>> WELCOME BACK TO OTR.

OUR GUEST THIS WEEK IS STATE SENATOR JEREMY MOSS.

OUR LEAD STORY BACK TO NORMAL NEXT TUESDAY.

REALLY?

ON THE OTR PANEL.

RICK ALBIN, CHEYNA ROTH AND KYLE MELINN.

STAY WITH US AS WE GET THE INSIDE OUT OFF THE RECORD.

>> PRODUCTION OF OFF THE RECORD IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE FOLLOWING:BUSINESS LEADERS FROM MICHIGAN HAS A STRATEGIC PLAN TO MAKE MITCH A TOP 10 STATE IN MICHIGAN FOR JOBS, AND A HEALTHY ECONOMY.

>> AND NOW, THIS EDITION OF "OFF THE RECORD" WITH TIM SKUBICK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND WELCOME BACK TO THE ZOOM EDITION OF OFF THE RECORD WITH A GREAT PANEL WE HAVE WITH US.

WE HAVE CHEYNA AND RICK AND KYLE MELINN.

AND LATER ON STATE SENATOR JEREMY MOSS AND THE GOVERNOR MAKING NEWS THIS WEEK MOVING UP THE DEADLINE FROM JULY 1 TO JUNE 22 FOR THINGS RETURNING TO NORMAL IN MICHIGAN.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

THE COVID VIRUS IN MICHIGAN IS NOT OVER.

BUT THE GOVERNOR'S COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS ARE.

AND BAR OWNERS AND OTHER BUSINESSES HAVE THIS REACTION.

>> WE ARE BACK AND WE ARE READY TO GO.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS LIFTING ALL RESTRICTIONS BASED ON THE EVER IMPROVING COVID DATA.

INSTEAD OF 7,000 CASES A DAY THE NUMBER IN MICHIGAN HAS DWINDLED INTO THE 100s.

INSTEAD OF HUNDREDS OF DEATHS PER DAY THE NUMBERS DECLINED FOR EIGHT WEEKS INTO SINGLE DIGITS.

THE GOVERNOR DID NOT REACH HER GOAL OF 70% OF THE POPULATION BEING VACCINATED BUT ENOUGH CITIZENS DID GET THE SHOTS THAT HELPED PROPEL THE COVID DATA ON A DOWNWARD TREND.

SO NOW WHAT?

BAR AND RESTAURANT OWNERS CONTEND IT WILL NOT BE AN OVERNIGHT RECOVERY.

>> IT IS A LONG ROAD BACK.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO SNAP BACK.

IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO RECOUP A YEAR'S WORTH OF LOSSES AND TO GET BACK INTO THE SWING AND GET GOING.

>> WHILE MICHIGAN BUSINESSES MAY BE PLEASED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION, THE HEAD OF THE MICHIGAN FREEDOM FUND FUNDED BY MAJOR REPUBLICAN DONORS DISMISSES THE GOVERNOR'S MOVE AS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.

>> THIS IS ABSOLUTELY TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.

AND STILL LATER.

IT IS NOT HAPPENING TODAY.

IT DOESN'T START UNTIL NEXT WEEK.

THERE IS NO REASON THE RESTRICTIONS CAN'T BE LIFTED NOW.

>> SO SHE'S PLAYING POLITICS WITH THIS?

>> THIS WHOLE THING HAS BEEN POLITICAL.

>> THE GOVERNOR COUNTERS HER DECISIONS WERE BASED ON SCIENCE.

PROGRESS MICHIGAN FUNDED BY DEMOCRATS COULD NOT APPEAR ON CAMERA BUT ISSUED THIS STATEMENT, QUOTE, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR GOVERNOR WHITMER'S EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THIS CRISIS AND WANT TO GO HELP OUR STATE RECOVER STRONGER THAN BEFORE.

SO CIRCLE THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR.

COVID RESTRICTIONS ARE GONE AND THE GOVERNOR HOPES FOR GOOD.

>> SO CHEYNA, HOW COME THE GOVERNOR IS DOING THIS?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

AND GIVEN -- >> MOST OF MINE ARE.

>> YOU KNOW I WANT TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GIVEN THAT WE HAVEN'T HIT THE 70% VACCINATION RATE THAT WAS INITIALLY SORT OF HER GOAL POST, I KNOW THAT -- EVERYBODY HAD BEEN SAYING FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS IT WAS LOOKING LIKE SHE WOULD LIFT THEM SOONER.

BUT VACCINATION RATES ARE DOWN AND WE HAVEN'T HIT THE 70% RATE.

AND WHILE COVID TESTING RATES ARE ALSO DOWN, THERE IS ALSO THE VARIANTS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

PARTICULARLY CONCERNING DELTA VARIANT.

IT WAS KIND OF SURPRISING TO ME THAT SHE DECIDED YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE ARE GOING TO LIFT EVERYTHING ON TUESDAY.

WHICH WHY I KNOW THE BUSINESSES ARE SAYING WHY NOT TOMORROW?

IT'S STILL VERY, VERY SOON.

IT IS SOMETHING I PERSONALLY AM NOT READY FOR.

I'M GOING TO KEEP WEARING MASKS EVEN THOUGH I'M FULLY VACCINATED.

I WILL CONTINUE TO EAT OUTSIDE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE GRAPPLING WITH.

>> KYLE, IS THIS A ROLL OF THE DICE?

>> Kyle: I DON'T THINK SO, TIM.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WON'T FOLLOW THEM ON JUNE 22?

FOLKS HAVE KIND OF TREATED THIS AS BEING BACK TO NORMAL ANY WAY.

THOSE PEOPLE THAT FEEL COMFORTABLE, GOING OUT, BEING IN PUBLIC HAVE BEEN OUT IN PUBLIC.

AND WHILE THE RESTRICTIONS ARE BEING LIFTED HOW MANY TIMES HAS THE STATE ENFORCED ANY TYPE OF COVID ORDER SINCE THE MASK MANDATE GOT LIFTED?

I THINK FOR THE GOVERNOR'S STANDPOINT SHE'S TAKEN A LO LOTF HITS IN THE MEDIA.

THIS IS TO GIVE HER A WIN AND MAKE HER LOOK LIKE THE GOOD GUY FOR A WHILE WHEN IT COMES TO COVID.

FOR A YEAR SHE'S BEEN THE BAD GUY.

SHE'S BEEN TRYING TO KEEP US SAFE.

PUTTING ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS OUT THERE AND WHILE SHE'S DONE IT IN THE GOAL TO MAKE US SAFE, IT'S HAD SOME NEGATIVE REPERCUSSIONS TO IT.

SHE HAS TICKED OFF A LOT OF PEOPLE FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

AND IF SHE CAN COME OUT AND SAY YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL A WEEK EARLIER?

IT'S AT LEASE A DAY IF NOT A FEW MORE DAYS OF POSITIVE HEADLINES.

>> SO RICK WAS IT A SIGH OF RELIEF WHEN SHE MADE THIS MOVE?

>> I THINK THE SIGH OF RELIEF WAS MY OWN.

THE ANTICIPATION THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY I DON'T SEE THAT MOVING THIS UP BY A HANDFUL OF DAYS IS A PARTICULAR WIN FOR THE GOVERNOR.

ALTHOUGH SHE DID GET A LITTLE UPTICK AND POSITIVE COVERAGE WHEN SHE FIRST ANNOUNCED THIS, BUT AGAIN KIND OF IN AN UNUSUAL WAY.

IF YOU DO THIS DON'T YOU COME OUT AND SAY LOOK, BECAUSE OF ALL THAT WE HAVE DONE AS AN ADMINISTRATION WE HAVE KEPT YOU SAFE AS KYLE WAS TALKING ABOUT FOR THE PAST 16 MONTHS.

AND NOW BECAUSE OF THAT WE HAVE A SUCCESS TO ANNOUNCE -- INSTEAD THEY DID IT WITH A RELEASE.

WHICH IS TO ME SOMEWHAT PUZZLING.

BUT I DO THINK THAT THE REALITY IS FROM THE TIME THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION AND I THINK 49 OTHERS AROUND THE STATE WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD WHEN THE FEDS SAID TAKE OFF YOUR MASKS, I THINK AT THAT MOMENT THINGS HAVE PRETTY MUCH STARTED TO -- I DON'T KNOW IF THE WORD IS NORMALIZE, BUT IT STARTED TO REVERT BACK TO WHERE WE WERE.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU CAN GO INTO BIG BOX STORES.

WHEN YOU CAN GO INTO MEIJER, WAL-MART AND NOT WEAR A MASK.

THE FACT IS MANY PEOPLE JUST QUIT WEARING THEM.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS EXCEPT THAT THERE IS PROBABLY SOME RELIEF THAT WE ANTICIPATE THERE WON'T BE OTHER RESTRICTIONS, UNLESS THERE IS A BACKSLIDE WHICH WE HOPE DOESN'T HAPPEN.

>> SO CHEYNA, ARE THE POLITICS OF THIS ISSUE NOW OVER?

>> Cheyna: OH NO.

I MEAN THERE IS STILL A LOT OF COVID FUNDING THEY ARE GOING TO FIGHT OVER.

THERE IS STILL RE-ELECTIONS COMING UP THAT SHE IS GOING TO HAVE TO FIGHT AND CONSTANTLY EXPLAINING HOW SHE HANDLED THE COVID 19 CRISIS AND HOW SHE CONTINUES TO HANDLE IT.

THERE IS -- AND AS RICK ALLUDED TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THERE IS -- THAT THERE COULD BE SOME SORT OF BACKSLIDING THAT COULD REQUIRE THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO COME OUT WITH NEW RESTRICTIONS OR REINSTATE SOME RESTRICTIONS.

THAT'S ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS JUST FAR FROM OVER.

AS MUCH AS IT FEELS LIKE SHOVING OUT A RELEASE SAYING HEY, THE RESTRICTIONS ARE GONE KIND OF FEELS LIKE WE JUST WANT TO MOVE ON.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO.

THAT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE.

>> BUT KYLE, HOW LONG CAN THE REPUBLICANS RIDE THIS COVID HORSE VISA -- THE GOVERNOR ABUSED HER POWER?

WOULD ANYONE CARE THAT SHE ALLEGEDLY DID THAT AND SAYS SHE DID NOT?

>> I THINK IT WILL DEPEND HOW FOLKS REACT IN THEIR FOCUS GROUPS AND POLLING.

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT TO SEE IF PEOPLE ARE CONNECTING WITH THAT ISSUE OR IF WE'VE MOVED ON TO OTHER THINGS.

I'M GOING TO GUESS THAT IN A YEAR'S TIME, SIX MONTHS TIME, I THINK PEOPLE WILL MOVE ON.

WE WILL LOOK AT COVID AS A TIME THAT HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY SIX MONTHS AGO OR A YEAR OR WHATEVER IT IS GOING TO BE.

AND LOOK BACK AT THAT AS KIND OF AN ANOMALY.

A STRANGE TIME THAT WE ALL WENT THROUGH AND CAN YOU BELIEVE WE ALL DID THIS STUFF?

AND WE DID THINGS THAT MAYBE WE WOULDN'T HAVE DONE OTHERWISE.

HISTORY ALWAYS MAKES THINGS LOOK A LITTLE FONDER THAN THEY ARE.

AND IT IS GOING TO DEPEND ON THE GOVERNOR OR WHOEVER PAINTING THAT GOOD PICTURE.

HISTORY IS OFTEN DETERMINED HOW PEOPLE LOOK BACK ON IT AND HOW IT'S PRESENTED.

AND IF THE GOVERNOR CAN GO BACK OR SOMEBODY ELSE CAN GO BACK AND FRAME THIS TIME AS HER TRYING TO PROTECT US AND THE NUMBERS AREN'T AS BAD AS THEY COULD HAVE BEEN, THEN I THINK THAT THE REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE A HARDER TIME MAKING POLITICAL HAY OUT OF IT.

>> RICK, LET'S TURN THE PAGE TO AN AGREEMENT THIS WEEK.

GOODNESS, GRACIOUS, THEY ARE MOVING THE FEDERAL COVID DOLLARS AFTER SITTING ON THIS MONEY FOR MONTHS ON END.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> Rick: WELL, I THINK THERE IS A CERTAIN OPTIC THAT PLAYS IF YOU'VE GOT ALL OF THIS MONEY AT YOUR DISPOSAL AND NOT DOING ANYTHING WITH IT, YOU BECOME OBSTRUCTIONIST.

AND IT APPEARS TO ME AND ONLY OBSERVING.

THERE APPEARS TO BE A CERTAIN SENTIMENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A BUDGET.

PART OF THAT IS AN AGREEMENT ON USING THIS FEDERAL MONEY.

I MEAN LOOK, WE HAVE ALL BEEN THERE WHEN BUDGETS COULDN'T BE PUT TOGETHER.

I GO BACK TO THE MID 2000s WHEN WE WERE IN THE CHAMBER FOR 170 HOURS OR WHATEVER IT WAS.

SOME RIDICULOUS THING TRYING TO PUT BUDGETS TOGETHER.

WHEN YOU HAVE AS MUCH MONEY AS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW THANKS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND YOU CAN'T PUT TOGETHER A BUDGET, YOU CAN'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON HOW TO SPEND IT?

THAT'S A BIG FAIL IF YOU DON'T GET IT DONE.

I THINK THERE IS A RECOGNITION OF THAT AGAIN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE THAT THEY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

AND I THINK PART OF WHAT WE'VE SEEN THE PAST FEW WEEKS IS BOTH SIDES TRYING TO PLAY A LITTLE NICER AFTER 16 MONTHS OF WHAT HAS BEEN PRETTY MUCH OUTRIGHT WARFARE BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE.

AND I THINK THAT EVERYBODY IS SAYING WELL, WAIT A MINUTE.

AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO GET ALONG.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

AND I THINK THERE IS A CERTAIN EVIDENCE THERE IS AN ELECTION COMING UP, TOO.

AND I THINK IT IS HAVING IMPACT ON FOLKS.

>> AND CHEYNA, MICHIGAN SCHOOLS WERE PLEASED AS PUNCH AS SOMEBODY USED TO SAY YEARS AGO THAT THEY ARE GETTING $4 BILLION PLUS, NOT GOING TO SALARIES OR OPERATING BUDGET BUT COVID-RELATED ACTIVITIES.

FILL US IN.

>> Cheyna: IT LOOKS LIKE THE SENATE APPROVED $4.3 BILLION FOR SCHOOLS AND ON TOP OF THAT THE HOUSE AUTHORIZED $2.2 BILLION FOR FOOD AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF MONEY THAT IS BEING MOVED AROUND.

WHAT I'M CURIOUS ABOUT IS THAT $300 IN FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT WEEKLY SORT OF COVID ASSISTANCE THAT REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO GET RID OF AND THE GOVERNOR AND DEMOCRATS DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF THAT.

THEY SAY THAT PEOPLE STILL NEED THAT ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.

AND REPUBLICANS ARE CLAIMING THAT IT'S PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM GETTING JOBS BECAUSE THEY COULD GET MORE BY BEING UNEMPLOYED AND HONESTLY IF THAT IS THE CASE THEN MAYBE WE NEED TO EXAMINE HOW MUCH WE ARE PAYING PEOPLE IN SALARIES.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO LOOK AT IN ALL OF THIS.

IS THAT ADDITIONAL $300 IN UNEMPLOYMENT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE, IS THAT GOING TO BE TIEING UP ANY OF THIS COVID FUNDING THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON?

>> KYLE, YOU'VE GOT MONEY GOING FOR SUMMER SCHOOL.

YOU GOT MONEY GOING TO REINVENTING THE VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN THE SCHOOLS AND THE SCHOOLS, THEY WILL USE THIS MONEY, WON'T THEY?

>> YEAH, BUT LET'S BE CLEAR.

A LOT OF THIS MONEY IS GOING TO WHAT IS CALLED TITLE ONE SCHOOLS.

THESE ARE THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE LOWER INCOME STUDENTS.

A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF LOWER INCOME STUDENTS.

THIS ISN'T LIKE THIS IS $4 BILLION GETTING CUT UP EQUALLY AMONG ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

IT IS TARGETED TOWARD THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS AND HAVE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE A HIGH POPULATION OF POOR KIDS.

AND THERE IS A POT OF MONEY IN HERE THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE GOV NERNOR IS GOING TO DO WITH D IT WOULD GO TO NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SHE VETOED THIS BEFORE.

I DON'T KNOW IF SHE WILL VETO IT AGAIN, BUT SHE TRADITIONALLY SAID SHE DOESN'T WANT ANY OF THIS MONEY TO GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

BUT IT IS IN THIS BUDGET.

>> THERE WAS AN EQUITY PIECE IN THIS THING IN THE DONALD TRUMP PACKAGE THAT CAME OUT OF WASHINGTON THAT IS MISSING IN THIS ONE THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN ABOUT $1,000 TO EVERY PUPIL ACROSS THE STATES.

THAT WAS PLUCKED OUT OF THERE AT THIS 11th HOUR.

MAYBE SOMEBODY WILL TRY TO PLUCK IT BACK IN.

WE DON'T KNOW.

LET'S CALL IN OUR GUEST.

STATE SENATOR JEREMY MOSS THAT HAS BEEN A BUSY PERSON THIS WEEK.

SENATOR, WELCOME BACK TO OFF THE RECORD.

>> Senator Moss: GOOD TO SEE YOU, TIM.

>> THERE YOU GO.

SENATOR, ARE YOU CLOSE TO A DEAL OF RESOLVING THE EXPANSION OF THE ELLIOT LARSON LAW TO INCLUDE SEGMENTS OF THE GAY COMMUNITY WITH A RELIGIOUS EXCEPTION?

WAT'S THE CHATTER?

IS THAT HAPPENING?

>> I THINK ONCE WE INTRODUCED THIS AT THE START OF THE YEAR THE BIG WIN IS WE FINALLY HAVE REPUBLICAN CO-SPONSORS ON OUR EFFORTS TO EXPAND THE ELLIOT LARSON CIVIL RIGHTS ACT TO PROTECT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY FROM DISCRIMINATION.

NOW IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THERE IS A TOLERANCE OF REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP TO MOVE IT.

WE DID GET A BIG WIN THIS MONTH.

I'VE BEEN INTRODUCING THE RESOLUTION TO DECLARE JUNE AS PRIDE MONTH FOR SEVEN YEARS RUNNING AND IT'S ALWAYS BEEN BURIED IN COMMITTEE AND NEVER TAKEN UP.

BUT THERE WAS A RECOGNITION THAT YES, LGBTQ PEOPLE EXIST HERE IN MICHIGAN AND CONTRIBUTE CIVICALLY AND CULTURALLY AND ECONOMICALLY TO THE STATE.

SO THAT RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED IN THE SENATE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

AND THEN THE HOUSE TOOK IT UP AND ADOPTED IT AS WELL.

SO WE ARE MOVING FORWARD ON THESE ISSUES.

>> TO MY QUESTION, ARE YOU CLOSE TO A DEAL?

THE ANSWER IS NO, YOU ARE NOT.

>> I -- WE DON'T CUT DEALS ON CIVIL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE.

WE JUST WANT TO AFFIRM RECOGNITION THAT WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND SHOULD BE PROTECTED IN EMPLOYMENT, IN HOUSING, AND IN PUBLICLY AVAILABLE SERVICES.

>> CHEYNA, WHAT DO YOU GOT?

>> SENATOR MOSS, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR SINCE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.

YOU SPENT YEARS AND YEARS TRYING TO EXPAND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.

AND WORKED WITH SOME OF THE SAME PEOPLE FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

HOW HAS THAT AFFECTED YOU AS SOMEBODY DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT TO WORK WITH THESE PEOPLE AND NOT GETTING IT THROUGH THAT THESE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO?

>> Senator Moss: IT'S -- HARVEY MILK WAS THE ONE THAT SAID THE MOST POLITICAL THING YOU CAN DO IS COME OUT.

AND COME OUT WHERE YOU WORK.

AND COME OUT WHERE YOU EAT.

AND COME OUT WHERE YOU SHOP SO PEOPLE KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

AND I THINK THE BIGGEST THING THAT MOVED THESE ISSUES FORWARD IS LGBTQ PEOPLE SHOWING UP.

I WORKED ON A HOUSING PACKAGE THAT PASSED THIS WEEK.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

POLICE REFORM THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN UP IN COMMITTEE.

AND I'M ALSO GAY.

I THINK THEY REALIZE WE ARE NOT SO DIFFERENT THAN ONE ANOTHER.

I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE HAS.

BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT ANYTHING LESS THAN ANYONE UNDER THE LAW.

>> RICK?

>> >> Rick: WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE EXPANSION OF ELLIOT LARSON FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO TAKE FOR GRANTED THOSE RIGHTS THAT WE ASSUME WE HAVE.

IF THE EXPANSION HAPPENS.

WE DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL OR NOT.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT FOR THE BROADER COMMUNITY?

>> Senator Moss: YOU KNOW, I TOOK OFFICE IN 2015 WHICH WAS THE PREMARRIAGE EQUALITY DAYS.

AND AT THE TIME OUR FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL BILL SCHUETTE WAS ARGUES IF MARRIAGE EQUALITY BECOMES THE LAW OF THE LAND, NOBODY WILL GET MARRIED ANY MORE.

IT WILL NOT HAVE VALUE TO PEOPLE.

AND HERE WE ARE SIX YEARS LATER AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

THE CONSEQUENCE OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY IS THAT GAY PEOPLE GOT MARRIED.

AND NOTHING MORE.

THE CONSEQUENCE OF PROTECTING LGBTQ PEOPLE IN THEIR WORK PLACE.

IN THEIR HOUSING, IN PUBLICLY AVAILABLE SERVICES FROM DISCRIMINATION IS THAT LGBTQ PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD A JOB.

WILL BE ABLE TO FIND HOUSING.

WILL BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO MICHIGAN'S ECONOMY AND NOTHING MORE.

FOR US AS A COMMUNITY IT'S GOING TO BE A SERIOUS RECOGNITION OF OUR DIGNITY IN THE STATE AND WE PROVIDE VALUE TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AS WELL.

>> MR. MELINN?

>> Kyle: MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE PRIDE MONTH RESOLUTION THAT GOT PASSED IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE WAS PASSED AFTER LANGUAGE ABOUT ELLIOT LARSON WAS TAKEN OUT OF RESOLUTION.

THAT PRIVATE SESSIONS THERE HAD BEEN A CALL FOR AN ELLIOT LARSON EXPANSION.

THESE RESOLUTIONS DIDN'T INCLUDE THAT AND THAT IS WHY IT PASSED.

IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> Senator Moss: SORT OF.

UP UNTIL 2020 OUR PRIDE MONTH RESOLUTION WAS BASICALLY DIVERSITY, HAPPY PRIDE MONTH.

BUT HEADING INTO JUNE OF 2020 WITH A VERY TENSE MOMENT IN THIS COUNTRY FOLLOWING THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, HEADING INTO PRIDE MONTH.

AND THESE MOVEMENTS ARE INTERSECTIONAL.

THAT LGBTQ PEOPLE OF COLOR FACE INCREASING BARRIERS.

DISPROPORTIONATE BARRIERS TO EQUALITY.

I DIDN'T FEEL THAT THE TEXT OF OUR PREVIOUS PRIDE MONTH RESOLUTION WAS APPROPRIATE HEADING INTO JUNE OF 2020.

SO WE PUT IN LANGUAGE TALKING ABOUT THE ROOTS OF PRIDE.

THE QUEER PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO PROTESTED AT STONEWALL.

IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC WE TALKED ABOUT THE EPIDEMIC OUR COMMUNITY FACED WITH THE SLOW AND INSUFFICIENT GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO HIV AND AIDS AND PUT IN LANGUAGE ABOUT THE PASSAGE OF ELLIOT LARSON.

WE MADE IT STRONGER IN JUNE OF 2020 THAN IT HAD EVER BEEN.

BUT THAT ELLIOT LARSON PIECE MADE IT A POLICY RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT DID CALL FOR THE PASSAGE OF ELLIOT LARSON.

THAT'S THE PIECE WE DID REMOVE TO MAKE IT A COMMEMORATIVE RESOLUTION TO MAKE JUNE PRIDE MONTH BUT KEPT IN ALL OF THE STRENGTHENED STORIES OF THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT TO PASS IT IN JUNE OF 2021 AT LONG LAST.

>> SENATOR, WHAT IS YOUR PROOF THE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO SUPPRESS THE VOTE WITH ALL OF THESE ELECTION REFORM ISSUES THAT ARE MOVING?

PROVE TO ME THAT IS SUPPRESSION, SIR.

>> Senator Moss: MY PROOF IS THAT CLERKS DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS.

MY PROOF -- SENATOR, WAIT A MINUTE.

THAT'S NOT PROOF.

THAT'S A GROUP THAT DIDN'T WANT IT.

>> Senator Moss: THEY, REPUBLICANS, HAVE CLAIMED THEY HAVE A PRODUCT THAT IS GOING TO IMPROVE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION AND THE VERY PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN THAT ARE ADMINISTERING AN ELECTION SAY IT WILL BE HARDER TO ADMINISTER AN ELECTION.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE HAVE A VOTER ID LAW IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND IT WORKS.

522,000 PEOPLE HERE IN MY COUNTY IN OAKLAND COUNTY VOTED ABSENTEE WITH THE CURRENT VOTER ID LAW ON THE BOOKS AND NO CLAIMS OF ID FRAUD.

NOW ONE OF THE THINGS THEY WANT TO DO IS THEY WANT TO COMPEL YOU AS AN OPTION TO BOOST YOUR PROOF OF ID TO PUT THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON THE ENVELOPE THAT YOU SEND IN WITH YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION.

BUT CLERKS DON'T EVEN HAVE ACCESS IN THE VOTER FILE TO YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

IF YOU WANT TO PUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER IN THE MAIL AND SEND IT TO AN ELECTION OFFICIAL.

YOU CAN DO THAT VOLUNTARILY.

I WILL NOT COMPEL MY RESIDENTS TO DO THAT IN STATE LAW.

>> SENATOR, ISN'T THERE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOT WANTING TO HANDLE OR BEING HARDER TO HANDLE AND SUPPRESSING THE VOTE?

THAT'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE, SIR, IS IT NOT?

>> Senator Moss: THERE ARE BARRIERS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO OBTAIN THE ONEROUS INFORMATION THAT REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO REQUIRE TO SUBMIT AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

WHEN THE CURRENT LAW WORKS AS WRITTEN RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE LITIGATED AND RELITIGATED THIS ELECTION IN EVERY WHICH WAY FROM BOARDS OF CON CANVASSERS TO THE COURTS.

TO THE MONTH'S LONG HEARINGS AND REPUBLICANS COULDN'T COME UP WITH A REPORT THAT THERE WAS THIS PERVASIVE CRIMINAL FRAUD.

NOW WILL IT NOT ONLY IMPACT PEOPLE THAT FACE BARRIERS TO SUBMIT THEIR ABSENTEE BALLOT.

BUT IT FEEDS THE LAW THAT THE FORMER PRESIDENT TOLD THAT SOME HOUR OUR ELECTION NEEDS TO BOOST ITS INTEGRITY WHEN OUR ELECTION SYSTEM HAS BEEN STUDIED OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

AND WE KNOW OUR ELECTIONS WERE ACCURATE AND FAIR HERE IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

>> MISS ROTH?

>> Cheyna: WE KIND OF KNOW GIVEN GOVERNOR WHITMER'S STANCE THAT THESE BILLS ARE PROBABLY DEAD ON ARRIVAL.

BUT REPUBLICANS PLAN TO PUT TOGETHER A BALLOT INITIATIVE.

AND WHEN THEY GET ALL OF THE SIGNATURES THAT THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE WILL VOTE ON IT AND PASS IT WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE.

WHAT IS THE PLAN TO COMBAT THAT?

>> Senator Moss: YEAH, AND I THINK THAT WE ARE CREATING A HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO.

AND WE ARE GOING TO ABSOLUTELY BE OUT THERE FORCEFULLY PUSHING THIS MESSAGE THAT OUR ELECTIONS WERE SECURE AND EVERYTHING THAT IS BEING OFFERED BY THE REPUBLICANS IS JUST A FORM OF VOTER SUPPRESSION TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO ACCESS THE BALLOT BOX.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU GO BACK JUST A COUPLE ELECTIONS AGO IN 2011, THE WINNINGEST THING ON THE BALLOT.

ANY OF THE STATE-WIDE CANDIDATES OR BALLOT PROPOSALS WAS PROPOSAL 3.

TO PROMOTE THE VOTE.

67% OF MICHIGANDERS SUPPORTED THAT.

YOU DON'T GET TO 67% OF THE VOTE WITH DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT ONLY.

SO REPUBLICANS ACKNOWLEDGE THEY WANT MORE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX AND NOT LESS.

AND I REALLY FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN WILL REJECT ANY MEASURE THAT MAKES IT HARDER TO VOTE.

>> MR. ALBIN?

>> Rick: IF THE MESSAGE FROM REPUBLICANS IS YOU NEED AN ID TO VOTE LIKE YOU DO FOR SO MANY OTHER THINGS IN THE COUNTRY, I MEAN THEY SIMPLIFY IT TO YOU NEED TO PRESENT IDENTIFICATION, WHAT IS THE ARGUMENT AGAINST THAT?

>> Senator Moss: OUR LAW EXISTS NOW.

IT WORKS.

AND SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE VOTER ID IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO CREDIBLE PERVASIVE, CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES THAT HAVE ENGAGED IN THIS SPACE TO DISRUPT OUR ELECTIONS HERE IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN BASED ON THAT EXISTING ID LAW.

>> KYLE?

>> Kyle: SENATOR, WE HAD A FEW HUNDRED PEOPLE OUT IN FRONT OF THE CAPITOL YESTERDAY WHO ARE CONVINCED THAT THERE WERE SECURITY BREECHES, THAT THERE WAS LAWS BROKEN WHEN IT COMES TO THE ELECTION.

AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A STATE-WIDE QUOTE UNQUOTE FORENSIC AUDIT.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE IDEA OF GOING THROUGH AND JUST DOUBLE COUNTING, RECOUNTING ALL OF THE BALLOTS AGAIN LIKE THEY ARE DOING IN ARIZONA TO MAKE SURE THE ELECTION WAS ON THE UP AND UP AND THE PEOPLE THAT WON ACTUALLY DID WIN?

>> Senator Moss: THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT THINK TRUMP IS GOING TO TAKE OFFICE IN AUGUST.

YOU GOT TO CONSIDER THE SOURCE ON SOME OF THESE THINGS.

AND LOOK AT HOW CREDIBLE THEY ARE ON THOSE OTHER THINGS THAT THEY ARE PUSHING AS WELL.

YOU KNOW, THIS ELECTION COULDN'T BE RELITIGATED MORE.

AND IT WAS THE REPUBLICANS WHO THE SATURDAY AFTER THE ELECTION OPENED UP THIS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO THE ELECTION OF 2020 AND THE REPUBLICAN-LED COMMITTEE ITSELF DID NOT CREATE ANY SORT OF REPORT THAT DEMONSTRATED THAT THERE WERE VULNERABILITIES IN THE SYSTEM.

THEY HAD EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THAT AND SO THE REALITY IS THAT OUR ELECTION WAS SECURE, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY VULNERABILITIES THAT WOULD LEAD TO PERVASIVE CRIMINAL FRAUD.

AND WE NEED TO MOVE ON.

I CAN'T LIVE IN TRUMP WORLD.

AND I HOPE NOBODY WANTS TO LIVE IN THIS SPACE WHERE WE JUST RELITIGATE THE SAME ELECTION OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND CAN'T MOVE FORWARD.

>> SENATOR, DID THE GOVERNOR MAKE THE RIGHT MOVE ON MOVING UP THE BACK TO NORMAL STUFF IN MICHIGAN?

>> Senator Moss: YEAH, I THINK SO.

YOU KNOW, I COME FROM A DISTRICT THAT WAS HIT REALLY HARD BY COVID REALLY EARLY ON.

THE FIRST CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID WERE IN MY DISTRICT THAT WERE ANNOUNCED ON MARCH 10, 2020.

WE DON'T HAVE COVID PROTESTS IN MY DISTRICT.

WE DON'T HAVE MASK FIGHTS IN MY DISTRICT.

AND SO YEAH, I THINK THAT RIGHT NOW BASED ON ALL THE METRICS, BASED ON THE INCREASING NUMBERS OF VACCINATION.

BASED ON THE DECREASING NUMBER OF COVID CASES, YEAH, SHE MADE THE RIGHT CALL.

>> ARE YOU GOING TO CONTINUE TO WEAR YOUR MASK?

>> WHEN I'M COMFORTABLE, I WILL TAKE IT OFF.

WHEN I'M UNCOMFORTABLE, I WILL KEEP IT ON.

AND THE GROCERY STORE, FOR SOME REASON THAT'S THE LAST REMAINING BARRIER I WANT TO KEEP THE MASK ON.

BUT WE ARE HEADING INTO SUMMER.

THERE ARE MORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THAT DON'T REQUIRE A MASK AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO ENGAGING IN THOSE.

>> SO YOU WILL WATCH THE TIGERS LOSE WITHOUT A MASK?

>> YOU GOT IT.

>> LET'S HOPE THAT IS WRONG.

SENATOR, ALWAYS GOOD TO WORK WITH YOU, SIR.

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON THE BROADCAST.

THANK TO KYLE, CHEYNA AND RICK ALBIN ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE STATE.

NEXT WEEK MORE OFF THE RECORD RIGHT HERE, TUNE US IN.

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