Hello Neighbors,
Last week, the state legislature passed a bipartisan agreement to invest billions of dollars from federal pandemic relief money and some state funds into Michigan’s future. I was excited to support this legislation, as some of that money will be headed directly to the Greater Grand Rapids area.
Overall, $4.8 billion will be provided to projects that keep Michigan healthy and safe. It will combat PFAS in our drinking water, expand access to high-speed internet, invest in more affordable housing, help homeowners stay in their current home, improve our unemployment agency, and more. I’m pleased we were able to work together to direct these dollars to projects that will be of great benefit to residents statewide. In this newsletter, I’ve also highlighted some of the significant Grand Rapids-specific funding.
Every day, I am grateful and humbled that I get to represent you as your State Senator, and I do my best to ensure that your voice is heard in Lansing. As always, please continue to look out for your friends and neighbors and be patient with one another. For the latest updates, I’d encourage you to follow me on Facebook.
Warm regards,
Winnie Brinks
State Senator
29th District
In This Issue
- $55 Million for Grand Rapids Parks and Trails
- Bipartisan $4.8 Billion Budget Package to Help Grow Economy
- Assistance Available for Homeowners
- Supporting our Educators
- Food Assistance Increase
- “Nowruz Mobarak!”
- Prescription Drug Affordability Board
- Meals on Wheels Event
- Developmental Disability Awareness Month
- Contact Us
$55 Million for Grand Rapids Parks and Trails
On Wednesday, I joined Gov. Whitmer as she signed a $4.7 billion supplemental budget bill (see below) that will — among other projects — make a transformational investment in Grand Rapids’ trails, parks, and recreational spaces. The improvements, known as the Grand River Greenway Project, are part of a years-long effort by the city of Grand Rapids and community partners to revitalize and activate the Grand River. This money will help pay for projects such as:
- A 28-mile network of parks and trails along the Grand River.
- Rehabilitating Ah-Nab-Awen Park, Lyon Square, Canal and Sixth Street parks, and more.
- Greenspace and trail improvements near 201 Market Ave. SW, the site of a proposed 12,000-seat amphitheater, housing and retail businesses.
This community has been dreaming, planning, and working diligently to reinvent our relationship with the river that defines our city by restoring the rapids and creating a riverfront corridor that invites us to interact with the river — and each other — in new ways. This investment in the Greenway project will help to bring those dreams and plans to fruition.
Check out my thoughts in this MLive article for more.
Bipartisan $4.8 Billion Budget Package to Help Grow Economy
Last week, lawmakers in the House and Senate agreed upon a $4.8 billion supplemental budget package that will help grow Michigan’s economy as the state continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The supplementals address a range of priorities, including:
- Water:
- More than $1 billion will go toward safe drinking water funding, including help for communities tackling toxic contaminants including PFAS, as well as replacing lead service lines (including 100% of those in Benton Harbor).
- Another $712 million will go toward a clean water grant and loan program, including assistance to protect public health and to fix failing septic systems.
- $50 million will go toward hydration stations in schools and childcare facilities.
- Transportation:
- More than $380 million will be used for road and bridge repairs and pump stations to prevent highway flooding and improve public transportation.
- High-speed Internet:
- $250 million for expanding broadband access to connect more households and small businesses to fast, reliable high-speed internet.
- Parks:
- $250 million is dedicated to improve state parks and recreation areas.
- Another $200 million for local parks, including trails to enhance tourism and boost the outdoor recreation industry.
- Housing:
- $500 million is ready for rent and mortgage assistance.
- $322 million will help those most impacted by the COVID pandemic.
- $100 million will help develop duplexes, townhouses and other like housing options.
- $50 million is available for home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades.
Finally, an additional $140 million will be used to fight fraud, improve services, and stabilize the Unemployment Insurance Agency’s Trust Fund.
Roughly $3.1 billion of this funding comes from the federal government’s coronavirus-relief efforts, while another $1 billion comes from federal infrastructure dollars and the remaining $571 million comes from the state’s General Fund.
After this supplemental bill package is signed by the governor, there will be approximately $2.8 billion of the discretionary $6.5 billion of federal COVID relief money remaining.
Assistance Available for Homeowners
Attention homeowners! Please remember that there’s a program available to you that can give you up to $25,000 for help with mortgages, property taxes, utilities, and more. The Michigan State Housing and Development Agency (MSHDA) has launched the Michigan Homeowners Assistance Fund (MIHAF) to help Michiganders who experienced housing-related hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding is still available, but it is limited. Please make sure you or your loved ones apply if eligible.
I encourage every eligible homeowner looking for assistance to apply for this program. If you or a loved one may be eligible, please apply for this assistance by either visiting Michigan.gov/MIHAF or by calling 844-756-4423.
Supporting Our Educators
I have heard from so many educators about the unprecedented levels of stress and burnout they are experiencing, as well as the unique challenges the pandemic has forced upon their students. That is why I am co-sponsoring Senate Bill 969 to temporarily eliminate the annual year-end teacher evaluations for the 2021-2022 school year.
Under the law for this school year, 40% of a teachers’ annual year-end evaluation is based on student growth from Fall 2021 to Spring 2022. This does not consider the enormous challenges students and teachers have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic years.
Nothing about the last two years has been “standard” for teachers, and we need to ensure that teachers are not unfairly penalized for the impacts that the pandemic, including remote learning, has had on students’ academic gains.
Food Assistance Increase
Michigan households that get federal food assistance will see their benefit boosted for another month. The bump was re-authorized by Congress and will be automatically added to Bridge card accounts for families to use to buy food. That will mean another $95 a month for roughly 700,000 families in Michigan. This Michigan Radio article explains more.
“Nowruz Mobarak!”
Last weekend marked Nowruz — a Persian holiday to mark the new year. Grand Rapids has become the new home for many families who celebrate this holiday. Our local Treetops Collective organization helped host our new neighbors on this important day of feasting, family, and celebration of new beginnings. What a joy to dance and celebrate. Nowruz Mobarak (happy new year) to all who celebrate!
Prescription Drug Affordability Board
We can’t wait for the federal government to act on the high costs of prescription drugs. We are facing both an economic and moral imperative to use all the tools we have available to bring relief to Michiganders. My bill to create the Prescription Drug Affordability Board can help physicians and patients, as well as start the long and necessary work to make a dent in addressing racial disparities in health outcomes.
Read more about this in an op-ed I wrote for Bridge Michigan.
Meals on Wheels Event
I was excited to participate in the very first March for Meals to benefit Meals on Wheels of Western Michigan last weekend.
Meals On Wheels provides delivered meals, senior pantries, dining sites, and most importantly hope and community for our seniors. I met some amazing, dedicated volunteers, and I am committed to working in Lansing to support their efforts and support the health and wellness of our seniors.
Developmental Disability Awareness Month
Gov. Whitmer proclaimed March 2022 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Michigan. The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) is working to advocate and raise awareness all over our state.
Current DD Council advocacy efforts include:
- Eliminating the practice of paying those with disabilities less than the minimum wage.
- Educating individuals with developmental disabilities on their voting rights and advocating for voting access.
- Promoting supported decision-making and educating people with developmental disabilities on restoring rights after they have been taken away by a guardianship.
- Advocating for accessible and affordable housing and education to decrease the abuse and exploitation of people with developmental disabilities.
Contact Us
We love to hear from you. 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.