Politicizing the Family: Key Election Results - 11/02

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subject: Politicizing the Family:  Key Election Results - 11/02

from: Smart Marriages®

Politicizing the Family
Key Election Results

Diane, 
As long as the issue of politicizing the family was brought up, I thought
your list might be interested in the following.  Some of them may want to do
a similar survey in their state - use this survey or adapt it for their
purposes.  

Michigan Family Forum polled the candidates running for the state senate and
house on ten key family formation and preservation issues. These responses
where printed in 500,000 copies of a voters guide distributed statewide.
What is most encouraging from the responses is the relative lack of
opposition to the measures. Many of those who opposed or were undecided on
the measure, held that position because of the fiscal situation Michigan is
in right now. Like most other states, Michigan is facing a budget shortfall
of several hundred million dollars, so any new expenditure or tax cut is
coolly received.

This polling gives us a good idea which policies are non-starters and which
are a viable. Many recipients of our guide appreciated these types of
questions because they differ from issues covered in traditional media
outlets. It also forces voters to consider what their own positions are on
these important topics.

Of those who won on November 5th, 68 elected house candidates and 22 senate
candidates provided responses. Unfortunately, 42 from the house and 16 from
the senate did not respond. We do know from past discussion and work with
incumbents, that several of those who did not respond have cosponsored
similar legislation and will go in the support column. A majority for
passage in the house is 56 and the senate 20. Smartmarriage presenter,
Senator Bill Hardiman, is one of those who responded to our survey.
- Dan Jarvis, Michigan

Candidates were asked which category most closely reflected their position
on the following issues: Strongly Oppose, Oppose, Undecided, Favor, Strongly
Favor

Legislation to require unmarried, pregnant minors to participate in an
adoption education program as a condition of receiving public assistance.
House of Reps.   Total Oppose 3         Undecided 5          Total Favor 60
Senate   Total Oppose 1          Undecided 3          Total Favor 18

Legislation to require schools that choose to teach sex education, to
encourage students to delay sexual activity until marriage.
House of Reps.   Total Oppose 2          Undecided 2         Total Favor 64
Senate   Total Oppose 0        Undecided 2          Total Favor 20

Legislation to require couples with minor children to attend a child-impact
divorce education program before a divorce is granted.
House of Reps.   Total Oppose 2         Undecided 3          Total Favor 63
Senate   Total Oppose 0       Undecided 1          Total Favor 21

Legislation to establish a marriage preservation income tax credit for
couples who attend programs designed to help them prepare for, strengthen or
save their marriage.
House of Reps.   Total Oppose 7          Undecided 10          Total Favor
51
Senate   Total Oppose 2         Undecided 3          Total Favor 17

Legislation to replace our current unilateral "no-fault" divorce system with
one which permits divorce when both parties consent to a divorce, but
requires the proof of some fault if only one wants a divorce.
House of Reps.   Total Oppose 6          Undecided 14          Total Favor
48
Senate   Total Oppose 2          Undecided 3         Total Favor 17

Legislation to create a "marriage maintenance" income tax deduction that is
scaled to increase the longer a couple remains married.
House of Reps.   Total Oppose 8          Undecided 13          Total Favor
47
Senate   Total Oppose 2          Undecided 3          Total Favor 17

Legislation to require the Family Independence Agency to help pay for
marriage counseling as a "welfare benefit" for low income families with
distressed marriages.
House of Reps.   Total Oppose 9         Undecided 27          Total Favor 32
Senate   Total Oppose 1          Undecided 7          Total Favor 14

Legislation to require anyone who wants to be married by a public official,
such as a judge, to participate in a marriage education program.
House of Reps.   Total Oppose 9          Undecided 7          Total Favor 52
Senate   Total Oppose 1          Undecided 7          Total Favor 14

Legislation to appropriate $2 million to launch local fatherhood initiatives
designed to highlight fatherhood, identify and remove obstacles to
responsible fatherhood and promote ways to strengthen fatherhood.
House of Reps.   Total Oppose 5          Undecided 7          Total Favor 56
Senate   Total Oppose 0          Undecided 5          Total Favor 17

Legislation to spend $1 million dollars to create and pilot a program
designed to help incarcerated fathers develop relationships with their minor
children unless the father poses a risk to the child¹s well-being.
House of Reps.   Total Oppose 16          Undecided 21          Total Favor
31
Senate   Total Oppose 0          Undecided 9          Total Favor 13

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