Dear Neighbor,
I hope you’re keeping warm as December brings colder weather to Michigan. With the holiday season here, I extend my best wishes to you and your loved ones. May you find time to unwind, relax and enjoy the festivities and celebrations.
Reflecting on the Senate Majority’s achievements this year, it is clear that our success stems from genuine conversations and active listening to constituents. The work accomplished puts Michigan on track for a brighter future. I am eager to continue this impactful work for the people and communities of District 5 in the coming year.
As always, 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 SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-7350.
Featured in this newsletter:
- Community Update
- Community Event
- Community Resources
Working for you,
Dayna Polehanki
State Senator
District 5
Community Update
EGLE Seeks Community Input on the Justice40 Program
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is asking for community input to develop a Justice40 technical assistance program to assist community-based organizations in Michigan’s disadvantaged communities to build capacity and secure more funding for climate and energy projects and to help implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan.
EGLE is seeking input on the Justice40 Program’s initial design and the operator selection process. Billions in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are available for climate and energy projects. The Justice40 commitment mandates that at least 40% of benefits reach disadvantaged communities in Michigan.
Responses must be received by December 31, 2023, at 5:00 PM. Written responses must be submitted via one of the following:
- Online Form
- Email: EGLE-OCE@Michigan.gov
- Regular United States mail to:
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Executive Office, Office of Climate and Energy
P.O. Box 30473, Lansing, MI 48909-7973
Food Access News Story
In the state of Michigan, many communities are struggling to access food on a daily basis. In fact, according to the 2022 Food Security Council final report, food insecurity increased to approximately 1.9 million people in Michigan at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, including 552,000 children. Throughout the holiday season, the issue of food insecurity is often exacerbated, and many families go without a holiday dinner. However, local food banks and food centers serve as vital resources and aid in reducing the food insecurity gap during the holiday season and beyond. To learn more, click here.
MI Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development Invites Feedback on Grant Programs Implementing MI Healthy Climate Plan
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) launched a ‘2024 Industry Input Survey’ and is now asking for feedback for its upcoming grant programs next year. The results will help shape program priorities that better reflect the needs of Michigan’s food and agriculture industry.
from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program and $1.8 million in state dollars for supporting Michigan’s food and agriculture supply chains.
Additionally, MDARD received $2.9 million for a new program aimed at helping minority-owned food and agriculture ventures in the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The department is working to build out this new program to support and expand minority food and agriculture businesses throughout Michigan. The survey closes on December 20, 2023. For more information, click here.
Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential Officially Launches
On December 1, Governor Gretchen Whitmer officially launched the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, or MiLEAP. The new department, established by executive order in July, is tasked with improving outcomes from preschool through postsecondary so anyone can ‘Make it in Michigan’ with a solid education and a path to a good-paying job.
The new department will take over several early learning, higher education and education partnership responsibilities from other state departments. Over 300 staff members will join MiLEAP in the same roles they had in their previous department. For more information, click here.
Michigan Achievement Scholarship
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship was first included in FY 2022-23 and provides last dollar scholarship awards to Michigan undergraduate students at public and private 2-year and 4-year institutions. The budget included a net increase of $50 million deposit into the Postsecondary Scholarship Fund, which is a 20% increase. This is the funding source for Michigan Achievement Scholarships.
The scholarships are awarded to eligible in-state students that graduate high school or achieve an equivalency certificate in 2023 or after and attend an eligible Michigan public university, community college, tribal college or independent nonprofit college or university full-time. Total funding for Michigan Achievement Scholarships for FY 2023-24 will be $300 million restricted. For more information, click here.
Legislative Updates
Senate Bills 418, 421, 425, 426, 428, 429 and 435 — sponsored by Sens. Santana, Klinefelt, Shink, Wojno, Change, Irwin and Polehanki and signed into law by Gov. Whitmer this week — reform Michigan’s juvenile justice system and serve to fulfill many of the recommendations from the Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform.
The expansion of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission reflects a commitment to providing comprehensive defense standards for youth. Prioritizing rehabilitation and addressing outcome disparities not only leads to positive outcomes for the youth in the justice system but also contributes to safer communities across Michigan.
Drug Immunity Repealed in Michigan
This month, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 410, repealing drug immunity in the state of Michigan. Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin, the new law eliminates legal provisions that shielded pharmaceutical companies from certain lawsuits brought by consumers.
In 1995, Michigan passed legislation that made the state the only one in the nation that protected drug manufacturers and sellers from liability stemming from the safety and efficacy of their products. The 1995 legislation left the state of Michigan and its residents unable to address the conduct of certain companies in the context of the opioid epidemic and recovery of taxpayer dollars paid out from the Medicaid program due to fraud.
Now with this legislation repealed, Michigan and its residents are now on an even playing field with the rest of the country in terms of drug industry liability.
Financial Disclosure, Improving Transparency
For a long time, Michigan was one of only two states where lawmakers did not have to file any type of public report about their personal finances. After extensive input from stakeholders and lawmakers, bipartisan financial disclosure Senate Bills 613–616, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Moss and Sen. Sam Singh, passed the Senate nearly unanimously and are now one step closer to helping improve government transparency and codify Proposal 1 of 2022 — which was supported by 2.8 million Michigan voters just last year.
Per Proposal 1 of 2022, and going beyond it, the legislation passed will ensure that starting next year on April 15, each lawmaker must disclose:
- Every source of income;
- Assets held for investment or production of income;
- Significant liabilities;
- Positions held in organizations;
- Future employment agreements;
- Spouse’s occupation and more.
The Senate bills also extend this disclosure to candidates for office so that voters can vet these potential conflicts as they decide on who they want to represent them.
Resources
Safety History of Michigan School Buses is Easy to Access
The Michigan State Police (MSP) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) is reminding parents and guardians that checking the safety record of your child’s school bus is as simple as scanning a QR code.
Under the School Bus Inspection Program, all vehicles transporting children to or from school events must undergo annual inspection by MSP CVED members. Once inspected, a bright green sticker showing the MSP shield and school calendar year is placed on the front windshield.
Inspection results are available to anyone by scanning the QR code displayed on the bus service door where students enter the bus.
Pets as a Gift Added to List of Scams to Watch Out For
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Humane Society of the United States are urging Michiganders to be wary of puppy scams when looking to adopt or purchase dogs this holiday season.
Remember to stay hyper-vigilant and use these best practices to avoid puppy scams:
- Make sure the person you’re gifting the pet to wants the pet and is ready for ownership.
- Research the breed and breeder.
- If the breeder claims to have registered the puppy, research the pet.
- Do not purchase a puppy sight-unseen.
- Arrange for safe transport of the pet.
- Use a credit card to make the purchase.
- Retain all documents and communications from the breeder.
- Consider contacting your local shelter for adoption.
Michigan consumers who believe they have been a victim of a puppy scam can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team online.
One Week Left! Get Your Health Plan Coverage Now
Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) urges residents to secure health insurance by purchasing a Health Insurance Marketplace plan before December 15, 2023, for coverage starting on January 1, 2024. Although enrollment continues until January 15, 2024, plans selected after December 15 won’t be effective until February 1, 2024. Even if you’re happy with your current plan, updating the HealthCare.gov application may help increase your savings.
Open enrollment for 2024 health insurance began on November 1, 2023, and runs through January 15, 2024. Consumers can access free local enrollment help at LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov, shop on the Health Insurance Marketplace or call 800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).
Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Against New Variants
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends all Michiganders 6 months and older receive the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine which is designed to provide protection against severe COVID-19 disease from currently circulating variants.
Most Michigan residents can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for free. For people with health insurance, most plans will cover COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to you. Michigan residents who do not have health insurance or have health plans that do not cover the cost can reach out to a health care provider or local pharmacy participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program, their health department or visit Vaccines.gov for additional information on ways to obtain a free vaccine. For more information, click here.
Student Tools for Emergency Planning — Deadline Extended!
The Michigan State Police extended the registration deadline for the Student Tools for Emergency Planning program (STEP). This program equips teachers with free emergency preparedness materials, including guides, student handouts and starter kits. The basic hour-long lesson can be expanded to eight hours. Teachers, officials, first responders or volunteers can deliver the curriculum.
Complete and submit the registration survey by December 15, 2023. Both the new curriculum and old curriculum will be available for you to choose from.
If you have any questions about this free preparedness program, please contact Ms. Jane Troutman at msp-miready@michigan.gov.