Join Rep. Jim Townsend for a Cup of Coffee and Conversation

Meet with the state representative to keep up with what is happening in Lansing.

State Rep. Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak) is inviting residents to join him to enjoy a cup of coffee and share their ideas and concerns about state government. The coffee hours will take place Monday April 29, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Caribou Coffee, 401 S. Main St. Residents of Madison Heights and Royal Oak are encouraged to contact Townsend toll-free at (866) 585-2471 or by email at jimtownsend@house.mi.gov. Those interested in keeping up to date on his work at the Capitol are also encouraged to sign up for his e-newsletter by visiting www.house.mi.gov/jtownsend. Source: State Rep. Jim Townsend

• Photos (1)

Legislation Banning Indoor Tanning for Minors Introduced by Royal Oak Rep. Townsend

Bills introduced protect teenagers from dramatically increased risk of cancer linked to indoor tanning.

Physicians with the Michigan State Medical Society Thursday joined young cancer patients and patient advocates asking the state Legislature to approve a new package of bills that would ban minors from using indoor tanning facilities.  The common sense reform legislation puts Michigan kids first by protecting teens and children, especially teenage girls, from the dramatically increased risk of cancer linked to indoor tanning. House Bills 4404 and 4405, introduced today by state Representative Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak), would protect Michigan teens by prohibiting minors from using indoor tanning facilities. “Indoor tanning has been directly linked with a dramatically increased risk of skin cancers especially for girls who start tanning at a…

•  11 Comments
• Photos (2)

Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: State Rep Supports Royal Oak's Human Rights Ordinance

Rep. Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak) urges the Royal Oak City Commission to support a human rights ordinance.

The following letter was sent to Royal Oak Patch by State Rep. Jim Townsend, a Royal Oak resident. The letter was read at the Royal Oak City Commission meeting on Monday: I am writing to you today to urge your support for the Human Rights Ordinance for the City of Royal Oak. The next great hurdle in the struggle for civil rights in our country centers on the equal freedom and rights of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered (LGBT) Americans. The promise of equal rights for all Americans remains unfulfilled when it is still legal to discriminate based on sexual orientation. Adopting the Human Rights Ordinance for the City of Royal Oak is a vital and overdue step toward ensuring that our city lives up to America’s fundamental values, …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

How Many Votes Did Royal Oak Lawmakers Miss in 2012?

Sen. John Pappageorge had a nearly perfect voting record.

It was a busy year in Lansing and we've got the scoop on how legislators representing Royal Oak performed. Overall in Michigan, 13 of 38 senators had perfect voting records, while 62 out of 110 representatives did the same on roll call votes taken from Jan. 1, 2012, through Dec. 31, 2012, according to michiganvotes.org. Read on to find out how lawmakers representing Royal Oak performed during the same period. Sen. Bert Johnson, D-Detroit, representing the 2nd District, missed the most votes in the Senate with 111; Rep. Rep. Jimmy Womack, D-Detroit, representing the 7th District, missed the most votes in the House with 409.

• Photos (3)

Bill Undoing Gun Regulations Before Governor Snyder

Rep. Jim Townsend call bill to scrap gun-free zones "profoundly troubling."

On Dec. 14, Senate Bill 59 — which would eliminate gun-free zones in the state of Michigan and allow for concealed-carry in schools, daycares, and churches — was presented to Gov. Rick Snyder. Rep. Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak) voted against the bill, and now urges the govenor to reconsider the effects of it in light of the recent tragedy in Connecticut. “My heart goes out to the families and the community victimized in the tragedy in Newtown, CT. We are all reminded of how precious and fragile our lives are and of the importance of ensuring that we have policies in Michigan to prevent such a horror from taking place here,” Townsend said in a statement on the Dec. 14. “It is profoundly troubling that just this morning the Michigan Legislature…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Jim Townsend, Candidate for State Representative, House District 26

Townsend is the only Democratic candidate for state representative in the Aug. 7 primary election.

Name: Jim Townsend  Age: 46 Place of residence: Royal Oak, MI B.A., History, Highest Honors, University of North Carolina, 1988 M.B.A., University of Michigan, 1997 M.P.P., University of Michigan, 1997 Current job title: State Representative, House District 26 Running for a: State office Running for position: State Representative  Chamber/district: House District 26 Incumbent: Yes Previous elective offices: N/A Party affiliation: Democrat Address: 939 E. 12 Mile Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071 www.votejimtownsend.com I'm running for re-election because I love the people and places of Michigan and I believe the talent and integrity of our people and the quality of our communities are the keys to our future. But career politicians, who thrive…

• Photos (1)

Free Activity Books for Kids Available

Free booklets are available to teach kids about Michigan.

Free booklets are available to teach kids about Michigan, safety and recycling. The books have various kinds of activities to help children learn in a fun way. If you are interested in any of these free books for one of those hot or rainy days that everyone is stuck inside, contact Rep. Jim Townsend's office at 517-373-3818 and the books will be sent to you.

• Photos (1)

5 Things to Know this Week

Royal Oak happenings include Evanscence, a Townsend town hall and the annual Spookatcular.

There's always a lot going on in Royal Oak. Here are some highlights this week: 1. Evanscence at the Royal Oak Music Theatre on Monday: The multiplatinum band, led by the soaring vocals of Amy Lee, has sold close to 25 million albums since its 2003 debut, Fallen. Tickets for Evanscence cost $36. Doors open at 7 p.m. 2. Townsend town hall meeting Thursday: State Rep. Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak) will hold a town hall meeting to hear concerns and answer questions regarding budget cuts to schools. The town hall meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the Royal Oak Public Library Auditorium. 3. Women's Club spaghetti dinner Friday: All-you-can-eat meat or vegetarian spaghetti, tossed salad, bread, dessert and beverage costs just $10 for adults, $8 for …

• Photos (1)
• Videos (2)

Most Michigan Legislators Lose Retiree Health Coverage

Cutoff affects Troy 's new representative; senator exempt because of seniority.

One of Royal Oak's two state legislators, first-term Rep. Jim Townsend, loses  retiree health insurance under a law cancelling that benefit for future Michigan lawmakers and most current ones. Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday afternoon signed a measure ending medical coverage for ex-lawmakers, a 54-year-old benefit that cost about $5.3 million in the last budget year. The law's language, resulting from a compromise between the House and Senate, preserves future benefits for members who've qualified for them or will do so by the time this session ends Jan. 1, 2013. Senators voted 37-1 in favor of that bill Oct. 5 and the House went along a day later in a 96-11 vote. Clawson's other legislator, Sen. John Pappageorge of Troy, first was elected to …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

In Brief: City Distributes Transportation Plan for Review, Honors Memory of Longtime Watchdog, Supports Medical Marijuana and Personal Property Tax Resolutions

Commission handles long agenda in Monday night meeting.

  The Royal Oak City Commission took more than two hours to work through a long agenda at Monday night’s regular meeting. Here were the highlights: Wally Whipple remembered: Mayor Jim Ellison and other city leaders remembered longtime Royal Oak watchdog Wally Whipple, who died Sunday. Non-Motorized Transportation Plan distribution approved: The City Commission approved distribution of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan, prepared by the Active Transportation, to be reviewed by neighboring communities for comment. Resolution passed in support of Medical Marijuana Bills: Commissioners passed a resolution in support of four bills that have been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives that address medical marijuana. Commission …

• Photos (3)
• Documents (1)