Rep. Joshua Schriver: Spring Lookahead (Part 1)
Official Newsletter: State Representative Joshua Schriver
“I will honor my Sacred Oath to the best of my ability, so help me God.” -Joshua Schriver
Dear Neighbor,
This week, I’ve taken the time to give you an insight into what is coming ahead of time. Right now, the Michigan State Legislature is divided 54/54, but after April’s Special Elections we may likely find ourselves with a 56/54 Democrat majority. If this happens, we can expect them to attempt to ram through some of these policies. My mission is to educate you about these policies and continue to work hard to stop them from passing:
Force Parents to Register Themselves, Their Children and Their Homes with the Government
According to the Michigan Homeschool Network (a large group of homeschooling families across the State of Michigan), a draft of a bill to establish a homeschool registry has been confirmed in the Michigan House of Representatives and awaits a committee hearing.
The homeschool registry would force parents who decide to homeschool their children to register with the State of Michigan. However, there has been a lot of pushback from parents all over Michigan who have valid concerns about burdensome government visitation, strict certification requirements, restrictive curriculum mandates, government surveillance and warrantless searches.
Many parents choose homeschooling because they want to educate their children in a way that matches their values. What happens if our Government forces homeschooled kids to be exposed to ideologies like Satanism or transgenderism against the will of their parents? Every parent must have the right to oversee the upbringing of their children in a way that matches their values.
Currently, Michigan has some of the best homeschooling protection in the nation. Thousands of families have moved to the Great Lakes State because of this. Now, some are exploiting a tragic event which has very little to do with homeschooling to call for a strict regulation of families teaching their own children.
Proponents argue the registry only helps the state get a head count, but a majority of residents are understandably concerned about a push to take away parental rights.
Reasons why I oppose a homeschool registry:
Not one government official has been able to explain how forcing parents to register homeschooled children with the state will help keep children safe. The state superintendent would not provide an answer. Neither could the school board President.
The alleged case of child abuse the Attorney General mentioned has more to do with a state employee manipulating state rules than actual abuse of homeschooling children.
We already have laws in place to ensure child abusers are prosecuted to the fullest extent possible under the law.
It could lead to more regulations over what parents are allowed to teach (or forbidden to teach!) their kids at home.
It’s a very slippery slope. What happens if parents must get “certified” to teach their own children at home?
I am committed to doing everything I can to stop this legislation.
God Bless You,
Representative Joshua Schriver
Vote Record Update
SB721- Extend Sunset for Claims Against Marketable Record of Title to 9/29/25
NO- This sunset will give more people more time to protect their property easements if there haven’t been any title changes if the title is older than 40 years. This is a sensible extension to prevent unnecessary turmoil for existing land owners in Michigan.
PASSED 106-0
HB4676- Apply Public School Standards to Foster Care
NO- This bill could lead to less flexibility for foster care students / ability for teachers to customize educational programming to suit the needs of special needs children in the school system. The Michigan Merit Cirriculum is NOT helping to meet the needs of special needs adults right now - too much teaching to the test and not enough of a focus on encouraging actual learning. Special needs students are VERY different than students in regular ed.
PASSED 102-4
HB4603- Allow Schools to Negotiate Building/Architect Contracts Jointly
YES- This bill allows public schools to negotiate building/architect contracts jointly if they so choose. This practice is a fine option to allow. Some schools may want to negotiate builders/architects jointly because (1) these two entities already work together in some cases and (2) schools may be able to negotiate more fiscally responsible contracts with this option.
PASSED 95-11
HB5203- Increase Likelihood of Retirement “Double Dipping”
NO- Allowing retirees to be employed by a county sheriff’s office without forfeiting retirement benefits will increase the likelihood of “double dipping” by these individuals from their retirement accounts. We need to address the lack of law enforcement, but there are much better ways to do this that do not open the door to “double dipping.”
PASSED 94-12
Sources
Michigan Christian Homeschool Network - Twitter Update - February 29, 2024
COMPLETE VOTE & REASON HISTORY: CLICK HERE