Senate District 29 Update

Jan 20, 2022 | Email

State Senator Winnie Brinks

January 20, 2022

Hello Neighbors,

This Monday, I virtually attended a great event for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, hosted by Davenport University, Grand Valley State University, and Grand Rapids Community College. I had the privilege of hearing from Cheryl Brown Henderson, whose family participated in the famous Brown v. Board of Education lawsuit that changed our country forever. Her passion for supporting teachers, offering equitable access to schools, and protecting the right to vote are all things I care about deeply as well. One of her lines will stay with me: “The change that we seek is in our vote.”

Honoring Dr. King in this way feels particularly poignant as voting rights hang in the balance all over our country, including in Michigan. The U.S. Senate should honor Dr. King and others like him who championed these rights by passing the Freedom To Vote: John R. Lewis Act.

I want you to know that I will keep fighting for every person’s right to vote, and I’ll keep holding every vote I take in Lansing as a sacred trust to ensure every change gets us closer to justice, equity, and prosperity for everyone. For the latest updates, I’d encourage you to follow me on Facebook.

Warm regards, 

example image 800x100

Winnie Brinks
State Senator
29th District

In This Issue

Free KN95 masks at GRPL Locations

KN95 masks are available (while supplies last) at all Grand Rapids Public Library locations! Upgrading your mask is an important way to protect yourself during this COVID surge. The effort to distribute the free masks to the public aligns with GRPL’s goal of promoting access. The face coverings are displayed in high visibility areas throughout the library system so that they are easily found.

More information can be found here.

White House to Give Away 400 Million N95 Masks Starting Next Week

The Biden Administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to Americans starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings.

The masks will come from the government’s Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million highly protective masks on hand. They will be available for pickup at pharmacies and community health centers across the country, and they will begin shipping this week for distribution starting late next week.

This will be the largest distribution of free masks by the federal government to the public since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Order Your Free, At-Home, Rapid COVID-19 Tests

Testing is one of the best tools we have to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Public health experts and the CDC recommend you take an at-home test if you begin to have symptoms, if it’s been at least five days after being in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and before you plan on traveling or attending a large gathering.

Thanks to the Biden Administration wanting to ensure that everyone has the tools they need to stay safe during the ongoing pandemic, at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests are now available for free at COVIDTests.gov, with every household eligible for four free tests that will be shipped directly to Michiganders’ homes.

Tests will usually ship within 7-12 days of ordering and arrive in the mail. Here’s what you need to know about your order:

  • Limit of one order per residential address
  • One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
  • Orders will ship free starting in late January

For more information on how the Biden Administration plans to ensure that this program results in fair distribution and its plans for future distributions, read the full briefing here.

The virus can affect individuals differently, so if you or someone in your family begins experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19, please isolate yourself according to CDC guidelines and seek out a COVID-19 testing site near you to confirm your health status. Getting tested and following the proper procedure after receiving your results is the best way to protect your family, friends, and community from the continued spread of COVID.

Save The Date for the 2022 State of the State Address

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her annual State of the State address this year virtually on Wednesday, Jan. 26th. The event will be broadcast live throughout the state, and this year’s theme will be “I Believe in Michigan.” Details about what time and where to watch will be released in the coming week.

I’m looking forward to hearing what the governor has to say and will be tuning in, and I hope you will too. I am also interested in hearing what you think about her address and encourage you to email me or call my office with your ideas.

I Believe in MI

A Friend of Clean Water

I was pleased to be showcased by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters for my lifetime 100% rating on conservation issues! I work hard to use my position to be a true “Friend of Clean Water,” and I’m grateful for groups like theirs that help hold leaders accountable to the critical conservation issues that impact the people of Michigan.

New West Michigan Residential Unit for SUD Treatment

A new residential care facility from Pine Rest is coming to aid those in need of help for substance use disorders. The expansion will bring additional beds and expects to be able to treat up to 400 additional patients each year.

Read more on this important expansion here.

TOMORROW: Virtual Coffee Hour

I hope you can join me for a Virtual Coffee Hour tomorrow, Friday, January 21st, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Zoom. This is a great opportunity to discuss important issues in our district from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Please click here to register and feel free to include any questions you may have for me. I’ll do my best to address everyone’s question during the coffee hour, and we’ll send you the link to the meeting before the start of the event.

I look forward to chatting with you and hope to see you online!

Contact Us

Until then, here are a few reasons to contact my office:

Comment on Legislation: If you want to express your opinion about legislation or learn more, my office can answer your questions and keep me informed of your comments. Your opinion matters!

If You Need Help: If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, my office can help you resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to help direct you to the appropriate person.

There’s No “Wrong” Reason: Any comment, question or concern is welcome. If your issue would be more appropriately addressed by a different unit of government, I will help direct you. Remember, I am here to serve YOU and your family.

I have other questions. Are you and your office still available?

To keep you and my staff healthy and safe, we are working remotely until further notice. Please call our office at (517) 373-1801 or send me an email at SenWBrinks@senate.michigan.gov, as you normally would, and we will do our best to avoid any interruption of service.

Helpful Links