Dear Neighbor,
I hope you had an amazing holiday season and are enjoying the new year! As 2024 begins, I am looking forward to another year of legislative progress and impact, especially within District 11. 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
- Legislative Updates
- In the Community
- Upcoming Events
- Helpful Resources
Sincerely,
Veronica Klinefelt
State Senator
District 11
In Recent News
Michigan Seeks Input on Advancing Clean Energy Economy
The state of Michigan is inviting input on a historic opportunity to leverage significant federal financing for clean energy generation and infrastructure, economic development, supplier retooling and diversification and other related projects in Michigan.
Billions of dollars in federal loans and loan guarantees are available to invest in climate- and energy-related projects through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO). Michigan is committed to fully decarbonize the state’s economy by 2050 and generate 100% of the state’s power from clean sources by 2040.
Responses must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Submit written responses via one of the following:
- Online form
- Email to EGLE-OCE@Michigan.gov with subject line “SEFI R”
- Regular U.S. mail to:
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Executive Office, Office of Climate and Energy
P.O. Box 30473 Lansing, MI 48909-7973
Michigan Achievement Scholarship
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship was first included in FY 2022-23 and provides last dollar scholarship awards to Michigan undergraduate students at public and private 2-year and 4-year institutions. The budget included a net increase of $50 million deposit into the Postsecondary Scholarship Fund, which is a 20% increase. This fund is the funding source for Michigan Achievement Scholarships.
The scholarships are awarded to eligible in-state students that graduate high school or achieve an equivalency certificate in 2023 or after and attend an eligible Michigan public university, community college, tribal college or independent nonprofit college or university full-time. Total funding for Michigan Achievement Scholarships for FY 2023-24 will be $300 million. For more information, click here.
Legislative Updates
Budget Supplemental
To help close the books on the 2023 fiscal year and position Michigan for future success, the Legislature passed a budget supplemental — House Bill 4292 and Senate Bill 174. This fiscally responsible supplemental will help communities across Michigan invest in students — to ensure students have access to clean drinking water at school; put more money into classrooms; and fund critical projects at public universities and community colleges to build a pipeline for more high-skilled talent, among other priorities.
The budget also makes vital investments in clean water, Michigan’s roads and more. To read more about the investments being made throughout the state, click here.
Working to Expand Access to Quality, Affordable Housing
Safe and affordable housing continues to be a critical need for Michiganders. High interest rates and home prices create challenging conditions for both buyers and sellers, and many Michigan renters face challenges finding affordable housing too. Due to the high cost of housing, families often have to forgo food, healthcare or other necessities to avoid eviction.
Since taking office, addressing Michigan’s housing shortage has been a top priority for Senate Democrats. Through investments in housing and community development, passing historic tax relief and incentivizing redevelopment projects, our Majority for the People has been working to tackle this issue head on and make it easier for people to find and keep a place to call home.
To learn more about Senate Democrats’ efforts to expand access to affordable housing, click here.
2024 Laws Going into Effect
After a historic year with the Democrats in the majority, there were major pieces of legislation that passed. These are some of the laws taking effect early in 2024:
Restoring Workers’ Rights. Legislation repealing Michigan’s anti-worker law (House Bills 4004 and 4007 and Senate Bill 34) — which allowed union workers to opt out of paying union dues and fees — is set to go into effect.
Gun Safety. This year, gun safety-related legislation (Senate Bills 79, 80, 81 and 82 and House Bills 4138 and 4142) will take effect, including the following: expansion of background checks, safe gun storage requirements and laws permitting courts to temporarily remove guns from those a judge deems pose an imminent threat to themselves or others, as well as temporarily banning those with domestic violence convictions from possessing and purchasing firearms and ammunition in Michigan.
Working Families Tax Credit. Michigan families will receive working families tax credit checks ahead of schedule, beginning February 13, 2024. About 700,000 Michigan households will be sent Working Families Tax Credit checks, putting an average of $550 back into Michiganders’ pockets. The new checks are part of the $1 billion in tax cuts that the governor signed into law earlier this year. Eligible Michiganders do not need to submit any additional paperwork to receive the tax credit. However, if an individual has moved frequently or recently and has concerns about their address accuracy, Michiganders can manually update it here.
In the Community
Fraser City Board of Appeals
I had the honor of recognizing longtime Chair of the Fraser Zoning Board of Appeals, Mark Stimac, at their meeting last month.
Our Team in the District
Over the past month, our team has been out in the district, attending events and distributing important resource booklets. If you ever need a specific booklet, let us know!
Interns
Last month, we also said “see you later” to two great interns, Marion and Hannah. We wish them luck as they embark on their next journeys!
Upcoming Events
January Coffee Hour
As a State Senator, I look forward to opportunities where I get to hear directly from the people I serve. Please attend my coffee hour this month so you can stay informed about district updates and upcoming legislative priorities. I hope to see you there!
WHEN: Friday, January 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Martin Blank Senior Center, 51210 Alma D., Macomb, MI 48042
Helpful Resources
Safety History of Michigan School Buses is Easy to Access
The Michigan State Police (MSP) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) is reminding parents and guardians that checking the safety record of your child’s school bus is as simple as scanning a QR code.
Under the School Bus Inspection Program, all vehicles transporting children to or from school events must undergo annual inspection by MSP CVED members. Once inspected, a bright green sticker showing the MSP shield and school calendar year is placed on the front windshield. Inspection results are available to anyone by scanning the QR code displayed on the bus service door where students enter the bus.
For The New Year, Get Your Health Plan Coverage Now
Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) urges residents to secure health insurance by purchasing a Health Insurance Marketplace plan now, for coverage starting on February 1, 2024. Even if you’re happy with your current plan, updating the HealthCare.gov application may help increase your savings.
Open enrollment for 2024 health insurance runs through January 15, 2024. Consumers can access free local enrollment help at LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov, shop on the Health Insurance Marketplace or call 800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).