Materials date from Binsfeld's career in the Michigan Senate. Documents pertaining to specific legislation appear at the beginning. These are arranged by year and then sequentially by bill number. Alphabetical subject files follow legislation. Legislative subject matter document tax reform, Free Fishing Day (a designated day when people could fish in Michigan without a license), state mental health programs, environmental conservation and a resolution favoring a United States constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration of the American Flag. Binsfeld served on the Advisory Council of the Arnell Engstrom Children's Center, a mental health facility for children located at the Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital in Traverse City, Michigan. Items in the "Arnell Engstrom Children's Center" folder include an advisory council member list, petitions opposed to closing the center, meeting minutes and correspondence. Correspondents include constituents, advisory council members, mental health professionals, local government officials, school officials and mental health advocacy groups. Subject matter includes budget problems, the possible closing of Arnell Engstrom (closed in 1991), the possibility of privitization, and policies and procedures on administrative matters such as funding, visitation, volunteers, admissions, accreditation and treatment methods. There is a folder on "Binsfeld vs. the State of Michigan DNR". The State Natural Resources Commission enacted a "No Kill" trout fishing regulation for the Au Sable River. This meant that all trout caught had to be released. Binsfeld challenged the DNR regulation in Crawford County Circuit Court. Binsfeld prevailed in the circuit court hearing but an appeal overturned the decision. "Binsfeld vs. the State of Michigan DNR" materials include correspondence, notes, copies of Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, a copy of an affadavit and a copy of a NRC report. Correspondents include the Attorney General's office, Department of Natural Resources officials and Natural Resources commission members, concerned citizens, fellow legislators, attorneys, the Committee to Oppose Catch and Release and local governments. The "Education" folder consists of correspondence with public school officials, Michigan Department of Education administrators and Michigan legislators. Documents mostly concern legislative issues relating to education: tax reform, funding, student loan programs and student performance standards. The "Sperm Bank" file consists of background information on artificial insemination laws and Michigan sperm bank practices. Items include a pamphlet, a copy of a Louisiana state law, handwritten notes and correspondence. The Michigan Republican Women's Caucus was "a voluntary, non-profit, unincorporated commitee of Republican women". Its stated purpose was "to encourage and support Republican women candidates and officeholders to promote economic and social issues which will benefit women". The MRWC folder contains some meeting agendas, committee member lists, activities and issues reports and a copy of bylaws.
