Dear Neighbor,
As we enter 2023, 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:
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- Coffee Hour on Saturday
- Legislative Update
- Michigan Senate District 15
- Committee Assignments
- District Resources and Events
- Search for Winter Stoneflies with the Huron River Watershed Council
- Michigan High-Speed Internet ROBIN Grant Program
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship
- Mortgage Assistance
- COVID-19 Resources
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email.
Sincerely,
Jeff IrwinState Senator – 15th District
VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 21 AT 11AM
Please join me virtually at my first coffee hour of 2023 this Saturday, January 21 via Zoom. To receive Zoom details, please fill out this form by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 20.
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 – OPENING OF THE 102nd LEGISLATURE
Last week was an exciting one, with January 11 marking the opening day of Michigan’s 102nd Legislature and the first day of a Senate Democratic majority in almost 40 years. The majority wasted no time when it came to our legislative priorities. Between the two chambers, bills to repeal the retirement tax, increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), expand anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, repeal the abortion ban, repeal so-called “right to work,” and restore the prevailing wage law. I proudly co-sponsored these initiatives to expand protections and opportunities for all Michiganians and look forward to sponsoring many more.
Below, you will find information on the makeup of Senate District 15 and the committees I will be serving on this term.MICHIGAN SENATE DISTRICT 15
With Michigan’s new district map, I am excited to serve many of my same constituents and communities again, including Ann Arbor, Saline, Ypsilanti, Milan, and the townships of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Augusta, Pittsfield, Superior, and York. Thank you for placing your trust in me for a second time.
To the new constituents in Michigan’s Senate District 15 — those in Tecumseh, Manchester and the townships of Lodi, Milan, Bridgewater, Linton, and Macon — I am excited to make connections with your community. I now represent constituents in Washtenaw and Lenawee county, and my Milan Township constituents in Monroe County. You can view a map of District 15 here.2023 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Committee assignments have been announced for the 102nd Legislature. I look forward to serving as chair of the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee, as well as chair of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and the Energy Appropriations Subcommittee.
I will also be serving as majority vice chair of the Higher Education and Community Colleges Appropriations Subcommittee and the Joint Capital Outlay Appropriations Subcommittee.
Additionally, I look forward to working alongside my colleagues on the overall Appropriations Committee, as well as the Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, the Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee, the Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Department of Corrections and Judiciary Appropriations Subcommittee.
Participating in the budget process remains a top priority for me this term. These various committee assignments offer me the opportunity to make progress toward addressing the issues and legislative priorities that matter most to Michigan and Senate District 15.
You can sign up for committee notifications here.
SEARCH FOR WINTER STONEFLIES WITH HURON RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL
On Saturday, January 28 at 9 or 10:30 a.m., you can join volunteers of the Huron River Watershed Council in helping look for Winter Stoneflies. Over about four hours, you can help search for these bugs that indicate water quality throughout our watershed.
You can learn more and register here, and be sure to dress warm! Only experienced volunteers will get in the water. Children are welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
MICHIGAN HIGH-SPEED INTERNET (MIHI) ROBIN GRANT PROGRAM
The Michigan High-Speed Internet (MIHI) Office has opened the application window for the Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) Grant Program to expand high-speed internet access to underserved communities throughout Michigan. All information about the grant program including the application portal, map of likely eligible locations and more can be found here.
MICHIGAN ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship application has opened for all high school seniors! This scholarship will provide:
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- 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
There is no deadline for this scholarship. Students have 15 months from either their high school graduation or high school equivalency completion to enter college and use the funds they are awarded.
High school seniors can get started by following these steps:
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- File your FAFSA
- Create a MiSSG Student Portal account three to five business days after filing your FAFSA
MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE
Homeowners can apply for the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund 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?
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- 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.
Eligible households can receive a grant worth up to $25,000 to help them pay the following delinquencies:
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- Mortgage/housing expenses, including property tax and insurance escrow shortages,
- Land contract payments, mobile home consumer loan payments or mobile home park lot payments,
- Property taxes,
- Condominium/homeowners’ association fees,
- Homeowner’s insurance,
- Utilities, gas, electric, water, sewer, or
- 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
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- 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-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