Senate District 29 Update

Congrats to the Grand Rapids Pride Center on an amazing inaugural PRISM Awards ceremony. So many important efforts were uplifted and celebrated, including awards to local businesses Malamiah Juice Bar and Lotus Brew Coffee/ Dry Bar.  

Our city is stronger because of the LGBTQ+ community and their critical contributions. My many thanks go out to the Pride Center for their hard work and the opportunity for our community to celebrate, uplift, and express our gratitude for their commitment to our residents. 

 

HELPFUL INFORMATION 

Check Auto Insurance Coverage for Vehicle-Deer Collisions 

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding consumers to review their auto insurance coverage to ensure they know what coverage may be available in the event of damage caused by a vehicle-deer collision. Although these types of crashes occur all year round, the fall deer hunting season coupled with shorter daylight periods often increases the number of them, which can cost thousands of dollars to repair. 

Here are a few tips on what to do after a deer collision: 

• Pull off the road, turn on your emergency flashers, and be cautious of other traffic if you exit your vehicle. 
• Report the crash to the nearest police agency and your insurance company or agent. 
• Document the incident. If it is safe to do so, take photographs of the roadway, your surroundings, damage to your vehicle, and any injuries you or your passengers sustained. If witnesses stop, take down their account of what occurred, and ask for their contact information. 
• Do not approach the deer. Wounded animals can be dangerous, and an animal that appears to be dead may only be stunned. 
• Do not assume your vehicle is safe to drive. Double-check that your car is drivable after colliding with a deer. Look for leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights, a hood that will not latch, and other safety hazards. If your vehicle seems unsafe in any way, call for a tow. 

If you have questions or concerns with your insurance policy or wish to file a complaint, contact DIFS at 833-ASK-DIFS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.

Michiganders Getting Additional Grocery Assistance in November  On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced all Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits will receive at least an additional $95 monthly payment in November to help lower the cost of groceries ahead of Thanksgiving.

Eligible clients who receive food assistance will receive additional benefits on their Bridge Card between Nov. 12-21. These benefits are loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance provided earlier in the month. 

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to Michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Winter Weather Insurance Tips 

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding Michiganders to review their insurance documents while taking steps to prevent winter-related damage. Winter storms and freezing temperatures can damage your home or vehicle, so it’s important to have insurance coverage that financially protects you if severe winter weather strikes. 

Homeowners insurance policies usually cover damages resulting from things like burst pipes, ice dams, wind, or a building collapse caused by the weight of ice or snow but will often exclude coverage for damages resulting from power outages unless the outage was caused by a covered peril such as wind, ice, or snow. 

Homeowners should review their insurance policy and take the following steps to help prevent winter damage: 

• Keep your home heated to at least 65 degrees to prevent frozen pipes. If you are away from your home for an extended period, have someone check your home to catch any burst pipes as soon as possible. 
• Keep gutters clean to prevent ice damming, which occurs when melting ice backs up under roof shingles before freezing again. 
• Remove trees that have died or are rotting to prevent branches from falling under the weight of snow or ice. 

Driving in winter weather can be hazardous even if you are driving carefully. Coverages you may consider purchasing, or confirming you currently have, include:

• Collision Coverage provides coverage for damage to your vehicle while driving, should your vehicle collide with another vehicle or hit a tree or utility pole from loss of traction due to ice and snow. 
• Comprehensive Coverage provides coverage when your vehicle has sustained damage that did not result from a collision. Examples include damage from falling tree limbs, hail, or vandalism. 
• Property Protection provides coverage for damage unintentionally caused to another person’s property, for example if you slide off the road and damage someone’s mailbox. This coverage is one of the three mandatory coverages required to drive legally in Michigan.

For more tips on preparing your family for winter, visit the Michigan State Police’s Emergency Management & Homeland Security Division preparedness website at Michigan.gov/MIReady. For questions or concerns about your insurance, contact DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442, or file a complaint by visiting Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.

November Recognized as Veterans and Military Families Month Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed November 2022 as Veterans and Military Families Month to honor veterans and military families throughout the state by recognizing their sacrifices and celebrating their successes.

Michigan is committed to making the state the premier choice for military service members, veterans and their families to live, work, serve and play. In support of this effort, the MVAA helps connect veterans with federal, state and local benefits and resources they earned for their service. To learn more about employment, healthcare, education and quality-of-life benefits, veterans can contact the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center at 1-800MICH-VET or visit Michigan.gov/MVAA. 

For more information on upcoming ceremonies and activities to honor veterans and military families, please visit the MVAA events calendar at Michigan.gov/MVAA/Events.

New Health Plan Savings During Open Enrollment  

The annual Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period began Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, 2023. With savings still in effect making health insurance more affordable for more Michiganders, new grants for free local help, and more plan options than last year, shopping for health insurance has never been easier. 

While shopping for a health plan during Open Enrollment, Michigan consumers can choose from 233 health plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace, which is available at HealthCare.gov or by calling 800-318-2596. In total, including off-Marketplace plans available directly from insurers, Michiganders can choose from 308 plans, 52 more options than last year. 

For questions about health coverage, visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance or call DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442.

Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

As temperatures get colder and the nights longer, Michigan residents are urged to take action to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by checking to ensure furnaces and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are properly working. 

Known as the “silent killer,” CO is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless poisonous gas. Most CO poisonings take place at home and are caused by items that are not properly cared for or vented, such as furnaces, water heaters, generators, gas grills, dryers, lanterns, space heaters, fireplaces, chimneys, and gas stoves. 

To protect yourself and your family from CO, follow these safety tips: 

• Make sure you have working CO detectors on every level of your home, including the basement. 
• Change batteries every six months (fall and spring) and replace your detector every five years or according to manufacturer’s instructions. 
• Use a battery-powered detector where you have fuel-burning devices but no electric outlets. 
• Have your furnace or wood-burning stove inspected annually. 
• Generators should be run at a safe distance (at least 20 feet) from the home. Never run a generator in the home, garage, or right next to windows or doors. 
• Never run a car in an enclosed space. 
• Never run a gasoline or propane heater or a grill (gas or charcoal) inside your home or in an unventilated garage.  

Visit Michigan.gov/MiTracking for more information about CO poisoning.

$50 Million in Grants Available for Childcare Facilities Earlier this month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that applications for the Caring for MI Future: Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund are now open. Childcare entrepreneurs who are interested in starting or expanding a childcare facility can apply for a grant to reduce the cost of converting space that meets childcare facility guidelines. 

The grants, which range in size from $50,000 for home-based childcare and $150,000 for center-based programs, will help providers to complete minor renovations and improvements to meet licensing and quality standards. Eligible applicants include licensed childcare providers located in the State of Michigan who are newly licensed providers or existing providers expanding their licensed capacity. 

For a full breakdown of eligibility requirements and information on the application process visit Michigan.gov/caringformifuture. 

 

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.  

 

Helpful Links

• State Senator Winnie Brinks
• 29th Senate District Map
• Michigan Senate
• Michigan House of Representatives
• Michigan Legislature
• U.S. Senate
• U.S. House of Representatives
• Kent County
• City of Grand Rapids