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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 End of Roe v. Wade On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. Michigan’s 1931 law banning abortion now threatens the life, health, and well-being of every pregnant person. People will die as a result of this decision. Our laws have no exception for rape, incest, or the viability of the fetus, and provide only an extremely vague exception to protect the life of the mother. Our state legislature must immediately get back to Lansing, and pass legislation that guarantees reproductive rights. The Supreme Court’s decision is an unjustified and unprecedented destruction of a guaranteed constitutional right of privacy. Eroding our right to privacy hurts every American. The far-right justices acted on extremist, political, and religious ideologies, setting our nation back with the backwards philosophy that people cannot make decisions about their own bodies. Thankfully because Governor Whitmer and Planned Parenthood of Michigan filed a lawsuit before this decision seeking to overturn the 1931 law, abortion is still legal in Michigan. I am, and always have been a strong advocate for abortion rights. As a member of the State House, I strongly opposed anti-choice legislation. In the Senate, I continue fighting for reproductive health care and abortion access, which is why I strongly support Senate Bills 70-73, and House Bill 5542. These bills will repeal Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban, protect people’s right to make medical decisions, and ensure all people have reproductive freedom. Michigan must immediately pass legislation expanding and protecting reproductive rights by codifying Roe v. Wade in Michigan law. This is why I support legislation that would do this, and I support Governor Whitmer’s lawsuit seeking to overturn our 1931 law that outlaws abortion. I fully recognize the stakes and urgency on this issue, given how the Supreme Court may eventually move to strike down more right to privacy precedents. I also support the efforts by advocacy groups to ensure that abortion is legal in Michigan by putting it on the ballot this year. We need to do everything we can to defend reproductive rights, and I will continue to be a vocal advocate on this issue. All reproductive rights are essential health care, and in the State Senate, you can count on me to always speak out, and vote against abortion restrictions. The right wing, anti-freedom Supreme Court issued one of the worst, and most dangerous decisions, in Egbert v. Boule. The facts of Egbert v. Boule are that a bed-and-breakfast owner sued a Border Patrol agent for violating his First and Fourth Amendment rights. The Border Patrol agent had entered the bed-and-breakfast without a warrant and used excessive force when he threw the owner to the ground after he told the agent to leave. The U.S. Supreme Court tossed out the owner’s lawsuit, ruling that Border Patrol agents cannot be sued if they violate our constitutional rights and Congress must decide how to make Border Patrol agents comply with the Constitution. This ruling is particularly dangerous for all of us in Michigan. Under federal law, Border Patrol agents have an operation zone of 100 miles from the U.S. border, and within that zone they have the authority to search vehicles without a warrant. Over time, the Customs and Border Protection agency has taken this to mean that they can access private land without a warrant if that land is within 100 miles of the border, even though federal law states that they can only access private lands within 25 miles of the border. As all of Michigan is within 100 miles of the border, until Congress acts, or the Court overturns their decision, Border Patrol agents are free to conduct warrantless searches and seizures all over Michigan. They can enter our homes, and search our cars, places of work, and property, and if they cause damage to us, our loved ones, or our property, we cannot hold them accountable. This is why I introduced Resolution 157, which condemns the Egbert v. Boule decision, and urges Congress to create a statutory damages remedy against Border Patrol agents for violations of our constitutionally protected rights and to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 so that it better protects our rights. Last week, Michigan’s Senate Judiciary Committee approved House Bills 4277 and 4278. This legislation aims to end distracted driving. This legislation will close loopholes in our law that prohibits texting while driving & make it clear:
This will hopefully change driving habits to increase safety and save lives. Michigan Senate Republicans killed the honorary Pride Month resolution after proposing to add language saying not all Michiganders support the LGBTQ “lifestyle” but that all people are “created in God’s image.” This resolution was identical to the resolution that was adopted last year without issue.
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of slaves after the Civil War. On June 19, 1865, Union Army general Gordon Grange announced General Order No. 3 to people in Texas, informing them of the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all remaining enslaved people in the state. I recently joined friends and community leaders in Ypsilanti to support this great celebration of freedom. Thank you to the organizers of the Ypsilanti Juneteenth event. |
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COOLING SITES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY This summer is supposed to be hot. We’ve already had multiple days where the temperature reached the high 90s. If you need a place to cool off, check out the cooling centers around Washtenaw County: https://bit.ly/3xSDakZ |
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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.
Up to $25,000 Grant Per Household 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). 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 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: 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 located 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 website here: 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. These programs range from bill payment assistance to assistance winterizing your home. Check out our list of these programs here: https://bit.ly/3HCZLUC |
