Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you had an amazing time celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! The profound impact of Dr. King’s life and legacy continues to inspire us every day in Lansing. It is my utmost goal to uphold his values of inclusivity and equality and to spread his message of hope and unity throughout District 27 and beyond. To read more about the history of MLK Day, click here.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 517-373-0142 (Lansing office), 810-233-9788 (District office), or SenJCherry@senate.michigan.gov with questions or concerns.
Working for you,
John Cherry
State Senator
District 27
Featured in this newsletter:
- Community Updates
- Legislative Updates
- Upcoming Events
- Helpful Resources
Community Updates
Keeping the Promise Alive
I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to join Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and UAW Region 1-D Director Steve Dawes at Local 659 to deliver some incredible news and restate our commitment to improving the lives of Michiganders in District 27 and beyond. We were able to successfully repeal the unfair retirement tax! Public Act 4 of 2023, which I voted for, will gradually phase out this burden on retirees, putting an estimated average of $1,000 back into the pockets of 500,000 Michigan households. It is a great source of pride to be able to recognize the tireless efforts of our retirees and seniors by returning their hard-earned savings back to them where they belong.
Rx Kids Flint Enrollment Opens
Rx Kids, led by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, is inviting pregnant moms and parents of newborns in Flint to join a pilot program that provides financial help. Moms-to-be get $1,500 during mid-pregnancy, and families receive $500/month for the baby’s first year. The aim is to support families in Flint, where almost 70% of kids grow up in poverty, with a special focus on making moms and babies healthier. If you live in Flint and your baby’s birthdate is after January 1, 2024, you can sign up online at FlintRxKids.com. The program, supported in part by $16.5 million in state funding that I fought for in the Michigan Legislature, has raised over $43 million of its $55 million goal. A community-wide celebration of the program’s launch is set for Valentine’s Day. For details and to sign up, visit FlintRxKids.com and @FlintRxKids on social media.
Legislative Updates
Working to Expand Access to Quality, Affordable Housing
Safe and affordable housing continues to be a critical need for Michiganders. High interest rates and home prices create challenging conditions for both buyers and sellers, and many Michigan renters face challenges finding affordable housing too. Due to the high cost of housing, families often must forgo food, healthcare, or other necessities to avoid eviction.
Since taking office, addressing Michigan’s housing shortage has been a top priority for Senate Democrats. Through investments in housing and community development, passing historic tax relief, and incentivizing redevelopment projects, our Majority for the People has been working to tackle this issue head-on and make it easier for people to find and keep a place to call home. But there is more work ahead.
Preserving existing housing stock and protecting owners and renters from predatory actors are essential next steps to ensure access to affordable housing continues. My colleagues and I are working tirelessly to deter illicit behavior that puts owners and renters at risk. Notably, residents in mobile home parks have reported unsuitable living conditions despite rising rent costs. Manufactured housing communities represent critical access to affordable housing for many across Michigan. Our package aims at those actors who seek to continually put our neighbors in harm’s way.
To learn more about Senate Democrats’ other efforts to expand access to affordable housing, click here.
Upcoming Events
I’m excited to announce a series of community conversations scheduled through May 2024. These discussions are an opportunity for the residents of District 27 to engage with me and ask questions about what is happening in the district while I provide updates from the legislature. The series kicks off with events in Burton and Mt. Morris. More information on these events, along with information on future community coffee hours, can be found below and on my website, along with any updates.
January
WHEN: Friday, January 19, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Burton Senior Center – 3410 S Grand Traverse St., Burton, MI 48529
February
WHEN: Friday, February 16, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Krapohl Senior Center – 5473 Bicentennial Dr., Mount Morris, MI 48548
March
WHEN: Monday, March 18, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Mundy Township Senior and Enrichment Center – 3478 Mundy Ave., Swartz Creek, MI 48473
April
WHEN: Friday, April 26, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Flushing Area Senior Center – 106 Elm St., Flushing, MI 48433
May
WHEN: Monday, May 13, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Grand Blanc Senior Center – 12632 Pagels Dr., Grand Blanc, MI 48439
Helpful Resources
Take Care of Yourself, Combat Winter Blues
The winter season can bring joy and happiness but can also have an adverse impact on mental health. It is important to consistently check in with your mental health and ensure you are getting the support you need. If you find yourself emotionally struggling or experiencing a mental health crisis, please be sure to utilize the following resources:
- Call or text 988/988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (or 988 Lifeline). It is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant). To learn more, click here.
- If you need mental health care, go to the MDHHS website for more information.