18th District Update

Dear Neighbor,

As your State Senator, I want to make sure you’re informed about state and local issues affecting our community and our state. 

To that end, in the edition below, you can find information about:

• Legislative Updates
• District Happenings
• Registration for My November Coffee Hour
• FAFSA Application Information
• Emergency Rent and Utility Resources
• Testing and Vaccine Information

As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email.   

Jeff Irwin
State Senator
18th District

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Mental Health Jail Diversion Programs
The Michigan Senate passed Senate Bills 637 and 638 that will help municipalities expand or implement mental health jail diversion programs, and support community crisis/co-response systems. Individuals with severe mental health illnesses are put in jail too much and don’t have access to the care or treatments they need. These bills will ensure that when law enforcement is called to a mental health/behavioral health crisis, trained mental health professionals will accompany them, ensuring that the people in crisis can get help. When these individuals are caught in the criminal justice system, they can receive needed mental health and substance abuse treatments instead of being put in jail. 

I was proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislation and voted YES on it.

Social Equity in Michigan Marijuana Industry
In addition to a high financial bar to entry and a state law that prevents people with a past marijuana conviction from obtaining a medical marijuana facility license, the history of state and federal marijuana policies disproportionately affected people of color making them less likely to afford or have opportunities to participate in Michigan’s legal marijuana industry. This was clear in 2020, when Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency’s Racial Equity Advisory Workgroup released their recommendations on how to improve social equity. The workgroup found that of those who have an ownership interest in a licensed adult-use marijuana establishment in Michigan, only 3.8% are Black or African American and 1.5% are Hispanic or Latino. 

That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 690 to support social equity in Michigan’s medical marihuana industry, and further the social equity goals of the Michigan Marihuana Regulatory Agency (MRA). This legislation creates a grant program to assist minority-owned and female-owned businesses to cover the costs of applying for medical marihuana licenses.

DISTRICT HAPPENINGS

This past weekend, I joined community and county leaders in Ypsilanti to repaint the Black Lives Matter Mural. It was great to see so many from the community and help restore the mural.

Last week, I was able to commemorate and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the HighScope Educational Research Foundation in Ypsilanti. HighScope started in 1970 after the landmark Perry Preschool Project, which studied the impact of high-quality early education on 123 Black children with risk factors of failing in school, showing the connection of high-quality early education to future health and socioeconomic outcomes.

For 50 years, they have been a world leader in early childhood education, working to close the opportunity gap. I was proud to honor this milestone and present a tribute — signed by State Rep. Ronnie Peterson, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist — recognizing their work.

COFFEE HOUR UPDATE

Join me at my upcoming virtual coffee hour on Saturday, November 20th at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom or Facebook Live.  

>> 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. Since it is a few weeks away, don’t forget to click “Going” on the Facebook event to get a reminder the day before and day of.

 If you are unable to access the form or have any problems with the link, please contact my office at (517) 373-2406 or by responding to this email.

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)

The application for FAFSA has opened! FAFSA helps current and prospective college students (undergraduate and graduate) determine their eligibility for student financial aid, like the Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG).

Visit the FAFSA website to find more information and apply.

COVID-19 EMERGENCY RENT AND UTILITY RESOURCES

Need help with rent, utilities, and/or internet bills? Apply today at Michigan.gov/CERA. 

You can also access the CERA online application, links to paper applications, and new user guides to walk tenants and landlords through the application process at Washtenaw.org.

WASHTENAW COUNTY VACCINE INFO

This Saturday, Oct. 23, the Washtenaw County Health Department will be administering free COVID-19 vaccines and rapid tests at 555 Towner in Ypsi! You can get the vaccine anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., or a test between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pfizer booster shots will be available for CDC-specified individuals whose last dose was at least six months ago. Additional (third) doses of Pfizer and Moderna will be available for immunocompromised people. Please check the WCHD website for more info about booster shots and additional doses for immunocompromised people.

The Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) also has an ongoing vaccination site located at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti. This site is open to anyone 12 years or older with no appointment necessary. You can request the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

Here are the times/days the site is open:

• Every Tuesday: 9 to 11:30 a.m., 1 to 3:30 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m.
• Every Wednesday: 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m.
• Every Thursday: 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m.
• Every Friday: 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Also at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti, the Washtenaw County Health Department is having an October drive-through for booster shots and vaccinations. This site is open to anyone 12 years or older with no appointment necessary. You can request the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. NOTE: For Pfizer boosters the WCHD is asking that you bring your vaccination card, if possible. If you are unsure if you or a loved one should receive a booster shot, please check the CDC’s website for more info.

Here are the times/days the drive-through is open: 

• Every Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
• Every Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
• Every Thursday: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
• Every Friday: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
• Two Saturdays: Oct 16th and Oct 23rd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.