Join Sen. Stephanie Chang for Upcoming Events!

Hello Neighbor, 

I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of fall. In this update, you’ll find information about our upcoming events, community resources and legislative updates. 

Please do not hesitate to call my office at (855) 347-8003 or email SenSChang@senate.michigan.gov if you ever need assistance. 

Sincerely,

Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 3

Upcoming Events 

Ice Cream Social with Rep. McKinney

WHEN: Friday, September 15, 2023 from 12-1 p.m. 
WHERE: Dairy Queen, 28039 Mound Rd, Warren, MI 48092 

Coffee & Conversation

WHEN: Friday, September 22, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
WHERE: Juice Box Blend, 11647 Joseph Campau Ave, Hamtramck, MI 48212 

WHEN: Friday, October 6, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. 
WHERE: Hazel Park District Library, 123 E 9 Mile Rd, Hazel Park, MI 48030 

 U.S. Ecology South — Community Meeting with EGLE 

The Detroit Hamtramck Coalition for Active Healthy Environments is hosting a community meeting on September 14 in Detroit. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Environment (EGLE) will be present to talk about the U.S. Ecology Detroit South violations, current shutdown and continued operations. Hope to see you there! 

WHEN: Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. 
WHERE: Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church, 4150 Chene St, Detroit, MI 48207 

Citizenship Day with Sen. Chang and Rep. Aiyash 

Join State Representative Abraham Aiyash and myself for Citizenship Day as we partner with local organizations to provide free citizenship legal services to those interested in applying for American citizenship. 

The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, NAYA Behavioral Health and Human Services, and BAPAC will be present to help residents with their applications. 

WHEN: Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
WHERE: Hamtramck High School Community Center, 11350 Charest St, Hamtramck, MI 48212 

Legislative Updates 

Protecting Domestic Violence Survivors  

Last week, Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) and I introduced Senate Bills 471and 472 and House Bills 4945 and 4946 to protect domestic violence survivors by preventing those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes from possessing, using, purchasing or carrying a firearm in Michigan for eight years. This legislation mirrors federal law and would strengthen domestic violence protections in Michigan, helping prevent firearm injury and death.   

We have been working with domestic and gun violence prevention experts for years to address the issue of domestic violence and firearms, because too many survivors face dramatically increased risk from their abusers. We’ve seen how firearms and domestic violence are a dangerous combination. Yet, our current state laws leave open a loophole that can be exploited by abusers to obtain a firearm and wreak deadly havoc. This legislation has had bipartisan support for many years and serves as a common-sense solution to the problem that will protect survivors in our state from further abuse. 

When domestic abusers have access to guns, the effects can be deadly:  

• Up to 1 in 3 Michigan families are impacted by domestic violence.   
• According to the FBI, there were 341 domestic violence homicides in Michigan from 2003 to 2012, which include both male and female victims. Of those homicides, more than half of the victims — 51.3 percent — were killed with guns.  
• Nearly half of all women murdered in the United States are killed by a current or former intimate partner, and more than half of these intimate partner homicides are by firearm.   
• Access to a firearm makes it five times more likely an abusive partner will kill their female victim.  

The bills would bring Michigan law into partial alignment with current federal protections, allowing state and local prosecutors to enforce misdemeanor domestic crime prohibitions. Currently under state law, only individuals convicted of felonies are prohibited from possessing, using, purchasing or carrying a firearm after serving their sentence and satisfying the terms of their imprisonment, parole or probation. After the eight-year period, those convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor would regain the opportunity to possess, use, purchase or carry a firearm under state law.    

Over the past several years, 32 states, including numerous Republican-led legislatures and Washington, D.C., have passed new laws designed to protect women, children and other survivors of domestic violence by ensuring convicted misdemeanor domestic abusers cannot access, own or possess firearms. In previous sessions, these bills were introduced as a bipartisan package. 

Community Resources 

Mini-Grants Available to Address PFAS Testing Efforts 

The Great Lakes PFAS Action Network is providing mini grants to impacted communities to directly fuel local, grassroots efforts to organize and test for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), as well as promote educational information about the pollutant. 

Organizations, community groups and individuals are eligible to apply for the mini-grants program. Project proposals should fit under one or more of the three funding areas: PFAS Education and Awareness Raising, PFAS Research and Testing, or Community Organizing. Applications will be accepted through September 12. 

For more information, click here. To access the grant application, click here. 

Severe Weather Resources  

In response to recent severe weather across the state, our first responders and officials are working hard to ensure there is a swift delivery of resources to affected areas. We applaud this effort and our dedicated first responders, who have been working tirelessly around the clock. Please continue to exercise caution as some areas are still being cleared and assessed for damage. If you need help or see something to report, use the following links. 

To report downed power lines, visit outage.dteenergy.com/report-down-line. 

To report flooding or flood damage, visit Michigan.gov/difs/consumers/disaster-prep/flood. 

For additional safety tips, visit Michigan.gov/miready. 

UIA Offers New Coaching Sessions for First-Time Filers  

Workers in Michigan applying for jobless benefits now can receive online guidance from trained instructors at the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). These coaching sessions can be accessed through the UIA website. It’s important to note that participating in an orientation session is not mandatory to qualify for benefits.  

During these sessions, UIA staff will provide guidance on the UIA’s new online Claimant Roadmap, a user-friendly tool designed to simplify the application process and enhance understanding of benefits. Here’s the specific information you need to know:  

• Sessions are available on specific days and times:  
• 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays 
• 3-5 p.m. Wednesdays 
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays 
• 1-3 p.m. Fridays 
• After signing up, users will receive an email with a link to use during their selected session. 
• Reminder emails will be sent one day and one hour before the session begins. 
• These sessions are not for individuals with current claims. 
• Those with current claims can seek assistance through other channels: 
• Call UIA’s Customer Service line at 1-866-500-0017 
• Visit Michigan.gov/UIA to schedule an in-person, phone or virtual appointment 
• Use the website’s Ask Ava chat feature for answers to questions 

As we transition into the late summer and early fall, it’s important to be aware that August and September mark the peak seasons for yellowjackets and hornets. These stinging insects become more active during this time, making it crucial to take necessary precautions to ensure your safety.  

Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe: