Dear Neighbor,
I hope this email finds you well and that you are enjoying the warmer weather! From making progress on our “A Michigan You Can Afford” agenda to advancing legislation to protect voting rights, my colleagues and I have been busy in Lansing. Keep reading for updates on our work, as well as resources and information you may find helpful.
I appreciate your feedback, so please feel free to reach out. You can contact me by sending an email to SenVKlinefelt@senate.michigan.gov, calling 517-373-7670, or visiting my website here.
Sincerely,
Veronica Klinefelt
State Senator
District 11
Making Progress with A Michigan You Can Afford Agenda
From the grocery store and gas station to the price tag on childcare and doctors’ visits, reckless actions by D.C. Republicans are taking their toll on household budgets across Michigan. That’s why we launched A Michigan You Can Afford agenda just a few weeks ago, which aims to do exactly what it says — lower the high costs of living burdening Michiganders around the state. In recent weeks, my colleagues and I have made exciting progress on some of the bills outlined in this agenda to:
- Ban auto and home insurance companies from exploiting your shopping patterns to determine the highest rates you are willing to pay, a practice also known as “price optimization.” (Passed out of committee)
- Prohibit surveillance pricing for e-commerce and dynamic pricing for retail stores, additional deceptive practices companies utilize to take advantage of consumers to benefit their bottom line. (Introduced)
- Eliminate out-of-pocket costs for three of the state’s most high-volume, life-saving medical necessities, including Insulin, Epinephrine, and Inhalers. (Introduced)
- Create a state-based health care exchange, which would lower premiums and give Michiganders more options and more control over their health insurance. (Passed out of the Senate)
As we do this work and advance this legislative agenda through the Senate, I want to hear from you. Make your voice heard and help shape this package by sharing your experience in the survey below, so we can work together to deliver a solution that works for you, your family, and our state.
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity
In addition to driving forward legislation to make life more affordable, my colleagues and I have also been working to address other critical issues facing residents and communities across the state. This past week, I’m proud to report that we’ve made some progress advancing bills to:
Crack Down on Blighted Storefronts: Blighted storefronts create safety hazards, decrease property values, and hinder economic growth here in our community and across Michigan. Yet right now, big box retailers are exploiting loopholes in our state’s tax code, using these vacant properties to artificially lower their tax bills instead of reinvesting in the communities they’ve left behind. To address this issue, I introduced legislation to help our local communities put an end to “dark stores.” This bill is currently moving through the committee process.
Protect Voting Rights: After months of reports detailing the Trump administration’s efforts to nationalize elections and restrict access to mail-in voting — the latest blow to election integrity came earlier this spring as the U.S. Supreme Court eviscerated key protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. To fight against these attacks, my colleagues and I passed legislation that would establish a state-level Voting Rights Act to ensure every eligible voter has access to the ballot box. Read more here.
Help Residents Save for Retirement: To help ensure all hardworking folks in our state can save for their golden years, we passed legislation to establish the MI Secure Retirement Savings Program which would automatically enroll individuals who are not offered a savings plan through their current employer in a state-run Roth IRA. Read more here.
Ribbon Cutting for 13 Mile Road Pump Station in Roseville
FAME Awards
Community Conversation in Roseville
Welcoming Eastpointe Students to Lansing
Connecting with Residents in Fraser
Walking in the Eastpointe Memorial Day Parade
Summer Meal Programs Available to Michigan Children
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), also known as Meet Up and Eat Up, is available for children to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations when they do not have access to the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs. This program is operated at the local level by program sponsors and is administered by the Michigan Dept. of Education (MDE), Office of Nutrition Services. To find a Meet Up and Eat Up Site, please call 211, text “food” to 304-304, or click here.
Take Advantage of Double Up Food Bucks
For those who shop for groceries with a SNAP or Michigan Bridge Card, you can double your benefits to purchase fresh, Michigan-grown fruits and veggies using Double Up Food Bucks. The program is available at 240+ participating farmers markets, farm stands, and grocery stores across Michigan. With farmers market season officially here, it’s a great time to use the program! Learn how it works and find a participating location near you at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org.