April 9, 2021
Dear Neighbor,
As your State Senator, I want to make sure you’re informed about state and local issues that are affecting our communities in the 18th Senate District.
To that end, in the edition below you can find information about:
- How to apply for vaccinations in Washtenaw County
- COVID-19 emergency resources
- An unemployment update
- A legislative update on my work in Lansing
- Registration for my upcoming coffee hour on April 17th
- A warning from the AG about fraudulent vaccine surveys
- An SOS update: more transactions now online
As always, please feel free to reach out to me if my office can assist you in any way.
Sincerely,
Jeff Irwin
State Senator
18th District
COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE
If you are 16 years of age or older, you are NOW eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine! The Washtenaw County Health Department adds new appointments on Mondays around 9:00 a.m. and on Fridays around 10:00 p.m.
>> Click here to check for an available appointment.
You can also view vaccine resources at VaccineFinder.org, which shows which locations have vaccines currently available. If you need assistance navigating any of these resources, or if you or a loved one is homebound and cannot make it to a vaccination site, please reach out to my office by replying to this email or calling at (517) 373-2406.
COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESOURCES
Last week, the Water Shutoff Restoration Act (the moratorium on water shutoffs) expired. Thousands of Michigan households are behind on their water bills due to the pandemic but there are still programs available to provide help to those in this situation.
>> For renters: MSHDA operates the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) Program through local nonprofits. This program helps with water, energy bills, and rent.
>> For non-renters: The State Emergency Relief (SER) Program provides eligible seniors and low-income families with assistance paying water, electric, and heating bills, and helps restore or keep utility services. Find this resource through local Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) offices; the application is available online. Note: You must apply for SER before receiving MEAP services.
UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
Michigan’s unemployment law means that our benefits are shorter in duration and smaller in amount than benefits in many other states. That’s why I continue to propose extending and enhancing unemployment benefits. In the meantime, I want you to know the current rules. The latest state Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) update is below.
As of March 31st, the expansion of Temporary State Unemployment Provisions has ended. Below are some of the expansions that will no longer be available:
- 28-day late filing
- COVID-related reasons for regular unemployment
- Relaxed eligibility requirements for the Work Share program
- “Non-charging” employer accounts
- Allowance of retired state employees to continue to receive retirement benefits while employed by UIA
For a more in-depth explanation of these changes, please see this press release from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. My office will continue to serve as a resource for any constituents who may be struggling with receiving unemployment benefits. If you have questions or concerns regarding UIA, please complete our unemployment assistance form on my website.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Senate Bill 255
Individuals who rely on subsidies and benefits should have equal access to safe and fair housing. This bill would bar real estate agents from discriminating against prospective home buyers based on their source of income.
Senate Bill 326
Women in the U.S. are typically paid only 82 cents for every dollar paid to their male counterparts, and for women of color, this wage gap is even wider. SB 326 would implement a fine for any employer who participates in wage discrimination based on sex.
Senate Bill 347
Poverty should not be a crime. For this reason, I introduced SB 347, a bill that would decriminalize the use of utility water without paying.
Senate Bill 352
Our city or township halls should be a place where citizens can come and participate freely without fear of violence or intimidation. SB 352 would restore local control over firearm regulations on property owned or leased by local units of government. This would allow local municipalities to adopt rules like those governing courthouses or schools.
UPCOMING COFFEE HOUR ON SATURDAY, APRIL 17
Join me at my upcoming virtual coffee hour on Saturday, April 17 at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom.
>> Please use this form to RSVP to the coffee hour and to receive the information about how to join the meeting, which you can also watch on my Facebook page. If you are unable to access the form or have any problems with the link, please contact my Constituent Services Director, Nick Voelkner, at (517) 373-2406, or by responding to this email.
I will provide a legislative update on my work for you in Lansing at the coffee hour and answer questions that you submit. I hope to see you all there!
AG NESSEL WARNS MICHIGANDERS OF FRAUDULENT COVID VACCINE SURVEYS
For Michiganders who have received or plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning them to avoid current vaccine survey scams offering a reward in exchange for personal information.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), in collaboration with several other federal agencies, recently issued alerts to the public due to an increasing number of victims receiving email and/or text messages after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. In the messages, people are prompted to participate in a fraudulent post-vaccine survey with the promise of cash or a prize upon completion. The bogus surveys are reportedly asking victims to pay for shipping and handling in order to receive a prize that is never delivered.
The Intellectual Property Rights Center provided the following information and tips to avoid being victimized in their alert:
- No post-vaccine surveys are being conducted by Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson.
- Any emails or text messages that purport to be sent on behalf of these companies seeking personal financial information are illegitimate and fraudulent as these companies would never request an advanced payment for shipping or other expenses.
- DO NOT open any messages or click on any links or attachments.
- NEVER give out bank account, credit card, or personal information.
Michiganders can also:
- Report smishing – fraudulent – text messages to 7726 (SPAM) for investigation.
- Filter unwanted text messages through your wireless provider or with a call-blocking app.
As always, your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. A library of consumer alerts and additional resources are available 24/7. Consumer complaints can be filed online at the Attorney General’s website, or by calling 877-765-8388.
MORE SECRETARY OF STATE TRANSACTIONS NOW ONLINE
Michiganders can now renew their standard and enhanced driver’s licenses and state identification cards online and at self-service stations after the Michigan Department of State successfully completed a massive technology upgrade.
New online services include:
- Renew or replace an enhanced driver’s license or state ID, if no new photo is required
- View the mailing status of the requested driver’s license or state ID
- Pre-apply for an original driver’s license
- Request and obtain a driving record
- Add a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driver’s license
- Pay reinstatement fees and invoices
- Apply to be a notary public
- Access streamlined business services
New transactions offered at self-service stations include:
- Renew a standard or enhanced driver’s license or state ID, if no new photo is required
- Request a replacement and print out a temporary license or ID
- Add a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driver’s license
- Sign up on the state’s organ donor registry
For transactions that do require a branch office visit, the department offers appointments that can be booked up to six months in advance. Next-day appointments are released at 8 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday that customers can book for the next weekday.
Access online services, find a self-service station near you or make an office appointment at Michigan.gov/SOS.