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Dear Friends, I hope you have been enjoying the summer weather with friends and family. It is a wonderful time of year to appreciate the natural beauty of Michigan and the recreational opportunities that our local communities have to offer. Please remember to celebrate safely and responsibly wherever you go. Featured in this newsletter:
As always, if I can be of any assistance to you or your family, please call my office at (517) 373-2417, or email me at SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov. Be well, |
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Rosemary Bayer
988 CRISIS LIFELINE NOW AVAILABLE Michiganders in crisis now have an easy-to-remember three-digit number to call for help – 988. Michigan has joined the nation in transitioning to the 988-dialing code, which will operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s network of more than 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the country.
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In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline This action expands the existing Lifeline beyond people who are feeling suicidal to all individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, including suicidal thoughts or substance abuse issues. Anyone with these concerns can call:
The 988-dialing code does not replace the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK (8255)) or other locally operated crisis lines. Instead, it serves as a universal entry point to connect individuals in need to trained crisis counselors who can help. For more information, visit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Michigan Crisis & Access Line.
GOVERNOR ESTABLISHES MICHIGAN PARENTS’ COUNCIL On Friday, July 15, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order that creates the Michigan Parents’ Council to bring parents more formally into the policymaking process. The council will build on the governor’s work to include the parent perspective into the start of the 2022-2023 school year, the education budget, and streamline how parent recommendations are included in Michigan’s education budget. It will represent parents from across Michigan and host a series of regional parent roundtables to gather input. Structure Seven parents or family members appointed by the governor will lead the council and convene regional roundtables with families across Michigan to bring in as many voices as possible. Appointees must have children enrolled in PreK-12 and represent diverse student experiences, including special education, English as second language students, and students in foster or kinship care. The council will also include the governor’s K-12 policy advisor and a designated representative of the Superintendent of Public Instruction from the Michigan Department of Education. Responsibilities The council will convene roundtables of parents and family members across Michigan to strengthen partnerships between parents and schools. They will share input from the roundtables directly with the governor’s team and state superintendent. The council will submit a report to the governor highlighting major themes from the roundtables and summarizing proposals for inclusion in the governor’s budget recommendation by Dec. 9, 2022. Michigan parents and family members interested in becoming a part of the council can apply online at Michigan.gov/Whitmer/Appointments. Click “Apply Now” and select “Michigan Parents’ Council” when prompted in the application. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022.
STATE BUDGET EQUIPS EGLE TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT IN 2023 The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is gearing up for a productive year following passage of a bipartisan state budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2022. The $75.5 billion budget includes $729 million for EGLE’s general fund, which is a 31% increase over the current year. The budget, approved July 1, also creates the equivalent of 53 new full-time positions to address drinking water, wastewater and air permitting, contaminated site cleanup, and grants and loan management, along with seven limited-term positions to help address Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding available for energy efficiency grants and to close orphaned, or abandoned, oil and natural gas wells found throughout the state. Among the largest allocations are $30 million for legacy contamination cleanup, $31 million for orphan well closure, and $48 million in technical assistance that can help communities apply for funds to replace lead water lines or other water infrastructure. EGLE Director Liesl Clark said the general fund allocation, along with increases in federal dollars and funding restricted to specific purposes, will support efforts for permit process efficiency, contaminated site cleanups, infrastructure financing, and other core programs. EGLE invests more than half of its budget in Michigan communities in the form of financial assistance to local governments. Learn more about how EGLE is working to protect Michigan’s natural resources at Michigan.gov/EGLE.
AG NESSEL RELAUNCHES POWER OUTAGE FEEDBACK FORM Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is once again asking consumers to provide feedback to the department after experiencing a power outage in order to help inform her continued advocacy before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). The form, available on the Department of Attorney General website, allows consumers to submit information about the In addition to providing feedback, the summertime presents the opportunity to review Nessel’s consumer alerts related to flooding and power loss, including researching contractors if home repairs are needed before paying for a project and alerting drivers of water-damaged vehicles being sold on the used car market. Your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. Consumer complaints can be filed online at the Attorney General’s website, or if you have questions call 877-765-8388.
DIFS ALERTS CONSUMERS TO RECURRING SCAM AND HOW TO AVOID IT The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding consumers of best practices to avoid being victimized by a recurring scam in which impostors call consumers and identify themselves as financial institutions and utility companies requesting payments or personal information. One recent version of this scam involves criminals posing as DTE Energy contacting customers first via text message and then by phone call asking them to make missed payments through a website, often using cash transfer apps such as Zelle. DTE Energy has confirmed that it will never contact customers through text messaging. If you are unsure about a caller claiming to be a DTE employee, the utility recommends that you hang up and call their customer service line at 800-477-4747. Here are the most important steps that consumers can take to avoid falling prey to these scams:
Individuals who believe they are a victim of fraud should first contact their financial institution or the company that the compromised account is with to attempt to resolve the issue. If you feel the company did not appropriately handle your complaint, contact DIFS by calling 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by completing an online complaint form.
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