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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:
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email. |
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Asset Testing Under current law, many SNAP recipients are forced to jump through several hoops to receive and maintain benefits, including meeting regular work requirements and being restricted from purchasing specific food, like hot, ready-made meals. In addition to these obligations, beneficiaries are subject to a $15,000 asset test requiring that they must not have more than that amount in any bank account to receive SNAP benefits. Asset testing can lock people into poverty by forcing them to choose between having food or saving money for better transportation, improving their homes, or paying for medical expenses. Furthermore, people of all economic means are affected by this regulation as Michigan wastes state tax dollars on a bureaucracy that exists solely to deny benefits to low-income people in our state. Asset testing hurts families and our economy, that’s why I introduced Senate Bill 725 to end asset testing for Michigan’s Food Assistance Program. My colleagues and I introduced a package of legislation that provides housing justice for Michigan residents facing increasing rent and eviction notices, with a focus on helping seniors and those with disabilities. My bill, Senate Bill 716, repeals a 1988 law that prohibits local governments from enacting policies related to rent stabilization. Michigan renters are seeing astronomically rising rents and unaffordable housing, and it’s difficult for our Legislature to deal with problems that are unique to each community. Our local officials have an ear to the ground with more direct contact with the communities they serve. That’s why allowing local elected officials to develop these policies is vital to solving this crisis. Last week, we had an amazing hearing before the Senate Education Committee on Senate Bills 380-383, which will improve our ability to identify students with characteristics of dyslexia and improve professional training to help identify those students. The testimony from students and former students about their struggles in school because of their dyslexia was incredibly moving, and Detroit Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti also testified in support and shared his perspective on how he is changing policy at DPS to invest in the professional development required to make big gains in literacy. You can watch my testimony here. You can watch the entire committee hearing here. Throughout much of this pandemic, local governments and public bodies were able to meet virtually to ensure that the public could attend and participate in meetings while maintaining public heath protections. With virtual meetings we kept people safe and public participation increased. Many local governments and public bodies have moved to a hybrid system of having in-person meetings while streaming the meetings online. Unfortunately, we’re seeing COVID-19 cases and infections rise and to ensure that our local officials have the tools they need to keep themselves and their constituents safe, that’s why I’ve introduced Senate Bill 705 to allow virtual meetings in some circumstances. This is especially important to statewide boards that require members and meeting participants to travel long distances to participate.
COFFEE HOUR THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH AT 11 AM Please join me at my upcoming virtual coffee hour on Saturday, November 20th at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom or Facebook Live. |
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Please use this form to RSVP to the coffee hour and to receive information and the Zoom access code about how to join the meeting, which you can also watch on my Facebook page. Since it is this week, 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.
THANKSGIVING MEALS AND FOOD BASKET PICKUPS Around Washtenaw County, there are organizations and faith-based groups hosting free Thanksgiving Day meals and food basket pickups. Below are a list of those organizations and groups, along with the days and times of the meals and pickups. You can also find food pantries and other hot meals here. To-go meals at Delonis Center provided by Ann Arbor Vineyard Church
Food Gatherers’ Community Kitchen
Hope Clinic
Food Baskets Berea City of Hope
Hope Clinic
WASHTENAW COUNTY WARMING CENTERS Day and Nighttime Warming Centers Currently, there is one daytime and one overnight warming center open in Washtenaw County. Additional locations for the 2021-2022 season will be announced in December. We will update our list when new locations are announced. If you have any questions, please contact the Delonis Center at 734-662-2829, or visit washtenaw.org.
COVID-19 EMERGENCY RENT AND UTILITY RESOURCES |
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Need help with rent, utilities, and/or internet bills? Apply for help 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 General Vaccination Info The Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) has an ongoing vaccination site located at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti. Appointments are required for minors ages 5-17. No appointment necessary for 18 or older. You can request the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The site is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and again from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Please check the WCHD website for more info about additional doses for immunocompromised people and/or schedule an appointment: washtenaw.org/3269/COVID-19-Vaccination The Washtenaw County Health Department is offering Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson booster doses at their clinic at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti. They ask that you please bring your vaccination card and identification, if possible. With the CDC approval of COVID-19 vaccines for 5-11 years, the WCHD is scheduling vaccination appointments for this age group. You can schedule an appoi
FLU VACCINE REMINDER The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is asking Michiganders to get their flu vaccination, wear masks in indoor settings, social distance when possible, and stay home when they are ill to prevent additional outbreaks of the flu. A recent outbreak involving more than 525 cases of influenza A (H3N2) among University of Michigan students is currently being investigated by public health officials. This outbreak comes at a time when COVID-19 infections are again surging in Michigan, with case rates, positivity rates, hospitalizations, and deaths all increasing. State and local public health officials are concerned with the potential for increased strain on health systems if COVID-19 and influenza cases surge at the same time this winter. Despite its comparison to the common cold, the flu is a very serious and potentially deadly disease, especially for children, older people, and people with chronic health conditions. Flu vaccines are available now at local health departments, physician offices, and pharmacies around the state. Visit Vaccine Finder to find a location near you. To learn more about influenza, visit Michigan.gov/flu.
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As an elected representative, I believe in being readily available and transparent because my office is your office. Email is a great way to share updates, and hear from you on the issues you care about. If you want to alter your email preferences, click here to unsubscribe. |