District 3 News & Updates

Friends,

I am thrilled to represent the new Michigan Senate District 3 in my second term. Our new district includes much of Detroit, all of Hamtramck, Highland Park, Hazel Park, and Madison Heights, and parts of Warren, Clawson, Royal Oak, Troy, and Sterling Heights. It’s a new year, new term, and a new district — and I look forward to continuing to get things done in Lansing on your behalf.

This year, I will be chairing the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety. I will also serve as a member of the Committee on Education, Committee on Elections and Ethics, Committee on Energy & Environment, Committee on Housing and Human Services, and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

You may always contact my office with your questions or comments. You can call (517) 373-0056 or contact my office here. My team is here to assist you.

Take care,

Stephanie Chang 
State Senator
District 3

Featured in this Newsletter:

• Legislative Updates
• Upcoming Events
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship
• MDHHS invites public input from older adults for new state plan

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

I recently introduced Senate Bill 18, which would designate January 30th as “Fred Korematsu Day.” Fred Korematsu is a national civil rights hero who defied the Japanese American internment order and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Mr. Korematsu had strong ties to Michigan and his growing legacy continues to inspire people of all backgrounds.

I also introduced Senate Bill 26, the Air Quality Enforcement Mitigation Fund Bill, which ensures that a portion of fines polluters pay are re-directed back to the community to improve the health and overall quality of life of residents. Historically, when a company violates the air quality standards or their permits, they must pay a fine to a general fund and create a plan to prevent further pollution in the future. This bill creates the new Air Quality Enforcement and Mitigation Fund, which stipulates that fines paid by the polluting company will be directed back to the community to alleviate the harm caused, rather than to a general fund.

The new Senate Majority started the 2023-2024 term by introducing six bills to improve the lives of all Michiganders. I was proud to cosponsor all six bills that will provide financial relief, increase healthcare equitability, and expand protections for Michiganders:

• Senate Bill 1, introduced by Sen. Kevin Hertel, would repeal the retirement tax on Michigan seniors
• Senate Bill 2, introduced by Sen. Erika Geiss, would repeal Michigan’s 1931 statute that criminalizes abortion care.
• Senate Bill 3, introduced by Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet, would enable workers to keep more of their hard-earned dollars through an increased Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
• Senate Bill 4, introduced by Sen. Jeremy Moss, would expand Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include anti-discrimination protections for sexual and gender identity.
• Senate Bill 6, introduced by Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, would restore the state’s prevailing wage law.
• Senate Bill 34, introduced by Sen. Darrin Camilleri, would restore workers’ rights by repealing the so-called “Right to Work” policy

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coffee Hour with Rep. Mike McFall
WHEN: Friday, January 27, 2023, at 2pm
WHERE: Ding Tea, 30569 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071

Coffee Hour with Speaker of the House – Rep. Joe Tate
WHEN: Friday, February 10, 2023, at 12pm
WHERE: Butzel Family Rec. Center, 7737 Kercheval St., Detroit, MI 48214

Coffee Hour with Sen. Chang
WHEN: Friday, February 24, 2023, at 10am
WHERE: Tim Hortons, 25100 Ryan Road, Warren, MI 48091

Coffee Hour with Rep. Mike McFall
WHEN: Friday, March 10, 2023, at 12pm
WHERE: Nandi’s Knowledge Cafe, 71 Oakman Blvd, Highland Park, MI 48203

Coffee Hour with Rep. Donavan McKinney
WHEN: Friday, March 24, 2023, at 10am
WHERE: Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 Outer Drive, Detroit, MI 48234

MICHIGAN HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND

The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) was established to mitigate hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship. Visit the MIHAF website to see if you are eligible.

Homeowners applying for the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund program should make sure you have all the necessary documents and information. You can find what documents and information you’ll need here.

Who Is Eligible?

• Homeowners with household incomes less than 150% of Area Median Income (AMI),
• Homeowners who own and occupy the property as their primary residence, or
• Homeowners must have and explain a financial hardship directly related to COVID-19 on or after January 21, 2020.

Eligible households can receive a grant worth up to $25,000 to help them pay the following delinquencies:

• Mortgage/housing expenses, including property tax and insurance escrow shortages,
• Land contract payments, mobile home consumer loan payments or mobile home park lot payments,
• Property taxes,
• Condominium/homeowners’ association fees,
• Homeowner’s insurance,
• Utilities, gas, electric, water, sewer, or
• Internet broadband services.

MICHIGAN ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship application has opened for all high school seniors!

This scholarship will provide:

• Up to $2,750 if you attend a community college, per year
• Up to $5,500 if you attend a public university, per year
• Up to $4,000 if you attend a private college or university, per year

There is no deadline for this scholarship. Students have 15 months from high school graduation or high school equivalency program completion to enter college and use the funds after they have been awarded.

High school seniors can get started by creating a MiSSG Student Portal account three to five business days after filing your FAFSA by visiting www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/missg.

MDHHS INVITES PUBLIC INPUT FROM OLDER ADULTS FOR NEW STATE PLAN

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Bureau of Aging, Community Living and Supports is inviting the public to join community conversations online and throughout the state to discuss the needs of older adults.

MDHHS is seeking input regarding the needs and gaps in programs and services that affect quality of life for older residents. MDHHS will use information gathered during the community conversations and from survey responses to identify priorities for the department in support of the health and well-being of Michigan’s older adult population. A draft plan goes before the state’s Commission on Services to the Aging for approval before being submitted to the Federal Administration for Community Living by July 1 for implementation during fiscal years 2023-2026.

State units on aging are tasked under the Older Americans Act with developing and administering a multi-year State Plan on Aging that provides goals and objectives related to assisting older residents, their families and caregivers in their states. The plan serves as a blueprint outlining coordination and advocacy activities to meet the needs of older adults and for building capacity for long-term care efforts in the state.

Anyone interested in providing information on the needs of older adults is invited to participate in a community conversation or complete a survey. The community conversations will be held during January and February at various locations across the state and in four separate online forums.

For in-person gatherings, appropriate health and safety precautions will be taken. Survey questionnaires will be available online and in paper form in English, Spanish and Arabic.

For a current list of community conversation locations, dates, and times, or to access the survey, visit the Behavioral and Physical Health and Aging Services Administration webpage. This site will also be used to communicate cancellation information and updates.