News Photo by Steve Schulwitz
State Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, has fun with his dog Wrigley while going to Alpena on Monday.
ALPENA — State Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, who represents Northeast Michigan just recently voted versus a proposed modification to the state’s sidetracked driving law that might make talking on a cellular phone while driving a criminal activity.
Drivers might still talk on their phones utilizing a hands-free connection.
House Bill 4250 passed 68-39 will now be thought about by the state Senate, and Cavitt thinks it will pass in the Democrat-led chamber and be signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
There would be a $100 civil fine for newbie culprits and/or 16 hours of social work. Each following offense would increase the charge to $250 fines for each subsequent offense, and/or 24 hr of social work.
Fines would be doubled if the charge happens throughout an auto accident. Drivers of school buses and industrial automobiles would pay $200 for the very first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense, and double if they happen in an auto accident.
Cavitt said he supports present laws on the book that disallow texting while driving, however he included that mandating that individuals don’t talk on their phone while driving has an influence on individuals who don’t drive vehicles or trucks geared up with Bluetooth innovation and can’t pay for acquiring smart devices or hands-free conversion sets.
He said he likewise has issues that the guideline might result in aggressive police, specifically in city locations. Cavitt said more recent vehicles have innovation such as touch screens, which need drivers to take their focus off the roadway, however they weren’t resolved in the proposed modification.
“There are a lot of people, especially in this district, that don’t necessarily have the funds to buy these hands-free devices and I think it is discriminatory against our urban and rural poor,” he said. “Look at some of the screens they put in these new vehicles. Those are just as distractive and like having a television set right there in front of you.”
Cavitt said the costs will likely pass in the Senate, however it will need a two-thirds vote to enter into instant impact.
“If they don’t get that it will probably get pushed out a year and could get amended again,” he said.
Other concerns on the horizon consist of an effort to alter the state bird from the robin to the Kirtland’s Warbler.
Cavitt says he supports the effort since the bird is making a rebound in Michigan, after being on the threatened types list. Cavitt said the population of the bird has actually increased and now Northeast Michigan is a hotspot for them. He said they are a preferred for birdwatchers who take a trip to the location intending to get a peek at one.
Cavitt said the state invested a great deal of money to enhance the environment to reinforce the population of the Kirtland’s Warbler and the outcomes have actually been a success.
“It is probably our most famous bird as far as successful stories with the DNR and we have certainly spent a lot of money trying to please that guy,” he said. “It is a Michigan success story and we really put our money where our mouth is and it’s great to see them making a comeback.”
Although it isn’t being resolved in the state House now, in the Senate there is an effort to change the Open Meetings Act and enable federal government authorities to vote from another location and not in-person like they are needed to now.
Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe, sent a letter to her fellow senators on May 3, looking for somebody to co-sponsor the costs that would enable chosen regional and state authorities to discuss, go over, and vote from outside an open online forum, by means of videoconference apps such as Zoom.
Cavitt said if a costs looking for a modification to the Open Meetings Act because of that came prior to the House, it would not have his assistance since, he said, members of the state Legislature are paid to be there personally and deal with others, which needs them to be there personally.
“I can’t support that at all,” Cavitt said. “It is an obligation to be there and a commitment we made to our constituents. We were sent to Lansing to represent the people and we need to be on the floor talking with our colleagues. I’m afraid using Zoom is a slippery slope and soon we would have government by television.”
