Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to the latest edition of our e-newsletter. As we say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024, I would like to express my gratitude for the achievements of the past year and my excitement for the upcoming year. We will continue to work towards the growth and development of District 27.
Please note that my office will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. However, I will still be addressing all concerns related to District 27. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 517-373-0142 (Lansing office), 810-233-9788 (District office) or SenJCherry@senate.michigan.gov.
Thank you, and let’s continue pushing change through 2024.
Working for you,
John Cherry
State Senator
District 27
Featured in this newsletter:
- Community Updates
- Legislative Updates
- Upcoming Events
- Helpful Resources
Community Updates
Celebrating The Grand on University’s Ribbon Cutting
Last month, I proudly joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Grand on University, a new development in Flint’s Carriage Town neighborhood. This $16.6 million project, supported by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, brings 48 new housing units to Downtown Flint, including 43 affordable homes, directly addressing Genesee County’s critical need for safe and affordable housing. The Grand on University also incorporates spaces for social services and businesses, contributing to local economic growth and community engagement.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Glenn, Essence, Joel and the entire team at Communities First Inc. for their unwavering dedication to making The Grand on University a reality. This development marks a positive step for our community, and I look forward to its continued positive impact in the years to come.
Legislative Updates
2024 Laws Going into Effect
After a historic year with the Democrats in the majority, there were major pieces of legislation that passed. These are some of the laws that I sponsored taking effect early in 2024:
Restoring Workers’ Rights. Legislation repealing Michigan’s anti-worker law (House Bills 4004 and 4007 and Senate Bill 34) — which allowed union workers to opt out of paying union dues and fees — is set to go into effect.
Gun Safety. This year, gun safety-related legislation (Senate Bills 79, 80, 81 and 82 and House Bills 4138 and 4142) will take effect, including the following: expansion of background checks, safe gun storage requirements and laws permitting courts to temporarily remove guns from those a judge deems pose an imminent threat to themselves or others, as well as temporarily banning those with domestic violence convictions from possessing and purchasing firearms and ammunition in Michigan.
Reproductive Health Act. The Reproductive Health Act (Senate Bills 474, 476 and 477and House Bills 4949, 4951, 4953–4956) will remove restrictive regulations for clinics, repeal a state law requiring the purchase of a special insurance rider for private health plans to cover abortion and remove a law banning higher education institutions’ pregnant and parenting services offices from providing referrals for abortion services.
Join me for our first Community Conversation of the year on Friday, January 19, 2024, and mark your calendars for another engaging session on Friday, February 16, 2024! These events provide a platform for friendly conversations and a chance to ignite enthusiasm for positive change in District 27. Feel free to ask me questions about the district, and I’ll share legislative updates. Let’s kick off the new year together!
January Session
WHEN: Friday, January 19, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Burton Senior Center, 3410 S Grand Traverse St, Burton, MI 48529
February Session
WHEN: Friday, February 16, 2024, at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Krapohl Senior Center, 5473 Bicentennial Dr, Mount Morris, MI 48458
Helpful Resources
Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Against New Variants
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends all Michiganders 6 months and older receive the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine which is designed to protect against severe COVID-19 disease from currently circulating variants.
Most Michigan residents can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for free. For people with health insurance, most plans will cover the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to you. Michigan residents who do not have health insurance or have health plans that do not cover the cost can reach out to a health care provider or local pharmacy participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program, their health department or visit Vaccines.gov for additional information on ways to obtain a free vaccine. For more information, click here.
One Week Left! Get Your Health Plan Coverage Now
Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) urges residents to secure health insurance by purchasing a Health Insurance Marketplace plan now, for coverage starting on February 1, 2024. Even if you’re happy with your current plan, updating the HealthCare.gov application may help increase your savings.
Open enrollment for 2024 health insurance runs through January 15, 2024. Consumers can access free local enrollment help at LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov, shop on the Health Insurance Marketplace, or call 800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).