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A suburban publication sharply rebukes first-term state Sen. Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy, for staying mum about his stance on proposed state guidelines for school districts on how to assure "Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Students."
Downtown Birmingham-Bloomfield has a six-page article this month about the hot-button policy, which suggests student-choice sports participation, gender-neutral dress codes, allowing student first name choices, bathroom access accommodations, added staff training and other recommendations.
Sen. Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy, is the son of a former congressman.
The main coverage is followed by a full-page roundup with comments from 14 Lansing lawmakers from Oakland and the names of five Republicans who "failed to respond to repeated calls to their offices." Knollenberg is called out for "a track record of dodging the press."
May's issue also has a lead editorial headlined "Protecting the most vulnerable at school," where publisher David Hohendorf concludes in an unsigned editorial:
We must voice our disappointment with the number of Oakland County legislators who failed to respond to repeated requests for comment on this issue, particularly that of Sen. Marty Knollenberg.
While we understand LGBT issues are a hot-button for legislators that elicit some artful dodges from some who did respond, we believe the senator has an obligation to the communities he represents to acknowledge their concerns and be transparent when it comes to his views on issues. It's important to remember the press represents the voice of the people. It would be wise for all legislators, but especially Sen. Knollenberg, who has a track record of dodging the press, to remember that.
The other unresponsive legislators, all Republicans, are Reps. Kathy Crawford, Novi; Martin Howrylak, Clawson; Bradford Jacobsen, Orion; and Jim Teddler, Clarkson.
Eight Republicans and six Democrats give their positions here.
Knollenberg, a 52-year-old Allstate insurance agent who lives in Troy, is is the son of former U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, who represented Michigan in Congress from 1993-2009. The younger Knollenberg began his Senate term last year after three state Hoiuse (2007-13).
He stirred an outcry from national and state teachers' unions last December by saying, during a discussion about failing and schools in economically disadvantaged areas: "The nonwhite population are contributors to that. And we can’t fix that. We can’t make an African American white. It is what it is. So we can’t fix that.eco at an education hearing."
The senator apologized four days later for "a clunky choice of words."
