Materials date from Binsfeld's time in the Michigan Senate (1983-1991) and her first term as Lieutenant Governor (1991-1995). Documents relating to specific legislation appear at the beginning. These are arranged by year and then sequentially by bill number. Afterwards, all folders are arranged alphabeticaly by title. Legislative bill subjects include juvenile detainment, surrogate parenthood, family planning health services and the designation of historic districts. There is also a bill (SB 508 of 1991) concerning a transfer of land ownership from the State of Michigan to Bingham Township in Leelanau County. The land, located on Grand Traverse Bay, had been managed by the Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital, which had recently ceased operation. Folders on bills consist largely of correspondence and occasionally some notes, a copy of the bill and/or legislative analysis. Correspondents include constituents, local governments, other legislators and advocacy groups. The "Arnell Engstrom Children's Center" folder contains correspondence, a Citizens' Advisory Council membership list and meeting minutes. (Binsfeld was a member of the Citizens' Advisory Council). Many materials concern the closing of the Children's Center (which was closed in 1991) and the leasing of the land to the Northwest Michigan Child Guidance Clinic. Consumers Power Company materials mostly concern two subjects: CPC's 1986 plan to convert their electric generating plant to a natural gas-combined cycle plant and the cogeneration of electricity amongst two or more power plants. Items consist mostly of correspondence, with correspondents including CPC representatives, Michigan Public Service Commission members and local government officials. Several folders pertain to the Great Lakes Commission. The Great Lakes Basin Compact of 1955 established this commission. Representatives of the eight Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin), comprise the membership. These representatives were appointed by the governors of their respective states and approved by their state legislatures. Their mission, stated in the bylaws, was to promote "comprehensive development, use and conservation" of Great Lakes water resources. The commission researched and reported on environmental, economic and government policy issues affecting the Great Lakes. It served in an advisory capacity, but was recognized by the federal government, and federal agencies served as observing members. Binsfeld served on the Great Lakes Commission as the designee of Senate Majority Leader John Engler in 1986. Engler again appointed Binsfeld as his designee after he assumed the Michigan governorship in 1991. Commission materials include reports, correspondence, bylaws, handwritten notes, meeting minutes and agendas, and an "ecosystem charter" (defined as a "summation of commonly held principles drawn from existing laws, treaties, agreements and policies"). The "Michigan Roundtable" materials concern a group formed to address Michigan priorities on the Great Lakes. These priorities were then presented to the commission. Materials include correspondence, a report entitled "Important Great Lakes issues offered by the Michigan Delegation" and a transcript of the official presentation to the commission. Several non-commission folders also concern Great Lakes issues. The "Great Lakes Shoreline Erosion" file documents some Michigan state government efforts to manage the erosion problem. The "International Joint Commission" folder mainly pertains to the IJC's 1991 annual meeting in Traverse City. Binsfeld attended, and she and Dan Stouffer (Binsfeld's administrative staff assistant) were involved in the planning. (The IJC is comprised of representatives of the U.S. and Canada. It focuses on United States and Canadian boundary waters issues). Finally, the "Lowell, Indiana Diversion" folder concerns a proposed diversion of Lake Michigan water to the city of Lowell, Indiana. The State of Michigan ultimately blocked the project, citing environmental concerns. In 1991, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan appointed Lieutenant Governor Binsfeld to the National Park System Advisory Board. The board served to advise the Secretary on issues relating to the National Park System and designated national historic sites. Materials include meeting minutes and agendas, handwritten notes of meetings, board membership lists, and correspondence with board members, Secretary Lujan, National Park Service officials and state and federal legislators. Binsfeld served on the National Park System Advisory Board's Land and Water Conservation Fund Committee and its History Area Committee. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Committee made recommendations on the distribution of two federal funding programs: The Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Fund. History Area Committee materials include items on the National Park in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula and on the possible designation of Michigan's H-58 as a "Heritage Road". Binsfeld also served on the North Country National Scenic Trail Advisory Council. Council members reported to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior on North Country National Scenic Trail matters, including the selection of rights-of-way, the erection and maintenance of markers, and trail administration. Materials include meeting minutes and agendas, membership lists and correspondence. Most correspondence is with fellow council members and North Country National Scenic Trail administrators. The "No Kill Policy on the Au Sable" folder pertains to a Michigan Natural Resources Commission rule requiring fishermen to release any trout caught on a designated section of the Au Sable River. Binsfeld filed a complaint opposing the NRC rule. She won the initial trial, but the decision was overturned upon appeal. The "No Kill Policy" folder contains correspondence from sport fishermen, DNR officials and attorneys. Several folders relate to surrogate parenthood. Binsfeld worked to outlaw the practice in Michigan and introduced legislation to that effect. (Senate Bill 63 of 1983 and Senate Bill 228 of 1988 both relate to surrogacy). Senate Bill 228 of 1988 passed and became Michigan Public Act 199 of 1988. The "Surrogacy" folder documents some immediate reactions to the law. These include the American Civil Liberties Union's efforts to challenge the law in court and the activities of Noel Keene, a Detroit lawyer who arranged many surrogate contracts. Items include letters to newspaper editors and correspondence with judges, attorneys, Michigan legislators and the National Coalition Against Surrogacy. The "Reproductive Technology Conference" folders are also related to surrogacy. The Conference's stated goal was to develop a public policy on reproductive technologies. Dr. Judianne Densen-Gerber, a psychiatrist and lawyer who specialized in reproductive issues, served as Conference leader. The conference site was Rochester, Michigan, and participants included "reproductive experts in the areas of medicine, law, religion, ethics and women's rights around the country". Materials include a conference schedule and participant lists, correspondence with participants, handwritten notes, conference reports, questionnaires and formal dissenting opinions. The "Stella, Carmella" materials include correspondence and attached copies of newspaper articles (with handwritten notes) and a court affadavit. Dr. Carmella Stella was a physician who alleged that three Detroit attorneys forged her signature for use in an organized crime trial. Binsfeld was one of several government officials to whom Stella wrote. Binsfeld forwarded the information to the Michigan Supreme Court, citing no knowledge of the situation. The "VISCAP" file pertains to the Volunteer Incentive Service Credit Account Program, which Binsfeld advocated. Under VISCAP, senior citizens volunteered to provide care for other seniors. The hours spent could be "banked" for reciprocal services for the seniors or their families. Available services varied according to volunteer abilities, but could include respite care, homemaking, transportation and leisure activities. The program was operated through Kirtland Community College in Roscommon. VISCAP materials include program guidelines, handwritten notes, brochures and correspondence. Correspondents include VISCAP administrators and Advisory Council members, program participants, Michigan Office of Services to the Aging employees and Kirtland College officials.
