Dear Friends,
I hope this newsletter finds you and your families safe and healthy as we head into 2022. Reflecting on this past year and the devastating tragedy at Oxford High School, it is more important than ever that we care for each other.
Every Michigander deserves a safe community — from our schools to our places of worship, movie theaters, shopping malls, public events, and more. Throughout 2021, I introduced policy and funding proposals designed to keep residents safe from gun violence. I remain committed to strengthening public safety and encouraging responsible gun ownership and will continue to work on this vital issue in 2022. I remain hopeful that the Legislature can come together and work on these bills and potentially prevent further tragedies — and honor the children we senselessly lost with action and prevention.
As we also continue to deal with the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s my goal to make sure you have access to resources that you deserve, so that you can spend time focusing on what matters most to you. To that end, I am working hard in Lansing to reduce homelessness and poverty, ensure a quality and equitable education for all our children, and create meaningful and impactful environmental programs and actions to address climate resiliency and change. This newsletter presents some highlights of that work.
Every letter, email, and call to our office has helped me to better represent you, and I hope to continue hearing from you. If you would like to share your ideas or need assistance regarding state government, you can contact my office through email or by phone. I also invite you to sign up for my e-newsletter to stay apprised of current issues at the Capitol at SenatorBayer.com.
Working for You in Lansing,
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
12th District
Website: SenatorBayer.com
Email: SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov
Toll-free: (855) 347-8012
HELPFUL NUMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY
CRISIS HOTLINES
Oakland Community Health Network Crisis Line ……………………………………………. (800) 231-1127
National Domestic Violence Hotline …………………………………………………………….. (800) 799-7233
Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention ……………………………………………………………….. (517) 372-6666
Suicide Prevention …………………………………………………………………………………… (800) 273-8255
HEALTH SERVICES
Child Health Care Services (MIChild) …………………………………………………………… (888) 988-6300
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program ……………………………………………………….. (866) 485-9393
Oakland County Nurse on Call ……………………………………………………………………. (800) 848-5533
Michigan Department of Health & Human Services ……………………………………….. (855) 275-6424
Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program …………………………………………. (800) 803-7174
WIC (Women, Infants and Children) ……………………………………………..(800) CALL-WIC (225-5942)
HOUSING
Community Housing Network Housing Resource Center …………………………………. (248) 269-1335
LEGAL SERVICES
Elder Law of Michigan, Inc. ……………………………………………………………………….. (866) 400-9164
Lakeshore Legal Aid …………………………………………………………………………………. (888) 783-8190
Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc. ……………………………………………………… (313) 967-5555
Oakland County Friend of the Court …………………………………………………………….. (248) 858-0424
Michigan Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division …………………………………………………………………. (877) 765-8388
Hate Crimes Unit ………………………………………………………………………………….. (313) 456-0180
Payroll Fraud Division ……………………………………………………………………………. (833) 221-1099
Michigan Legal Services …………………………………………………………………………… (313) 964-4130
Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan ……………………………………………………….. (313) 964-1975
SENIOR CITIZENS RESOURCES
Area Agency on Aging 1-B…………………………………………………………………………. (800) 852-7795
Bloomfi eld Township Senior Services ………………………………………………………….. (248) 723-3500
Southeast Michigan Community Alliance ……………………………………………………… (734) 229-3500
The Senior Alliance ………………………………………………………………………………….. (800) 815-1112
OTHER ASSISTANCE
Oakland County Economic Development and Community Affairs ……………………… (248) 858-0720
Oakland County Meals on Wheels ……………………………………………………………… (248) 689-0001
Oakland County Michigan Works! ……………………………………………………………….. (800) 285-9675
Oakland County One Stop Business Center ………………………………………………….. (248) 858-0783
Oakland County Treasurer’s offi ce ………………………………………………………………. (248) 858-0611
Oakland County Veterans Services ……………………………………………………………… (248) 858-0785
Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) ……………………………………… (248) 209-2600
Pontiac Meals on Wheels ………………………………………………………………………….. (248) 738-9393
Michigan Student Aid ……………………………………………………………………………….. (888) 447-2687
Michigan Taxpayer Advocate ……………………………………………………………………… (517) 636-4759
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency …………………………………………………. (866) 500-0017
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency ……………………………………………………………….. (800) 642-4838
Pure Michigan Talent Connect ……………………………………………………………………. (888) 522-0103
Social Security Administration ……………………………………………………………………. (800) 772-1213
United Way of Southeastern Michigan …………………………………………………………. (313) 226-9200
Volunteers of America ………………………………………………………………………………. (248) 945-0101
Western Oakland County Meal on Wheels ……………………………………………………. (810) 632-2155
COVID-19 UPDATE
COVID-19 has caused tremendous stress on
families across our district and state. We have a
collective responsibility to ensure that we look
out for our friends, family, and children during
this difficult, unprecedented time. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has information and resources available to ensure you keep yourself safe from this deadly virus.
You can find all this information on their website at michigan.gov/coronavirus or michigan.gov/mdhhs. You can also call the COVID-19 hotline at (888) 535-6136 (press 1) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Mask Update
MDHHS has issued a Public Health Advisory that recommends everyone over the age of two should wear a face mask at indoor gatherings regardless of their vaccination status. In addition, establishments should implement a policy to ensure that all persons entering or seeking services, including employees, wear a mask.
Vaccine/Booster
If you haven’t been vaccinated from COVID-19, now is your chance to not only protect yourself, but also protect your friends, family and community against the spread of the virus. The incredibly safe and effective vaccine and booster are free to you and they are available all around the state. You can find a vaccine near you and learn more about the vaccines at the links listed above, or at michigan.gov/covidvaccine. If you are fully vaccinated, over the age of 18, and it’s been more than six months since you’re last vaccine, you are eligible for a free booster to increase your immunity against the virus.
LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
We had a successful year in the Legislature last year, included passing legislation removing the “Tampon Tax” in Michigan — which you can read more about below. This year, I look forward to getting more legislation from committees to the governor’s desk.
Tampon Tax Repeal
Senate Bill 153
Menstrual hygiene products are a necessity, not a luxury. Therefore, it’s our job to eliminate this unfair tax on women and others who menstruate, and make Michigan a place with fair tax policies. After years of work by my colleagues in the Legislature, we were able to finally codify this into law and remove the 6% sales and use state tax on menstrual products. These products are essential for so many, and it’s only fair that we make this basic health care need accessible without additional financial burdens.
Unemployment Assistance
Senate Bill 174
The COVID-19 pandemic has been so hard on our community and our state. While we have learned to live with the reality of an ongoing pandemic, there are still many families struggling to make ends meet. That’s why I was proud to join with my Senate and House colleagues on a bill package to provide better, stronger benefits that would ensure no hardworking Michiganders are left behind. Our proposed legislation includes increases in:
• The weekly maximum for unemployment benefits from $362 to $593.
• The number of benefit weeks from 20 to 26 weeks, which was lowered in 2012.
• The amount that unemployed workers (who don’t qualify for the weekly maximum unemployment benefit) would receive from 4.1% to 6.1% of their highest quarter earnings.
PFAS Labeling on Products
Senate Bill 217
PFAS are a widely used, long-lasting family of chemicals which are linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. Currently, Michigan has the most PFAS-contaminated sites in the U.S., so I’m working on legislation that would control these chemicals in a manner that minimizes contamination of our water, air, fish, soil, and people. To do this, I would like to require manufacturers to list PFAS as an active ingredient in products such as nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and personal care products (shampoo, dental floss, etc.). This legislation is a logical next step in our fight to combat these toxic, ‘forever chemicals’ in all their forms.
Equal Pay
Senate Bill 324
This bill is an important step toward ensuring equal pay for equal work and closing the gender
wage gap. In 2021, there is simply no excuse for the 22 cents that are missing from the average,
non-union woman’s paycheck when compared with that of her male counterpart. The disparity is
even worse when race is considered. This bill creates a mechanism for workers to investigate the
wage practices of their employer for the purposes of identifying wage discrimination. Though wage
discrimination based on sex is formally not allowed, it is a practice that runs rampant throughout
Michigan and affects us all.
High-Speed Internet Access
Senate Bills 513-520
As technology has become more of a necessity for work, school, health care, recreation, and more, it has become apparent that access to it is a critical issue. Several colleagues and I introduced a package of bills to improve access to high-speed internet. These bills are an important step toward getting internet access to all who want it, while also helping our residents adapt to the ever-changing technological environment and keeping Michigan at the forefront of the modern workforce.
Firearm Safety and Storage
Senate Bills 454-456
Firearm safety and storage is important for the safety of our residents. That’s why I was proud to introduce and champion legislation to require background checks for all firearms. Michigan is, in fact, one of only four states that requires a permit and a background check for all purchases of handguns, but not long guns. Currently, 12 states and Washington D.C. require universal background checks for all firearm sales. Of these, six rank among the 10 states with the least gun violence.
What I’m Working On: FIGHTING FOR FAMILIES
Fighting Homelessness and Poverty
This winter, I’ve made it a priority to help reduce homelessness and poverty in Oakland County and across Michigan. This includes securing $250,000 for an Oakland Homeless Eradication blueprint which was completed this past November. Now, I’m working with state and local colleagues on action steps and funding needs identified in the report.
I’ve also been working tirelessly with colleagues to pass legislation on this issue. Below is a brief summary of legislation that I’ve sponsored or cosponsored, including:
Senate Bills 99 and 254, which deal with affordable housing and allowing room and board expenses to be funded under the Promise Zone Act (Senate Bill 99), in addition to outlawing housing discrimination based on source of income (Senate Bill 254).
Senate Bill 344, which would create a low-income water rate affordability program for residents, and Senate Bill 658, which would require paid parental leave for both parents of a newborn.
Senate Resolution 95, which designated November 2021 as Poverty and Homelessness Awareness Month.
Climate Resiliency
I joined with my Democratic colleagues in the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives to offer a bold climate resilience plan to make systemic changes and provide much needed funding to Michigan’s aging infrastructure, as well as address the devastating effects of widespread flooding caused by extreme climate events. Homes, businesses, and freeways have been inundated by severe storms, and it will only get worse unless we act with urgency.
The need for climate infrastructure resilience policies that support Michiganders, create jobs, and prevent the disastrous effects of climate change has never been greater. The plan is highlighted by: A job training and apprenticeship program which focuses on sustainable and resilience projects; a disaster relief navigator program to assist those struggling with navigating disaster assistance and emergency relief support systems; requirements for redundancy planning for transportation pumps and power sources; and adequate disaster alert systems at the state and local levels for emergency notification.
Family Planning and Reproductive Health Rights
Family planning and reproductive health rights are a personal issue for me, and as legislators, I believe we should ensure family planning and medical decisions are kept that way. This means we must pass the Michigan Senate Reproductive Health Package and Senate Resolution 92, which calls on Congress and President Joe Biden to sign the Women’s Health Protection Act.
These bills would ensure parents and those who can become pregnant can make their own personal medical decisions with their friends, family, and their doctor about their own body. Abortion procedures and bodily autonomy should not be a political issue — they are health care, plain and simple.
Quality and Equitable Education
Providing a good, quality education for our children has been my number one goal since I stepped foot in Lansing. I’m proud of the work we have done in the past few budgets to provide even more funding for our schools. Thanks to funds authorized by President Joe Biden and Democratic leadership on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Michigan was able to invest $17.1 billion into schools and equalize the state’s foundation grant funding for districts at $8,700 per pupil. This funding will go a long way toward providing our children with the necessary tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing technological environment and will provide our schools with the resources they need to keep our teachers in the classroom. I look forward to continuing to fight for our children as a member of the Senate’s Appropriations Subcommittee on K-12 and Michigan Department of Education.
