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Dear Neighbor, 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, |
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Gun Safety Legislation This week, my Democratic colleagues and I tried to force a vote and discussion on firearm safety bills, but Republicans voted us down. Months after the tragic shooting in Oxford schools, and the day after a horrific school shooting in Texas, Michigan Republicans buried legislation on gun safety, again. They refuse to debate them. They refuse to vote on them. I am fighting to do something to prevent another gun violence tragedy. Along with my Democratic colleagues, I am pushing sensible gun safety measures that could reduce the carnage. There are numerous bills that would equip Michigan with sensible, proactive gun safety measures.
Universal background checks, safe storage laws, and extreme risk protection order legislation — all bills that enjoy broad public support and that Michigan Republicans have buried. Direct Cash Relief for Michigan Last week, Democrats proposed immediate relief to taxpayers: $500 to every household to help with rising costs. Michigan Republicans voted against help NOW, and instead voted for a tax break that will come NEXT YEAR. As per usual, the Republican tax break provides massive benefits to the wealthy and minimal benefits to working people. These efforts still have a long way to go, and I am fighting to ensure that relief goes to those who need it, not just the rich. Bipartisan, Bicameral Oversight Committee Last week, Senator Ed McBroom and I testified before the Senate Oversight Committee for our legislation, Senate Joint Resolution O and Senate Bill 997. This legislation will create a bicameral, bipartisan oversight committee. This committee will help remove partisanship from our oversight process and increase the efficacy and legitimacy of our legislature’s oversight processes. It will also foster consistency and efficiency in our state government, and accountability to taxpayers. The states that do oversight best are those that have removed partisanship and made oversight a standard, good government function. Senator McBroom and I have taken the best parts of what these other states have done and put it into this legislation.
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Policing Accountability and Reform Legislation Almost one year ago, a bipartisan group of my colleagues and I introduced Senate Bills 473-484 to provide much needed police accountability and reform measures. They would give MCOLES the ability to suspend an officer’s license if they use excessive force that causes death or serious bodily harm, ban the use of chokeholds except when a life is at risk, and ban most no-knock warrants, among many other needed reforms. My bill in this package would require MCOLES to develop standards for training around de-escalation, implicit bias and behavioral health, and mandate continuing education for officers. A poll was released that shows a vast majority of Michigan residents support these reforms and it has given some needed momentum to these bills. I am hopeful that we will have additional committee hearings on these bills and get them a vote. |
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Term Limit and Financial Disclosures for Legislators House Joint Resolution R, if approved by the voters, would require candidates for legislative offices, along with those of Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, to disclose their personal finances. Michigan is one of a handful of states that have no financial disclosure laws for legislators. I strongly support financial disclosure laws, because without them we have no way of knowing, except if a legislator recuses themself, if a legislator is introducing, or voting for legislation that directly assists them, their families, or friends, and we would not know. This is why I voted for HJR R. The other part of this is changes to our term limits. The change would allow a person to serve in our Legislature for up to 12 years. Essentially, they could serve all 12 years in the House, or all 12 years in the Senate. Our current term limits cap service in the Legislature at 14 years – three terms (6 years) in the House, and two terms in the Senate (8 years).
TAX SCAMMERS If you owe past-due taxes, BEWARE of this scam. In this scheme, you will receive a letter about an overdue tax bill that requests you to immediately contact a toll-free number to resolve the outstanding tax debt. The letter will aggressively threaten to seize your property — including bank accounts, wages, business assets, cars, real estate, refunds, and cash — if the debt is not settled. The letter will seem official because it uses specific personal facts about you. The MI Dept. of Treasury will send a letter if you have past-due taxes, but the letter will use state of Michigan letterhead with both the names of our governor and state treasurer – Gretchen Whitmer and Rachael Eubanks. These official letters are sent through the USPS, and provide several options to resolve an outstanding debt, and outline taxpayer rights.
JUNE 8 – MDOT PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS M-14/BARTON DRIVE INTERCHANGE The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is inviting the public to visit the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market for an informational session, and to provide input on a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study for the M-14/Barton Drive interchange. MDOT’s PEL study will evaluate environmental and traffic safety issues, and possible improvements for this interchange. The study area will extend along eastbound M-14 from just west of the Main Street ramps to just east of the Pontiac Trail bridge.
MORTGAGE, RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE 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 property owners 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). Internet Assistance Through CERA, a flat $300 internet stipend that 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 or the tenant.
COVID-19 RESOURCES Free At-Home COVID Tests Medicare now covers up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month, at no cost to you! At-home COVID tests are 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. Get your free at-home COVID-19 tests here: www.covidtests.gov. 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 here: https://bit.ly/3qBXCmI General Vaccination Info The Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) has an ongoing vaccination site located at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti.
Free, door-to-door, accessible, round-trip transportation to any COVID-19 vaccination site in Washtenaw County is available through the Vaccinate Washtenaw Program. This program is open to any person of any age in Washtenaw County. Rides are booked through the AARP Ride@50+ Program. Call 844-900-4892 and use the code “Vaccinate Washtenaw.” If the call center is busy, you can also call 734-773-0907 to schedule a ride. Please check the WCHD website for more info about additional doses for immunocompromised people: www.washtenaw.org/3269/COVID-19-Vaccination 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.
COVID TESTING 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 website here: www.washtenaw.org/3158/Testing
ENERGY BILL ASSISTANCE AND SHUTOFF PROTECTION We have numerous utility shutoff 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 prog |
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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. |