April 1, 2021
Note from Erika
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
Spring is in the air! As the weather warms, I hope you all get a chance to spend time outside with friends and loved ones. Please remember to continue to practice safe habits such as hand washing, wearing a mask and social distancing.
Please be aware that our office continues to serve Michigan’s 6th Senate District remotely. If you have any questions or concerns, we can be reached by email at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov and by voicemail at (517) 373-7800.
Stay safe and be well,
Erika Geiss
State Senator
6th District
What’s Inside this Edition
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Senate Bill 324: Wage Disclosure for Similarly Situated Employees
Last week, in support of Equal Pay Day, I introduced a bill as part of a bicameral package to close the wage gap and ensure equitable pay. My bill, Senate Bill 324, would require employees to disclose, upon request, wage information for similarly situated employees.
In Senate District 6, on average, a woman earns 78 cents to every dollar her white male counterpart makes in the same position. Women across our district, state, and the country aren’t worth less and deserve to be paid the same wages as their male cohorts. I spoke on the need and importance of these bills on the Senate floor. You can watch my floor speech here:
MICHIGAN SENATE REPUBLICANS ATTACK ON VOTING RIGHTS
Last week, Michigan Senate Republicans introduced a package of bills that seek to strip voters of their constitutional right to vote. These bills are a gross recreation of Jim Crow laws that prevented Black and Brown Americans from being able to participate in the democratic process.
If passed, this legislation will make it more difficult to vote and will perpetuate institutional and systemic racism. I will continue to fight to ensure that every voter has the right to make their voice heard, and that they will be able to do so without these unnecessary and burdensome restrictions.
UPCOMING COFFEE HOUR
Please mark your calendar for our next coffee hour about financial literacy on Thursday, April 29th. More details on the event will be available soon. You can track updates regarding this event by visiting my Facebook page, and please note that you do not need a Facebook account to join the conversation!
COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION
Registration Now Open For Ford Field Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic
Michiganders can now register and receive their COVID-19 vaccination at Ford Field in Detroit. There is no cost to receive a vaccine.
After the registration process is completed, people who have registered will receive an invitation when it’s their turn to schedule the appointment. Vaccine appointments will be scheduled a few days in advance.
How to register
All COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Sign-up is available through these three options:
- Online at meijer.com/register/CL2021
- Text EndCOVID to 75049
- Call the MDHHS COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1)
Residents who don’t have access to the internet or need assistance navigating through the registration process can use the MDHHS COVID-19 Hotline to register. Call Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is expected that the call center will have long wait times, so calling is recommended only people who cannot register online or by text.
>> Find vaccines through the CDC.
>> Find Wayne County vaccination events through the county site.
Remember, you can still get tested for COVID-19 statewide.
COMMUNITY UPDATE
Congratulations to Detroit Metropolitan Airport and its employees for winning the Airports Council International’s 2020 Airport Service Quality Award! Your commitment to customer service during the pandemic is unparalleled and all of us in Senate District 6 are proud of this recognition.