Hello Neighbor,
I hope everyone had a great holiday season.
Below you will find information about upcoming events and community updates and resources.
In service,
Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 3
Upcoming Events
Coffee & Conversation
WHEN: January 12, 2024 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am
WHERE: Java Hutt Cafe, 24362 John R Rd. | Hazel Park, MI
Coffee & Conversation
WHEN:January 26, 2024 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am
WHERE: Dorothy Busch Library, 23333 Ryan Rd, Warren, MI 48091
Coffee & Conversation
WHEN: February 9, 2024 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
WHERE: Nandi’s Knowledge Cafe, 71 Oakman Blvd, Highland Park, MI 48203
Coffee & Conversation
WHEN: February 23, 2024 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
WHERE: Mia’s Bakery and Coffee Shop, 1413 W 14 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Updates
Juvenile Justice Reforms Signed into Law
This past December,I was proud to witness Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist sign into law our bipartisan package of bills that will transform the way the Juvenile Justice system works in Michigan. My bill, SB 428, ends many fines and fees charged to juvenile offenders and their families. As a longtime juvenile justice advocate, I know that these bipartisan policy changes will make a big impact for the young people and families who are impacted by the juvenile justice system. We have heard so many stories of families who have been saddled with enormous debt from arbitrary fines and fees that do nothing to help young people become more productive members of their communities and in fact have become enormous barriers to progress. By ending most juvenile fines and fees, making our juvenile justice system more focused on rehabilitation and built on evidence-based assessments, and enhancing our Office of the Child Advocate, we will help ensure that more of Michigan’s young people have the opportunity to succeed. I am grateful to have partnered with Senator Santana, Representative Hope, Representative Carter, and many colleagues and stakeholders on this bipartisan effort and am excited that Lt. Governor Gilchrist has made these common-sense changes to the law in Michigan.
Tax Credit Checks to be mailed in February
Back in December, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan families will receive working families tax credit checks beginning February 13, 2024. The administration is taking steps to send Working Families Tax Credit checks to more than 700,000 Michigan households, putting an average of $550 back into Michiganders’ pockets. The new checks are part of $1 billion in tax cuts that the governor signed into law earlier this year.
Beginning February 13, 2024, Michigan families who qualified for the Working Families Tax Credit as part of their 2022 tax return will be receiving these checks. The checks will be the difference between the 6% tax credit Michiganders received on their tax return and the 30% that is owed to them under the new law.
In March, Governor Whitmer signed legislation quintupling the Michigan Working Families Tax Credit match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit to 30%, up from 6%. This expansion will deliver an average combined tax refund of $3,150 to 700,000 families, directly impacting nearly one million kids – almost half the kids in Michigan. I was proud to support this legislation.
Additionally, eligible Michiganders should still apply for the expanded tax credit if they meet the criteria this year. It is possible for Michiganders to receive both the additional Working Families Tax Credit check from their 2022 tax return and also receive the full 30% tax credit on their 2023 tax filing when they file next year.
The Department of Treasury will automatically process checks for Michiganders who submitted their 2022 tax return and confirmed eligibility for the additional state credit. Checks will be mailed on a rolling basis as soon as they are printed. It is estimated to take between five to six weeks to print and distribute all payments to eligible Michiganders.
Please note that eligible Michiganders do not need to submit any additional paperwork to receive the tax credit. However, if you have moved frequently or recently and have concerns about your address accuracy, you can manually update it here.
2024 FAFSA application is now open
The 2024 FAFSA application is now open. The FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) opened on December 1. Graduating high school seniors and other eligible students can apply to learn what types of aid they may be eligible for to help pay for a range of costs for higher education including tuition, room and board and other fees at community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, trade schools and other post-secondary education institutions. Visit the website for more information: Home | Federal Student Aid