Kate Ebli is a retired senior telecommunications executive and an active member of the Monroe community. She began her term on Nov. 14, 2006, to complete the remainder of the late Rep. Herb Kehrl's term in the 93rd Legislature. She also was elected to a full two-year term in the 94th Legislature, which convenes from 2007-2008.
Community activities
An active member of the Monroe community, Ebli is a board member of the Monroe Senior Center and the Monroe Family YMCA. She co-chaired the Communications Committee in the Active Balance Community Initiative of the United Way of Monroe County. Ebli also has served as the director of the River Raisin Centre for the Arts. She is a Eucharistic minister for the elderly and homebound for her church, St. Michael the Archangel. She also is past president of the St. Michael Parent-Teacher Guild and past treasurer and director of the Humane Society of Monroe County.
Family
Ebli is married to Nick Ebli, a Vietnam veteran and a licensed firearms instructor. They live on a farm in Frenchtown Township and have a daughter, Tori.
The
following
commentary
was
written
by State
Rep.
Kate
Ebli
(D-Monroe).
If you
have any
questions,
please
contact
her
office
at (888)
EBLI-056.
I wasn't
surprised
that a
reporter
from the
New
York
Times
called
me for
an
interview
after I
announced
a plan
to
safeguard
jobs for
our
state's
citizens
by
making
it a
felony
for
employers
to hire
illegal
immigrants.
What
Michigan
is doing
is
national
news
because
our plan
is bold
and
comprehensive.
Although
the
federal
government
controls
the
rules of
entry
into our
country,
it falls
on state
legislatures
to
handle
difficult
immigration-related
issues
such as
employment.
Michigan
is
struggling
under
the
nation's
highest
unemployment
rate,
and we
must
make
sure
that
Michigan
jobs go
to
Michigan
workers.
That's
why I
took the
initiative
to act
as the
lead
sponsor
of a
package
of bills
that
will
give
Michigan
the
tools it
currently
lacks to
punish
companies
that
choose
to break
the law
by
hiring
illegal
immigrants.
Most
Michigan
business
owners
are
upstanding
citizens
who are
contributing
to their
communities
and
keeping
Michigan
working.
Our
state is
built on
our
businesses,
big and
small.
Unfortunately,
there
are
employers
who
choose
to break
the law
and hire
illegal
immigrants
instead
of their
own
fellow
Michigan
residents,
and they
must be
held
accountable.
This
plan
will
allow
Michigan
to
punish
companies
that
knowingly
hire
illegal
aliens,
and
reclaim
these
jobs for
our own
working
families.
This
plan:
·
Makes it
a felony
to
knowingly
employ
an
illegal
or
undocumented
worker,
or to
encourage
such a
person
to enter
Michigan
with the
intent
of
employing
him or
her.
·
Requires
employers
to fill
out an
I-9 form
for all
workers,
confirming
that
they
have
verified
their
employees'
status
as
legally
authorized
to work
in the
United
States.
·
Establishes
penalties
for
repeat
violators
that
include
suspending
or
revoking
their
license
to do
business
in
Michigan;
levying
fines of
up to
$250,000;
and, for
the
owners
of
companies
that are
the
worst
offenders,
imposing
prison
terms of
two to
five
years.
·
Gives
fired
workers
replaced
by
illegal
immigrants
the
ability
to hold
employers
accountable
in
court.
This
plan
rewards
companies
that
support
our
working
families
and
our
communities
by
playing
by
the
rules.
The
presidential
campaign
has
brought
increased
attention
to
the
issue
of
illegal
immigration,
and
experts
anticipate
that
the
scrutiny
of
current
policies
will
increase
as
the
campaign
heats
up.
Here
at
home,
I am
working
hard
to
create
and
protect
jobs
for
Michigan
workers.
Turning
our
economy
around
must
be
our
No.
1
priority
in
order
to
ensure
that
Michigan's
families
and
communities
thrive.
As Michigan moves forward into the 21st century, House Democrats are committed to creating good-paying jobs for our workers and strengthening Michigan's economy. As we strive to diversify and strengthen Michigan's economy, we can look to the past for inspiration. Michigan always has been a trailblazer. The same state that gave birth to the auto industry can pave the way for a new economy built around the cutting-edge fields of homeland security, alternative fuels, renewable energy, life sciences and high-tech automotive engineering.
Strengthen schools and open the doors of educational opportunities for all citizens
Michigan will need a highly skilled and highly educated workforce to be a powerhouse in the 21st century global economy, and it all starts in the classroom. Beginning with high-quality early childhood education and continuing through high school and beyond, we must ensure that every student has the opportunity to get the education needed to compete for the good-paying jobs of the future. In addition, House Democrats want to ensure that every resident who wants to go to college or trade school has the chance to do so.
Fight the skyrocketing cost of health care
The high cost of health care is crippling our working families, seniors living on fixed incomes, and Michigan businesses. House Democrats are fighting to lower the skyrocketing cost of health care and ensure that every resident has access to high-quality health care. Our plan includes creating programs to bulk-purchase prescription drugs and provide health care to more than 1 million uninsured Michigan workers. Lower health care costs will ease the burden on businesses, attract jobs to Michigan, and help families get the health care they need.
Address Michigan's energy needs
House Democrats will tackle the state's looming energy shortage and promote renewable energy and conservation. We have introduced an aggressive plan to establish Michigan as a 21st century powerhouse of renewable energy production, which will attract cutting-edge industries, boost our economy and create 21st century jobs for our workers. House Democrats aim to decrease Michigan's dependence on foreign oil, fight global warming, and help protect our Great Lakes and Michigan's other natural resources. We also are spearheading efforts to increase the use of renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
Strengthen consumer protections
House Democrats are committed to increasing consumer protections for Michigan residents. We voted to repeal Michigan's unfair and one-of-a-kind 1996 law that gives big drug companies total immunity when they sell dangerous drugs, such as Vioxx, that harm or kill our residents. We also are cracking down on identity theft, one of the fastest-growing crimes in the nation, by taking steps to protect our residents. In addition, we are tackling predatory lending and unscrupulous insurance companies that inflate consumers' rates based on their ZIP codes.
Protect Michigan's Great Lakes and the environment
House Democrats are dedicated to protecting our Great Lakes and the environment and other precious natural resources for generations to come. Our waters are under attack from big water bottling companies that want to profit from the sale of Great Lakes water. Our waterways and natural areas also are threatened by millions of tons of Canadian and out-of-state trash that are dumped in our landfills every year. House Democrats are taking action to protect our land, air, water and quality of life.
Restore integrity to the House
House Democrats are working hard to restore integrity to the Michigan House of Representatives and our residents' faith in government. We know that government belongs to the people not the special interests, which is why we are fighting to end conflicts of interest and putting an end to the revolving door between lawmakers and lobbyists. We are working to end the culture of corruption that has shaken our residents' faith in government, and return the government to the people where it belongs.
Ebli's
fight
for
change
begins
early as
she
completes
Kehrl's
term
November
14,
2006
a U.S. citizen;
at least 18 years of age by Election Day;
a resident of Michigan and the city or township where you are applying to register to vote.
How
You can register to vote for federal, state and local elections by mail; at your county, city or township clerks office; or by visiting any Secretary of State branch office.
In addition, specified agencies providing services through the Department of Human Services, the Department of Community Health, and the Department of Labor and Economic Growth offer voter registration services to their clients. Military recruitment centers also provide voter registration services.
You may also register at the same time you renew your drivers license by mail. Eligible drivers receive a voter registration application in the mail with their drivers license renewal information.
When
You must register at least 30 days before the election. This gives the clerk time to process the forms and send you a Voter Identification Card.
Change of address
If you move within a city or township, you must update your address. This can be handled through your local clerk, at a Secretary of State branch office, by mail or at any other location where voter registrations are accepted.
Whenever you move to a new city or township, you must re-register to vote.
The residential address used for your voter registration must be the same as the address on your drivers license. Consequently, when you submit a drivers license address change, it will be applied to your voter registration. Similarly, when you submit a voter registration address change, it will be applied to your drivers license.
First-time voter
If you have never voted in Michigan and you registered by mail, you must appear in person to vote in the first election in which you wish to participate. This requirement does not apply if:
You personally hand deliver the mail-in registration form to your county, city or township clerks office instead of mailing the form.
You are 60 years of age or more.
You are disabled.
You are eligible to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
If you have never voted in Michigan and you registered by mail, you may also be subject to identification requirements provided under federal law. The identification requirements are explained on the mail-in registration form.
Outside the U.S.
If you are temporarily outside the U.S., you may use a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) form to register. The FPCA forms are distributed through U.S. embassies and military bases. A Michigan resident who moves and registers out of state may not re-register to vote in Michigan until he or she re-establishes residency here.
To vote, simply appear at your assigned polling place on Election Day. The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Where
Your Voter Identification Card lists your precinct number and your assigned polling place location. If you do not receive a Voter Identification Card within three weeks after registering, contact your city or township clerks office to confirm your registration status. You may also check your status on the Michigan Voter Information Center Web site at www.Michigan.gov/vote.
Absentee Ballots
Absentee ballots are available for all elections. You may vote by absentee ballot if you:
Are unable to attend the polls without assistance.
Are 60 years of age or older.
Expect to be absent from your city or township for the entire time the polls are open
on Election Day.
Are in jail, awaiting arraignment or trial;
Have been assigned to work as a precinct inspector in a precinct other than where you are registered.
Are unable to attend the polls because of religious beliefs.
If any of these situations exist, you can obtain an absentee ballot by writing your city or township clerk. You must state the reason why you need an absentee ballot and you must sign the request. A preprinted absentee ballot application form is available from your city or township clerk upon request. Application forms also are available on the Department of State Web site at www. Michigan.gov/sos; click on Elections in Michigan.
Send the completed application to your city or township clerk for federal, state, city and township elections.
Outside the U.S.
Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) can also be used to apply for an absentee ballot if you are temporarily outside the U.S. The FPCA must be signed under oath unless you, your spouse or your parents are serving in the armed forces or Merchant Marines.
Absentee Ballot Deadlines
If you want an absentee ballot mailed, your application must be received by 2 p.m. the Saturday before the election. Make your request early to allow for delivery time. A voter eligible to vote by absentee ballot may also vote in person at the cl
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registration services to their clients. Military recruitment centers also provide voter registration services. 