NOTE FROM ERIKA
Greetings friends and neighbors!
Happy Friday! I wanted to remind everyone how my office can be a service to you. We can assist with legislative questions, assistance with state departments such as the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) and Department of Human Health Services (DHHS), and more.
To contact my office, email SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-7800.
Sincerely,
Erika Geiss
State Senator – 1st District
517.373.7800
IN THIS EDITION:
- Community Updates
- Legislative Updates
- Teacher Appreciation Week
- Summer 2023 Job Market Forceast for Michigan Teens
- Helping Medicaid Members Keep Their Coverage
- Applications now being accpeted for the Fostering Futures Scholarship
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Motor City Makeover
There are two more opportunities to take part in keeping Detroit a beautiful place by attending one of the clean up and beautification projects in May. This is a great way to get involved in the community, meet new people, get outdoors, express creativity, and be proud of the community you live in. Register now by clicking here. See the graphic below for more details!
Juneteenth Poetry Contest
The deadline is approaching for the City of Detroit’s Civil Rights, Inclusion, and Opportunity Department’s Juneteenth Poetry Contest. Any Detroit students grades 9-12 are welcome to participate. The deadline to enter is Monday, May 15, 2023! See the graphic below for additional details.
Bird Walk With Phil in Taylor, MI
Join Phil from Woodhaven’s Wild Birds Unlimited for a guided tour of the trails between Heritage Park and Wayne County Community College District – Downriver Campus plus the Woodland Trails at the Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
WHEN: Friday, May 19, 2023, at 10 am
WHERE: Heritage Park, 12111 Pardee Rd, Taylor, MI 48180
(Meet at 10:00am at the Historical Museum – parking lot D inside Heritage Park)
Wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars, if available. The tour will last approximately one hour and is free of charge. All ages are welcome – a great outing for homeschoolers!
Email: info@taylorconservatory.org, call 888-383-4108 or text 734-558-3228 with any questions.
Gordie Howe Bridge Update
The Gordie Howe International Bridge team is actively implementing many of the workforce development and neighborhood infrastructure initiatives identified in the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan. The Winter 2023 Quarterly Community Benefits Report is now publicly available and you can read the report here.
This report includes:
- An overview of the Workforce Development and Participation Strategy engagements and neighborhood Infrastructure Strategy activities that took place over the winter of 2023.
- Workforce and business development progress achieved between September 2018 and December 2022
- An update on neighborhood Park Improvements
- A summary of local business development programs
- An overview of the Windsor-Detroit Cross-River Tour and recent consultation activities
- An update on the Delray Home Improvement Program
- Upcoming activities.
Quarterly reports on progress and results will continue to be posted on GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com until 2025.
Starting this week, the Gordie Howe International Bridge team is releasing new galleries of project components, starting with the Canadian Bridge site. Check out the new gallery here.
Lincoln Park Memorial Day Parade
The John D. Dingell Memorial Day Parade in Lincoln Park, MI is approaching!
WHERE: Starts on the Northbound side of Fort St. from White St. to Memorial Park (bet. London & Merrill), Lincoln Park, MI 48146. Approximately 1 mile in length.
WHEN: Sunday, May 21, 2023 beginning at 1 p.m.
I hope to see you there!
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Senate Bill 147 Passes in the Michigan House of Representatives
My bill, Senate Bill 147, passed in the Michigan House of Representatives on May 4, 2023 and is headed to Governor Whitmer. This bill amends the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to ensure the protection of civil rights for people who have abortions from employer discrimination or retaliation. Abortion is healthcare and nobody should be discriminated against because of their personal healthcare decisions.
Senate Bills 66-73 Pass in the Michigan Senate
On May 4, 2023, my colleagues and I passed a bipartisan bill package, Senate Bills 66-73, to bolster state laws regarding sexual assault and offer greater support for survivors. The bills are as follows:
- Senate Bill 66 (Sen. Stephanie Change) would require the Department of Education to make materials regarding sexual assault and sexual harassment available to school districts and require districts to provide those materials to students in grades 6-12
- Senate Bill 67 (Sen. Dan Lauwers) would prohibit sexual contact or sexual penetration under the pretext of medical care and create felony penalties for a violation.
- Senate Bill 68 (Sen. Erika Geiss) would amend the sentencing guidelines to include the new felonies proposed by SB 67.
- Senate Bill 69 (Sen. Lana Theis) would prohibit medical professionals from performing sensitive procedures and examinations on minor patients except under certain circumstances and create a felony penalty for a violation.
- Senate Bill 70 (Sen. Ruth Johnson) would amend the sentencing guidelines to include the felony proposed by SB 69.
- Senate Bill 71 (Sen. Roger Hauck) would require medical professionals to preserve a patient’s records for medical services involving vaginal or anal penetration for at least 15 years and create penalties for a violation.
- Senate Bill 72 (Sen. McDonald Rivet) would amend the sentencing guidelines to include the felonies proposed by SB 71.
- Senate Bill 73 (Sen. Sue Shink) would provide a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemption for any information that would reveal the identity of a party who proceeds anonymously in a civil action in which that party alleges that they were the victim of sexual misconduct
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
On Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed May 8–12 as Teacher Appreciation Week.
“Teachers help our kids learn and grow into their best selves and are the foundation of a high-quality education from preschool to postsecondary,” said Governor Whitmer. “Every child in Michigan deserves a high-quality public education, and I am proud that my fifth proposed budget includes the highest per-student funding in Michigan history—for the fifth year in a row. The budget will continue our work to support current educators and grow the profession, by funding scholarships, paying student teachers, and supporting retention efforts. During Teacher Appreciation Week, let’s thank the teachers who made a real difference in our lives and work together to help them succeed in the classroom.”
Governor Whitmer’s fifth budget recommendation continues historic public education investments. Her budget includes the highest per-student investment in Michigan history without raising taxes and free breakfast and lunch to all Michigan public school students, making it easier for kids to learn and educators to teach in classrooms.
SUMMER 2023 JOB MARKET FORECAST FOR MICHIGAN TEENS (AGES 16–19)
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget’s Michigan Center for Data and Analytics released its summer (June–August) teen employment forecast for 2023. For more information, including resources for finding summer employment, click here.
HELPING MEDICAID MEMBERS KEEP THEIR COVERAGE
Take action to avoid a gap in coverage
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE), allowing Medicaid members to keep their health care coverage. Per recent federal legislation, eligibility renewals will start again in June. Monthly renewal notifications will be sent by mail beginning in May.
Following these steps will help determine if you still qualify:
- Make sure your contact information is up to date.
- Check mail or text messages for a letter.
- Complete your renewal form (if you get one).
If you’re a Medicaid member, learn more about how these changes may affect your health care coverage at Michigan.gov/2023benefitchanges.
APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE FOSTERING FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP
Young adults who have experienced foster care on or after their 13th birthday are eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
The priority deadline for the Fostering Futures Scholarship application for academic year 2023-24 is August 1, 2023. Eligible students enrolled at a Michigan degree-granting college or university may now apply to receive scholarship funds for tuition, fees, room, board, books and supplies.
Fostering Future Scholarship Applicants with questions should contact the state Treasury Department’s Student Scholarships, Grants and Outreach area at mistudentaid@michigan.gov or call toll-free at 1-888-447-2687.