Friends,
I hope you are having a good summer. I am writing to share some updates and let you know about our upcoming coffee hours and events. Hope to see you soon!
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.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 3
Featured in This Newsletter
- Upcoming Events
- Legislative Updates
- Community Updates & Resources
Upcoming Events
Coffee & Conversation
WHEN: Friday, August 9, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Dairy Fairies Cafe, 3424 Caniff St., Hamtramck, MI 48212
Outdoor Resource Fair
Please join me and State Representative Donavan McKinney for an Outdoor Resource Fair where we will share many valuable resources and services available in our community such as housing assistance, health resources, utility assistance, expungement and legal services, employment assistance, and much more. We will also host a backpack and school supply giveaway, so please stop by.
WHEN: Sunday, August 25, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Pershing High School, 18875 Ryan Rd., Detroit, MI 48234
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
Signed into Law: State Budget Dedicated to Building Up Michigan
Last year marked a significant milestone for Michigan Democrats as we capitalized on their first trifecta in 40 years to spearhead a transformative budget — directing vital resources into historically neglected sectors like infrastructure, education, and local communities.
A couple of weeks ago, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer officially signed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 state budget into law, building on last year’s transformative budget by continuing to invest in children and families, students and workers, public safety, community development, and more.
Below are some budget highlights:
- $100 million to construct more affordable housing, building on the historic $1.4 billion investment to build or rehabilitate almost 10,000 homes and the unprecedented $50 million set aside for housing.
- $509.4 million for water infrastructure to fund lead service line replacement, water infrastructure and climate change mitigation.
- $161.5 million to establish new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics sites across the state to serve as many as 35,000 additional individuals, providing them with behavioral health services.
- $10 million for water affordability.
- $75 million to support local transit.
- $75 million in new revenue sharing funds to support local communities.
- $60 million for an innovation fund to help startups.
- $50 million for revitalization and placemaking efforts.
- $20 million deposit ($10 million in FY25 and $10 million in a FY24 supplemental) into the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund to cover current and identified expenses and safeguard against the risks of future disasters.
- $3 million to implement the Secure Retirement program to help small businesses provide retirement savings plans to their employees at no cost.
- $500,000 to continue the federal EBT summer food benefit program, which distributes $108 million in federal funds to ensure children have access to nutritional food throughout the summer months, saving families $120 per child.
- $5.4 million to continue implementing improvements based on recommendations of the Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform.
- $7.8 million for firearm injury and violence prevention grants and community violence intervention services to reduce gun violence and save lives.
- $3.2 million for disaster recovery in communities affected by natural disasters.
- $18.1 million in funding to continue the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program which helps new and expectant mothers receive the care they need, reducing racial disparities in infant and maternal mortality.
- $28.7 million to fund a 20-cent an hour raise for direct care workers.
- $2 million to fund sexual assault victim services.
- $7.3 million to ensure individuals experiencing behavioral health crises have access to the Michigan Crisis and Access Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Back-to-School Budget Signed
Two weeks ago, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put her stamp of approval on the K-12 budget for the 2024-25 school year. This budget continues putting Michigan students and educators first and foremost, helping to set our kids up for futures full of success and opportunity.
Last year, our Democratic majority began the popular free breakfast and lunch program for all Michigan public school students — and in this year’s budget, we continued this critical program to ensure that Michigan’s 1.4 million public school students are well-fed and able to focus on learning. More information about the free breakfast and lunch program can be found here.
Our education budget also implements the state’s first-ever “Opportunity Index” equity funding formula that strategically invests more dollars into districts based on their concentration of poverty, prioritizing students and schools with the highest level of need.
We also delivered on the promise of two years of free community college for high school graduates, helping improve access to higher education and better paying jobs. This ensures that every Michigan high school graduate, beginning this year, can obtain an associate degree or skilled certificate tuition-free, saving over 18,000 students up to $4,820 annually.
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.
WIC (Women, Infants, & Children) Program Expands Eligibility Requirements to Serve More Families
Michigan’s WIC program has updated their guidelines to now allow even more families to qualify and receive benefits. Participants can use their WIC EBT card to purchase essential foods like fresh produce, milk, bread, eggs, and infant formula at select stores. Find out if you’re eligible and how to access benefits here.
City of Detroit Launches Home Accessibility Program
In partnership with the Detroit Housing Network and CHN Housing Partners, the City of Detroit is launching a home accessibility program to help residents make their homes safer and more accessible. Please note that the funding is only available for repairs to improve accessibility and safety to the entrances and exits of your home. To find out more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply for the program, you can visit chnhousingpartners.org/detroit/dhap/. You can also visit a Detroit Housing Network location or call 866-313-2520.