Hello Neighbor,
I hope everyone is enjoying the fall. In this email, you’ll find information about our upcoming events, legislative updates and community resources.
Please do not hesitate to call my office at (855) 347-8003 or email SenSChang@senate.michigan.gov if you ever need assistance. As a reminder, we have our neighborhood service center open Monday through Friday at 11521 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck, MI 48212. Please call us at (313) 922-6949 to make an appointment.
Featured In This Newsletter
- Upcoming Events
- Legislative Update
- Community Resources
Thank you for reading this email! Please feel free to encourage friends and neighbors to sign up to receive email updates at senatorstephaniechang.com.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 3
Upcoming Events
Tea & Conversation with Senator Chang
WHEN: Monday, November 27, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: R&B Tea, 29200 Dequindre Rd suite 5, Warren, MI 48092
Coffee & Conversation
WHEN: Friday, December 8, 2023 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Paris Banh Mi, 268 John R Rd, Troy, MI 48083
Coffee & Conversation
WHEN: Friday, December 15, 2023 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: On the Rise Bakery, 5988 Rohns St, Detroit, MI 48213
Legislative Updates
Reproductive Health Act Expands Healthcare Access
Nearly 2.5 million Michigan voters showed overwhelming support for Proposal 3 in November 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
On October 19, the Michigan Senate took the first steps in expanding healthcare access by passing the Reproductive Health Act, Senate Bills 474–477. The following week, the Senate took another step in protecting reproductive freedom in Michigan by passing Senate Bill 593.
This bipartisan legislation will protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare for Michiganders statewide. More importantly, the Reproductive Health Act better aligns Michigan’s laws with the new reproductive health protections in Michigan’s constitution and the repeal of the 1931 abortion ban passed by Senate Democrats earlier this year.
The comprehensive package of bills will repeal medically unnecessary regulations and remove reporting requirements and administrative burdens that are not placed on any other healthcare providers. This legislation was crafted with constituents and advocates in mind — taking into account their diverse lived experiences and perspectives.
Juvenile Justice Task Force Bills Headed to Governor Whitmer
Last week, the Juvenile Justice Task Force bills package received final votes in both the House and Senate and now are headed to the Governor’s desk (HB 4625-4626, HB 4628-4629, HB 4633, HB 4636-4637, HB 4639-4640, and HB 4643, SB 418, SB 421, SB 425, SB 426, SB 428-429, SB 432, and SB 435-436). This legislation will help us build a smarter, more effective, and more compassionate juvenile justice system.
I was happy to sponsor a bill that would eliminate most juvenile fines and fees which were creating a tremendous debt burden on families and a barrier to successful reentry into the community. I am excited to see the impact this legislation will have on Michigan families who have faced enormous debt and the many young people trying to re-enter our society as productive individuals. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety, I was proud to work with my counterpart in the House to shepherd these bills through this year.
Institutional Desecration Bills
Last week, the legislature passed House Bills 4476-4477, bills that prohibit the desecration of institutions such as places of worship, cemeteries, schools, etc. Hate incidents, antisemitism, and Islamophobia have been on the rise in Michigan and around the country. These bills will help to protect all faith communities from vandalism and hatred. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety, I was proud to ensure passage of these bills and speak in support of them.
Financial Disclosure
For a long time, Michigan was one of only two states where lawmakers did not have to file any type of public report about their personal finances. After extensive input from stakeholders and lawmakers, bipartisan financial disclosure Senate Bills 613–616 passed the Senate nearly unanimously and are now one step closer to helping improve government transparency and codify Proposal 1 of 2022 — which was supported by 2.8 million Michigan voters just last year.
Per Proposal 1 of 2022, and going beyond it, the legislation passed would ensure that starting next year on April 15, each lawmaker must disclose:
- Every source of income;
- Assets held for investment or production of income;
- Significant liabilities;
- Positions held in organizations;
- Future employment agreements;
- Spouse’s occupation and more.
The Senate bills also extend this disclosure to candidates for office so that voters can vet these potential conflicts as they decide on who they want to represent them.
Budget Supplemental Legislation
On Thursday, November 2, the Michigan Legislature passed budget supplemental legislation, House Bill 4292 and Senate Bill 174, that will center the needs of K-12 students. Overall, the investments made will increase access to clean drinking water in our schools, and fund important projects at public universities and community colleges, including a capital outlay project at Wayne State University that I was proud to champion.
It also included funding for portions of the agreement between the City of Highland Park and the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) . The supplemental appropriations bill includes $30 million in state funding for GLWA and Highland Park water infrastructure to replace water service lines and modernize the system to reduce water loss and ensure accurate water bills through the installation of water meters. In addition to $15 million in previously approved funds, the supplemental includes $30 million to begin this work. Access to water is critical for every Michigander.
By providing critical state funding to fix Highland Park’s water infrastructure, we are following through on the agreement reached a few weeks ago and are setting up the whole system for a stronger, more fiscally sustainable future. Highland Park residents have long called for a resolution to this issue and I am very proud that the state has played a key role in leading to this solution.
Click here for my statement with Rep. McFall earlier this month.
Poverty Tax Exemption
Last week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 55 into law. This public act helps low-income families by making the poverty exemption applicable retroactively and allowing more cities to opt into a process where homeowners do not have to keep reapplying if they are on a fixed income. Keeping families in their homes is critical for Michiganders’ quality of life and for strong neighborhoods, which is why I was proud to sponsor this new law.
We will be allowing more local governments to help low-income homeowners who qualify for a property tax poverty exemption to apply for one and keep it in place. I am pleased to see Governor Whitmer sign this into law. This is a simple and common-sense option that will streamline the process and reduce the burden for homeowners and local governments alike.
Community Resources
MiABLE Saving Accounts
With hundreds of thousands of Michiganders with disabilities eligible to open a MiABLE savings account, the Michigan Department of Treasury is marking the eighth anniversary of the signing into law of the MiABLE Act to encourage individuals and their families to discover more about gaining greater financial freedom.
Established in Michigan in 2015, MiABLE is a disability savings program administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury. MiABLE stands for Michigan Achieving a Better Life Experience and was designed to help ease the financial burden challenging families and people with disabilities.
MiABLE allows individuals who became disabled before age 26 and their families to save up to $17,000 annually in various investment options. Beneficiaries who are employed can contribute an amount equal to their current-year gross income, up to another $13,590.
For more information on how to open a MiABLE account online, go to www.MiABLE.org.
Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Period Opens
Open enrollment for 2024 health insurance runs from November 1, 2023, through January 15, 2024. Consumers must select a plan no later than December 15, 2023, for coverage to start on January 1, 2024.
Shop for a health plan by visiting the Health Insurance Marketplace or calling 800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). During open enrollment for 2024 coverage, consumers will be able to choose from 169 health plans on the Marketplace. For the overall individual market, which includes off-Marketplace plans, 228 plans will be available.
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.