Dear Neighbors,
I want to make sure you’re informed about what has been going on in our state government and share with you what I’ve been working on.
In this e-news, you can find information about:
- Coffee Hour and District Events
- Legislative Update
- Resources
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email.
Please join me Saturday, November 18, @ 11 a.m. at the Ypsilanti District Library-Superior, 1900 N Harris Rd, Superior Charter Twp, MI 48198
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.
Spooky District Events
Tecumseh:
🎃 Trunk or Treat
When: Saturday, October 21, from11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Tecumseh Harley-Davidson, 8080 Matthews Hwy, Tecumseh, MI
Cost: Free
Saline:
🎃Trunk-or-Treat
When: Wednesday, October 25, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: KeyBank – 100 W. Michigan Ave, Saline, MI 49286
Cost: Free
Ypsilanti:
🎃Halloween Downtown Ypsi
When: Friday, October 27, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ypsilanti District Library-Michigan Avenue, 229 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Cost: Free
🎃Parkridge Trunk or Treat
When: Saturday, October 28, from 3 – 6 p.m.
Where: Parkridge Park, 791 Harriet St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Cost: Free
🎃Trunk N Treat
When: Sunday, October 29, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: 4095 Carpenter Rd Suite A, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Cost: Free, $7.99/Person Pizza Buffet
Ann Arbor:
🎃Dixboro Trunk or Treat & Fall Festival
When: Friday, October 20, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Dixboro Farmers Market, 5221 Church Rd Ann Arbor
Cost: Free
🎃Trunk or Treat
When: Saturday, October 21, 2023, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Where: McDonalds, 4775 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Cost: Free
🎃Forestbrooke Trunk or Treat
When: Sunday, October 22, 2023, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Forestbrooke Pool, 2609 Yost Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Cost: Free
🎃Creatures of the Night – Trail Walk
When: Friday, October 27, 2023, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Lillie Park South, 4365 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Cost: $10/Pittsfield Resident, $15/Non-Resident (Children only, adults are free)
🎃AADL Halloween Show
When: Tue, Oct 31, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown, 343 S 5th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Cost: Free
Legislative Update
Helping Students with Dyslexia
This month, along with Senator Polehanki and Representative Glanville, I reintroduced a legislative package that would help screen students early for signs of dyslexia and provide helpful intervention to help to achieve literacy. Using the science of reading to teach literacy will help all students but it’s especially important to kids with characteristics of dyslexia. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting nearly 1 in 5 Americans. It can have profound effects on literacy and overall educational achievement. However, students with characteristics of dyslexia can become strong readers with early identification and evidence-based reading intervention. You can read more about the package here, and view the three bills here: SB 567, SB 568 and HB 5098.
Update on Fixing Auto No-fault Law
The Senate approved SB 530, SB 531 and SB 575. This legislation would begin to address the repercussions of the 2019 Auto Insurance reform law by restoring Medicare reimbursement rates back to livable rates and setting new rates for non-Medicare covered services and caregivers. I was proud to co-sponsor this legislation and vote YES on the Senate floor. You can read more about the bills here.
Update on Reproductive Health Legislation
The Senate approved Reproductive Health Legislation designed to remove unnecessary barriers to abortion access. Senate Bill 474 would amend the Michigan Public Health Code to reflect the Prop 3 decision as well as remove problematic pre-abortion screening and reporting requirements. SB 475 would decriminalize abortion within Michigan Law by removing sentencing guidelines related to abortion providers. SB 476 amends the legal definition of abortion to reflect it properly as a medical procedure. SB 477 would allow healthcare providers at higher education institutions to provide abortion referrals for their student patients. I am a proud co-sponsor of these bills, and I look forward to their progression through the legislative process as we move closer to securing reproductive freedom in our state.
The Beginning of the End of Drug Manufacturer Immunity in Michigan
This month, my bill SB 410 passed the Senate and will be transferred to the Michigan House. This bill would repeal a provision of the Product Liability Act, a law Michigan adopted in 1995, that provides immunity for drug manufacturers. By increasing accountability, this bill will also improve the safety of drugs. You can read more about the impact of this legislation here.
Freedom to Express Passes the Senate
My bill, SB 351, passed the Senate this month, which would make the public expression of breast milk a civil right. Pumping is a necessary practice for those nursing, and no individual should be hindered from expressing by their workplace, or a place of public accommodation. The least we can do is provide a safe and welcoming environment for those who are simply executing their basic health needs. I am excited to see this bill progress through the legislative process.
Resources
Getting Your Flu Vaccine
It is recommended to get your flu vaccine by the end of October to be safe during peak flu season. You can learn more about the flu vaccine here, and schedule your vaccine at your local pharmacy or through your primary care physician.
Grant Opportunity to Address Community Violence
There is a new grant opportunity to help community services address community violence. Nonprofits, private, public, federally recognized tribes and universities, Indian Health Services, Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations can all qualify. Grant applications must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS program by 3 p.m. on Monday, October 23. Learn more 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