News and Community Resources

Dec 8, 2023 | Email

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are enjoying the winter season! This time of year can be incredibly busy, preparing for the holidays as well as looking forward to what we want to accomplish next year. Please stay updated on all things Team Klinefelt by clicking here.

As always, if you or someone you know wants to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can email us at SenVKlinefelt@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-7670.

Featured in this newsletter:

  • In Recent News
  • In The Community
  • Helpful Resources

 

Sincerely,

Veronica Klinefelt
State Senator
District 11 

In Recent News 

EGLE Invites Public Input on Implementing MI Healthy Climate Plan

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is inviting Michigan residents to offer input on the implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan in preparation for federal funding.

The aim is to identify local needs and provide localized context for Michigan climate action while involving local governments and community organizations. Each meeting will educate attendees about the plan and the latest progress. However, the main purpose is to gather feedback on key strategies for climate action, particularly those with the most significant greenhouse gas reduction measures. 

Upcoming meeting dates:

Learn more online about the public input sessions and the MHCP and stay up to date by subscribing to Michigan Climate Action News and Updates.

MI Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development Invites Feedback on Grant Programs Implementing MI Healthy Climate Plan

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) launched a ‘2024 Industry Input Survey’ and is now asking for feedback for its upcoming grant programs next year. The results will help shape program priorities that better reflect the needs of Michigan’s food and agriculture industry.

In addition to the online survey, here are some upcoming industry stakeholder input meetings:

The new grant programs launching next year includes over $10 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program and $1.8 million in state dollars for supporting Michigan’s food and agriculture supply chains.

Additionally, MDARD received $2.9 million for a new program aimed at helping minority-owned food and agriculture ventures in the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The department is working to build out this new program to support and expand minority food and agriculture businesses throughout Michigan. The survey closes on December 20, 2023. For more information, click here.

 

In The Community

Grand Opening of PACE in Clinton Township

Coffee Hour at VFW Post 6691 in Fraser

Helpful Resources

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 do not 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.

 

AG Nessel Launches New Consumer Protection Website, Holiday Scams Campaign

With the launch of Attorney General Nessel’s annual Holiday Scam Campaign, the Department is also launching a new Consumer Protection website and logo! The website now includes:

  • A new search tool to make finding consumer alerts and charities faster and easier;
  • A page dedicated to common scams;
  • The Michigan Identity Theft Support page and resources to detect and report identity theft for consumers and businesses; and
  • Educational videos from Attorney General Nessel, the Federal Trade Commission and other trusted resources.

Michigan residents who follow the Department’s Instagram page and share at least five Instagram Stories will qualify for the drawing to win a $25 gift card. There is no purchase or entry fee required to win, and residents are not required to be present at a state office or event. The winner must be a resident of the state and their name will be randomly drawn from qualified users.

For more information, click here.

 

AG Nessel Re-Issues Alert Warning Consumers About Dangers of Artificial Intelligence

As the 2023 holiday season continues, a less-than-festive trend is again on the rise — AI Imposter scams. To raise consumer awareness of these scams, Attorney General Dana Nessel has re-issued an alert warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence. Imposter scams were the most commonly reported scam in 2022. A recent McAfee survey found that seventy-seven percent of scam victims who received calls using AI reported losing money — almost one-third of those lost more than $1,000.

In an AI imposter scam, a person receives a call from a child or grandchild in trouble. Using AI technology, the scammer can recreate the voice of the caller’s loved one. The voice seems so much like the real thing that when the imposter begs the relative to send money to get them out of trouble, the relative often obliges.

The Department of Attorney General’s artificial intelligence alert recommends taking the following precautions to protect yourself from AI scams:

  • When asked for money, in any form, be wary.
  • Never depend on caller ID; phone numbers can be spoofed.
  • Hang up and call the person from a number you know is theirs.

Following these simple tips will help you avoid falling for AI scams and be sure that the person on the other end of your phone is who they say they are.

To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388

Online complaint form

Your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. The Department provides a library of resources for consumers to review anytime on a variety of topics.