State Senate Approves Pledge Of Allegiance Bill

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - The Michigan Legislature has passed legislation requiring every state public school classroom to have a U.S. flag and schools provide an opportunity for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Senate on Thursday approved the measure related to reciting the pledge that was passed last week by the House. That bill and the previously passed flag legislation go to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.

Many students already recite the pledge but there is no required opportunity to do so.

Talking to WWJ Newsradio 950, the ACLU's Rana Elmir called the bill a "solution to something that isn't a problem."

"The idea of forcing kids to recite the Pledge of Allegiance seems to be low on the priority list when these kids don't have adaquate supplies, updated books and the schools are crumbling," she said.

Under the bill, students who don't want to won't be compelled to recite the pledge, but Elmir fears that will leave them open to bullying and harassment.

Some lawmakers have been concerned that cash-strapped schools can't afford the flags and the proposal thwarts local control.

The House Fiscal Agency says Michigan joins 43 states requiring public schools to offer a recitation of the pledge.

The bill is now on the way to the governor's desk.

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