Senate Democrats Continue to Hold Up Key Public Safety Bills

Lansing, MI – A bipartisan bill package that strengthens penalties against criminals who run from the police is still sitting untouched in the Democrat-led Michigan Senate.

HBs 4690 and HB 4691, introduced by state Representatives Rylee Linting and Mike Mueller, were passed in bipartisan fashion last October after an outcry from local police and community leaders. “Fleeding and eluding” has become an epidemic in the areas they represent, as well as in Michigan writ large. The bills would create mandatory minimums to guarantee jail time for anyone who recklessly runs from the police.

People who run from the police force a high-speed chase, often through residential neighborhoods, putting even more people in danger. Damage to property, local businesses, and even fatalities have been recorded because of people engaging in this reckless behavior.

Still, Democrat Majority Leader Winnie Brinks has not given these bills as much as a hearing.

“Brinks is avoiding these bills because she doesn’t want to pass anything she can’t take credit for, plain and simple,” said Gabe Butzke, a spokesperson for Michigan Forward Network. “Winnie Brinks, Kevin Hertel, and Darrin Camilleri would rather play political games than protect lives in the communities they represent.”