Dear Neighbor,
It is hard to believe August is already almost over. The first day of school is here for some Michigan students and on the horizon for others, including mine. While this may be a busy time for families with back-to-school shopping, the start of new school sports seasons and community activities, I hope you still find time to enjoy the final days of summer in our beautiful state.
Throughout the summer, my colleagues and I have been busy, connecting with residents, holding community events and working on legislation.
As always, if you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing, or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can email us at SenSChang@senate.michigan.gov, call us at (517) 373-7346 or (313) 922-6949.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 3
Featured in This Newsletter
- Upcoming Events
- Legislative Updates
- Community Updates & Resources
Upcoming Events
Let’s Meet at Upcoming Outdoor Community Resource Fair
Please join me and Representative Donavan McKinney for an outdoor resource fair where we will share an abundance of resources including housing, utility assistance, expungement, employment assistance, health resources, and many more. We will also be hosting a backpack and school supply giveaway, so please make sure to stop by.
You can RSVP using this link or by calling 313-922-6949.
WHEN: Sunday, August 25, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Pershing High School, 18875 Ryan Road, Detroit, MI., 48234
Upcoming Coffee & Conversation
WHEN: Thursday, August 29, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Hazel Perk Cafe, 21403 John R. Rd., Hazel Park, MI 48030
Coffee & Conversation with State Representative Sharon MacDonell
WHEN: Friday, September 13, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Tavern on the Main, 235 S. Main St., Clawson, MI 48017
Coffee & Conversation with Detroit People Mover and Detroit Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero
WHEN: Friday, September 20, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Grand Circus Station Detroit at the intersection of Park Ave. and Washington Blvd.
Legislative Updates
District Budget Wins
In my last newsletter, I shared overall highlights from the state budget. In this newsletter, I wanted to share some more highlights specific to State Senate District 3.
- $1 million for the Concert of Colors Festival
- $1 million for streetscape improvements on Peterboro Street, as well as to contribute to the revitalization of Detroit’s Chinatown. You can read more about it here.
- $5 million towards renovations for Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency’s Cortland Center in Highland Park
- $800,000 for the purchase of new fire trucks for the City of Hamtramck
- $200,000 for a new elevator for Hazel Park Public Library
- $2 million for youth afterschool programming at the Downtown Boxing Gym
- $2 million for elevator repairs at a low-income senior apartment building in the City of Detroit
- $2.5 million for road improvements on Mound Road in Warren
- $1 million for WDET in the City of Detroit
- $1 million towards water main replacements in the City of Clawson
- $2 million for citywide park improvements in the City of Detroit
- And much more!
Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Give Michiganders the Freedom to Plan
While other states work to restrict individuals’ reproductive rights, Michigan Senate Democrats are leading the fight to protect freedom of choice for all.
The Freedom to Plan Act was recently introduced in the Senate and, if passed into law, would break down financial barriers to over-the-counter oral hormonal contraceptives and emergency contraceptives — providing Michigan residents with the autonomy, power and freedom to make their own medical decisions.
For over six decades, contraception has been an integral component of women’s health care. Named as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contraception has played a pivotal role in expanding women’s bodily autonomy. Giving women and individuals who can become pregnant the ability to determine whether to have children and the number and spacing of their children, contraception provides Michiganders with the power to plan their own course in life.
These newly introduced bills build on a series of actions taken by the Michigan Legislature to ensure Michiganders — not politicians — possess the power to determine if and when they would like to begin a family. After repealing the state’s archaic and dangerous 1931 abortion ban, Senate Democrats championed the Reproductive Health Act which breaks down barriers to accessing reproductive care by repealing medically unnecessary regulations that are only imposed upon abortion care facilities. Additionally, the Legislature passed the Family Protection Act to modernize the state’s surrogacy laws and protect other forms of assisted reproduction, such as IVF.
Building Up Black-Owned Businesses During Black Business Month
August is National Black Business Month! This month-long observance is an opportunity to highlight the many contributions and achievements of Black-owned businesses in the state of Michigan. Since the beginning of the 102nd Legislature, Senate Democrats have intentionally allocated funding to invest in the entrepreneurial dreams of Michiganders from every walk of life. In the state budget for Fiscal Year 2025, my colleagues and I secured $10 million for grants to uplift minority-owned businesses, as well as $500,000 to support minority-owned food and agricultural businesses in expanding their services to underserved communities — helping diversify the industry and increase Michiganders’ access to nutritious and affordable food.
Overall, small businesses have the power to create jobs, economic growth, and self-actualization for residents. Therefore, championing diversity in business only helps us achieve a more inclusive, welcoming state. If you are looking for ways to connect with, develop, and support Black-owned businesses in your area, please utilize the resources available from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation or reach out to our office to learn more about grant opportunities available to you.
Community Updates & Resources
New Date Scheduled for FCA Mack Plant Proposed Air Permit Public Hearing
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has extended the public comment period for the proposed air quality permit requested by Stellantis/FCA for their Mack Plant to September 9, 2024. They have also rescheduled the public meeting and hearing to September 5, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Samaritan Center, 5555 Conner St. in Detroit.
FCA is requesting to modify their current permit to add requirements for the continued operation of a second air pollution control device and to increase how much particulate matter they are allowed to emit.
The public comment period opened on June 12 and will end on September 9, 2024. Comments may be given at any time before the end of the comment period. You may provide comments on the proposed permit in any of these ways:
- By email: EGLE-AQD-PTIPublicComments@Michigan.gov
- By U.S. mail: EGLE, Air Quality Division, Permit Section, P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, Michigan 48909- 7760.
- By voicemail: 517-284-0900
Here are ways you can participate in the informational session and public hearing on September 5 at 6:00 p.m.:
- Attend in person: head on over to the Samaritan Center located at 5555 Conner Street, Detroit MI, 48213.
- Watch a broadcast online: pre-register any time or join at 6:00 p.m. on September 5 at https://bit.ly/3LrWP1c.
- Call in to listen: call 636-651-3142 and use conference code 374288. EGLE staff will be available to answer questions and provide assistance if needed.
If you have questions about the proposed air permit or how to comment on this proposed air permit, please contact Dave Thompson at ThompsonD22@Michigan.gov or 517-582-5095. Other air quality-related information about Stellantis/FCA facilities can be found at: Michigan.gov/EGLEStellantis.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services partners with Detroit Health Department to offer free health screenings
In partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services , the Detroit Health Department is offering services to assist residents with accessing resources and wraparound services at seven existing Neighborhood Wellness Centers (NWC) across the City of Detroit.
Neighborhood Wellness Centers will continue to provide COVID-19 testing, and will also offer Detroiters free blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol screenings.
Please find a list below of Neighborhood Wellness Centers.
- Hartford Memorial Baptist, Head Start Building
14000 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48235
(313) 861-1285
Mondays and Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Fridays: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. - Historic King Solomon Baptist Church
6100 14th Street, Detroit, MI 48208
(313) 355-2150
Thursdays and Fridays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. - The Open Door Church of God in Christ
12411 East 7 Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48205
(313) 526-3460
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. - Southwestern Church of God
3032 South Fort Street, Detroit, MI 48217
(313) 386-7960
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. - Triumph Church, Central Campus
15801 Joy Road, Detroit, MI 48228
(313) 386-8044
Mondays and Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Fridays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. - Bethel Baptist Church East
5715 Holcomb Street, Suite 33, Detroit, MI 48213
(313) 923-3060
Mondays and Fridays: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m . - Wayne County Community College District, Northwest Campus
8200 West Outer Drive, Detroit, MI 48219
(313) 943-4000
Tuesdays: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Wednesdays: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Michigan Achievement Scholarship Unlocks Opportunities in Higher Education for Michiganders
Colleges and universities play a vital role in shaping the future of our state. Recognizing this, Senate Democrats have expanded the Michigan Achievement Scholarship (MAS) program to create the “Community College Guarantee.” The scholarship is available to most graduating high school seniors and incoming college freshmen this year.
Under the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, students can receive:
- Up to $2,750 annually if they enroll in a Michigan community college, for up to three years.
- Up to $4,000 annually if they enroll in a Michigan private college or university, for up to five years.
- Up to $5,500 annually if they enroll in a Michigan public university or a baccalaureate degree program at a Michigan community college, for up to five years.
If you’re interested in learning more about how you or your student can take advantage of the scholarship, the Michigan Dept. of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is hosting a series of informational webinars. Participants will be able to gather the following information about the NEW Community College Guarantee:
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts
- Important action items for students and families
- Additional resources and program information
The webinars are offered a number of days and times, beginning Aug. 27 and running through Dec. 10. You can find a date that works with your schedule and register here.