Senate District 18 Updates

Nov 10, 2022 | Email

 

State Senator Jeff Irwin

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 Edition: 

  • General election results 
  • Michigan Achievement Scholarship  
  • MI Future Educator Stipend 
  • District happenings 
  • Water bill assistance 
  • Mortgage assistance 
  • COVID-19 resources 
    • COVID-19 vaccine information 
    • COVID-19 testing 
  • Energy bill assistance and shutoff protection 

As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email.   
State Senator Jeff Irwin

Jeff Irwin
State Senator
18th District 

 

GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS 

The results are in from Tuesday’s General Election! 

A quick summary of the results: 

  • Gretchen Whitmer, Dana Nessel and Jocelyn Benson all won re-election to serve as Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State 
  • Proposals 1, 2 and 3 all passed 
  • Democrats will have a narrow majority in the Michigan House of Representatives for the first time 12 years 
  • Democrats will have a narrow majority in the Michigan State Senate for the first time in 40 years 
  • Justices Brian Zahra and Richard Bernstein won their re-election to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court 
  • 7 Democrats and 6 Republicans were elected to serve in the US House of Representatives 

MICHIGAN ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP 

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship application has opened for all high school seniors! This scholarship will provide: 
  • Up to $2,750 if you attend a community college, per year 
  • Up to $5,500 if you attend a public university, per year 
  • Up to $4,000 if you attend a private college or university, per year 

High school seniors can get started by following these steps:  

  1. File your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.  
  2. Create a MiSSG Student Portal account at missg.guarantorsolutions.com/StudentPortal three to five business days after filing your FAFSA 

MI FUTURE EDUCATOR STIPEND 

The MI Future Educator Stipend applications are open. This program offers student teachers a $9,600 stipend per semester to use on tuition, living expenses and even childcare as you work in the classroom full-time. You can access the application by visiting www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/programs/mi-future-educator-stipend.  

To qualify, applicants must: 
  • Be admitted in an eligible Educator Preparation Program (EPP) approved by Michigan’s State Board of Education. 
  • Be working towards teacher certification. 
  • Be participating full-time or its equivalency in required student teacher coursework. 
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). 
  • Be in an unpaid student teaching position in Michigan. 
  • Not received the MI Future Educator Stipend before, unless your program specifically requires more than one semester of student teaching. 
Follow these steps to apply: 
  • Create an account on the MiSSG Student Portal by visiting missg.guarantorsolutions.com/StudentPortal. 
  • Complete the application in the MiSSG Student Portal for MI Future Educator Stipend. 
  • Complete the MI Future Stipend Verification Form through the MiSSG Student Portal Account. 
  • Institutions will be contacted to confirm student eligibility. 

DISTRICT HAPPENINGS 

Lois Richardson served on Ypsilanti City Council for 20 years and the last 2 years as mayor. She’s been a steadfast supporter of Washtenaw Regional Organizing Coalition, helped passed Ypsilanti’s community benefits ordinance and fought to reduce gun violence. She also made history as Ypsilanti’s first Black woman to serve as mayor.  

Last week was her last city council meeting and I was proud to present her with a legislative tribute to thank her for her work on behalf of the City of Ypsilanti. 
Where is Your Clerk

MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE 

Who Is Eligible? 

  • Homeowners with household incomes less than 150% of Area Median Income (AMI) 
  • Homeowners who own and occupy the property as their primary residence 
  • Homeowners must have and explain a financial hardship directly related to COVID-19 on or after January 21, 2020.  

Up to $25,000 Grant Per Household to Pay 

Eligible households can receive a grant worth up to $25,000 to help them pay: 

  • Delinquent mortgage/housing expenses, including property tax and insurance escrow shortages 
  • Delinquent land contract payments, mobile home consumer loan payments or mobile home park lot payments 
  • Delinquent property taxes 
  • Delinquent condominium/homeowners’ association fees 
  • Delinquent homeowner’s insurance, 
  • Delinquent utilities, gas, electric, water, sewer 
  • Delinquent internet broadband services 

Please make sure you have all the necessary documents and information before at michigan.gov/mshda/homeownership/mihaf-homeowner-assistance.   

 

COVID-19 RESOURCES 

General Vaccination Info 

The Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) has an ongoing vaccination site located at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti that is appointment only 

If you are unable to go to a vaccination site, please contact the WCHD to ask about home visits through their Nurse on the Run program. Leave a message at 734-544-6700 or email health@washtenaw.org. You must meet homebound criteria to qualify f or home visits. 

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 a drive-thru saliva PCR testing site in Ann Arbor. Pre-registration is required: lynxdx.health/register. Once you pre-register, you will be directed to schedule a time/date for your test. 

 

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 

As an elected representative, I believe in being readily available and transparent because my office is your office.

To be removed from list, please respond to email.