Refusal to Attend Governor's Summer Home Reception

RE: Respectfully Declining Your Invitation                                              May 24, 2006

Dear Governor Granholm and First Gentleman Mulhern,

             First, I sincerely appreciate being invited to the reception at your summer home on Wednesday, May 31, 2006; however I must respectfully decline your invitation and take a moment to let you know why I will not be attending this event.

The State of Michigan has entered into cooperate agreements to operate and expand Title IV-D welfare offices and service providers statewide through the state’s voluntary participation of  Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. These services are being almost exclusively provided by the “judicial agency” known as the Michigan Friend of the Court which incidentally is a provider of services to one parent, an employee of the judge presiding over the family court cases, and responsible for making recommendations that directly affect the judiciary’s local budgets and employees. This is a severe conflict of interest being perpetrated by the Department of Human Services, which is under your direct control. There are no eligibility restrictions with the Title IV-D welfare program. This is a massive expense to the taxpayers and an absolute invasion into our families and an actual incentive for courts to prevent both parents to be substantially involved in their children’s lives when they are fit, willing, and competent parents.

The State of Michigan is not family friendly, and has assaulted fit, willing, and competent parents while trying to cure an alleged problem with parents that do not want to apparently be involved in their children’s lives. To put it simple, the Title IV-D welfare services contracts are responsible for creating absent parents for the benefit of the state to collect federal money. We must work together to remove the fit, willing, and competent parents from these programs and prevent DHS’ and the Judiciary’s involvement in the family and encourage the involvement of both parents in their children’s lives. Leading an effort to stabilize families will no doubt positively influence the economic stability needed for our wonderful state to grow as well as strengthen the next generation of strong families.

Very Truly Yours,

Lary Holland

Cc: Dick DeVoss