Dear Neighbor,
Our team is hard at work drafting legislation, scheduling events and reading up on bills. As the legislative session continues throughout the fall, please know that my office and I are here to serve you. If you have questions about legislation or need help navigating state agencies, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via our website or by phone at (517) 373-7670. As always, I appreciate you taking the time to catch up on what is going on in Lansing and in District 11.
Sincerely,
Veronica Klinefelt
State Senator
District 11
Featured in This Newsletter
- Legislative Updates
- Community Investments
- Coffee Hours
- Helpful Resources
Legislative Updates
Taking Action to Address Rising Prescription Drug Costs
Recently, the Senate successfully passed Senate Bills 483–485, a significant step towards establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) in Michigan.
I am proud to have sponsored SB 484, and to have co-sponsored the other two bills in the package. Our aim with this legislation is to implement effective measures that regulate prescription drug costs, ensuring that essential medications remain accessible and affordable for all Michigan residents.
I understand the importance of affordable healthcare and believe that no one should have to choose between their health and their financial stability. With this legislative package having passed the Senate, my colleagues and I are proud to be at the forefront of this critical initiative, advocating for the well-being of all Michigan residents.
Together, we can make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible, improving the lives of countless individuals and strengthening our state’s healthcare system.
To learn more about this legislation, click here.
Community Investments
Eastpointe Receives $1 Million As Part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Revitalization and Placemaking Program
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced the approval of $99.2 million in grant funding for projects across Michigan’s 10 prosperity regions through the Revitalization and Placemaking Program (RAP 2.0). Administered by the MEDC, this program provides access to real estate and place-based infrastructure development gap financing.
With the RAP 2.0 Program, the MEDC partners with local communities to support community revitalization needs across Michigan by investing in projects that promote population and tax revenue growth. These investments will help create the environment necessary to attract and retain talent, add new housing options, enable business creation and attraction and provide resources for Michigan citizens and communities that make the state a better place to live.
The City of Eastpointe received a $1,000,000 Public Space Place-Based Infrastructure RAP Award! Read more about the placemaking and development projects across Michigan here.
$500,000 in Grant Funding Available to Michigan Small Businesses for Enhanced Worker Protections
The MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) Grant program awards qualifying employers a dollar-for-dollar match – up to $5,000 – to purchase safety and health-related equipment and equipment-related training. The goal of the program is to create a safer and healthier work environment and reduce the risk of injury and illness to workers in Michigan.
Preference will be given to employers in high-hazard industries identified in the current MIOSHA Strategic Plan, as well as applications related to any current MIOSHA emphasis programs. The grant period begins annually on October 1. Grants are awarded until grant funding is expended. This is a reimbursement program. Grant awards are limited to one per company.
How to Qualify
- To qualify, an employer must meet the following conditions:
- Have 250 employees or less, company wide.
- Come under the jurisdiction of MIOSHA.
- Conduct a site-specific evaluation justifying the equipment purchase.
- Relate the project directly to improvements that will lead to a reduction in the risk of injury or disease to employees.
- Have the knowledge and experience to complete the project and be committed to its implementation.
Examples of eligible grants include: Eyewash stations, fall protection systems, machine guarding, lock out/tag out systems, monitoring equipment, equipment for noise and lifting equipment for small nursing care facilities.
To apply, complete the MIWISH application at Michigan.gov/MIOSHAGrants. For more information, contact us at LEO-CETGrants@michigan.gov or call 269-275-7155.
Coffee Hour
Coffee hours are a great opportunity for residents to hear directly from me about district updates and current legislative priorities. One of the best parts of my job is connecting with you all, so I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming community conversation!
WHEN: Friday, October 13, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Fraser City Hall, 33000 Garfield Road, Fraser, MI 48026
WHEN: Monday, October 23, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Recreational Authority of Roseville & Eastpointe, 18185 Sycamore St, Roseville, MI 48066
Helpful Resources
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed to honor those impacted by breast cancer and spread awareness surrounding it. In our state, breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among Michigan women. In fact, the American Cancer Society estimated that Michigan would have had 8,900 new cases of breast cancer and 1,390 deaths from breast cancer in 2022.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) urges Michiganders to put their health needs first through the following free health screening programs:
- The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BC3NP), available statewide, provides free breast and cervical cancer screening services to low-income women.
- The WISEWOMAN Program, available in select areas of the state, helps participants understand their chronic disease risk factors and make healthy lifestyle choices. Every participant receives a free health screening.
To learn more about Michigan’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program and the WISEWOMAN Program, call 844-446-8727 or visit Michigan.gov/cancer. For Spanish resources, call 800-379-1057.
Michigan Reconnect Applications Open for Expanded Age Group
Previously limited to individuals aged 25 and older, Michigan Reconnect has expanded its eligibility to include adults between the ages of 21 and 24 who have not yet obtained a college degree. The Reconnect program allows eligible students to pursue an associate degree or Pell-eligible skills certificate at in-district community colleges without the burden of tuition fees.
Applicants ages 21 to 24 must enroll no later than the fall semester of 2024. Students in the 21-24 age bracket must also apply for Reconnect before the application closes on November 15, 2024.
To be eligible, you just need to:
- Be at least 21 years of age;
- Apply and enroll in a community or tribal college no later than fall semester 2024;
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid);
- Have lived in Michigan for at least a year;
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent or certificate of completion; and
- Have not yet completed a college degree.
Don’t wait, apply today!
Take Steps to Protect Yourself from COVID-19
As the fall season begins, immunizations and testing continue to be critical tools in managing the spread of COVID-19. To help keep yourself and your community healthy, I encourage you to take advantage of the free vaccine and testing options available to you.
Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Against New Variants
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends all Michiganders 6 months and older receive the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine which is designed to provide protection against severe COVID-19 disease from currently circulating variants.
Most Michigan residents can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for free. For people with health insurance, most plans will cover COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to you. Michigan residents who don’t have health insurance or have health plans that do not cover the cost can reach out to a health care provider or local pharmacy participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program, their health department or visit Vaccines.gov for additional information on ways to obtain a free vaccine.
For more information, click here.
Testing Options: At-Home and In-Person
As of September 25, 2023, all U.S. residents are able to go to COVIDTests.gov and sign up to receive up to four free at-home tests per household delivered via the U.S. Postal Service.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also continues to partner with libraries across the state to provide free at-home COVID-19 tests to Michiganders. Click here for a list of participating libraries.
For Michiganders who are thinking about plans for in-person testing, Michigan.gov/COVIDTest remains in place to assist in locating a testing site.
What You Need to Know About Student Loan Payments
Federal student loan payments will be due starting in October, as the pause on federal student loan payments is ending.
You should know that at least 21 days before your first payment will be due, your loan servicer(s) will send you a billing statement or other notice that will include your payment due date, upcoming interest and payment amount. That information should also be available on your loan servicer’s website. To make sure you receive your notice before your payments resume, update your contact information in your profile on your loan servicer’s website and in your StudentAid.gov profile.
If you don’t know who your servicer is, visit your StudentAid.gov account dashboard and scroll down to the “My Loan Servicers” section or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243. If you are concerned you won’t be able to make your payments, you may apply for an income-driven repayment plan, which can lower your payments, depending on your income and family size.
The State of Michigan is here to help you as student loan payments resume. If you have questions or need assistance navigating the process, visit Michigan.gov/StudentLoanRestart.
For information or assistance from the federal government, visit StudentAid.gov or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.