Note from Erika
I hope you all are staying warm. As we prepare for the holidays ahead, be sure to get your COVID-19 booster and flu vaccinations. See below for more information on both vaccines.
As always, it is an honor and pleasure to serve you in Lansing and please do not hesitate to contact my office for any assistance you may need.
Sincerely,
Erika Geiss
State Senator - 6th District
517-373-7800
In This Edition
- Legislative Update
- District Member Appointed to State Board
- National Influenza Vaccination Week
- AG Nessel Launches Holiday Consumer Protection Campaign
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Hosts Health Insurance Town Hall Series
- COVID-19 Booster Reminder
- Community Updates
Effective Jan. 1, 2023:
- The minimum hourly wage will increase to $10.10 per hour.
- The 85% rate for minors aged 16 and 17 will increase to $8.59 per hour.
- The tipped employee rate of hourly pay increases to $3.84 per hour.
- The training wage of $4.25 per hour for newly hired employees ages 16 to 19 for their first 90 days of employment remains unchanged.
It is important to note there is pending litigation that may affect this minimum wage increase. The 2018 petition that ushered in these increases may have been unconstitutionally altered by the Michigan Legislature such that — pending a final resolution and the lifting of a stay issued in July 2018 — the minimum wage rate for 2023 may increase even more to $13.03 and $11.73 for tipped employees.
For more information regarding the pending minimum wage litigation, and potential amended minimum wage rates as a result of that litigation, or a copy of the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act and related resources, including the required poster, visit Michigan.gov/WageHour.
DISTRICT MEMBER APPOINTED TO STATE BOARD
A member of our district, Michelle C. Mattison, of Belleville, was appointed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports.
Michelle C. Mattison is the MSW student representative for the National Association of Social Workers Board of Directors. She is also the youth program developer and a yoga instructor for TRiO Upward Bound. Mrs. Mattison earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Additionally, she holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Tiffin University. Mrs. Mattison is reappointed for a term commencing Dec. 1, 2022, and expiring April 30, 2024.
We would like to recognize Mrs. Mattison for all her hard work and congratulate her on her position as a board member on the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports.
MICHIGAN RECOGNIZES NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION WEEK
This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week — a great time to remind folks that it’s never too late to get your flu vaccine. Already, we are seeing early season elevated flu activity nationally, with 35 states reporting high or very high activity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 8.7 million illnesses, 78,000 hospitalizations, and 4,500 deaths from flu. Its latest report indicated that a total of 14 pediatric flu deaths had been reported so far this season. In Michigan, flu activity is steadily increasing in Michigan and positive flu cases have been reported in the central, Southwestern and Southeastern regions across the state.
The early surge of flu activity is occurring along with significant activity of another respiratory virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), throughout the country and in Michigan. While there is no current vaccine to protect from RSV, the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can help protect against respiratory illnesses and they can be given at the same visit.
The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for all persons ages 6 months and older with rare exceptions. For people younger than 65 years, CDC does not recommend any flu vaccine over another during the 2022-2023 flu season. Options for this age group include inactivated flu vaccine, recombinant flu vaccine or live-attenuated flu vaccine.
AG NESSEL LAUNCHES HOLIDAY CONSUMER PROTECTION CAMPAIGN
As families prepare to celebrate the holidays, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is launching her annual holiday consumer protection campaign focused on ways to protect your information if you’ll be hitting stores in person or online. Through mid-December, the Attorney General’s website will focus on educating consumers on the numerous scams and tactics used to cheat them out of their funds during the holidays. Nessel’s first alert focuses on ways to keep your credit card accounts safe from those who would like to get their hands on your information and your money.
- Research the retailer. You will know the business and their existing inventory if you’re visiting a store, but on the web, some businesses are fabricated by people who just want your credit card information or other personal details.
- Avoid online retailers if you cannot verify their listed physical locations and customer service phone numbers. Then, double check any listed information is legitimate by putting them in an online search.
- Do an online image search of the product and any other images the seller has posted to see where the product is coming from, how much it really costs and who else is selling it. Watch this video to learn how to do that.
- When making online purchases, pay with a credit card. Credit cards provide protections that allow you to dispute charges if an item is not delivered or is not as advertised.
- When donating this holiday season, consider reviewing the AG Charity Search Database to verify worthy causes. Nessel’s Wise Charitable Giving Consumer Alert also provides insight on certain questions you should be able to get answered when giving to an organization or case.
Those looking to shop local are encouraged to check out the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Support Local campaign, which provides resources online to help residents shop and eat local.
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES HOSTS HEALTH INSURANCE TOWN HALL SERIES
Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox has announced a new series of virtual health insurance town halls to help inform Michiganders about new health plan options, newly extended savings, and increased opportunities for free local enrollment help during the current Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period.
Michiganders have until January 15, 2023, to purchase affordable, high quality health insurance for 2023, and newly extended subsidies will help many Michiganders find a plan for as little as $10 per month.
The town hall series expects to give consumers the information they need to sign up for a plan and what to look for when shopping on HealthCare.gov. With savings still in effect making health insurance more affordable for more Michiganders, new grants for free local help, and more plan options than last year, buying a health insurance plan that works for Michigan families has never been easier.
The remaining town halls are scheduled to take place on:
Pre-registration for the online-only town halls is not required. To attend a virtual town hall event, click the event link at its start time. For more information about the town hall series or for questions about health insurance, visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance or call DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442.
COVID-19 BOOSTER VACCINATION
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COMMUNITY UPDATE Sounds of the Season The Sounds of the Season – A Holiday Gift event is approaching. The event is sponsored by WCCCD’s School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development and is open to the public at no cost. WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. |
Veterans Resource Fair Taking Place on Dec. 12
The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, in coordination with local partners, is hosting a veterans resource fair on Monday, Dec. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the CNS Healthcare Building, 2900 Conner Ave. Register for the event here.
The event is intended for veterans, families and veteran caregivers. Free holiday food baskets and food vouchers will be available while supplies last. Resources and services will include:
- My Veteran Benefits information brief
- Family of a Veteran military culture brief
- VA Health Care Enrollment
- Getting a copy of DD214 on-site
- Question & answer session