WMU B ronco Advocacy Network
January 2 017 Recap
The Office of Government Affairs works on behalf of WMU to strengthen relationships with state, federal, and local policy makers.

UPCOMING EVENTS 
New legislators join 99th session

The 99th session of the Michigan Legislature convened in early January welcoming 42 new representatives to the 110-member body, and 38 returning senators who did not face re-election in 2016. 
 
Of the new members, the Southwest Michigan delegation welcomes the addition of Representative Beth Griffin of the 66th District, which includes all of Van Buren County, Alamo Township, Cooper Township, and the city of Parchment in Kalamazoo County. Also new to the delegation is Representative Kim LaSata of the 79th District, which includes the cities of Coloma, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Bridgman and Watervliet in Berrien County, as well as the townships of Bainbridge, Benton, Coloma, Hagar, Lake Charter, Lincoln, Royalton, St. Joseph and Watervliet. 
 
The Michigan House of Representatives now has 47 Democrats and 63 Republicans serving, and the Michigan Senate has 11 Democrats and 27 Republicans.
Broncos in the Legislature

WMU is proud to have seven Broncos serving in the Michigan Legislature:
  • Rep. Julie Alexander (R-Hanover)
  • Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Potterville)
  • Rep. Kim LaSata (R-St. Joseph)
  • Rep. Dave Maturen (R-Brady Township)
  • Rep. Mike McCready (R-Birmingham)
  • Rep. Aaron Miller (R-Sherman Township)
  • Rep. Kristy Pagan (D-Canton Township)
A second lock considered for Soo Locks Canal 
State of the State 2017
 
Governor Rick Snyder recently delivered his seventh State of the State address, detailing a multitude of issues Michigan has faced during his tenure. First elected in 2010 then re-elected in 2014, Snyder painted an optimistic picture of the state and its future, touching on the major themes of health care, education, infrastructure, energy and technology.
 
The speech lacked any requests for major reforms, but instead highlighted smaller calls to action, such as starting a pilot program on integrated asset management or the construction of a second lock at the Soo Locks Canal.

Snyder addressed Michigan's Healthy Michigan Program and the possible changes the package may see following the anticipated repeal of the federal Affordable Care Act. He also highlighted the state's expanded Medicaid program as a model for the country, while President Trump and Congressional Republicans work to repeal the ACA.
 
An increased focus on skilled trades' apprenticeships and the call for Michigan to increase its population to over 10 million were additional issues Snyder singled out during the hour-long speech delivered to the Michigan Legislature and other dignitaries. Read the entire address on the  Governor's website.
New leaders for WMU Board of Trustees 

Jeffrey Rinvelt of Ann Arbor and  James Bolger of Whitehall have been elected chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees. The two were elected at the board's Jan. 24 meeting and will serve throughout 2017.
Read more at WMU News.
VanDerBos, Canegallo and Marshall
White House visit for WMU
health officials

The Obama administration invited staff from Western Michigan University's Sindecuse Health Center to the White House on January 13 to recognize them for their work in helping uninsured members of the campus community.
 
The recognition was part of the administration's Healthy Campus Challenge.  Dr. Lisa Marshall, center director, and  Joe VanDerBos, SHC senior marketing specialist, attended the event to accept a certificate on behalf of all who took part in the effort.
Read more at WMU News.

Dunn issues statement on U.S. immigration executive order

On January 30, President John M. Dunn issued a statement outlining his concerns about the potential impact of the executive order regarding immigration that was signed by United States President Donald Trump on January 27. 
 
"Please know that our current student body includes nearly 100 students from the seven nations specifically identified in the executive order," Dunn says in the statement. "In addition, we have many other Muslims among our nearly 1,900 international students and in our University community. As a globally engaged University, we enthusiastically recruit, welcome and embrace students from throughout the world." Read the entire statement at  WMU News. 
Bronco gubernatorial appointments

Congratulations to the following Broncos recently selected for gubernatorial appointments!
  • Steven Johnson, of West Olive, Developmental Disabilities Council
  • Matt Bolger, of Lansing, Developmental Disabilities Council
  • Michael Chafty, of Kalamazoo, Board of Medicine
  • Sara Van Wormer, of Ferndale, Board of Psychology
  • Pamela Christensen, of Marquette, Library of Michigan Board of Trustees
Champions of the 2016 Great Lakes Invitational

Bronco Hockey in nation's Top 10
 
Congratulations to the Bronco Hockey team, now ranked No. 9 in national rankings in both the U.S. College Hockey Online and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls. WMU spends its second-straight week in the top ten for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Read more at Bronco Athletics.
Advocate for your favorite university 

The Friends of WMU is a grassroots bipartisan state political action committee of Broncos helping Broncos, which was established to promote the interests of Western Michigan University. Learn how you can be more engaged as a WMU supporter on the  Friends of WMU website.
The Bronco Advocacy Network is managed
by WMU's  Office of Government Affairs and University Relations.
Contact us at (269) 387-2072 or write:
bln-contact@wmich.edu 

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