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Dear Neighbor, While we’re home (and hopefully staying warm), I want to make sure you’re informed about what has been going on in our state and community, and update you on what I’ve been working on. In this e-news, you can find information about:
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email. |
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Giving Children a Second Chance / Eliminating Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP) – Senate Bills 848-851 The ‘Tough on Crime’ policies of the 1990s failed, and only led to mass incarceration and a school-to-prison pipeline. A horrific remnant of these failed policies is that Michigan enacted laws that sentenced hundreds of children to life in prison without the chance of parole. This gave them no chance at rehabilitation and no hope that they could find forgiveness. Thankfully, in 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life without the possibility of parole for juveniles (JLWOP) is unconstitutional, and since then, 25 states and D.C. have eliminated JLWOP. This is why my colleagues Sens. Michael MacDonald, Sylvia Santana, and Curt VanderWall, and I introduced legislation to abolish JLWOP in Michigan. Our legislation would eliminate JLWOP, provide a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of 60 years, and allow for parole review after 10 years. In addition, the review process would require consideration of the juvenile’s age and immaturity, family home environment, and circumstances of the offense — including the role the juvenile had in the offense and any influence of peer pressure. |
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UIA Overpayment Waivers The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has asked the federal government to pass legislation and/or enact policies that would forgive the hundreds of thousands of Michiganians who have been sent overpayment letters. These people, our neighbors and family members, needed assistance during the early stages of this pandemic, but have been caught in a bureaucratic nightmare caused by our byzantine unemployment laws. I strongly support the UIA and Governor Whitmer in their efforts to protect the people of Michigan from this extreme hardship. I have called on the Governor to use every authority available to her to waive repayment orders and prevent garnishments against people who have not committed fraud. I’m hopeful the administration will act soon to provide relief. If you collected unemployment benefits in 2021, your 1099-G tax form related to will be available later in February. UIA benefits are taxable income. This delay is due to changes caused by the UIA issuing waivers to unemployment claimants and program changes. Please visit the UIA’s website to learn more.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: LOCAL HISTORY As we start Black History Month, I am continuing my tradition of highlighting the importance of the people and places here in Washtenaw County that are important to Black History. Washtenaw County, and especially Ypsilanti, was a major stop along the Underground Railroad before people reached their freedom in Canada. The Starkweather Homestead in Ypsi (that still stands) was one of several safe houses along that route. Also, almost 70 African American men from Ypsilanti served in Black regiments throughout the Civil War. They served and fought through some of the most important moments of the war from the Battle of Fort Wagner to the liberation of Charleston to Sherman’s March to the Sea. Many of these men are now buried in Ypsilanti’s Highland Cemetery, which will soon have a memorial commemorating their service. Learn more:
COVID-19 RESOURCES Free At-Home, Rapid COVID Tests You can now order four (4) free, at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests to be mailed to you at covidtests.gov. At-home COVID tests are also now covered by private health insurance and health plans. They are required to cover eight (8) free, over the counter, at-home tests per individual per month. That means that a family of four can have 32 at-home tests covered per month. Also, make sure to only buy FDA approved tests as they’ve been vetted for accuracy and you won’t get caught in a scam. You can see the list of approved at-home tests at this FDA.gov website. Free At-Home Tests Through Meijer Meijer is offering free, at-home PCR COVID tests in their stores. You will be able to pick up the tests and have Meijer send them to be analyzed. Order tests online at ineedacovid19test.com.
If you are unvaccinated and unable to schedule an appointment, please contact the WCHD so they can prioritize getting you fully vaccinated. Call them at 734-544-6700 or send an email to health@washtenaw.org. Please check the WCHD website for more info about additional doses for immunocompromised people. For additional testing sites across Washtenaw County, and our state, visit the WCHD’s COVID-19 testing info
ENERGY BILL ASSISTANCE AND SHUT-OFF PROTECTION There are numerous utility shut-off 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 the list of these programs here: https://bit.ly/3HCZLUC
WASHTENAW COUNTY WARMING CENTERS Daytime and overnight warming centers are open around Washtenaw County. If you have any questions, please contact the Delonis Center at 734-662-2829, or visit here. |
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Need help with rent, utilities, and/or internet bills? Apply for help today at Michigan.gov/CERA.
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You can also access the CERA online application, links to paper applications, and new user guides to walk tenants and landlords through the application process at Washtenaw.org.
UPCOMING COFFEE HOUR ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19th AT 11AM Please join me at my upcoming virtual coffee hour on Saturday, February 19th at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom or Facebook Live.
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Please use this form to RSVP to the coffee hour and to receive information and the Zoom access code about how to join the meeting, which you can also watch on my Facebook page. Since it will take place two weeks from now, don’t forget to click “Going” on the Facebook event to get a reminder the day before and day of. If you are unable to access the form or have any problems with the link, please contact my office at (517) 373-2406 or by responding to this email.
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As an elected representative, I believe in being readily available and transparent because my office is your office. Email is a great way to share updates, and hear from you on the issues you care about. If you want to alter your email preferences, click here to unsubscribe. |