warming carbon dioxide pollution before more coal plants are built. Eight coal-fired power plants are being planned in various cities around the state, giving Michigan more current coal plant proposals than any other state, according to a review by the Sierra Club.
Citizens Rally Outside Insurance HQ, Fight Efforts to Derail Healthcare Reforms
Aug 19, 02:13 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Leigh Fifelski
Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 (517) 999-3646
United Healthcare is part of bogus campaign to fool public
FARMINGTON HILLS – Citizens and healthcare reform groups rallied today outside the United Healthcare headquarters to unmask the insurance industry’s role in a bogus campaign to fool the public and protect its massive profits and a broken system.
McCain's Failed Record of Siding with Big Oil and Job Losses Wrong for MI
Aug 5, 11:21 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
CONTACT: DAN FAROUGH
(517) 643-2949
Citizens’ groups rally as McCain visits nuclear power plant in Monroe
MONROE – Citizens concerned about the outsourcing of good-paying jobs and bad trade deals gathered at a rally today to hold Sen. John McCain accountable for his failed record of job losses and energy, bringing attention to the Senators support for policies that hurt working families. Organized by the AFL-CIO and citizens’ watchdog groups, the rally was held as McCain visited a nuclear power facility near Monroe.
Giant Mobile Coal Plant, Ogre-like Smokestack Patty Land on Legislature
Jul 15, 12:36 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Contact: Dan Farough
517.999.3646 Office
517.643.2949 Cell
http://progressmichigan.org
Groups unleash accountability campaign to protect Michigan’s energy future
LANSING – With a 12-foot-tall effigy of Sen. Patty Birkholz and a 20-foot-tall inflatable coal plant looming over the State Capitol grounds, environmental watchdog groups today called on Michigan citizens to oppose a Senate-passed energy plan that will open the floodgates to more dirty coal plants and put a nail in the coffin of clean renewable energy in Michigan.
Major $40M Healthcare Drive Kicks Off in MI
Jul 9, 11:09 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
For Immediate Release: July 8th, 2008
Contact:
Dan Farough
517.999.3646
Massive coalition commits $40 million to fix broken healthcare system in Michigan, beyond
LANSING – A Michigan coalition of citizens, faith-based and community groups working to fix the state’s broken healthcare system today announced a new state and nationwide effort to expand and protect access to quality, affordable healthcare. The $40-million Healthcare for America Now! campaign kicked off in more than 52 cities nationwide with the goal of fixing Michigan’s and the nation’s broken healthcare system by 2009.
Healthcare Coalition Forms as Ballot Drive Ends
Jun 27, 01:09 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
Healthcare for Michigan Ballot Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 27, 2008
Contact: Dan Farough
(517) 999-3646
(517) 643-2949
New citizens group aims to hold legislators’ feet to fire
LANSING – Surrounded by tens of thousands of signed petition sheets and patients who lack healthcare, citizens groups today launched a new healthcare action coalition that aims to continue the fight to make healthcare affordable and available to all Michigan families, and fix a broken system. The coalition was announced after the Healthcare Ballot for Michigan campaign was officially ended.
GROUPS TO HOUSE: Stop Pandering to Anti-choice Groups and Get to Work!
May 29, 03:00 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
McCain's Failed Record of Outsourcing, Job Losses Wrong for MI
May 12, 11:03 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
ROCHESTER – Workers harmed by outsourcing and bad trade deals at a rally today blasted John McCain and his failed economic record of job losses, bringing attention to the Senators support for policies that hurt working families. Organized by citizens’ watchdog groups, the rally was held as McCain hosted a Town Hall meeting at Oakland University.
‘Safe Schools Lobby Day,’ Urges Senate to Pass
Mar 26, 09:28 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
Citizen Petition Challenges Granholm to Lead Fight Against Global Warming
Mar 18, 04:08 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
Michigan Must Stop More Dangerous Coal Plant Emissions
LANSING – Clean Energy Now, a coalition of leading environmental and watchdog groups today launched an online petition that calls on Gov. Jennifer Granholm to help fight global warming by making carbon dioxide a factor in whether the state approves permits for up to seven proposed dirty coal plants. Citizens can sign the online petition at: www.michigancleanenergynow.com.
Michigan’s Wake-Up Call: Renewable Energy Standard Now – or Lose Jobs, Investments
Feb 28, 10:05 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Clean Energy Now, a coalition of environmental and watchdog groups, today renewed its call to the Legislature to pass a strong renewable energy standard quickly to bring in jobs and investments that are bypassing Michigan, while reducing emissions of dangerous greenhouse gases.
Drug Industry’s Lobbying Blitz Stalls Senate, Repeal of Immunity Law for 1 Year
Feb 20, 12:40 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
Wall Street Journal reports new coal plants are bad investments
Feb 5, 03:52 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING — A report in today’s Wall Street Journal detailing how investors are pulling their money out of coal plants shows that Michigan ratepayers must be protected from bad energy investments, a coalition of conservation and watchdog groups said today.
Citizens Groups Praise Granholm for Leadership in Fight to End Drug Immunity
Jan 30, 10:36 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Several citizens groups today praised Gov. Jennifer Granholm for calling for the immediate repeal of Michigan’s drug industry immunity law, which the House has acted on but which continues to languish in the Senate amid stonewalling and delay tactics.
Groups Demand Congress STOP Toxic Trade
Jan 29, 11:03 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Progress Michigan, labor and environmental groups, launched an online campaign to urge Michigan’s Congressional delegation to back legislation protecting children and families from imported toxic toys and other dangerous products. The legislation is called the U.S. Food and Product Responsibility Act, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and in the House by Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind.
Stop the Coal Boondoggle, Protect Ratepayers Now!
Jan 22, 01:56 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – As the legislature debates Michigan’s energy future, a coalition of conservation, and watchdog groups stood with lawmakers today in announcing a plan to protect the pocketbooks of Michigan consumers from the skyrocketing costs of coal and bad energy investments.
Senate Must End MI Immunity Law after Drug Giants Admit Hiding Data
Jan 16, 11:43 AM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Citizens watchdog groups Progress Michigan and Michigan Citizens Action today renewed their call to the Senate to repeal Michigan’s one-of-a-kind drug industry immunity law after two pharmaceutical giants withheld data for more than a year showing that a blockbuster drug had dangerous – and potentially deadly – side effects.
Legislature Must Stop Dirty Coal Plants as New Report Warns Great Lakes at Risk
Jan 14, 02:15 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – The Michigan Legislature must act now and prevent as many as seven proposed dirty coal-fired power plants from being built in the state after a new report warned that dangerous greenhouse gases emitted from coal plants threatens the Great Lakes, Michigan jobs and the health of citizens, a citizens action coalition urged today.
Health Care Security Campaign Launches Statewide
Jan 8, 02:31 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Saying that political leaders in Washington and Lansing have failed to deal with a broken health care system that is crushing Michigan business and hurting Michigan families, a new coalition launched a statewide campaign today to place health care reform on the November 4, 2008 ballot. The ballot proposal would require the Michigan legislature to develop a ‘Health Care Security’ plan that would protect Michigan citizens and business from a spiraling health care crisis.
Public Urged to Send Legislators Lump of Coal, Stop Dirty Power Plants
Dec 18, 12:49 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – A new video posted today on Progress Michigan’s Web site as well as YouTube urges citizens to make their voices heard and help protect Michigan’s land, air, water and quality of life from large energy corporations seeking to build dirty polluting coal power plants in Michigan. Citizens can view the video and take action at www.progressmichigan.org/coal. The take action is in support of Clean Energy Now’s campaign to stop more dirty coal-fired power plants from locating in Michigan.
Victims, Citizens Groups Praise Gleason for Fighting to End Drug Company Immunity
Dec 14, 03:33 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
Richardville, Kahn Belittle Victims, Refuse to Protect MI Citizens from Deadly Drugs
Dec 14, 03:22 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – State Sen. Randy Richardville called an effort to protect Michigan citizens from deadly drugs like Vioxx, fen-Phen, and Rezulin “frivolous” while State Sen. Roger Kahn – a cardiologist – put the drug industry ahead of people during TV interviews on Wednesday. The two senators refused to repeal Michigan’s one-of-a-kind drug immunity law, which remains stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Victims of Dangerous Drugs Go Online in Fight to End Unfair Michigan Immunity Law
Dec 11, 12:12 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Two women whose lives have been shattered by deadly drugs talk about their loss and heartache in video interviews posted on YouTube in a move to pressure the Michigan Senate to repeal Michigan’s unfair drug industry immunity law, Progress Michigan announced today.
'Clean Energy Now' Launches Campaign to Stop Michigan Coal Rush
Dec 7, 03:55 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – A new, statewide coalition called Clean Energy Now powered up the fight for Michigan’s energy future today by launching an aggressive, statewide campaign to stop an onslaught of proposals that would build seven new, dirty, coal-fired power plants in Michigan.
Groups Demand: End Legislators' Lifetime Perks, Slash Salaries
Dec 7, 03:46 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
Merck's Catch-22 Doubletalk Shows Michigan Must End Drug Immunity Laws
Dec 4, 03:31 PM | Julielyn Gibbons
LANSING – Progress Michigan and citizens groups today blasted Merck, maker of deadly drug Vioxx, for claiming that a recent $5-billion nationwide proposed settlement also included those Michigan patients who have been barred since 1996 by state law from holding Merck and other makers of dangerous drug accountable in the first place. Michigan is the only state in the nation that prevents victims from holding drug giants accountable when they sell dangerous drugs.
House Must Reject Bishop Plan to Protect Legislators' Free Ride
Sep 24, 01:32 PM | Alan Franklin
LANSING – Progress Michigan today called on the House to reject Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop’s plan to protect state legislators’ free lifetime health care and $79,000-a-year base salary, urging action before Christmas on a tougher plan to slash legislators’ pay and end lifetime health benefits right now – not in the future.
