Senate District 7 Updates

June 9, 2021

Hello Friends,

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family safe and healthy. Summer is in full swing here in Michigan, which means lots of fun in the sun but also making sure to stay safe while enjoying time with friends and family.

Included in this newsletter are a recap on historic K-12 education funding passed by the Michigan Senate last week, along with resources to make sure you are protecting yourself while exploring the great Michigan outdoors, information about how to enter the recently announced MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes, what schools can do to prepare for the upcoming academic year, and being aware of potential consumer scams.

As always, it’s an honor to serve you. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance.

Dayna Polehanki
State Senator
7th District

SENATE PASSES HISTORIC K-12 SCHOOL FUNDING

On Wednesday, June 30, the Senate passed a K-12 budget containing $17.1 billion — a combination of state and federal funds that will surely help our students and their districts who’ve struggled dearly through the pandemic. The Senate kept a per-pupil minimum foundation allowance of $8,700 passed by the House, making it the largest investment in K-12 public schools in our state’s history and that closes the gap between the lowest- and highest-funded school districts for the first time since the goal was introduced in 1994.

I was pleased to end the ‘two-tier system’ of school funding created by Proposal A, which created a funding gap between the state’s wealthiest and poorest districts, and I was proud to support expanding preschool opportunities for eligible four-year-old children through the Great Start Readiness Program.

This legislation finally placed the much-needed emphasis on funding education the way it always should have been. I look forward to continuing to expand upon the effort to ensure this change lasts for generations to come.

>> Read the press statement I issued on this funding.

STATE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR FLOOD-INDUCED HOME REPAIRS

Low-income residents affected by recent flooding in Michigan may be eligible for emergency relief assistance through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The State Emergency Relief Program provides immediate help to families and individuals facing conditions of extreme hardship or for emergencies that threaten health and safety. It is available to eligible residents that need help with home repairs necessary to correct unsafe conditions and restore essential services.

Applicants must be the owner or purchaser of the home and meet other eligibility requirements, including income limits, to qualify. The lifetime maximum amount of funds available for non-energy related home repairs is $1,500 per household. State Emergency Relief Program assistance is available for repairs not covered by homeowner’s insurance for the basic house structure, hot water heater, septic/waste disposal system, doors/windows, extermination services, electrical, plumbing, roofs, and wells.

To apply for State Emergency Relief, visit Michigan.gov/MIBridges. Anyone who does not have internet access or needs assistance applying can contact their local MDHHS office or call 2-1-1 to be referred to other community resources.

INSURANCE TIPS TO RESIDENTS FOLLOWING SEVERE WEATHER

Following heavy rain, widespread flooding, and tornadoes across the state this past week, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is providing tips to assist residents when working with insurance companies to file claims and repair damages.

Michiganders impacted by flood waters or other storm damage should:

Contact their insurance company’s claims hotline and/or agent to report the claim. Have the policy number and other relevant information readily available. DIFS has prepared an Insurance Claims Tracking Sheet to make this process easier.
If there is water damage to a home or other structure, consumers should tell their insurance company that there is water damage, and they are looking to determine what coverage is available. Consumers should not simply state that the damage is due to a flood as there may be additional causes for water damage, such as a sewer backup or failing sump pump, that may be covered under the policy.
Review insurance policies to understand their coverage. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners and renters’ insurance policies. There are certain insurance policies, including federal flood insurance, that homeowners would need to purchase to have coverage for flooding or water and sewer back-up resulting from storms or other natural disasters. It is important to discuss these options with your insurance agent or your insurance company well before flooding or damage occurs. Keep in mind that coverage through the federal flood insurance program typically takes 30 days to go into effect.
Take steps to protect the property and prevent further loss. Be sure to keep receipts for any purchases of supplies that are needed to protect the property.
Document the loss. Take pictures or videos of the damaged items and do not get rid of the items until instructed to do so by the insurance company.
If there is water damage to a vehicle, consumers should contact their auto insurance company. They may have coverage for the damage if they carried comprehensive coverage on their auto policy.

DIFS encourages consumers to first attempt to resolve any claim disputes directly with their insurance company. If a resolution cannot be reached, DIFS will help try to resolve disputes. To learn more and file a complaint, visit Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints. Anyone with questions or concerns about their insurance coverage is asked to call the DIFS toll-free hotline 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442.

JULY IS LAKES APPRECIATION MONTH

On Tuesday, July 7, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer designated July as Lakes Appreciation Month, highlighting a resource that fuels Michigan’s economy, is the source of drinking water for millions, draws tourists from around the world and offers countless opportunities for recreation.

The Governor’s MI Healthy Climate Plan creates a roadmap to a carbon neutral economy by 2050 that will also protect the state’s natural resources, including lakes. In addition, her MI Clean Water Plan is a $500 million investment in infrastructure from source to tap that will make for cleaner, more affordable water. Nearly $3 million under the plan will help communities develop, update and improve their wastewater and stormwater plans, keeping pollutants out of Michigan’s lakes and rivers.

Protecting water resources is part of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) mission and the department is leading the development and implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan and the MI Clean Water Plan. The department’s Office of the Great Lakes oversees Great Lakes water policy and strategy implementation as well as representing the state at national forums regarding the Great Lakes. Learn more at Michigan.gov/EGLE.

HISTORIC $150 MILLION INVESTMENT PROPOSED FOR LOCAL PARKS, TRAILS

On Tuesday, July 7, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a historic investment in community parks and recreation facilities, proposing $150 million in federal relief dollars from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan be dedicated to addressing critical needs in local park systems.

Each year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources receives grant requests from local communities and many of those requests go unfunded because there isn’t enough money available to support them. Over the last five years, the average of development grant applications to the DNR for three primary grant programs — the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Recreation Passport Grants and Land and Water Conservation Fund — has approached $40 million annually.

Nearly $20 million of those annual requests could not be met because of lack of available funding.

This investment would create good-paying, blue collar jobs across the state and be administered as a grant program by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that would support the economies, health, and recovery of communities statewide. It would also serve to boost tourism to Michigan parks, which generates value for surrounding communities, creates jobs, and sustains small businesses. On average, every $1 invested in land conservation leads to $4 in economic benefit.

GET VACCINATED AND ENTER THE MI SHOT TO WIN SWEEPSTAKES

On Thursday, July 1, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the creation of the MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes, a lottery-style raffle that gives vaccinated Michiganders a chance to win $5 million in cash and a combined total of nearly $500,000 in college scholarships.

Under Michigan’s new sweepstakes, residents aged 18 and older who have received one dose of vaccine are eligible to register for a combined total of $5 million in cash giveaways. In addition, Michigan’s vaccine sweepstakes will offer the opportunity to win one of nine Scholarship Drawing prizes available to vaccinated Michiganders between ages 12-17 whose parents enter on their behalf. Each Scholarship Drawing prize consists of a four-year Michigan Education Trust (MET) charitable tuition contract (valued at $55,000) that may be used to pay for tuition and mandatory fees at a college or university in accordance with MET terms and conditions.

The sweepstakes began July 1 and will end on Aug. 3, 2021. Eligibility criteria for each of the drawings is at MIShotToWin.com.

Michiganders can qualify to enter the sweepstakes by getting vaccinated for COVID-19 at Meijer or receiving their vaccine from their doctor, local health department, pharmacy, hospital, etc.

The MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes giveaways include:

$1 Million Drawing. There is one (1) $1M Drawing prize for Michiganders aged 18 and older consisting of $1 million awarded as a check or electronic transfer to the confirmed winner.
$50,000 Daily Drawings. There are thirty (30) $50,000 Daily Drawing prizes available for Michiganders aged 18 and older, each consisting of $50,000 awarded as a check or electronic transfer to the confirmed winners.
$2 Million Drawing. There is one (1) $2 Million Drawing prize for Michiganders aged 18 and older consisting of $2 million awarded as a check or electronic transfer to the confirmed winner.

Scholarship Drawing. There are nine (9) Scholarship Drawing prizes available for Michiganders aged 12-17 whose parents enter on their behalf. Each Scholarship Drawing prize consists of a four-year Michigan Education Trust (MET) Charitable Tuition Program contract (valued at $55,000) that may be used to pay for tuition and mandatory fees at a college or university in accordance with MET terms and conditions.

Michigan residents can register to win online or to enter the sweepstakes by phone, call the MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes Hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1) between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, or from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY BY PREVENTING TICK BITES

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is encouraging Michigan residents to take steps to avoid tick bites when enjoying the outdoors this summer. Tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, are increasing across the state.

Signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease typically begin one to two weeks after a tick bite or being in wooded or brushy areas where ticks commonly live. Early symptoms can be non-specific and include fever or chills, rash, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics can decrease the risk of serious complications.

Protect yourself and your family against tick-borne diseases by following these tips:

Avoid tick-infested areas:

As ticks live in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush, and leaf litter at trail edges.
Protect your pets — dogs and cats can encounter ticks outdoors and bring them into the home. Talk with your veterinarian about the best tick prevention products for your pet.

Use insect repellent:

Apply repellent containing DEET or Picaridin on exposed skin.
Treat clothes (especially pants, socks and shoes) with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact or buy clothes that are pre-treated. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying repellents.

Perform daily tick checks:

Always check for ticks on yourself and your animals after being outdoors, even in your own yard.
Inspect all body surfaces carefully and remove attached ticks with tweezers. To remove a tick, grasp the tick firmly and as closely to the skin as possible. With a steady motion, pull the tick’s body away from the skin. Cleanse the area with an antiseptic.

Bathe or shower:

Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that are crawling on you.
Wash clothing in hot water and dry on high heat to help kill ticks in clothing.

Not all ticks spread the same germs. MDHHS can help to identify ticks you may encounter outdoors. Residents can email photos of ticks to MDHHS-Bugs@michigan.gov for identification. Michiganders can also submit ticks to MDHHS for identification free of charge. For more information on how to submit your tick and/or photos, visit Michigan.gov/lyme.

MDHHS ISSUES COVID-19 SCHOOL GUIDANCE

On Friday, June 25, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued recommendations for schools to help prevent transmission of COVID-19 within school buildings to reduce disruptions to in-person learning and help protect those who are not fully vaccinated.

To help schools prepare for the return of people to indoor settings in the fall, the guidance outlines mitigation measures designed to protect students, teachers, and staff, and maintain in-person learning. Schools can layer multiple prevention strategies developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce transmission of the virus within school buildings.

This will help minimize disruptions to in-person learning and help protect the people who are not fully vaccinated, which currently includes all children under the age of 12 years. All prevention strategies provide some level of protection, and layered strategies implemented at the same time provide the greatest level of protection.

Key prevention strategies in schools include:
Promoting COVID-19 vaccination for eligible staff and students.
Correctly and consistently using well-fitted masks that cover the nose and mouth.
Practicing social and physical distancing, including keeping groups of children together to reduce potential exposures.
Conducting COVID-19 screenings, encouraging testing, and implementing contact tracing protocols.

Maintaining healthy environments by promoting handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, along with routine cleaning to help maintain healthy facilities and avoiding crowded and/or poorly ventilated indoor activities.

Michigan residents seeking more information about the COVID-19 vaccine can visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine.

STOP UTILITY FRAUD: DON’T GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is urging Michiganders to be cautious about giving out personal information or information about your utility account after four of the agency’s staff received misleading phone calls on their home or personal phones in recent weeks.

One MPSC staff member received a phone call from a caller claiming to be from the State of Michigan and asked repeatedly for information about her gas bill. Another staff member received a call in which the caller implied he was from Consumers Energy Co. and asked repeatedly for her account information.

Neither the State of Michigan nor energy utilities such as Consumers Energy or DTE Energy Co. make unsolicited phone calls or come to your door asking to see your utility bill or for your utility account number. Utility customers should call the MPSC’s Customer Assistance Division at 1-800-292-9555 if they receive high-pressure calls asking for personal utility account information, which can be used to switch utility service without permission.