Dear Neighbor,
I hope you had an amazing holiday season and are enjoying the new year! In 2023, the Senate Majority intentionally created successful outcomes for the people of Michigan. As 2024 begins, I am looking forward to building upon the work we began last year to move District 1 and the state of Michigan forward, toward a brighter future.
As always, if you need any assistance, please contact my office at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or 517-373-7800.
Sincerely,
Erika Geiss
State Senator
District 1
517.373.7800
In This Edition
- In Recent News
- Michigan Seeks Input on Advancing Clean Energy Economy
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship
- Legislative Update
- Budget Supplemental
- Working to Expand Access to Quality, Affordable Housing
- 2024 Laws Going into Effect
- Resources
- Safety History of Michigan School Buses is Easy to Access
- Pets as a Gift Added to List of Scams to Watch Out For
- One Week Left! Get Your Health Plan Coverage Now
- Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Against New Variants
- Community Update
- Detroit Winterfest 2024
- Community Open House for River Rouge & Ecorse
- Gordie Howe Bridge Community Organization Investment Application
In Recent News
Michigan Seeks Input on Advancing Clean Energy Economy
The state of Michigan is inviting input on a historic opportunity to leverage significant federal financing for clean energy generation and infrastructure, economic development, supplier retooling and diversification, and other related projects in Michigan.
Billions of dollars in federal loans and loan guarantees are available to invest in climate- and energy-related projects through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO). Michigan is committed to fully decarbonize the state’s economy by 2050 and generate 100% of the state’s power from clean sources by 2040.
Responses must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Submit written responses via one of the following methods:
- Online form.
- Email to EGLE-OCE@Michigan.gov with subject line “SEFI R”
- Regular U.S. mail to:
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Executive Office, Office of Climate and Energy
P.O. Box 30473 Lansing, MI 48909-7973
Michigan Achievement Scholarship
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship was first included in FY 2022-23 and provides Last-Dollar scholarship awards to Michigan undergraduate students at public and private two-year and four-year institutions. The budget included a net increase of a $50 million deposit into the Postsecondary Scholarship Fund, which is a 20% increase. This fund is the funding source for Michigan Achievement Scholarships.
The scholarships are awarded to eligible in-state students that graduate high school or achieve an equivalency certificate in 2023 or after and attend an eligible Michigan public university, community college, tribal college or independent nonprofit college or university full-time. Total funding for Michigan Achievement Scholarships for FY 2023-24 will be $300 million. For more information, click here.
Legislative Updates
Budget Supplemental
To help close the books on the 2023 fiscal year and position Michigan for future success, the Legislature passed a budget supplemental — House Bill 4292 and Senate Bill 174. This fiscally responsible supplemental will help communities across Michigan invest in students — to ensure students have access to clean drinking water at school; put more money into classrooms; and fund critical projects at public universities and community colleges to build a pipeline for more high-skilled talent, among other priorities.
The budget also makes vital investments in clean water, Michigan’s roads and more. To read more about the investments being made throughout the state, click here.
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.
To learn more about Senate Democrats’ efforts to expand access to affordable housing, click here.
2024 Laws Going into Effect
After a historic year with the Democrats in the majority, there were major pieces of legislation that passed. These are some of the laws taking effect early in 2024:
Restoring Workers’ Rights. Legislation repealing Michigan’s anti-worker law (HB 4004, HB 4007 and SB 34) — which allowed Union workers to opt out of paying union dues and fees — is set to go into effect.
Gun Safety. This year, gun safety-related legislation (Senate Bills 79, 80, 81 and 82and House Bills 4138 and 4142) will take effect, including the following: expansion of background checks, safe gun storage requirements and laws permitting courts to temporarily remove guns from those a judge deems pose an imminent threat to themselves or others, as well as temporarily banning those with domestic violence convictions from possessing and purchasing firearms and ammunition in Michigan.
Reproductive Health Act. The Reproductive Health Act (Senate Bills 474, 476and 477 and House Bills 4949, 4951, 4953–4956) will remove restrictive regulations for clinics, repeal a state law requiring the purchase of a special insurance rider for private health plans to cover abortion and remove a law banning higher education institutions’ pregnant and parenting services offices from providing referrals for abortion services.
Resources
Safety History of Michigan School Buses is Easy to Access
The Michigan State Police (MSP) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) is reminding parents and guardians that checking the safety record of your child’s school bus is as simple as scanning a QR code.
Under the School Bus Inspection Program, all vehicles transporting children to or from school events must undergo annual inspection by MSP CVED members. Once inspected, a bright green sticker showing the MSP shield and school calendar year is placed on the front windshield. Inspection results are available to anyone by scanning the QR code displayed on the bus service door where students enter the bus. Click here to learn more.
Pets as a Gift Added to List of Scams to Watch Out For
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Humane Society of the United States are urging Michiganders to be wary of puppy scams when looking to adopt or purchase dogs this holiday season. Remember to stay hyper-vigilant and use these best practices to help spot and avoid puppy scams:
- Make sure the person to whom you’re gifting the pet wants the pet and is ready for ownership.
- Research the breed and breeder.
- If the breeder claims to have registered the puppy, research the pet.
- Do not purchase a puppy sight-unseen.
- Arrange for safe transport of the pet.
- Use a credit card to make the purchase.
- Retain all documents and communications from the breeder.
- Consider contacting your local shelter for adoption.
Michigan consumers who believe they have been a victim of a puppy scam can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team online.
One Week Left! Get Your Health Plan Coverage Now
Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) urges residents to secure health insurance by purchasing a Health Insurance Marketplace plan now, for coverage starting on February 1, 2024. Even if you’re happy with your current plan, updating the HealthCare.gov application may help increase your savings.
Open enrollment for 2024 health insurance runs through January 15, 2024. Consumers can access free local enrollment help at LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov, shop on the Health Insurance Marketplace or call 800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).
Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Against New Variants
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends all Michiganders 6 months and older receive the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine which is designed to provide protection against severe COVID-19 disease from currently circulating variants.
Most Michigan residents can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for free. For people with health insurance, most plans will cover COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to you. Michigan residents who do not have health insurance or have health plans that do not cover the cost can reach out to a health care provider or local pharmacy participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program, their health department or visit Vaccines.gov for additional information on ways to obtain a free vaccine. For more information, click here.
Don’t forget, you may still be eligible to receive up to eight free Covid tests from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Last September, the federal government made four tests per household available again and in November increased the number available per household to an additional four. Click here to see if your address is still eligible to receive up to the eight tests allotted. You can also use this site to check if the expiration dates on tests you have purchased previously have been extended.
Community Update
Detroit Winterfest 2024
Community Open House for River Rouge & Ecorse
Residents of River Rouge and Ecorse! What should happen to the decommissioned DTE powerplants and other underutilized properties in Downriver communities? Learn more and give us your input at one of these important community meetings.
- Tuesday, January16, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Ecorse City Hall, Council Chambers, 3869 W. Jefferson Ave.
- Wednesday, January 17, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Riverview Community Center, 14260 Sibley Road. Sponsored by the Downriver Community Conference.
Gordie Howe Bridge
Planning to apply for the 2024 Community Organization Investment? Applications are open until January 31, 2024. Eligible non-profit or charitable organizations can submit funding applications for amounts ranging up to $25,000 (CDN) for events, programming and infrastructure improvements that will benefit the Delray/ Southwest Detroit neighborhoods. Apply here.