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Note from Erika As many of you know, the U.S. Supreme Court recently overturned Roe v. Wade and upheld Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. I am outraged and saddened for the women and pregnancy-capable people in our country who lost their right to bodily autonomy. Abortion is not only a fundamental right, but a safe and normal health care procedure. That being said, I am the sponsor of Senate Bill 70 which I introduced on Feb. 2, 2021 to repeal Michigan’s outdated law that bans abortions in Michigan. Reproductive freedom is not only a right, but a necessity. We will continue to fight for the fundamental right to access abortion, as abortion is health care and a decision that is between an individual and their health care provider. If you would like to read my full statement on this matter, please click here. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our office by email at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or by phone at 517-373-7800. |
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Erika Geiss
In This Edition
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE My Senate colleagues and I introduced a package of bills to end child marriage and raise the minimum age to 18-years-old to be married in Michigan. A few of the bills included in the package are listed below:
GOVERNOR, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS REACH BUDGET DEAL On Thursday, June 30, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders of the Michigan House and Senate reached an agreement on the state’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget that delivers on the issues that matter. Both bills passed with majority support in each chamber. Senate Bill 845 was adopted in the Senate by a vote of 35-2 and 99-7 in the House. House Bill 5783 passed the Senate unanimously and the vote was 97-9 in the House. The $76.7 billion budget will grow Michigan’s economy and workforce, make record investments in every student and classroom, protect public health and safety, expand mental health resources, and empower working families and communities. In addition to prioritizing funding for our students, schools, public health, natural resources, and communities, the FY23 budget pays down $2.6 billion in debt while still setting money aside for a rainy day. It makes a $180 million deposit into the Budget Stabilization Fund and leaves about $7 billion for the administration and legislative leaders to continue conversations around tax cuts. The leftover money is a mix of one-time surplus dollars and ongoing funding. Some funding highlights of the FY23 budget are a 5% increase in ongoing revenue sharing to local communities with a 1% one-time increase, and a record $450 per-pupil increase in the K-12 foundation allowance, bringing the total to $9,150 per student. Other school investments include: $305 million in scholarship funding for students in public and private teacher preparation programs to earn teaching certificates; $175 million allocated for grow-your-own programs that will support current school employees in earning a teaching certificate; $50 million for stipends for student teachers to help pay for tuition and other costs while student teaching; $300 mi Additional investments include $1.92 billion toward special education resources, $40 million for Pure Michigan, and $56 million to train nurses and build up Michigan’s health care system. Budget investments from which Senate District 6 stands to benefit from include:
PRIDE MONTH This past week marked the 53rd anniversary of the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City. This was an important moment that sparked change through LGBTQ+ community advocacy and demanding civil and human rights. We now formally recognize this civil rights movement in June as Pride Month. My colleagues in the Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus and I agree that all LGBTQ+ members deserve equal rights, and we will continue to fight until everyone’s rights are met and upheld. |
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COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE Children aged six months and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and parents/guardians can begin making appointments today. For children aged six months to five years, the Pfizer-BioNTech is delivered in a series of three doses, whereas the Moderna vaccine is delivered in a series of two doses. You can find more information on COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites on the Wayne County website*. The following people meet the criteria for eligibility for a second booster of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines: You received your first booster more than 4 months ago AND
Children aged 5-11 are eligible for a single booster if they received their second Pfizer-BioNtech vaccination shot at least five months ago. If you have not already received your primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or booster, now is the time to do so. Information on vaccines, vaccine boosters, and testing locations are available on the Wayne County website. With both the U.S. Cent *The Wayne County Health Department handles the 42 Wayne County communities outside of Detroit, which has its own separate health department.
UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE Senate Bill 445, signed into law by Governor Whitmer, now turns off the “able and available” requirement for federal unemployment claims filed during the pandemic. Part-time workers who could not work full-time will not have to pay back the benefits they received and/or may be eligible to claim benefits they were denied. To know if your claim was affected by this “able and available” requirement, your Notice of Determination, or Notice of Redetermination will list the “Issue” as either “Ability” or “Availability.” It will look like the one below: |
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If your claim was denied, you had your benefits halted, or your eligibility was re-determined because of the “able and available” requirement, please fill out the issue form on our website and our office will assist you. As always, 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 (Labor and Economic Opportunity) FAQs page for answers to questions you may have regarding eligibility for unemployment or for issues you may have with your current claim.
COMMUNITY UPDATE
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We celebrated the 4th of July this past weekend. Independence Day has been a federal holiday since 1941 with traditions dating back to the 18th century. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence and, two days later, the delegates from the 13 colonies adopted our Declaration of Independence, as written by Thomas Jefferson. Although the 4th has passed, it is still a good time to remind everyone to be safe and mindful while using or lighting any fireworks. The tips below are provided from the National Safety Council:
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