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:
- Coffee Hours
- Legislative Updates
- Resources
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email.
Sincerely,
Jeff IrwinState SenatorDistrict 15
COFFEE HOURS
Please join me this Saturday for a coffee hour. These events are a great way to get a firsthand update on what my colleagues and I have been working on in Lansing.
WHEN: Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 9 am
WHERE: Millie’s Coffeehouse, 227 E Main St, Manchester, MI 48158
Since the event 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 UPDATES
Finally, Gun Safety bills progress in Michigan
In light of the horrific shootings at Michigan State University and Oxford High School, the Senate expedited our initiatives for new gun safety legislation. The Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee held its first hearing on March 9th to discuss Senate Bills 76-86, which would implement universal background checks, safe storage requirements, and extreme risk protection orders.
This common-sense gun legislation has been proven effective at saving lives and is supported by Michiganders across the state:
- Universal background checks save lives by ensuring people convicted of violent crimes like domestic violence cannot purchase guns and cause more harm.
- Extreme Risk Protection Order laws, also known as “red flag” laws, will save lives by giving families and law enforcement the tools needed to temporarily remove guns from the hands of people who have threatened to hurt themselves or others.
- Safe storage laws will save lives by ensuring responsible gun owners keep their firearms secure from children and prevent their firearms from falling into the wrong hands and being used to commit a crime.
DTES Failure
The recent and extensive power outages that left over 700,000 homes without power for days on end are the latest example of how this state’s for-profit utilities are failing our residents. Michigan residents deserve better, and we need stronger accountability measures and infrastructure investments to prevent these all-too-frequent outages. Severe storms like these are only the beginning of the side effects of the drastic climate to come. It is necessary we make improvements to prepare our infrastructure for storms. Michiganders suffer some of the most expensive yet least reliable power in the nation. Along with improving the credit owed to customers, I believe we must hold DTE accountable for investing in a more reliable grid. I’m also committed to expanding options for home-based energy production, microgrids, and different models for electricity delivery like public power authorities.
The Michigan Public Service Commission has scheduled a series of public town hall meetings to hear from those impacted by power outages that left hundreds of thousands of Michiganders without electricity after recent ice and snowstorms across the Lower Peninsula.
The MPSC will hold two in-person town halls in areas hard hit by the ice storm on March 20. Details are below:
WHEN: March 20, 2023, from 12 – 2:30 p.m.WHERE: American 1 Credit Union Event Center, 128 W. Ganson St, Jackson, MI 49201
WHEN: March 20, 2023, from 5:30 – 8 p.m.WHERE: Fordson High School’s auditorium, 13800 Ford Road in Dearborn, MI 48126
The MPSC also will hold a virtual town hall meeting, livestreamed over Microsoft Teams, March 21, 6-8 p.m. A link to participate through Microsoft Teams will be posted closer to the day of the virtual town hall at the event’s webpage.
In addition to attending the in-person or virtual town halls, written comments also may be submitted to the MPSC by mail to Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909, or by email to mpscedockets@michigan.gov.
The Senate Energy and Environment Committee will be holding a hearing on March 23rd in response to the recent ice storm that left 700,0000+ without power for days. The initial meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 23rd, from 8:30AM to 9:50AM, where representatives of the Michigan Public Service Commission, DTE Energy, and Consumers Energy have been invited to cooperate in the assessment of the severe February outage. You can attend in person or watch live here.Eliminating the Asset Test
I am excited to say my first bill of 2023 passed the Senate on March 9th, Senate Bill 35 eliminates the asset test for recipients of SNAP benefits, removing the unnecessary barrier to food assistance. I look forward to seeing this bill progress to make food assistance more available to those who need this critical, frontline assistance. You can read more about this bill here.Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act Protections for All
On Wednesday March 8th, the House of Representatives passed the Senate Bill 4, which had passed the Senate at the end of February. SB 4 amends Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which protects civil rights, to extend protections to members of the LGBTQ+ community by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes from discrimination. This change has been 50 years in the making, protections will be expanded to LGBT persons against discrimination in employment, public accommodations and public services. It also will provide protection in educational facilities, housing and real estate. The bill now heads to the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has expressed her support for codifying civil rights protections for LGBT+ persons.Securing the Right to Abortion in Michigan
Last week, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2 that will repeal Michigan’s outdated 1931 statute that criminalizes abortion. The voters nullified this law with a constitutional amendment last November, but we should not leave this bad law in the books lest some activist Judges try to revive it through creative rulings. I look forward to watching the bill progress through the house so we determine once and for all that no individual seeking healthcare will be criminalized.Repealing the Retirement Tax and Restoring the Earned Income Tax Credit
Public Act 4 of 2023 marks the successful repeal of the retirement tax on Michigan retirees and the restoring of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). HB 4001 was created to combine the retirement tax repeal and EITC and was then passed by both the House and Senate and signed by the Governor on March 7th. I was excited to be a part of this initiative and vote in support of this legislation on the floor to provide economic relief to our seniors and working families. The EITC is vital in the fight against poverty in our state as it rewards and empowers working families. I introduced a version of this legislation in 2016 as a state representative, and it is extremely rewarding to see it prioritized by the 102nd Legislature.Restoring Worker’s Rights
Senate Bill 5 is a win for restoring the right to contract freely. Back in 2012, as a State Representative, I voted against the anti-union legislation that prohibited contractual terms that require parties to a contract to pay for the costs of bargaining and grievances. To be clear, federal law prohibits requiring anybody to support the charitable or political activities of a union. Current state law, however, prohibits any contract that requires those signing the contract to contribute to the bargaining and other HR functions that unions perform in some environments.
From food safety concerns for consumers to workplace safety concerns on the job site, we all benefit when workers are empowered to keep high standards for training, safety and quality.Restoring Prevailing Wage
I was also proud to vote in favor of restoring Michigan’s prevailing wage law. Senate Bill 6 would undo yet another attack on Michigan workers by restoring the requirement to pay a fair wage to workers on state-funded projects. The state naturally controls a large amount of the demand for certain types of work (e.g., highway construction). This bargaining power, combined with the cost-competitive contract bidding process, puts downward pressure on wages. So prevailing wage policies are needed to prevent projects funded by our own tax dollars from undercutting Michigan workers’ wages and increasing the likelihood that out-of-state workers will win contracts in Michigan.My Bills
I am working on a number of legislative priorities of my own, representing longstanding goals in a variety of policy areas from environmental protection to education to economic justice. I hope that this new legislative environment will finally enable some of these bills to become law and make our state a better place for all of us. Here’s some of the legislation I’ve introduced recently:Community Solar
A societal transition to living sustainably and environmentally friendly is necessary now more than ever, so Senator McBroom and I introduced legislation that would open the door for community solar in Michigan. Residents should have the ability to invest in clean energy solutions. Many would prefer to have their energy needs provided by solar means, but they simply cannot afford it. This legislation would allow people and businesses to access, share, and use affordable renewable energy solutions. Solar energy will bring many economic and environmental benefits to our communities and our state. If we can provide people with the ability to invest in cheaper, greener energy by means of solar power, our citizens, the environment, and our planet will reap the rewards.Guardianship
Senate Bill 138, which I sponsor, is part of a bipartisan initiative along with Senator Damoose, the sponsor of the companion bill, which would afford guardianships granted by tribal courts the same support that they would receive from state courts. This legislation simply seeks to treat guardianships granted by tribal courts the same as we treat guardianships from state courts. The Department of Health and Human Services will determine how much assistance the child needs and provide funding similarly to the support many of these families receive as foster parents.Eliminating Life Sentences for Juveniles
I am also re-introducing legislation to end the unconstitutionally cruel and unusual practice of sentencing juveniles to life in prison without the possibility of parole. These bills would eliminate sentences of life without parole for youth and teens, provide a maximum sentence of 60 years, and give the opportunity for parole review after 10 years. In addition, the review process would have to consider the juvenile’s age and maturity level, family home environment, and circumstances of the offense — including the role they had in the offense and any influence of peer pressure.
Michigan is one of only 16 states that still has people serving life without parole sentences for crimes they committed as minors. It’s time to change our laws to ensure that our juvenile justice system provides a chance for rehabilitation, reintegration, and redemption. I am looking forward to taking up SB 119 in the Committee of Civil, Judicial Rights, and Public Safety.
RESOURCES
Weekly Road Work Schedule
If you want to avoid construction and road closures, you can view current road closures and construction projects by township here.Washtenaw County Home Weatherization Program
Apply for the Washtenaw County Home Weatherization program and receive free home improvements, such as insulation, air sealing, furnace and heating services, and more.
To learn about eligibility, click here.
To learn more about the program and how to apply, click here.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
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:
- File your FAFSA
- Create a MiSSG Student Portal account three to five business days after filing your FAFSA
