Friends and neighbors of Senate District 1,
Happy New Year! As we welcome 2023, we also begin the 102nd Legislature. I am beyond excited for the opportunities this term will bring and the chance to represent and amplify your voice in Lansing. My office centers everything in equity and justice and is here to help in every way we can whether it be legislative questions, assistance with departments such as the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) or the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and more. To contact my office you can email SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373 -7800.
Sincerely,
Erika Geiss
State Senator — District 1
(517) 373-7800
IN THIS EDITION
- Legislative Update
- Minimum Wage Increase
- District Map
- MDHHS Doula Initiative Application
- COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
- Community Update
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Transportation Economic Development Fund in District 1
I am pleased to inform you that our district (Senate District 1) was selected for a Transportation Economic Development Fund Category A grant. The goal of this program is to support economic growth in Michigan through transportation investments. The Transportation Economic Development Fund staff evaluates projects up to five times a year, selecting those that provide the greatest return on investment and best meet the directives established by the Legislature. This is an essential tool for attracting and retaining jobs in Michigan and our district. I am excited to utilize this funding and witness the opportunities that it brings.
Senate Session Schedule
The Senate session schedule is updated for 2023. To view the schedule visit the Michigan Senate website homepage. You can watch the sessions live on Senate TV also accessible on the Michigan Senate website. If you have any questions regarding the Senate schedule, reach out to the Secretary of the Senate, on the Michigan Senate website.
MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE
On Jan. 1, 2023, Michigan’s minimum wage rate increased from $9.87 to $10.10 per hour as set by Michigan’s Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act of 2018 establishing the annual schedule of increases.
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.
SENATE DISTRICT 1
Below is a map of the new Senate District 1. If you are not sure whether you fall in this district, you may utilize the Find Your Senator tool and enter your address to see who your respective State Senator is.
MDHHS DOULA INITIATIVE APPLICATION
The MDHHS Doula Initiative is now accepting doula registry applications. Effective January 1, 2023, Michigan Medicaid will begin reimbursing for doula services provided to individuals covered by or eligible for Medicaid Insurance. Doula providers seeking reimbursement for their professional services to Medicaid beneficiaries are required to be on the MDHHS Doula Registry and enroll as a Medicaid provider.
Steps to enroll as a medical provider:
Step 1: Complete and submit a MDHHS Doula Registry Application
Step 2: Apply for a Type 1 (Individual) National Provider Identifier (NPI)
Step 3: Register for SIGMA Vendor Self-Service (VSS)
Step 4: Complete an online application in the Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System (CHAMPS)
Step 5: Enroll/Credential with Medicaid Health Plan(s)
For any additional information or questions visit the MDHHS Doula Initiative website.
The ability for Medicaid coverage of doula care has been years in the making and will be important for improving birth outcomes especially for Black maternal and infant health. Michigan is now one of 15 states offering such coverage.
COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. The following information is provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Updated (bivalent) boosters became available on:
- Sept. 2, 2022, for people aged 12 years and older
- Oct. 12, 2022, for people aged 5–11 years
- Dec. 9, 2022, for children aged 6 months–4 years who completed the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine primary series
- Updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine also became available on Dec. 9, 2022 for children aged 6 months to 4 years to complete the primary series.
- The CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines for their age group:
- Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you have recovered from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.
- COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations may be updated as CDC continues to monitor the latest COVID-19 data.
With the rise of a new Omicron variant (xbb.1.5) it is important for people to get vaccinated and remain vigilant about hygiene and protecting themselves and others from illness.
COMMUNITY UPDATE
Michigan High-Speed Internet is Coming to Town!
The Michigan High-Speed Internet (MIHI) Office is kicking off the MI Connected Future statewide tour, hitting 40 cities in 2023. Michigan is poised to receive more than $1.75 billion from the federal government to expand high-speed internet service and achieve digital equity.
Every region and every community in our state has unique needs when it comes to getting everyone connected. We need input from them all – and that means, we want to hear from you. Your feedback and all information gathered during the MI Connected Future tour will have a direct impact on how Michigan designs our plans to invest these once-in-a-generation federal resources.
MIHI is launching the MI Connected Future tour in Detroit on Jan. 11. While the tour will start in Southeast Michigan, meetings will be held from shore to shore and border to border to ensure everyone can participate. The meeting in Detroit is:
Jan. 11, 2023, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Focus Hope
1400 Oakman Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48238
>>> Register Here
Related to high-speed internet access in Michigan, WXYZ recently published a report that nearly 1 million Michiganders do not have high speed internet—and it’s not just in rural areas or “out-state.” Households in our district are among those.
Michiganders can help improve the information about where high-speed internet exists by participating in an internet speed test up until January 13. Doing the high-speed internet test will help determine funding that Michigan can receive from the federal government to improve access—something that the past three years of this “covid era” should be part of critical infrastructure that is available to everyone.
Energy Assistance and Shut-off Protection
