Jerry Birmelin Won’t Seek Re-election

You may wonder why I’m taking note of this state representative’s decision not to run again (via politcspa). Last October I wrote on a bill introduced by Birmelin and Josh Shapiro (D-153), to form the Katie Elise Lambert Commission to study the causes of accidental injuries to children and recommend changes in state law. The bill has passed the state house and is now in the senate. Birmelin and Shapiro hoped the senate would have voted on it last fall but that hasn’t happened yet. I hope Birmelin’s announcement won’t be taken as a sign that the bill can be dropped. Shapiro certainly has the political skills to carry the bill on his own but the bipartisan support is always a big plus.