Senate District 1 Update

Friends,

Thank you to everyone who was able to join our Criminal Justice Forum & Expungement Event either in person or via Facebook Live last Friday! If you missed it, you can watch it here.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Community Crisis Response Bills
Last week the Senate voted unanimously in support of my bill, Senate Bill 637, and Senator Rick Outman’s bill, Senate Bill 638 — our bills to create a community crisis response fund and behavioral health jail diversion fund. I am very grateful to have worked with Sen. Outman and so many incredible advocates, including NASW-Michigan, Wayne State University School of Social Work’s Dean Sheryl Kubiak and her dedicated team, Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, the Jail & Pretrial Incarceration Task Force team, Americans for Prosperity, and Fountain House. I know that, when enacted, these bipartisan, forward-thinking bills will make a big difference for vulnerable residents and public safety in our state. Our bills will change the way we respond to behavioral health emergencies in Michigan. Let’s make sure people facing mental health crises get the help they need and are directed to services, rather than unnecessarily spending time in jail. We know we can build on existing models in Michigan and around the country with these bills. We will improve public safety by helping people in crisis more effectively and help save lives. You can watch a video of my speech in the Senate upon passage of these bills here.

“Tampon Tax” Bills
Yesterday, I was happy to vote “yes” on Senate Bill 153 and House Bill 5267 to end the sales and use tax on menstrual products. We know that many women and girls spend large sums of money on menstrual products, and they should be treated as medical necessities — tax free. These bills will be headed to Governor Whitmer’s desk for a signature soon. I am grateful to all the legislators who worked on this issue for years!

UPCOMING EVENTS

POSTPONED: Grosse Ile Bridge Town Hall – Thursday, October 28
Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest in attending our Grosse Ile Bridge Town Hall with Representative Darrin Camilleri. Please stay tuned for a future rescheduled date. We look forward to this conversation!

Clark Park Coffee Hour
Friday, October 29 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Clark Park, 1130 Clark St. in Detroit

Join me for an outdoor chat about legislative updates and what Team Chang has been working on in Senate District 1. We will be in the pavilion area of the park. We’ll have coffee and donuts. So, grab a cup of coffee and come with questions, ideas, and concerns. More information can be found here.

COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS IN THE CITY OF DETROIT

COVID-19 booster shots for all vaccines are now authorized and available at all vaccination sites across the city of Detroit. The city of Detroit is now providing COVID-19 Pfizer, Moderna and J&J booster shots at all sites managed by the city, following FDA approval, Mayor Duggan announced this week. Fully vaccinated individuals ages 18 and older may receive the booster shot if they completed their Pfizer and Moderna two-shot vaccine series at least six months prior, or if they received their single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months prior. For more information, please visit the city’s webpage here.

FEMA FUNDS MAY HELP HOMES DAMAGED BY THE JUNE FLOODING

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) has a new category of funds for qualified individuals and families with homes damaged by the June 25 and 26 flooding. The funds encourage homeowners to take steps now to protect their property, reducing the likelihood of future disaster damage to their homes.

Homeowners who apply for disaster assistance and are eligible for IHP assistance may receive additional funds from FEMA for specific mitigation measures. These funds will be provided within the award amount for homeowners determined eligible for Home Repair Assistance from FEMA. Authority for this assistance comes from the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act.

The funds can be used for the following types of mitigation measures:

• Repair a roof to withstand higher winds and to help prevent water infiltration.
• Elevate a water heater or a furnace to avoid future flood damage.
• Move or elevate an electrical panel to avoid future flood damage.

The funds are available for:

• Owner-occupied, primary residences damaged by the June 25-26 flooding.
• Use for specific damaged items that were present and functional in the home prior to the disaster and were then damaged by the disaster.

For more information, please visit the FEMA webpage here.

Thank you for reading this update. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (517) 373-7346 or senschang@senate.michigan.gov if we can assist you in any way.   

Stay safe,       

Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 1