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Friends, I hope you’re enjoying your summer. As always, it is an honor to serve as your State Senator in Lansing, and I thank you for sharing thoughts and concerns with me. Featured in this newsletter:
Should you need any help, please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-7350 or by email at SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov. |
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Dayna Polehanki
BUDGET AGREEMENT SIGNED INTO LAW On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer officially signed a bipartisan budget agreement for the upcoming fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 into law. This budget focuses on:
I was especially proud to vote in support of the K-12 budget, which funded many of the same initiatives I and my Democratic colleagues sought in our teacher retention legislative package (which you can read more about here). Years of inadequate funding of public education have led to a teacher pipeline crisis. So, I’m heartened that the ideas we put forward last week are being funded today, as Michigan children deserve to have a high-quality teacher in front of them. Specific investments funded in the K-12 budget include the following initiatives:
988 CRISIS LIFELINE NOW AVAILABLE Michiganders in crisis now have an easy-to-remember, three-digit number to call for help: 988. Michigan has joined the nation in transitioning to the 988-dialing code, which will operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s network of more than 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the country.
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In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, expanding the existing Lifeline beyond people who are feeling suicidal to all individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, including suicidal thoughts or substance abuse issues, such as:
The 988-dialing code does not replace the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK (8255)) or other locally operated crisis lines. Instead, it serves as a universal entry point to connect individuals in need to trained crisis counselors who can help. For more information, visit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Michigan Crisis & Access Line.
GOV. WHITMER ESTABLISHES MICHIGAN PARENTS’ COUNCIL On Friday, July 15, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order that creates the Michigan Parents’ Council to bring parents more formally into the policymaking process. The council will build on the governor’s work to include the parent perspective into the start of the 2022-2023 school year, the education budget, and streamline how parent recommendations are included in Michigan’s education budget. It will represent parents from across Michigan and host a series of regional parent roundtables to gather input. Seven parents or family members appointed by the governor will lead the council and convene regional roundtables with families across Michigan to bring in as many voices as possible. Appointees must:
The council will also include the governor’s K-12 policy advisor and a designated representative of the Superintendent of Public Instruction from the Michigan Department of Education. Michigan parents and family members interested in becoming a part of the council can apply online at Michigan.gov/Whitmer/Appointments. Click “Apply Now” and select “
AG NESSEL RELAUNCHES POWER OUTAGE FEEDBACK FORM Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is once again asking consumers to provide feedback to the department after experiencing a power outage in order to help inform her continued advocacy before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). The form, available on the Department of Attorney General website, allows consumers to submit information about the outage, its length of time, and restoration experience. It should take less than five minutes to complete. In addition to providing feedback, the summertime presents the opportunity to review Nessel’s consumer alerts related to flooding and power loss, including researching contractors if home repairs are needed before paying for a project and alerting drivers of water-damaged vehicles being sold on the used car market. Your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. Consumer complaints can be filed online at the Attorney General’s website, or if you have questions call 877-765-8388.
DIFS ALERTS CONSUMERS TO RECURRING SCAM AND HOW TO AVOID IT The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding consumers of best practices to avoid being victimized by a recurring scam in which impostors call consumers and identify themselves as financial institutions and utility companies requesting payments or personal information. One recent version of this scam involves criminals posing as DTE Energy contacting customers first via text message and then by phone call asking them to make missed payments through a website, often using cash transfer apps such as Zelle. DTE Energy has confirmed that it will never contact customers through text messaging. If you are unsure about a caller claiming to be a DTE employee, the utility recommends that you hang up and call their customer service line at 800-477-4747. Here are the most important steps that consumers can take to avoid falling prey to these scams:
Individuals who believe they are a victim of fraud should first contact their financial institution or the company that the compromised account is with to attempt to resolve the issue. If you feel the company did not appropriately handle your complaint, contact DIFS by calling 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by completing an online complaint form. |
