I hope you are having a great start to the spring season and enjoying what the warmer weather brings to our state.
This week, we are shining a light on government transparency during Sunshine Week, March 10-16. Find out more about that and other legislative updates below.
If you or someone you know would like 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 SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-2523.
Mallory McMorrow
State Senator
District 8
Featured in This Newsletter
- Action in the Legislature
- In the Community
- News You Can Use
- Good News from the District
Action in the Legislature
March 12 Equal Pay Day in Michigan!
Senate Resolution 101 was passed, designating March 12 as Equal Pay Day in Michigan — it symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. Over a working lifetime, wage disparity costs the average American woman and her family, impacting retirement savings, Social Security benefits and pensions.
Pay discrimination affects women across ethnic backgrounds and racial groups —with significant disparities seen for Black, Native American, Latina, and Asian American and Pacific Islander women.
Wage disparities for women are further increased by significant shocks to the economy, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tackling Predatory Payday Loan Practices
This week, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill to cap interest rates on payday loans in Michigan at 36%. Currently, there are no restrictions on these interest rates and these lenders have been charging residents up to 370% on payday loans. In Michigan, nearly 3/4 of payday borrowers fall into a cycle of debt, immediately taking out new loans after repaying their previous ones. A majority of payday lenders’ profits stem from borrowers caught in a cycle of at least 10 loans per year.
Predatory practices of payday lenders lead the people who use them to face a higher risk of bankruptcy than those in similar financial situations who do not borrow from such institutions. Studies show that payday lending stores tend to target and adversely impact those in rural areas and marginalized communities, which can contribute to long-term economic disparities.
Senate Bill 632 addresses these issues by proposing a cap on interest rates for payday loans in Michigan. Testimony from the Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection showed how financially and emotionally devastating predatory payday loan practices are to Michiganders. More than 100 organizations from around the stateindicated their support for the legislation.
The bill is now in the House for further consideration. If it passes in the House and the governor signs it into law, Michigan will join 20 other states and the District of Columbia in implementing similar measures.
Senate Passes Bipartisan Government Transparency Bills Out of Committee
March 10-16, we observe Sunshine Week, a bipartisan effort dedicated to promoting the importance of public records and transparency in government. This year, we took significant steps by advancing two bipartisan bills from the Senate Oversight Committee.
Senate Bills 669 and 670 would require compliance from the governor’s office and Michigan Legislature with the state’s existing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations.
Legislation to Protect Voters Protection, Prevent Use of Firearms for Intimidation During Election Process Passes Senate
The Senate passed House Bills 4127 and 4128, legislation that will ban open carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling places and ballot drop boxes during elections.
Everyone should feel safe exercising their right to vote. The goal is to prevent any form of voter intimidation against election officials or those participating in the democratic process. This aligns Michigan with several other states such as Florida, Texas and Mississippi. These bills were returned to the House for consideration.
In the Community
Elementary Students Visit Lansing
It was wonderful to welcome 4th graders from Oak Ridge Elementary in Royal Oak to the Senate floor on Wednesday. I love visiting with students as they come to learn about our state Capitol!
News You Can Use
March Is Reading Month
Throughout March, we celebrate the joy of reading! Schools, libraries and communities come together to promote literacy and encourage everyone to pick up a book. From reading challenges to author visits, there are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of books. So, grab a book, find a cozy spot and let your imagination soar.
Here is a link to a video of me reading Rosie Revere, Engineer. I hope you enjoy it!
Women’s History Month
This month, we celebrate the contributions of women throughout history and across various industries. The women of the Michigan Senate serve as trailblazers — asserting themselves and their voices, occupying more prominent positions and making a greater impact than ever before.
To learn more about the impact of women in the Michigan Legislature, click here.
MDOT Urges Drivers to Utilize Zipper Merging to Reduce Construction Delays
Every Michigander’s favorite season — construction season — is almost upon us, which means it’s time to gear up for the usual lane closures, traffic shuffles and detours ahead. Amidst these changes, it’s important to stay focused on the road and stay tuned in to updates, changes, or any potential delays.
To help ease the flow of traffic and minimize headaches, the Michigan Dept. of Tranportation (MDOT) is urging Michigan drivers to embrace the “zipper merge”technique when navigating through construction zones. Like the zipper on your coat, this method encourages utilizing both lanes until the merger point, allowing vehicles to take turns merging politely and orderly. By employing this approach, we can cut down on delays from two miles to just one mile, making the journey smoother for everyone. See how the zipper merge works here.
Residents Can File for Disaster Unemployment Assistance Benefits
In August 2023, residents in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties were impacted by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. If you were affected, you may be eligible to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) if you meet the qualifications.
Residents whose employment or self-employment was interrupted by the disaster have until March 27, 2024, to file for jobless benefits. For more information, click here.
Tax Help and Resources
It’s tax season! Remember that the deadline to file state and federal taxes is April 15. If you have questions about filing your taxes or want to check your refund status, view account information and more, click here.
If you are mailing in a paper form, please ensure to make a copy for yourself!
My office recently sent out a Tax Tips mailer. Here is a digital copy.
Michigan families began receiving Working Families Tax Credit supplemental checks last month. If you are a qualified recipient and believe there was an issue with getting your check, the Michigan Tax Help Center may be able to provide additional help.
Call Michigan 2-1-1
Michigan 2-1-1 is a toll-free service that provides residents with information. Specialists trained to assist community members will connect you with the proper resources. From utility payment assistance to household needs, 2-1-1 is a great tool for you and your loved ones to use.
Though based in Lansing, Michigan 2-1-1 supports about seven regions in the state of Michigan. You can text, email or call for help. For more information, click here.
Gov. Whitmer Launches the Battery and Advanced Manufacturing Challenge
On February 23, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the Battery and Advanced Manufacturing Challenge, a $125 million strategic investment from the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund. This investment offers matching grant dollars for battery and advanced manufacturing projects to help bring federal infrastructure in transformative projects to our state.
For more information regarding the Make It In Michigan Competitiveness Fund and how to apply, click here.
Gov. Whitmer Announces $72.5 Million in Blight Elimination Funds
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced recipients of $72.5 million in grants from the State Land Bank Authority (SLBA) to support projects that convert underutilized land into affordable housing opportunities and build safer, more prosperous communities through the final rounds of the Blight Elimination Program.
Nearly $6.5 million is aimed at stabilizing structures for future reuse, including housing, and $7.6 million is being directed toward the rehabilitation of mostly residential buildings.
To view a list of awardees, please click here.
EGLE Announces MI Recycling Grant Applications to Help Michigan Communities
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Recycling Unit is offering grants enabled by the Renew Michigan Fund for recycling infrastructure projects. In fiscal year 2024, EGLE will provide matching grants to increase access to recycling services and grow the statewide recycling rate.
The following types of entities are eligible to apply:
- Nonprofit organizations;
- Tribal governments;
- School districts, universities/colleges;
- Local health departments;
- Regional planning agencies;
- Cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties;
- Municipal solid waste authorities; and
- Resource recovery authorities.
The grant period is set to end on May 17, 2024.
Community Center Grant Funding in Local Communities
On March 1, 2024, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced $64 million in Community Center Grant funds for 100 Michigan municipalities and organizations. These grants will expand programming or work on capital projects to serve 1.6 million Michiganders and build on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s ‘Make it in Michigan’ strategy to win projects, invest in people and revitalize places. Community centers serve as a local resource hub for education, recreation and fellowship.
The grantees provide the following services: after-school programming, workforce development, recreational activities, supporting older adults and more. Grants will be awarded to 69 nonprofit agencies, 22 local government agencies and nine schools/universities across the state.
To learn more about grant recipients, please click here.
Small Businesses Impacted by Lack of Snow to Apply for Federal Funding
As Michigan continues to face record-high winter temperatures, small businesses impacted by the lack of snow this winter are urged to apply for federal funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Amid the warmest winter on record, with days in February and March topping 60 degrees, federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available because of ongoing federal drought declarations affecting 42 Michigan counties.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans are designed to help businesses through disaster situations that have impacted their economic well-being. Loans are up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Businesses pay no interest on the loan for the first year and a maximum rate of 4% for the rest of the loan period. Businesses must apply by the application deadline for their county.
Submit applications and find additional disaster assistance information at lending.sba.gov. Call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech-related disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Applicants may also contact the Michigan Small Business Development Center at 1-833-522-0025 or email sbdcmichigan@gvsu.edu.
Good News from the District
Proud MI Educator Award
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced the latest #proudMIeducator video featuring Carrie Betts, certified librarian at West Maple Elementary in Birmingham Public Schools.
The #proudMIeducator campaign highlights the amazing work of Michigan educators.
West Maple Elementary School’s library was named the 2023 National School Library of the Year by the American Association of School Librarians. This National School Library Award marks just the third time since the award was established in 1963 that a Michigan school district earned the prestigious honor of recognizing school libraries as a unique and essential part of the school learning community.
Congratulations on this national recognition!