Dear Neighbor,
I have been hard at work in the Capitol and in the community getting things done. And just last week, the historic state budget that we passed over the summer took effect, delivering record investments that build up Michigan’s schools, families, infrastructure, and so much more.
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 contact me by sending an email to senschang@senate.michigan.gov or calling 517-373-7346. Our district office number is 313-922-6949.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 3
Featured in This Newsletter
- Upcoming Events
- Legislative Updates
- News and Resources
Upcoming Events
Coffee & Conversation in Troy
WHEN: Friday, October 11, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Paris Banh Mi & Bakery, 268 John R. Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Coffee & Conversation with Special Guest Rep. Donavan McKinney in Warren
WHEN: Monday, October 21, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Dorothy M. Busch Library, 23333 Ryan Rd., Warren, MI 48091
Housing Forum with Special Guest Rep. Abraham Aiyash
WHEN: Monday, October 28, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: MSU Detroit Center, 3408 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201
Pumpkin Cleaning & Coffee in Madison Heights
We’ll have compost services available for you to compost your pumpkin. Please invite your friends and neighbors to this event and compost your jack-o-lanterns!
WHEN: Friday, November 1, from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Madison Heights Public Library, 240 W. 13 Mile Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071
Coffee & Conversation in Hamtramck
WHEN: Friday, November 22, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Remas Restaurant, 11444 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck, MI 48212
Legislative Updates
SB 150 Signed into Law, Making Small Claims Hearings with MI Tax Tribunal More Efficient
This past Tuesday, Governor Whitmer signed my bill, Senate Bill 150, into law. This new law allows the small claims division of the Michigan Tax Tribunal to conduct hearings virtually. This change removes the barriers imposed by travel times and cost for claimants and other participants, ensuring everyone has equal access to Michigan’s small claims hearings.
We’re providing a smart and simple technological solution to save time and money for all parties involved in a small claims hearing with the Michigan Tax Tribunal. This is a commonsense change to the current set-up, and I was thrilled to see the governor sign it into law.
Bipartisan Bills to Implement Dyslexia Screening, Improve Literacy Signed into Law
Affecting up to one in five children in each classroom, dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that can impact the ability to read, write, spell, and pronounce words. Data suggests that students with dyslexia who receive high-quality, phonics-based instruction early on can go on to become successful readers. I’ve seen this firsthand.
That’s why Senators Jeff Irwin and Dayna Polehanki have fought for the better part of a decade to implement comprehensive dyslexia screening and interventions for Michigan students. Senate Bills 567 and 568, signed into law by Gov. Whitmer today and which passed out of the Michigan Senate in September with nearly unanimous support, require schools to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and provide evidence-based interventions to help students achieve literacy.
Learn more about these bills here.
News and Resources
Michigan College Month — Free College Applications!
As part of the American College Application Campaign, October is Michigan College Month! During this month, many Michigan colleges and universities waive their application fee in an effort to provide every graduating high school senior the opportunity to apply to college and for financial aid. The Michigan College Access Network created a list of participating colleges.
Find more information, additional institutions waiving their fee for Michigan College Month 2024, and downloadable fee waivers here.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence is a crisis facing women and families across Michigan and the United States. On a typical day, more than 20,000 phone calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide. Here in Michigan, an average of one in three families are impacted by domestic violence every year.
The issue of domestic violence is also deeply interconnected with gun violence, as more abusers are choosing firearms as their weapon of choice. That’s why I am proud of the bipartisan work I’ve led in Michigan to keep weapons out of the hands of convicted abusers. Click here to read more about how Senate Bills 471 and 528 as well as House Bill 4945 are helping to enhance protections for survivors of domestic violence after they were signed into law last year. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak on a webinar with End Gun Violence Michigan about these new laws.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please visit the Michigan State Police webpage on domestic violence here for more information or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Additional resources can be found here.
Breast Cancer Awareness & Preventative Resources
Approximately 13% of American women — or one in eight — will develop breast cancer over the course of their life. To spread awareness and honor those impacted by breast cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed every October.
Early detection saves lives, which is why knowing your family history and getting screened annually starting at age 40 is imperative. The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages residents to take advantage of the following free health screening programs to put their health into their own hands:
- The Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BC3NP), available statewide, provides free breast and cervical cancer screening services to low-income women.
- The WISEWOMAN Program helps participants understand their chronic disease risk factors and make healthy lifestyle choices. Every participant receives a free health screening.
- To learn more about the BC3NP and WISEWOMAN Programs, call 844-446-8727 or visit Michigan.gov/cancer. For Spanish resources, call 800-379-1057.
Honoring National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
The tragedy of losing a baby or fetus takes an enormous, unthinkable toll on women, families, and communities across the world. And although miscarriage and stillbirth can be a common experience for women of childbearing age, pregnancy and infant loss still remains a taboo topic linked to harmful stigma and shame.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time to recognize those impacted by bereavement and share resources to spread awareness, support, and understanding. Here are a few resources to recognize this important month and help reduce the stigma associated with pregnancy and infant loss:
- Connect with a trained, caring volunteer by calling 1-800-944-4773, the Postpartum Support International helpline. You may also text the helpline at 800-944-4773 for English, or 971-203-7773 for Spanish.
- Find pregnancy and infant loss support resources, including financial assistance for funeral expenses and a list of behavioral health providers by county, from MDHHS here.
- Locate bereavement resources from Michigan Medicine here, which include loss support groups, podcasts on grief, and much more.
- Join an online community to share your story, post a tribute on the Wall of Remembrance, submit a note of gratitude for your health care providers, and explore the March of Dimes website for additional ways to commemorate Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.