Senate District 29 Updates

Hello Neighbors,

We are celebrating unprecedented successes as we approach our first 100 days in the state legislature with Democrats in the majority! I am so proud of the work we have done for Michiganders, and I assure you that we are just getting started.

Now, we’ll begin the important work of negotiating the state’s budget for this fiscal year. I am looking forward to working with the House and the Governor’s office to ensure that state dollars are used in ways that put the people of Michigan first.

As always, it’s my honor to work for you, the people of District 29, and deliver honest, diligent representation in Lansing on the issues that matter most.

Sincerely, 

Winnie Brinks
Senate Majority Leader
29th District

In This Issue

• Legislative and Government Update

  • Repeal of 1931 Abortion Ban Signed into Law

  • Roundtable Discussion on Education Funding

  • First 100 Days of Action

• District Happenings

  • Women’s Resource Center Celebrates 50 Years

  • Reading to Brookwood Elementary Students

  • Kids Food Basket welcomes Governor Whitmer

• Helpful Information

• Contact Us

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Repeal of 1931 Abortion Ban Signed into Law

On April 11, 2023, Governor Whitmer signed into law the 1931 abortion ban repeal. 2.5 million Michiganders voted this fall to create a constitutional right to reproductive freedom to protect women, their bodies, and their rights – and this outdated law needed to be repealed once and for all.

Roundtable Discussion on Education Funding

On March 30, Sen. Darrin Camilleri (chair of the Education Budget), Rep. Phil Skaggs and I met with Kentwood students and educators for a roundtable discussion about education funding and school operations.

It’s important that we hear directly from the source on these issues, and no one knows the needs of schools better than the students and teachers. Sen. Camilleri is touring many communities around the state to hear how the needs vary from school to school, and how our state’s PreK-12 budget can best empower school districts.

Senate leaders are committed to driving forward an education agenda that puts the priorities of our educators first.

First 100 Days of Action

The first 100 days of working in this new majority have been full of major successes that protect, advocate, and uplift Michiganders! Our #MajorityForThePeople has wasted no time making progress on 40 years of pent-up policy ideas that will lift people up, protect freedoms, and save lives. 

From securing protections for LGBTQ Michiganders to passing gun violence prevention measures to restoring workers’ rights, we have prioritized safety at school, at work, and in our communities in our first 100 days – and we’re just getting started.

Here’s what we have done so far:

• Rolled back the unfair retirement tax
• Expanded the Working Families Tax Credit
• Amended ELCRA to ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ Michiganders
• Repealed the outdated 1931 abortion ban
• Restored workers’ rights to negotiate for safer workplaces and fair pay and reinstate the prevailing wage
• Required universal background checks for all firearm purchases
• Required safe storage of firearms for child access protection
• Allowed Extreme Risk Protection Orders to temporarily intervene to suspend a person’s access to firearms given signs of danger

DISTRICT HAPPENINGS

Women’s Resource Center Celebrates 50 Years

I want to congratulate the Grand Rapids Women’s Resource Center on 50 years of service to our community. You have empowered and supported so many women! My staff was able to attend the Women’s Resource Center Pillar Awards and present a legislative Tribute to mark the occasion.

As a woman in leadership, I want all women to feel empowered to give their best to the world. So, to the Women’s Resource Center in Grand Rapids, here’s to fifty more years!

Reading to Brookwood Elementary School 

Thank you to the Brookwood Elementary students and staff for allowing me to come read to them during March is Reading Month! They greeted me with smiles and lots of love!

Special thanks to the Kentwood Public Schools system and Superintendent Kevin Polston and Principal Lorenzo Bradshaw for the warm welcome. The work that our educators do is so critical for the future of our state – I’m grateful for their dedication and expertise.

Kids Food Basket Welcomes Governor Whitmer

It was a pleasure to welcome Governor Whitmer to Grand Rapids during her visit to Kids Food Basket this month. She joined Rep. Rachel Hood and me to learn about KFB’s mission and to advocate for her latest education budget, which allocates $160 million to provide free meals to public school students. Michigan would become the fourth state to offer free school meals, joining California, Colorado and Maine.

It’s always been my priority that kids in Michigan have what they need to succeed in school, and kids can’t learn best when their stomachs are empty. I’m proud to help raise awareness of the importance of addressing childhood hunger and improving child nutrition in our state, and I look forward to working on budget priorities that reflect values like these.

HELPFUL INFORMATION

Helping Medicaid members keep their coverage
Take action to avoid a gap in coverage

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE), allowing Medicaid members to keep their health care coverage. Per recent federal legislation, eligibility renewals will start again in June. Monthly renewal notifications will be sent by mail beginning in May.

Following these steps will help determine if you still qualify:

• Make sure your contact information is up to date.
• Check mail or text messages for a letter.
• Complete your renewal form (if you get one).

If you’re a Medicaid member, learn more about how these changes may affect your health care coverage at Michigan.gov/2023benefitchanges.

Health Insurance can impact Auto Insurance

Your auto insurance may not be the first thing that comes to mind if you lose or change your health insurance, but there is an important connection that every Michigander should know about.

Under Michigan’s auto insurance law, drivers can choose from six different Personal Injury Protection (PIP) medical coverage levels when they buy or renew their auto insurance, which covers medical bills and other expenses if you are injured in an auto accident. For people who have Qualified Health Coverage (QHC), two options allow you to remove PIP medical coverage for yourself and/or eligible household members.

To count as QHC, your health insurance policy must not exclude or limit coverage for auto accident injuries and must have an individual deductible of $6,000 or less. Medicare Parts A and B or Medicare Advantage also count as QHC, but please note VA Health Benefits do not count as QHC.

If someone in your household does not have PIP medical coverage and has a change in their health insurance, you must ACT:

• A – Ask your auto insurance company or agent about your PIP medical coverage choice and find out if you need QHC to maintain your current selection.
• C – Contact your health insurer to determine if your new policy counts as QHC and to get an updated QHC letter.
• T –Tell your auto insurance company immediately if you lose your QHC. You have 30 days to obtain replacement health insurance or make a different PIP medical selection, or you risk not having medical coverage for yourself and your family in the event of a crash.

If you are interested in learning more or have questions, visit Michigan.gov/AutoInsurance or call the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (833) ASK-DIFS (275-3437).

Native Plant Month

As we roll into spring and notice beautiful colors returning to our surroundings, we also celebrate April as Native Plant Month. Michigan is home to more than 1,800 native plant species which include large shade trees, shrubs, vines, wildflowers, and everyone’s favorite spring flower, the orange traffic cone. To protect our environment—including our native plants—record investments have been made in conservation and natural resources through the Building Michigan Together Plan and the MI Healthy Climate Plan. Let’s keep working together to preserve our green spaces.

Gear up for spring fishing by getting your 2023 fishing license

The new fishing license and regulation season kicked off April 1, so anglers need to be sure they have purchased a new license in order to enjoy Michigan’s great fishing opportunities. The 2023 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2024.

Fishing licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchasing via the app.

The 2023 Michigan Fishing Guide and Inland Trout & Salmon Maps are available online along with a lot of other helpful fishing information – including fishing locations, species identification and tips for beginners – at Michigan.gov/Fishing.

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