|
Note from Erika On March 4, the city of Flat Rock announced that officials discovered the source of the unknown contamination. Remediation of the area is now ongoing and Huroc Park is now partially re-opened to the public for casual activities. Thank you to officials from Flat Rock, Congresswoman Dingell’s office, the EPA, EGLE, and Wayne County for their leadership during this time. Please read the section on the chemical spill below for more information. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our office by email at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or by phone at (517) 373-7800.
|
|
Erika Geiss
In This Edition:
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Bill Package to Help Victims of Catastrophic Auto Accidents On March 3, I joined my Democratic colleagues in introducing a package of bills that would help address the immediate and necessary needs of Michigan residents who survived catastrophic auto accidents. This bill package would revise what is or is not subject to a fee cap and ensure that those who are vulnerable to high bills are not left out in the cold with little to no recourse. My bill, Senate Bill 946 would refine the term “medical treatment” to carve out certain products, services, and accommodations from the fee cap system. >> Click here to learn more about the bill package.
FLAT ROCK CHEMICAL SPILL UPDATE On March 4, the city of Flat Rock announced that the source of the unknown leak was coming from a 100-year-old underground storage tank. The material has since been removed and remediation is ongoing. An environmental cleanup company has been hired to remove the material that is leaking into the backwaters of the Huron River as well as the underground storage tank. Huroc Park has been partially re-opened as of March 4 for casual activities, such as biking and walking, however, the far west end of the park and the backwater remain closed due to the ongoing remediation process. Flat Rock residents should continue to visit the City of Flat Rock’s website for information and updates.
AEROSTAR MANUFACTURING EXPANSION On March 4, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, along with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, announced that Aerostar Manufacturing is expanding its operations in Romulus, where it will create up to 62 high-paying, high-skilled jobs for Michigan workers. The expansion is expected to generate $8.6 million in capital investment, supported by a $200,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Aerostar is a minority owned business and more than 50% of its workforce is from minority or underrepresented communities. The company promotes from within through on-the-job and external training. Additionally, Aerostar assists employees with childcare or wraparound services by collaborating with partnerships and nonprofits. Individuals interested in careers with Aerostar should visit aerostarmfg.com/careers.
GROWING MICHIGAN BUSINESSES GRANT The deadline to apply for the Growing MI Business Grant is March 31 and the Department of Treasury is encouraging business owners to apply. Under the Growing MI Business Grant Program, eligible businesses in operation before October 1, 2019, may receive a grant up to $5 million due to financial hardship. Eligible businesses that began operating between October 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020, may receive a grant equal to 25% of certain specified costs. Grants will not be disbursed on a “first come, first served” basis and may be prorated, depending on how many businesses apply. Under state law, there are nine types of businesses eligible for this grant:
The deadline to submit a completed online application is 11:59 p.m. on March 31. Grant awardees will be notified in early summer and grant awards will be distributed by July 1, 2022. >> Visit Michigan.gov/abr to learn more about the Growing MI Business Grant.
APPLY FOR PROPERTY TAX FORECLOSURE PAYMENT PLAN If you are facing foreclosure on your property for tax year 2019 or earlier, you can apply for a payment plan through the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office.
|
|
There are several plans available to help you stay in your home while paying down your property taxes. The deadline to submit a completed application for each of the programs is March 31. Special plans are available for veterans and first responders, with proper documentation. >> Click here for information and to apply.
UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE UPDATE Senate Bill 445, signed into law by Governor Whitmer, now turns off the “able and available” requirement for federal unemployment claims filed during the pandemic. Part-time workers who could not work full-time will not have to pay back the benefits they received and/or may be eligible to claim benefits they were denied. If your claim was denied, you had your benefits halted, or your eligibility was re-determined because of the “able and available” requirement, please fill out the issue form on our website and our office will assist you. As always, if you or someone you know who lives in Senate District 6 is having trouble receiving their Unemployment Insurance (UI) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for any reason, please fill out this unemployment assistance form and our office will reach out to assist you with your issue as soon as possible. You can also visit the Michigan LEO FAQ page for answers to questions you may have regarding eligibility for unemployment or for issues you may have with your current claim.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATE If you have not already received your COVID-19 vaccine, now is the time to do so. Booster shots are now available as well for those who are eligible. Information on vaccines, vaccine boosters, and testing locations are still available on the Wayne County website. With both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services revising guidelines for mask wearing, getting vaccinated and boosted it is now even more critical to help protect ourselves and our communities — especially for those among us who are immunocompromised or otherwise cannot take the vaccine. Children between the ages of 5-11 are eligible to receive the vaccine. The Wayne County Health Department has established three locations where you can get your child vaccinated. Parents and guardians should still consult with their pediatrician or health care providers with questions and concerns as these medical professionals will be the best people to offer the best guidance to your child(ren) and family. *The Wayne County Health Department handles the 42 Wayne County communities outside of Detroit, which has its own separate health department.
COMMUNITY UPDATE We are now halfway through March is Reading Month and not only is school a great place to read, so is the library! The Taylor Community Library is holding weekly story time sessions every Saturday from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Story time is aimed toward children ages 0-8, but older kids are welcome! Librarians will sing songs and read picture books to the kids, and there will be time for creative coloring, drawing, and other arts towards the end. Families must sign up in advance, and each event is limited to 30 people. Masks are required for those ages 5 and up. You can sign up on the Taylor Community Library website if you are interested. If you are unable to attend story time in March, the library still holds the event weekly.
|
|
As an elected representative, I believe in being readily available and transparent because my office is your office. Email is a great way to share updates, and hear from you on the issues you care about. If you want to alter your email preferences, click here to unsubscribe. |