State Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren) has introduced legislation that would create a website run by the Michigan Secretary of State that would facilitate online voter registration. Citizens would also be able to use this website to update their voter registration information when they move.

Lansing – Several members of the Michigan Senate Democrats expressed outrage over Republican legislation, House Bill 6060, that seeks to neuter the recall process in Michigan and further silence the voice of the people. Several Senators argued that the legislation is a blatant act of self-preservation by legislative Republicans seeking to defend themselves from the pending repercussions of their misguided policies and even legal investigations.

Lansing – Michigan Senate Democrats continued to voice their support of Michigan workers protesting at the Capitol today and decried the Michigan House of Representatives' passage of so-called Right to Work legislation. The Senate passed Senate Bill 116 and House Bill 4003 late last Thursday, and the bills were finalized and approved by the House today. These bills now go to Governor Snyder for his signature into law, a move that he has already publicly stated is a foregone conclusion.

Senator Steve Bieda was present today as Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne announced that the company would be adding 1,250 new jobs and investing nearly $240 million into three Michigan plants. The bulk of those new jobs will come from adding a third crew at Warren Truck, which produces the newly redesigned Ram pickup, in March 2013. One thousand people are expected to be hired.

Lansing – Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer joined with colleagues today to announce plans to begin major reforms to how Michigan's elections are run after significant concerns were raised throughout the year about the politicization of the Secretary of State's office and voters being forced to wait for hours before being able to cast their ballots in this week's elections.

Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren) is renewing calls to pass his legislation that would end immunity for drug companies in Michigan. Under the current Michigan Drug Immunity Law, any drug that is approved by the FDA is immune from lawsuit, even if that drug seriously harms or kills patients. There is debate as to whether this law could prevent patients from seeking compensation in the recent meningitis outbreak from contaminated drugs.

State Senator Steve Bieda is deeply troubled by graffiti found on the front columns of the State Capitol this morning. Around 4:00 A.M. this morning a Michigan State Trooper patrolling the Capitol grounds discovered two 5 foot tall stick figures (one man, one women) spray-painted on the building. A war memorial was also found to be defaced with the words “give art a chance” and a half face painted on it.

State Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren) is encouraging local Great Lakes anglers to be on the lookout for Asian carp while fishing. A study released by the Michigan and Ohio Departments of Natural Resources shows that Asian carp environmental DNA (eDNA) has been found in western Lake Erie. While no live fish have been found, the eDNA could be a sign that the invasive species has made its way into the Great Lakes. Further studies and the capture of an actual Asian carp are needed to make a more conclusive determination.

Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren) is pleased that Governor Snyder has signed into law a package of bills he sponsored that amends Michigan's paternity laws. Under the old law, a woman's husband is legally her child's father, even if the child was fathered by another man. One well documented case is that of Daniel Quinn, of Fenton, MI. Despite having proved paternity and raising his daughter for two years, Mr. Quinn was denied parental rights because the girl's mother was married to another man at the time of birth.

Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren) is applauding the efforts of Macomb County officials, led by County Executive Mark Hackel, to crack down on the sale of K2 and other synthetic marijuana products. Bieda is a supporter of SB 1082, legislation which would ban K2 and similar products across the state, is calling on the House to quickly pass this legislation.