Articles
Program lets people with disabilities save money without jeopardizing benefits
In Michigan and nationwide, [a] $2,000 federal asset limit is imposed on people with disabilities who receive government benefits. Miller, a family support services program manager at Disability Advocates of Kent County, said the asset limit is a major concern for...
Gov. Whitmer helps break ground on new Grand Rapids veterans home
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined a number of West Michigan politicians Friday afternoon to break ground on the new $49 million Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. The 128-bed residence, expected to open by the end of 2021, will sit adjacent to the existing veterans home at...
Brinks to hold PFAS town hall, share latest on clean-up efforts
A PFAS town hall happening Thursday evening is giving West Michiganders the chance to have a one-on-one with officials working to clean-up toxic PFAS contamination in local drinking water. State Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, is hosting the town hall event at the...
Michigan will draft PFAS standards for public drinking water
“Enforceable standards based on the best science available put us on the right path — one that holds polluters accountable, deters further contamination and keeps the hardworking people of Michigan safe,” Brinks said. “I look forward to helping (Whitmer’s)...
Once again, state Dems propose to eliminate the tampon tax
Two bills proposing to exempt feminine hygiene products from sale and use tax, commonly known as the "tampon tax," were reintroduced in the state Senate Tuesday. https://www.michiganradio.org/post/once-again-state-dems-propose-eliminate-tampon-tax
GR senator backs bills to stop taxing tampons
"I'm just hoping that folks will be a little bit more informed and enlightened about the importance providing this kind of tax reform to people who may be struggling just to make ends meet." Eleven states have eliminated taxes on tampons, including Ohio and Illinois....
To The Point: State Sen. Winnie Brinks
Hear more from Brinks above on this Feb. 3, 2019, episode of "To The Point." https://www.woodtv.com/news/to-the-point/to-the-point-state-sen-winnie-brinks/1745982759
Democrats again seek tough state PFAS drinking water standard
Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, introduced a new version of her legislation that would set a legally-enforceable limit of 5 parts-per-trillion (ppt) for two individual PFAS chemicals, PFOS and PFOA, in public drinking water distributed by utilities....
To The Point: Sen. Nofs, Sen.-elect Brinks
As the end of the year nears, some Michigan legislators are preparing to leave Lansing and others are readying for a new role. Grand Rapids Democrat Rep. Winnie Brinks, for example, is moving to the Upper Chamber in the new year. ...