On Wed, Nov 3, a SECOND team in as many weeks of Convention of States (“COS”) volunteers confronted legislators in Lansing, daring them -- SEVEN months after the COS resolution’s (HJR-E) introduction -- to state they still had not decided where they stand. Resolution HJR-E is critical to creating an amending convention per Article V.
Unfortunately, over the past seven months, several Michigan House Representatives have been playing their cards close to their chests, claiming they have not yet been able to fully study the COS solution. On Wed, Nov 3, however, COS volunteers called their bluff. The team attended a meeting in session and requested several reps to meet with them in the lobby. These were Borton HD-105, Damoose HD-107, and Ann Bollin HD-42.
COS volunteers had a meaningful discussion with Ann Bollin HD-42, who chairs the Election & Ethics Committee in the House. This committee has been studying HJR-E since April 27, 2021, when it was first introduced by Matt Hall HD-63. Bollin indicated that the COS Resolution (HJR-E) was not yet scheduled for a hearing.
The COS team caught Rendon HD-103, Roth HD-104, and O’Malley HD-101 coming out of session, and had meaningful discussions, especially with Rendon since we had a positive call with her the day before, led by Matt Hall (COS sponsor).
As COS is the nation’s largest grassroots organization, it's in legislators' best interests to show interest in our events. For instance, some legislators such as Markkanen HD-110 expressed interest in attending an upcoming event that’s being planned (i.e., Marquette Town Hall).
The team also held meaningful discussions with several other legislators about HJR-E:
- Greg Markkanen HD-110
- John Damoose HD-107
- Beau Lafave HD-108
…and had positive interactions with staff members of:
- Markannen HD-110
- Cambensy HD-109
- Lafave HD-108
- Rendon HD-103
- Damoose HD-107
- Borton HD-105
Lastly, the team met with COS’s Lobbyist, DeVries.
The COS solution is actually quite simple and can be explained in a paragraph (see below). Furthermore, COS volunteers have made THOUSANDS of calls to constituents throughout Michigan, telling them WHO has not yet confirmed support for the movement and urging them to contact those reps.
COS volunteers have also repeatedly contacted MI House Reps themselves to enlighten them and urge them to vote to pass the Convention of States resolution in Michigan. As a reminder, the resolution for Convention of States (HJR-E) was introduced almost seven months ago by Matt Hall (HD 63) on April 27, 2021.
As indicated on the COS website, the solution is as follows:
“Article V of the U.S. Constitution gives states the power to call a Convention of States to propose amendments. It takes 34 states to call the convention and 38 to ratify any amendments that are proposed. Our convention would only allow the states to discuss amendments that, “limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints, and place term limits on federal officials.”
In addition, COS has provided an amazing three-minute video about the process, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions that we hear all the time from constituents.
If your friends and family have not yet signed the petition, be sure to share the petition link. Last week’s elections showed us that WE are the majority - Americans who are against the swamp and big government bureaucracy. Let’s make sure we finish the job here in Michigan.
For a complete event list for Michigan, click here. Also, visit the link for your House Representatives’ contact information and call, email, and handwrite them today. Simply state why you support Convention of States. Most of us are capable of even more than contacting our legislators. Let’s answer the call; time is running out. Step up today, Michigan!
