Hello Neighbors,
It was a joy to connect with so many of you at the three parades we participated in during the Independence Day holiday. We were in Kentwood, East Grand Rapids, and at the Hollyhock Parade in Grand Rapids.
I had the honor to walk alongside other longtime public servants like U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and hopefuls like Hillary Scholten, who is running for U.S. Congress. I am proud to be among so many others who have worked hard to keep service at the heart of politics.
It was devastating to come home to the news of a mass shooting at a parade in Highland Park Illinois — an event so similar to the one we had just participated in. Gun violence continues to traumatize our communities, and it is among my highest priorities to keep fighting for better, safer, more sane gun laws in Michigan.
Sincerely,
Winnie Brinks
State Senator
29th District
In This Issue
- LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
- Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Passes
- Grand Rapids Investments in FY23 Budget
- DISTRICT UPDATE
- Abortion Roundtable
- Congratulations to Harmony Brewing
- “Together West Michigan” Forum
- Remembering the Holocaust
- HELPFUL INFORMATION
- Emergency Contraceptives and Abortion Information
- PFAS Foam Awareness
- Help with Energy Costs
- Local Camping & Recreation Library
- CONTACT US
- HELPFUL LINKS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Passes
After a marathon budget negotiation session, we passed the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget late into the night last week. I’m proud of the work we did.
For more than two decades, we have been fighting to bring more money to our schools, provide accessible and affordable childcare, protect public health, and support working families and communities.
This budget includes much-needed funding for education:
- It increases the base per-pupil funding from $8,700 to $9,150, a 5.2% increase that equates to $450 per student, the highest state per-pupil funding in Michigan history.
- The base per-pupil amount for economically disadvantaged students will be 11.5% higher.
- $246 million will go to increase supports for the nearly 50,000 special education students in Michigan.
- $250 million will ensure students with mental health needs can be identified and provided with the right support.
- $575 million for educator recruitment programs to ensure the teacher talent pipeline continues to provide the education system with the best possible educators.
- And much more.
You can read more about the budget, including how it will impact public safety, workforce development, higher education, and more here.
Grand Rapids Investments in FY23 Budget
Some of the funds that were appropriated during this year’s budget will directly impact our community. These appropriations make some of Grand Rapids greatest attractions more accessible to all our residents and build better foundations for West Michigan families to thrive:
DISTRICT NEWS
Abortion Roundtable with Governor Gretchen Whitmer
In June, I participated in a roundtable discussion with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and six women from the Grand Rapids area. These women know their own experiences, including how a pregnancy changed their lives and bodies, and they are desperate for their children to grow up with the freedom to choose when and if they would become a parent. They’re also angry about having to consider the implications of forced pregnancy.
But they aren’t just angry with the end of Roe v. Wade — they’re afraid. I will absolutely use my position as an elected leader to continue to fight for all of us to have the right to make the most intimate, life-changing decisions for ourselves.
10 Years of Harmony Beer
It was such fun to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Harmony Brewing Company with an official Tribute from the State of Michigan. We celebrate this milestone, and all that you’ve contributed to our community, Harmony!
“Together West Michigan” Forum
More than 500 faith-based organizers gathered at the Together West Michigan event last week to make public the priorities they heard from their years of listening to community needs.
I am especially glad that housing and childcare have emerged as priority areas — these are two of the issues that I have also been emphasizing in Lansing.
While I couldn’t be at the event itself due to still being deep into budget negotiations in Lansing, I made sure someone from my office was there to experience the urgency and energy of the evening. I look forward to working together toward a stronger, safer, more flourishing Grand Rapids.
New Statue Commemorates the Atrocities of the Holocaust
This beautiful sculpture was recently dedicated at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The aluminum tree with glass embedded in its branches serves to commemorate the atrocities of the Holocaust, memorializing the more than 6 million Jews who were murdered, as well as honoring survivors like Henry Pestka.
Pestka made his home in Grand Rapids after surviving concentration camps during WWII. Stories like Pestka’s are available online thanks to a project by the Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids, who want to educate people about the way our local community is connected to the Holocaust. Read more about that project.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
Emergency Contraception vs. Abortion Pills
The fall of Roe v Wade has left many with questions about their access to reproductive health care. Accurate information, as well as combatting misinformation, is critical so those who can become pregnant can retain their access to the full range of reproductive health care options.
Governor Whitmer is working to help clarify confusion that may arise about the important differences between emergency contraception and medication abortion, which are completely different medications used for entirely different purposes.
Options for accessing emergency contraception or abortion services can be found by calling 211 or visiting the 211 website.
For additional information regarding emergency contraception, visit the MDHHS website.
For information on medication abortion visit the MDHHS website.
For information about general family planning services, please visit MDHHS’ Family Planning page.
Beware: PFAS Foam Along Waterways
The bright-white foam on the shores of our lakes and rivers may be PFAS chemicals. Please protect your children, your pets, and yourselves from these dangerous chemicals this summer. This article can help you spot the difference between harmless, naturally occurring foam and the kind you should be wary of.
Assistance Available for Consumers Struggling with Energy Costs
Help is available for Michiganders grappling with higher energy costs amid fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine.
First, contact your electric or natural gas utilities for information about financial assistance, or contact Michigan 211 by calling 211 or going to mi211.org. Michigan 211 is a free, confidential service that connects Michiganders with a broad range of assistance programs and services and other resources, including help with food, housing, transportation and home energy bills.
More energy assistance information is available through the Michigan Public Service Commission’s energy assistance consumer tip sheet. Utility customers also can help reduce their costs by using energy efficiently. Check out the MPSC’s consumer tip on beating the heat for suggestions on reducing energy use. The U.S. Department of Energy has additional spring and summer tips to save energy.
Local Camping and Recreation Library
Camping, sports, and other recreational activities are now more accessible than ever. The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department has opened a gear library where residents can check out gear like they would in a library, including:
- Basketballs
- Cornhole sets
- Tents
- Grills
- Hiking boots
- Sleeping bags
- Raincoats
- Bug spray
- and more!
Check out this article for more information about this awesome new initiative.
CONTACT US
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.