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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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Jeff Irwin
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Kids Are Asking for Help —We Must Pass Gun Safety Legislation Since the Uvalde school shooting, young people from around Senate District 18 have reached out to me with their frustration, heartbreak, and concerns that our legislature is doing nothing to keep them safe. Two weeks ago, before I was able to share their words with my colleagues, Republicans ended session early to prevent my Democratic colleagues and I from speaking up about gun safety legislation that has been sitting in committees. This week, I shared two quotes I received from elementary school students on the Senate floor: “Why are we sitting here arguing about YouTube and games when children like us are being shot and killed?” “People can do amazing things. They can do horrible things. And they can do nothing. This is what most of our government is doing about the shootings – nothing.” Our children and students are scared to be in school and want to be able to focus on trivial things — the small things that kids should be focused on — not worrying about their safety. They are scared because our government is doing nothing. We must pass legislation that will equip Michigan with sensible, proactive gun safety measures:
Watch my full speech: |
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Happy Pride Month! June 1 marked the start of Pride Month. Let’s work to make our state a more equitable and accepting place for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Expanding Michigan’s anti-discrimination law to finally include LGBTQIA+ people and expanding adoption rights to LGBTQIA+ parents are two of the simplest places to start. Fifty percent of Benton Harbor pipes have been replaced. Thanks to Governor Whitmer, the Department of Environment. Great Lakes and Energy, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s urgency, the city is on track to removing all the lead-contaminated pipes. Additionally, the $45 million we appropriated in Senate Bill 565 is going directly to these efforts, and other needed infrastructure improvements in the city.
STARBUCKS EMPLOYEES VOTE TO UNIONIZE This week, employees at four Starbucks locations in Ann Arbor voted to authorize a union. These Starbucks employees finally have a seat at the table to ensure their concerns and hopes are heard. More and more workers are standing up and the message from these votes is clear: ‘Workers deserve a fair wage, g Congratulations to the organizers and employees for standing strong throughout this process. Unions built Michigan and the middle class, and these workers are continuing this legacy and fighting for a better future. My hope is that their efforts will inspire and remind Michigan workers that they are stronger together and can make real change in their workplace.
UPCOMING COFFEE HOUR SATURDAY, JUNE 18 AT 9:30 a.m. Please join me at my coffee hour next Saturday, June 18th, at Bridge Community Cafe in Ypsilanti from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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Don’t forget to click on “Going” on the Facebook event page to get a reminder the day before and the day of. Bridge Community Café is located at 217 W Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti 48197 For more information, please respond to this email or call my office at (517)-373-2406.
NIGHTLY HURON STREET RAMP CLOSURES AT I-94 Through June 11 Both Huron Street ramps to I-94 are closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The Michigan Department of Transportation is resurfacing M-17 between Huron Street and Summit Road. The construction will end June 11. You can find more info here.
MORTGAGE, RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE The Homeowner Assistance Fund was established under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services and displacements of homeowners due to financial hardship from the Coronavirus pandemic. Homeowners can apply for the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund Program here. Please make sure you have all the necessary documents and information, which can be found on this website.
What Does it Cover? Eligible households can receive a grant up to $25,000 to help them pay delinquent:
COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Tenants and landlords can also apply for financial assistance by clicking here. Necessary documents and information to apply can be found here. Applications will close on June 30. CERA serves renter households that have incomes less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) who meet the following conditions:
What Does it Cover?
COVID-19 RESOURCES Medicare now covers up to 8 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 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: https://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 The Washtenaw County Hea
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 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: 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: https://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 programs here: https://bit.ly/3HCZLUC
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