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EDITORIAL
The Enquirer • October 22, 2010

Much has been made of voter discontent this campaign season, with a “throw the bums out” attitude best exemplified by the numerous tea party rallies held across the country.

But when it comes to the Michigan Legislature, where members are limited to six years in the House and eight years in the Senate, there a good deal to be said about experience. Knowledge of the legislative process and understanding how the budget is compiled are crucial to effective governance. Such expertise takes time to acquire, so we would be hesitant to advocate the ouster of any legislator after only one term.

Fortunately, however, there are many other good reasons to support our current local lawmakers, including a willingness to work between parties and take moderate stands on issues of importance to Michigan residents.

Democrat KATE SEGAL deserves another term representing the people of the 62nd District. She has proven herself to be an adept legislator who is able to convince her peers to support effective programs, such as the Michigan National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe Academy. She also understands the state’s severe financial situation and wants to work with her colleagues to implement changes that will encourage business and job creation.

We think Segal can continue to provide the most effective representation in Lansing.

Originally published October 22, 2010
Copyright (c) Battle Creek Enquirer. All rights reserved.

Endorsements of candidates are based on past voting records, candidate questionnaire responses and local transit system input.

The Michigan Public Transit Association endorses Kate Segal, D-62.

Campaign Notebook
The Enquirer • October 8, 2010

The Marshall Chamber of Commerce is endorsing:

State House District 62: Kate Segal, D

Originally published October 8, 2010
Copyright (c) Battle Creek Enquirer. All rights reserved.

Michigan Works! • Reader Submitted • The Enquirer • October 1, 2010

For actively supporting Michigan Works!, State Representative Kate Segal (D-62, Battle Creek) has been chosen as a 2010 Legislator of the Year Award recipient by the Michigan Works! Association.

“I am truly honored to receive this award from Michigan Works,” Segal said. “Every job counts here in Michigan and I’m proud to partner with Michigan Works! so we can prepare our workers for the jobs they need to provide for their families. I will continue working to make sure people receive the support
they need and that state government does more to help small businesses and attract emerging companies to Michigan so they can create good-paying jobs for our workers.”

The award recognizes state legislators who are steadfast in their support of their local Michigan Works! Agency and/or the Michigan Works! System.

Michigan Works! Association CEO Luann Dunsford said, “Since her time on the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners, Representative Segal has been a supporter of her Michigan Works! Agency, and now, as a state legislator, she continues her strong support.”

Michigan Works!-Calhoun ISD nominated Segal for her participation in local programs and events and for being responsive to the needs of her community.

When Segal learned Barry, Branch and Calhoun County residents were struggling to process Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) claims, she and her staff traveled to the Michigan Works! Agency to assist, helping 37 people in 2009 and 25 people in 2010.

At the peak of UIA complaints, Segal’s office was advocating on behalf of 10 to 20 people per week. Segal continues to assist three to five residents each week with UIA related issues.

“Representative Segal and her staff are committed to our Michigan Works! Agency and continue to keep their finger on its pulse,” M.J. Bruns, Michigan Works!-Calhoun ISD director of workforce development, said. “Her office continues to provide a bridge to Lansing one which is well-traveled and open to all!”

State Representative Joan Bauer (D-68, Lansing) also received an award. Award recipients were recently honored during the Michigan Works! for People Annual Conference, hosted by the Michigan Works! Association, Sept. 19-21 in Traverse City.

Campaign Notebook
The Enquirer • September 30, 2010

The labor union representing deputies with the Calhoun County Sheriff Department has endorsed several candidates in state and local races.

According to Deputy Jonathan Pignataro, president of the local Police Officers Association of Michigan and Kenneth Grabowski, legislative director for the state labor union, members have endorsed Michigan State Representative 62nd District – Kate Segal.

POAM-CCDSA is an organization of employees with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department of over 140 members including corrections officers, patrol deputies, detectives, control room operators, and clerical support staff, Pignataro said.

Originally published September 30, 2010
Copyright (c) Battle Creek Enquirer. All rights reserved.

Campaign Notebook
The Enquirer • September 30, 2010

State Rep. Kate Segal, D-Battle Creek, has won the endorsement of the Michigan Agri-Business Association.

Segal is campaigning for a second term in the Michigan House.

In a release from Segal’s campaign, the MABA commended Segal for being an advocate of locally grown food and supporting legislation to help small farms.

Originally published September 30, 2010
Copyright (c) Battle Creek Enquirer. All rights reserved.

Barrett Newkirk • The Enquirer • September 17, 2010

LANSING — State lawmakers are taking action against companies that hire illegal immigrants, in part because of accusations related to the Kalamazoo River cleanup effort.

State Rep. Kate Segal, D-Battle Creek, announced this week that she was backing a bill already working its way through the Legislature that would punish companies that knowingly hire illegal immigrants or encourage them to come to Michigan.

“There are bad actors out there, and we’re trying to figure out how to enforce the laws we already have,” Segal said Thursday.

State Sen. Glenn Anderson, D-Westland, has introduced a similar bill in the Michigan Senate.

Hallmark Industrial, a Texas-based company, has been accused of bringing more than 40 illegal aliens to Michigan to help with the Enbridge oil spill cleanup. An Enbridge contractor hired Hallmark to help restore the polluted waterways.

The bill introduced last month in the House would prohibit companies found to repeatedly hire illegal workers from working in Michigan or require the companies to comply with additional state oversight of their hiring decisions.

Segal said the bill goes one step further than the state’s Hire Michigan First initiative, a package of bills meant to encourage companies receiving state taxes break to hire Michigan workers.

“What we’re trying to do here is level the playing field and make sure our Michigan workers get the jobs,” she said.

Segal said other legislation being developed in response to the Enbridge oil spill will focus on local emergency response systems and transparency related to contractors and subcontractors.

Barrett Newkirk can be reached at 966-0692 or bnewkirk@gannett.com.

In the Neighborhood
The Enquirer • September 13, 2010

An event at Burnham Brook Community Center on Friday raised awareness of the proper way to dispose of prescription medications.

Organized by the Calhoun County Substance Abuse Council, officials at the event linked the improper disposal of prescription drugs to rising rates of prescription drug abuse.

“Allowing these medications to collect dust or just throwing them away in the trash without a second thought is what’s causing this problem,” state Rep. Kate Segal, D-Battle Creek, said at Burnham Brook on Friday.

The Calhoun County Health Department has regular events for collecting hazardous household waste including prescription drugs. The next one is scheduled for Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Toeller Building, 190 E. Michigan Ave.

People with unwanted prescriptions can also contact their pharmacy for information about returning or disposing of the drugs.

Originally published September 13, 2010
Copyright (c) Battle Creek Enquirer. All rights reserved.

Agri-Business Association Endorses Segal

BATTLE CREEK – State Representative Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) has earned the endorsement of the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) in her bid to continue serving as State Representative for the 62nd House District.

“Rep. Segal has an exceptional understanding of our industry and how each issue we face impacts Michigan’s economic success,” said MABA President Jim Byrum. “Rep.Segal will continue to be a strong voice for agriculture and others who rely on a thriving agri-business industry to provide for their families in Calhoun County and across the state. We look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Segal to help keep agriculture growing.”

Segal has fought to support Michigan’s farmers, producers and other workers within the agri-business industry in order to drive one of our economy’s largest industries and create jobs. Her work includes:

• Voting to increase opportunities for Michigan residents and farmers to sell homemade food at farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs and other venues.
• Supporting returning authority to the Michigan Agricultural Commission to make sure that farmers have a say in how the Department of Agriculture is run after the governor stripped the body of its powers.
• Voting to increase the number of Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zones.
• Serving as a longtime advocate of buying locally grown and produced foods to support family farmers and boost local economies.

“I’m proud to have received the endorsement of the Agri-Business Association and I look forward to continuing our collaboration to boost our economy and support our workers,” Segal said. “Agriculture is one of the few bright spots in Michigan’s economy and it’s an important part of our way of life in Calhoun County. While we’ve made progress in helping our agri-business industry grow, we must continue to find new ways to support our farmers and workers, and make it easier for them to find new markets for their products across the state and around the world.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Contact: Kate Segal
Phone: (269) 282-4894 

Campaign Notebook
The Enquirer • June 29, 2010

The Michigan Farm Bureau has endorsed state Rep. Kate Segal, D-Battle Creek. Segal is seeking a second term in the office.

In a news release, the Farm Bureau recognized Segal for “her commitment to addressing agricultural issues and her dedication to keeping Michigan’s farming industry strong and growing.”

Originally published June 29, 2010
Copyright (c) Battle Creek Enquirer. All rights reserved.