March 15, 1996

Legislative & Political Week in Review

• In the wake of Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s latest legal triumph—besting Oakland County prosecutor Richard Thompson for a second time on assisted suicide charges—comes a renewed legislative effort to establish guidelines for the highly contentious issue. Believing the legislature to be incapable of coming to consensus on the matter, Sen. Jim Berryman (D-Adrian) Monday implored his colleagues to allow the Michigan electorate a voice in the decision. Berryman’s SB 640 would allow voters the opportunity in November to approve a limited form of assisted suicide. Taking another tack were five Republican lawmakers who believe that the underlying issue is one of pain management. Chair of the House Health Policy Committee, Rep. John Jamian (R-Bloomfield Hills) said he will not take up any assisted suicide proposals until his committee has favorably dealt with the so-called "Assuring Choices in Treatment" legislative package. Among the ideas advanced by this initiative are granting greater latitude for physicians in prescribing pain control medications—including narcotics, legal respect for "do-not-resuscitate" orders, and requiring health insurance entities to cover newly approved pain management techniques unless they explicitly state that they do not.
• One of the key proponents of the pain management legislation knows firsthand of the ravages of chronic pain. Tuesday found Sen. David Honigman (R-West Bloomfield) articulating his support for the pain management package. The following day, Honigman—in part because of the debilitating effects of pain he suffers from lingering medical problems—announced his imminent resignation from the upper chamber. Honigman has undergone numerous back and intestinal surgeries in recent years, which have severely affected his physical ability to carry out the responsibilities of elective office. The congenial 12-year lawmaker received two standing ovations from his Senate colleagues during an emotional, impromptu tribute to his personal courage and political integrity. A special election will be scheduled to determine his replacement; Reps. Barbara Dobb (R-Commerce Township) and Willis Bullard (R-Milford) have indicated interest in succeeding Honigman.
• Michigan’s Republican presidential primary colors have faded somewhat in the past few weeks, as U.S. Senator Bob Dole’s superior national campaign organization finally achieved what most pundits had expected of it. Cruising into Tuesday’s contest for Michigan’s 57 delegates, Dole already has three-quarters of the 996 delegates he needs to win the nomination; a sweep of Tuesday’s four primaries—in which a total of 229 delegates are at stake—will leave him just shy of the nomination. The senator is the prohibitive favorite among likely Michigan voters, and his chances have been further enhanced by the exit of flat-tax advocate Steve Forbes from the dwindling field. Forbes’ official withdrawal triggered a Dole endorsement from both the Republican Governors Association and Gov. John Engler. Dole’s other main rival, Pat Buchanan, has yet to show any sign of getting out of the race, fervently proclaiming his intention to stay the course to San Diego; Buchanan reportedly is spending more than twice as much as Dole on television spots in metro Detroit this week and next. Recent polls, however, document a massive erosion of support for Buchanan in Michigan in the past few weeks.
• The John Engler "veep bandwagon" roared on in high gear this week. Michigan’s favorite son pops up on virtually every short list offered, including those of U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich and CBS News anchor Dan Rather. Engler’s spokesman, John Truscott, stated that he is "shocked" that Gingrich would offer the suggestion; "This is nothing the governor has been pursuing," said he. Meantime, Engler postponed his planned trip to Israel until sometime after that country’s May 29 election and announced plans to visit Britain and Germany in the near future as well. On Thursday, the governor addressed the Republican Women’s Federal Forum in Washington, D.C., and attended the American Council on Germany Gala Dinner in New York City.