Dear Neighbor,
I want to provide you with some information about what has been going on in our state government and update you on what I’ve been working on in the Legislature.
In this e-news, you can find information about:
- Coffee Hour, District Shoutouts, District Events
- Legislative Update
- Resources
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email.
Sincerely,
Please join me and State Representative Carrie Rheingans this Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 A.M. at the Manchester District Library, 912 City Rd, Manchester, MI 48158.
Don’t forget to click on “Going” on the Facebook event page to get a reminder the day before and the day of the event.
If you have any questions, please contact my office at (517) 373-2406 or by responding to this email.
District Shoutouts
Ypsilanti Middle School Wins National Remote-Controlled Car Race Competition
PC: MLive
A huge congratulations to team “Golden Grizzly” for securing first place at the TEN80 racing events at this year’s National Society of Black Engineers Convention in Atlanta Georgia. These champions were the only all-girls team competing at the middle school level. The team includes seventh and eighth graders Danasia Murphy-Roberts, Teliah Hinton, LeAjah Turner, Elovie and Jencia Mazama, and Alanah Reed. View their full story on MLive by clicking here.
University of Michigan Debate Team Wins National Championship Title
PC: Aaron Kall
More champions return home from Atlanta, as University of Michigan’s debate team secured its first national title after 121 years of competing. Debaters Kelly Phil and Bennett Dombcik went 5-0, securing the national title at the 2024 National Debate Tournament in Georgia. Read more about their team and its history here.
District Events
Ypsilanti
Ann Arbor
Lenawee County
Milan
Legislative Update
Tax Day is Past Us; Let’s Keep EITC in the Pockets of Michigan Families
An estimated 78,000 households will have all or part of their state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) garnished by debt collectors before it even gets to them. The EITC is a refundable tax credit to support vulnerable working families, a public benefit that should not be intercepted or diverted. My bill, SB 408 would exempt the EITC from being garnished by creditors. I will continue to work toward the passage of this bill so that next year Michigan families can keep the public benefit they are entitled to, and which taxpayers paid for, so that it does not get pocketed by debt collectors.
April 2024 Recognized at County Government Month
Alongside Senator Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), I introduced SR-105 that recognizes this month as County Government month to commemorate the vital public service provided by our local governments. Our counties are responsible for many of our most intimate policy necessities, from mental health services to our parks and recreation. You can view the text of the resolution here.
SB 279 Hearing
I sponsored Senate Bill 279 to remove bureaucratic barriers that prevent nurse practitioners from being allowed to treat patients within the full scope of their education, and without having to pay a physician to sign off on their work. In March, the Senate committee on Health Policy took testimony on the bill, which is a significant step forward in the legislative process. This bill is especially important considering Michigan is experiencing a shortage of healthcare personnel, particularly in vulnerable urban and rural areas. Allowing nurse practitioners to have full practice authority will strengthen our healthcare services statewide. I look forward to the progression of this bill and its next committee hearing.
Resources
Fraud Prevention Tips
AG Nessel Warns Renters, Homebuyers of Fraudulent Real Estate Ads, Zillow Scams in New Alert
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a new consumer alert, Real Estate Scams – How to Avoid Being Taken in by Fake Listings, to educate renters and homebuyers on how to avoid property scams. Fraudulent real estate listings often advertise properties that don’t exist, are not for sale or rent, or are not what they appear to be.
Nessel’s alert cites Zillow’s advice on the red flags homebuyers should look out for:
- Requests to wire funds;
- Long-distance solicitations;
- Requests for verification codes;
- Requests for personal or financial information; and
- Grammar/spelling errors and sob stories.
The red flags for rental listing scams are similar to those that exist in homebuying fraud schemes. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), using the following strategies can help you avoid being a victim of a rental scam:
- Conduct an online search;
- Examine the price of similar units;
- Look carefully at the property before you sign or pay;
- Never provide personal or financial information; and
- Don’t pay with cash.
If you believe you have been the victim of a rental or real estate scam, report it to:
- Your local law enforcement agency;
- The FTC; and,
- The website where the ad was posted.
Grant Opportunities
Renewables-Ready Communities Award
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will provide per-megawatt (MW) funding to Michigan municipalities that host or are expected to host utility-scale renewable energy projects. The deadline to apply is September 30th, 2024; learn more here.
MI Clean Water Grants
EGLE has announced MI Clean Water Plan grants to help Michigan communities upgrade water infrastructure, protect public health and the environment. These grants aim to address challenges like sewage overflows into Lake St. Clair and the replacement of hazardous lead drinking water service lines. Learn more here.
New Website Available to Help Track Your Status of Benefits
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched a brand-new version of their MI Bridges website to help Michiganders applying for assistance monitor their benefits status. The tool tracks five benefits programs: health care coverage, the food assistance program, cash assistance, child development and care, and state emergency relief.
Applicants can receive assistance through the MI Bridges virtual assistant chat or by calling the MI Bridges help desk at 844-799-9876. Visit newmibridges.michigan.gov for more information.
Governor Whitmer’s Current Appointment Opportunities
Check out Governor Whitmer’s current Appointments Opportunities through July 2024 if you have considered using your experience and skills to be an active part of our democracy. Governor Whitmer is committed to a Cabinet and Executive Office that are representative of Michigan. That commitment applies to the Governor’s appointments to various boards and commissions that serve the state.
The Governor’s Appointments Division is responsible for seeking qualified candidates to fulfill these responsibilities on more than 250 boards and commissions that span across state agencies. To see the full array of the boards and commissions, or to apply for an appointment opportunity, visit www.michigan.gov/appointments.