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:
- In-Person Coffee Hour This Saturday
- Legislative Update
- UofM Health Ypsilanti Health Center Relocation
- Historic Appointment to the Michigan Supreme Court
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship
- MI Future Educator Stipend
- 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.
Jeff Irwin
State Senator
18th District
IN-PERSON COFFEE HOUR THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 AT 9 AM
Please join me at my coffee hour this Saturday, December 10th at Carrigan Cafe (101 S. Ann Arbor St., Ste 107 in Saline) from 9 to 10 a.m.
Since it is this week, don’t forget to click on “Going” on the Facebook event page to get a reminder the day before and the day of.
If you have any questions, please contact my office at (517) 373-2406 or by responding to this email.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – END OF THE 101st LEGISLATURE
This week was the final week of the 101st Legislature. These final days were lackluster and disappointing in that legislative leadership failed to pass important bills and critical reforms, but instead passed legislation that can only be described as “burning hot garbage”.
House Bills 4454-4455
These bills are burning hot garbage. Originally, they were meant to improve our recycling industry and increase the frequency of recycling in our state – two important goals. Unfortunately, industry lobbying efforts corrupted these bills and language was inserted that allows manufacturers to use “pyrolysis” “gasification” or other chemical processes to break down plastic waste for use in other products.
Pyrolysis and gasification are just fancy words for burning garbage. This language undermines the original intent of these bills, and jeopardizes the health of those living downwind of facilities that will burn plastics and garbage.
I voted NO on this legislation, but unfortunately they passed the House and Senate, and are headed to Governor Whitmer’s desk. I am strongly urging her to veto these bills.
Earned Income Tax Credit Expansion
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a proven tool for lifting working families out of poverty, and the money generated for families goes right back into our local economies. I was hopeful that after almost 10 years after this critical tax credit was cut by Governor Snyder, we would finally be able to restore it and give hardworking people across our state a real economic lift and reduce their tax burden.
Unfortunately, for reasons I’m not sure of, none of the several bills proposed passed. A disappointing and frustrating casualty of this year’s lame-duck session.
I am hopeful that next year, with Governor Whitmer and a Democratic controlled House and Senate, we will finally be able to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Dyslexia Legislation
Senate Bills 380-383 did not pass the House this session. Frustratingly, House legislative leaders sat on these bills and killed them, depriving thousands of students and schools of resources to identify characteristics of dyslexia and help those students.
I am committed to reintroducing these bills next year and getting them to the governor’s desk.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH YPSILANTI HEALTH CENTER RELOCATION
The University of Michigan Health Ypsilanti Health Center will be relocating and expanding its services. The future site is located at 300 W. Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti, Michigan – in the building that once housed Eastern Michigan University’s College of Business.
UofM announced that this new location will allow them to provide a wide range of adult and pediatric services, including family medicine, geriatrics, urology, behavioral health, cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, and women’s health, among others.
No opening date has been announced yet.
HISTORIC APPOINTMENT TO THE MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT
Governor Whitmer appointed State Representative Kyra Harris Bolden to fill a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court. This makes Rep. Bolden the first Black woman to serve on our state’s high court. I’ve had the opportunity to work with her and can say with confidence that she will be an excellent addition to our Michigan Supreme Court.
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:
- File your FAFSA.
- Create a MiSSG Student Portal account 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.
Follow these steps to apply:
- Create an account on the MiSSG Student Portal.
- 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.
MORTGAGE 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?
- 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
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
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
- Schedule an appointment here. If you need help scheduling, call 734-544-6700.
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 for home visits.
Please check the WCHD website for more info about additional doses for immunocompromised people: www.washtenaw.org/3269/COVID-
Booster Shots
The Washtenaw County Health Department is offering Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson’s 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