Friends,
I hope this newsletter reaches you and your loved ones safe and happy. Below are several exciting legislative updates, as well as other news and resources.
Featured in this newsletter:
- Legislative Updates
- Upcoming Events
- Virtual Baby Safety Fair
- Helping Medicaid members keep their coverage
- Lowering the cost of tuition at Wayne State University
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.
Dayna Polehanki
State Senator
District 5
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Passage of Senate Bill 12
Last Friday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill that restores parents’ rights in deciding what’s best for their child’s education. Senate Bill 12 repeals a section of law that inserted government into students’ education by preventing students from being promoted if they did not meet one specific benchmark.
Protecting Workers’ Rights
Senate Bills 6 and 34, passed by the Senate on March 14, will restore the rights of workers and unions in their fight for higher paying jobs, strong benefits and a good quality of life for working families.
“When I woke up the morning after the election, realizing we had achieved the Democratic trifecta here in Michigan, that was one of the first things that came to my mind – that we will be repealing this union-busting legislation.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Coffee and Conversation with Sen. Polehanki
WHEN: Friday, April 14, 2023, from 10 – 11 am
WHERE: Team Wellness Center | Team West Clinic, 34290 Ford Rd, Westland, MI 48185
*Please note that the entrance to the venue is on N. Wildwood St. even though the address is listed as Ford Rd. Park in back and enter through back entrance.
VIRTUAL BABY SAFETY FAIR
On April 4, 2023, from 10 – 11:30 am, join the Oakland County Health Division for a virtual baby safety fair to learn about important safety information to keep your baby or grandbaby safe.
Topics will include:
- Child Passenger Safety
- Marijuana and Vaping Risks & Cessation
- Referrals through WIC
- Postpartum Depression and Coping
- Wellness Visits
- Infant Safe Sleep Friendly Gifts
Please register at bit.ly/3XzkIYs. Registration is required. You don’t need to be an Oakland County resident to attend.
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.
LOWERING THE COST OF TUITION AT WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined Wayne State University officials to announce the Wayne State Guarantee, a new initiative offering incoming Michigan students with family incomes of $70,000 or less a tuition-free degree with zero out-of-pocket expenses. The program will begin in the fall of 2023 and cover the full cost of tuition and standard fees. This is made possible thanks to the bipartisan Michigan Achievement Scholarship program, which Governor Whitmer signed into law in 2022, saving students up to $8,250 on their associate degree at a community college, up to $20,000 at a private college, or up to $27,500 at a public university.
Who’s Eligible for the Wayne State Guarantee
- Incoming first-year undergraduates who are Michigan residents admitted for fall 2023 as a first-time undergraduate in a degree-program.
- Household income of $70,000 or less and assets of $50,000 or less as confirmed on the 2023-24 FAFSA.
- Michigan residents eligible for the Pell grant in 2023-24 are also eligible.
- Must be enrolled full time (12 or more credit hours per semester) each semester. Funding is for the fall and winter semesters.
- WSU must receive your 2023-24 FAFSA by April 1, 2023, and be eligible to receive federal student aid.
- Must be admitted to WSU by April 1, 2023.