|
Dear Neighbor, Hopefully, you’re staying warm, and we’ll begin to see the warm spring weather again soon. I want to make sure you’re informed about what has been going on in our state government and update you on what I’ve been working on. In this e-news, you can find information about:
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email. Sincerely, |
|
Jeff Irwin
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Dyslexia Legislation Update: Senate Bills 380-383 Last week, we had a great day for parents, teachers and students! We passed the Dyslexia Legislation out of the Senate Education Committee. This is the first step to making sure we identify students with characteristics of dyslexia so we can give them the help they need so they don’t fall behind. A big thank you to Education Committee Chairwoman Sen. Lana Theis, Sen. Jim Runestad and Sen. Dayna Polehanki for their work and support of this legislation. Without them we could not have gotten this far. This legislation will now go to the full Senate for a vote! Our current system of legislative oversight relies mostly on politics and the personal preference of the committee chairs. This prevents constant, thorough oversight, harms bipartisanship and ensures that if one party controls the legislature our governor and state agencies won’t be investigated if there is evidence of wrongdoing. That’s why the Chairman of the Senate Oversight Committee, Sen. Ed McBroom, and I introduced legislation that will greatly improve the function of our state agencies and ensure the Michigan legislature’s ability to fight corruption by creating a permanent bipartisan oversight committee. This committee would be comprised of eight members of the legislature — two appointed by the Speaker of the House, two appointed by the House Minority Leader, two appointed by the Senate Majority Leader, and two appointed by the Senate Minority Leader. Eleven states have a similar system to what we are proposing. They balance party membership on committees that provide oversight to ensure that the minority party has a voice in matters of oversight, and to foster the necessary bipartisanship and cooperation that ensures good government during times of extreme partisan attitudes. Senate Joint Resolution O would amend Michigan’s constitution to create a permanent, bicameral, bipartisan oversight committee. Senate Bill 997 would detail the committee’s powers, along with how members are selected, vacancies are filled, and removal of members from the committee.
Michigan’s Product Liability Act of 1995 gives pharmaceutical companies nearly complete immunity if their products harm or kill people. Under this law, as long as the drug was approved by the FDA, the manufacturer and seller cannot be held liable for any damages. This is bad policy and it’s only hurting our state. That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 961 to repeal that provision of our law and improve the The 1995 law has been a problem ever since it was signed. In 2001, Michigan residents were prevented from suing American Home Products Corporation, the maker of fen-phen, a diet drug which caused heart disease. Then in 2004, a Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Michigan could not sue Merck, the maker of Vioxx, an anti-arthritis drug that caused serious heart and other health problems. In 2018, former Attorney General Bill Schuette wanted this law amended so that the state of Michigan and individuals could sue pharmaceutical distributors — such as Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen — and opioid manufacturers — including Johnson & Johnson and Purdue Pharma — in state court for their role in creating the opioid epidemic. Michigan is losing out on potentially billions of dollars that could be used for treatment and rehabilitation. People who lost loved ones would also have a route to hold these corporations accountable for their suffering.
Last week, the Senate and House passed Senate Bill 565, which is a major water infrastructure funding bill. This will provide huge investments in our water infrastructure, clean water, lead pipe removal, school hydration stations, and PFAS cleanup among many other things:
|
|
Catastrophically injured people — and their families — cannot “move on.” This is a literal life or death situation for many of these people, but Republican Leadership is more interested in keeping insurance lobbyists happy than ensuring our most vulnerable get the life-sustaining care they need. Our laws need to be fixed. The fight is not over. Every day the legislature meets is a day we can take up legislation to help our people.
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS Ending JLWOP I joined a panel hosted by Safe & Just Michigan to talk about ending the sentencing of juveniles to life without parole (JLWOP) and talk about the bipartisan legislation that I’ve been working on. Some community members from Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor were there, and I was glad to get the chance to talk with them and be a part of this discussion. The Washtenaw Community Priority Fund is taking applications. This fund is to help organizations working to provide community violence intervention, address educational disparities, expand early childhood education, provide direct assistance to people, or address homelessness and housing. You can find more info here. The application is here. |
|
Homeowners can apply for the MIHAF program here, but before you start please make sure you have all the necessary documents and information. You can find what documents and information you’ll need here. Who Is Eligible?
Up to $25,000 Grant Per Household to Pay: Eligible households can receive a grant worth up to $25,000 to help them pay:
Tenants and landlords can apply by clicking here, but before you start please make sure you have all the necessary documents and information. You can find what documents and information you’ll need here. Who Is Eligible? CERA serves renter households that have incomes less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) who meet the following conditions:
Utility Assistance Households eligible for CERA can also receive utility assistance for tenant supplied electricity, home heating (any type of fuel), water, sewer and trash (if billed along with another utility). Through CERA, a flat $300 internet stipend is available for households that have home internet and include a recent internet bill/statement in their application. The $300 payment will be made to either the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the tenant.
SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE The Growing MI Business grant program will award up to $409 Million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to small businesses affected by the pandemic. The application window is open from March 1st to March 31st. You can apply for the Growing MI Business grant program and find more information on their website. There are also webinars on how to apply and what businesses are available.
COVID-19 RESOURCES Free At-Home, Rapid COVID Tests Thanks to President Biden, all Americans can get free at-home, rapid COVID tests through the federal government or through their health insurance. You can now order four (4) free, at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests to be mailed to you at covidtests.gov. At-home COVID tests are also now covered by private health insurance and health plans. They are required to cover eight (8) free, over the counter, at-home tests per individual per month. That means that a family of four can have 32 at-home tests covered per month. Also, make sure to only buy FDA-approved tests as they’ve been vetted for accuracy, and you won’t get caught in a scam. You can see the list of approved at-home tests at this FDA.gov website. NOTE: Unfortunately, Medicare Part B plans are currently not covering these at-home COVID tests. The Biden Administration has announced that in early spring 2022 Medicare Part B plans will cover the at-home tests. Free At-Home Tests Through Meijer Meijer is offering free, at-home PCR COVID tests in their stores. You will be able to pick up the tests and have Meijer send them to be analyzed. Order tests online at ineedacovid19test.com. The Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) has an ongoing COVID-19 vaccination site located at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti. Appointments are required. You can request the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
If you are unvaccinated and unable to schedule an appointment, please contact the WCHD so they can prioritize getting you fully vaccinated. Call them at (734) 544-6700 or send an email to health@washtenaw.org. Please check the WCHD website for more info about additional doses for immunocompromised people. Booster Shots 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. Lynx XD has drive-thru saliva PCR testing sites in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. For both sites pre-registration is required online at lynxdx.health/register. Once you pre-register, you will be directed to schedule a time/date for your test. For additional testing sites across Washtenaw County, and our state, visit the WCHD’s COVID-19 testing information website.
ENERGY BILL ASSISTANCE AND SHUT-OFF PROTECTION There are numerous utility shut-off protection programs and programs that will help you afford your utility bills during the winter. These programs range from bill payment assistance to assistance winterizing your home. Check out our list of these programs here. |
|
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. |