Senator McMorrow’s April Newsletter of Constituents
The senate passed Extreme Risk Protection Order legislation, a result of over 10 years of hard work by gun violence prevention activists. Red flag bills were first introduced in the state house by former state representative, Robert Wittenberg, back in 2014.
“These laws will help prevent tragedies before they occur while maintaining due process, by allowing law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others,” McMorrow said in a past statement.
As written in the Free Press: “Under Michigan’s proposed red flag law − Senate Bill 83 − certain individuals such as family members and law enforcement officers could petition a court to take away guns from those they believe pose an imminent threat to themselves or others.”
Courts must issue an order if it “determines by the preponderance of the evidence” that an individual “can reasonably be expected within the near future to intentionally or unintentionally seriously physically injure” themselves by continuing to possess a firearm ‘and has engaged in an act or acts or made significant threats that are substantially supportive of the expectation.”
“These laws are relatively new on the books,” said Shannon Frattaroli, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “The promising evidence that’s coming out around extreme risk protection orders, is their potential to prevent suicide.”
Full text of Freep article linked here.
Since being named chair of the Senate Economic & Community Development committee, Sen. McMorrow has held a number of committee meetings with testimony from the Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), Tim Bartik of Upjohn Institute, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Ned Staebler with Wayne State University to educate members and the public on our economic forecast in Michigan, the needs of employers for talented employees, efforts to expand postsecondary education attainment, and how economic incentives need to be redeveloped.
Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund or SOAR, was passed into law in late 2021 as a tool to attract businesses to set up shop in Michigan. SOAR is one of several tools needed to continue to grow Michigan’s economy, as is Michigan Reconnect, Futures for Frontliners, Going PRO, and several other initiatives of Governor Whitmer’s administration. However, now that there’s been time to see how SOAR works, it’s time to revamp this tool to better invest in our communities and talent, and not just offer incentives to businesses. This is the beginning of a long process.
Read more about what’s on the horizon for economic and community development here.
Helping Medicaid members keep their coverage
Take action to avoid a gap in coverage
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE), allowing Medicaid members to keep their health care coverage. Per recent federal legislation, eligibility renewals will start again in June. Monthly renewal notifications will be sent by mail beginning in May.
Following these steps will help determine if you still qualify:
- Make sure your contact information is up to date.
- Check mail or text messages for a letter.
- Complete your renewal form (if you get one).
If you’re a Medicaid member, learn more about how these changes may affect your health care coverage at Michigan.gov/2023benefitchanges.
Meijer Recalls Select Premade Salads Due to Potential Health Risk
Meijer, in conjunction with its supplier, Revolution Farms, is announcing a voluntary recall of select Fresh From Meijer premade salads because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
The recalled pre-made salads have a Fresh From Meijer sticker on a clear plastic container. Customers who have purchased any of these products should immediately throw them away. A full refund can be requested at the Customer Service desk of the nearest Meijer store. Customers with questions regarding this recall can contact Meijer at 800-543-3704 from 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM (EDT) daily. Customers with questions or concerns about their health are encouraged to contact their primary care provider. More info available here.
Sen. McMorrow hosted her first in-district town hall at Royal Oak High School. She gave a presentation on how our state government works, an overview of the budget process, how to engage with your legislators most effectively, and an update on all of the legislation passed in the first 100 days in Lansing. Here’s what she shared about engaging with legislators:
Effective tactics
- Find out who your elected officials are on all levels – use BallotPedia “Who Represents Me?”
- Follow your legislators.
- Social media.
- Email newsletters.
Write, email, or call
- Identify yourself as a constituent – name/address/phone number.
- Share what you’re concerned about – specific bill? Let us know the issue AND the bill number (if you know).
- Be thoughtful, be a real person.
- You’ll get out what you put in…
- If you have genuine expert knowledge, share it!
- Be constructive – if you have suggested changes, documentation is always helpful.
Attend a town hall or office hours event
- We host livestreams regularly on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIN.
Join an association or activism group on an issue you care about
- Gun violence (Moms Demand Action).
- Environment (Sierra Club, LCV).
- Industry Association (Restaurant & Lodging Association, Realtors, Small Business Association…).
- Your local political club if you align with a party and want to impact a broad range of issues.
Visit us in Lansing!
- Reach out ahead of your visit.
- If students/kids are coming with school, let us know in advance!
- Be recognized from the Senate floor in the gallery!
This past week, Senators McMorrow and Moss attended the Birmingham Board of Education meeting to check in with the newly redistricted communities, including the new districts within Beverly Hills, which they both represent. The senators shared that we are hard at work on the FY 2024 budget and are eager to deliver another strong school aid budget in the coming months.
Senator McMorrow attended a meet and greet held by a resident group at Baldwin House Senior Living in Birmingham this past week. The discussion included:
- The need for affordable, reliable housing, including their interest for Right to Renew legislation at the municipal and state level.
- Persistent scams aimed at seniors and how they can protect themselves. You can visit Michigan.gov/AG and follow AG Dana Nessel on Facebook—they do a great job sharing information about scams.
- Concerns about continued Medicaid and Medicare coverage.
Summer is rapidly approaching! Plan your visit to the Detroit Zoo! They host regular lectures, educational and fun activities for families, Zoo Brew and more. Visit the events page for more information and to purchase tickets.
Please continue to stay updated on Senator McMorrow’s work by following her on Facebook and tuning into her virtual coffee hours (almost) every Friday.