Note from Erika
I hope that everyone had a safe Thanksgiving and enjoyed spending time with their families this year. As we continue into the holiday season, please remember to celebrate festivities adhering to COVID-19 guidelines, plan on getting vaccinated and boosted, and if you are traveling, to be prepared in the event of adverse weather.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our office by email at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov and by phone at (517) 373-7800.
Erika Geiss
State Senator
6th District
In This Edition
- Legislative Update
- Amnesty for Uninsured Drivers
- Tips for Talking About the Oxford School Shooting
- COVID-19 Vaccination Update
- Unemployment Assistance
- Community Update
- Winter Weather Safety Tips
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Legislation to Protect Michiganders from Devastating Flooding On November 30th, I joined my colleagues in the House and Senate to introduce a package of bills that would help prepare for, and minimize, the effects of more frequent and extreme weather events that result from climate change.
My bill, Senate Bill 751, would require each water utility in the state that provides water or sewerage services to develop a plan ensuring that each permanently installed water pump or power source automatically switches to a backup power source if the primary source fails. If the water utility otherwise fails to do so, they would be subject to a fine.
>> Click here to learn more about the bill package.
Legislation to Require a Minimum of Two Operators for Transporting Freight
On December 2nd, I introduced Senate Bill 767, which would require any trains engaged in transporting freight to be operated by a minimum of two crew members. This is a matter of safety, for the engineers and conductors of the trains, as well as for the community members where trains pass through. This legislation would not apply to any train being moved within a trainyard or that is undergoing repairs.
AMNESTY FOR UNINSURED DRIVERS
As a part of the historic 2019 auto insurance reform law, drivers are provided an amnesty period for those who have had a lapse in coverage. During this period, uninsured drivers cannot be charged a reinstatement fee, penalty or increased premium if they apply for an auto insurance policy before January 1, 2022.
For more information about this policy and to ask any questions, you can contact the Department of Insurance and Financial Services Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (733) 275-3437 or by email at autoinsurance@michigan.gov.
TIPS FOR TALKING ABOUT THE OXFORD SCHOOL SHOOTING
Parents and adults need to first deal with and assess their own responses to crisis and stress before we are inevitably called upon to be a source of calm, comfort, and security for children. Still, there are some tactics that have been proven to be especially beneficial in the long run for those who are especially vulnerable right now.
Among them:
- Try to keep routines as normal as possible. Children gain security from the predictability of routine, including attending school.
- Limit exposure to television and radio news.
- Be honest with children and share with them as much information as they are developmentally able to handle.
- Listen to children’s fears and concerns.
- Reassure children the world is a good place to be, but there are people who do bad things.
- Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships.
It is also important to try to recognize the signs of trauma, which are very normal at a time like this. Most notably, experts say students may “… seem more agitated, irritated, may act out more. They may show more of a temper or have trouble sleeping. Children may be quieter or withdrawn. You may see crying or an unwillingness to even go back to school or participate in normal activities. Or they may seek more support,” according to a trauma-informed psychologist quoted in a story by the Detroit News.
Resources
The American School Counselor Association has a list of resources to help after a school shooting.
Please know that help is always available, and it is not weak to seek that help.
Other resources include the following:
- To learn about speaking to your children about safety, visit HopkinsAllChildrens.org.
- To learn about speaking to your children about violence, visit NASPonline.org.
- If you or a loved one is concerned about suicide, call 800-273-8255 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
- To help your children manage distress after a shooting, visit APA.org.
COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATE
If you have not already received your COVID-19 vaccine, now is the time to do so. Booster shots are now available as well for those who are eligible.
Children between the ages 5-11 are also now eligible to receive the vaccine. The Wayne County Health Department has established three locations where you can get your child vaccinated.
Parents and guardians should consult with their pediatrician or healthcare providers with questions and concerns as these medical professionals will be the best people to offer the best guidance to your child/children and family.
*The Wayne County Health Department handles the 42 Wayne County communities outside of Detroit, which has its own separate health department.
UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
If you or someone you know who lives in Senate District 6 is having trouble receiving their Unemployment Insurance (UI) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), please fill out this unemployment assistance form and our office will reach out to assist you with your issue as soon as possible.
You can also visit the Michigan LEO FAQ page for answers to questions you may have regarding eligibility for unemployment or for issues you may have with your current claim.
>> Click here to schedule an in-person appointment at a local UIA office.
COMMUNITY UPDATE
All American Holiday Decorating Contest
The City of Westland is hosting their “All American Holiday Decorating Contest”! You can nominate yourself or a neighbor in one of three categories:
- Best Traditional Display
- Most Creative Display
- Over the Top Display
The contest runs until Friday, December 24th and nominees should include a picture alongside their submission. Winners will be announced and given special recognition at the Westland City Council meeting on January 3, 2022.
>> Click here to nominate and vote for your favorite entries.
WINTER WEATHER SAFETY TIPS
The CDC has posted, on their website, advice for how families can prepare their homes and vehicles for cold winter weather. You can also find tips on how to prepare for emergencies, take precautions outdoors, and what to do when you are planning to travel.