Dear Neighbor,
I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones safe, healthy, and enjoying some warmer weather.
It’s hard to believe but it has been over 100 Days since I’ve taken office. I am so grateful to our community for sharing both your support and concerns as we work together to improve the lives of all Michiganders. Please know that our office is here to listen and help you in any way that we can.
I look forward to continuing through the next 100 Days and beyond and hope you will continue to share your thoughts and follow along with us.
Sincerely,
Veronica Klinefelt
State Senator
District 11
IN THIS EDITION
- Legislative Updates
- In the Community
- Coffee Hours
- Resources
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
During the first 100 Days, working in this new majority has been full of major successes that protect, advocate, and uplift Michiganders! The following are legislative highlights from the Senate:
Gun Violence Prevention Bills
- Background checks (Senate Bills 76-78)
- Require universal background check on all gun purchases
- Child Access Protection (Senate Bills 79-82)
- Require that firearms be safely secured when they could be accessible to minors
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders (Senate Bills 83-86)
- Also known as “red flag laws” to prevent individuals proven to be at risk from accessing firearms
Restoring Workers’ Rights
Repeal 1931 Abortion Ban
- The repeal comes not long after Michigan voters said yes to a constitutional amendment that would add protections for reproductive rights
- Senate Bill 2, Senate Bill 37 through 39 and Senate Bill 93 repeal a near century old law criminalizing abortion
House Bill 4001 increased, from 6.0% to 30.0%, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), beginning with the 2023 tax year and repealed the retirement tax.
Senate Bill 4 amended the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity or expression. ELCRA prohibits discrimination in employment, public accommodations and public services, educational facilities, and housing and real estate based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status
Senate Bill 12 eliminates provisions prohibiting the promotion of a pupil to grade 4 unless the pupil demonstrates a satisfactory reading score or a grade 3 reading level.
Resolutions
Sen. Klinefelt sponsored a resolution to honor the 10th anniversary of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA). The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency serves as the state’s central coordinating agency for Michigan’s 550,000-plus veterans and their families. The MVAA was created to assist veterans and their families to connect them to the federal and state resources and benefits they earned for their service. The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency embraces the belief that those who serve our state and nation in the armed forces are considered members for life.
Sen. Klinefelt joined Sen. Geiss and Ed Noyola from County Road Association at their discussion “Under the Dome: The “Point People” for Local Roads”. As Chair of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, this was a pertinent discussion on the importance of local road funding as appropriations discussions continue in the coming months.
Sen. Klinefelt visited Eastpointe High with Sen. Camilleri (chair of Pre-K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee) and other stakeholders in public education to take a tour and have a conversation about the importance of school funding and making improvements for our kids and communities.
Our Constituent Relations Director, Christopher Ford, attended the 2023 Governor’s Luncheon in Macomb County.
COFFEE HOURS
WHEN: Monday, May 8. 2023, at 10 am
WHERE: Recreational Authority of Roseville & Eastpointe 18185 Sycamore St, Roseville, MI 48066
WHEN: Monday, June 5, 2023, at 10 am
WHERE: Recreational Authority of Roseville & Eastpointe 18185 Sycamore St, Roseville, MI 48066
WHEN: Monday, July 17, 2023, at 12:30 pm
WHERE: Peace Manor 17275 Fifteen Mile Rd, Clinton Twp, MI 48035
RESOURCES
Free Tax Help
Individuals with low income, disabilities or are 60 years of age or older may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers. For information about free tax help, go to irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep or dial 2-1-1.
To learn more about Michigan’s individual income tax or to download forms, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax. Information about the city of Detroit’s individual income tax can be found at www.michigan.gov/citytax.
Womens’ Resource Fair
WHEN: Thursday April 27, 2023, from 10 am – 4 pm
WHERE: Wayne County Community College District – Northwest Campus, Denise Wellons-Glover Welcome Center, 8200 W. Outer Dr., Detroit, MI 48219
Lunch will be provided.
Employment and Medical Resources, Mental Health Enrollment, Resume Building, Hiring and more! Click here to sign up.