Senate District 7 Updates

Friends,

Happy New Year! I look forward to continuing to serve this community and supporting you all as best as I can in 2022 and remain grateful for your support.

Included in this newsletter is an announcement regarding a reminder that if you start to feel sick, you can obtain a COVID-19 test at a testing site near you; information about how you can get your COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster; shut-off protections available for residents; and information about a statewide art contest for K-12 Michigan students.

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
7th District

FEELING SICK? GET A COVID-19 TEST NEAR YOU AND HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD!

Please remain conscious of your personal health as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads through our community. The virus can affect individuals differently, so if you or someone in your family begins experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19, please isolate yourself according to CDC guidelines and seek out a COVID-19 testing site near you to confirm your health status.

Getting tested and following the proper procedure after receiving your results is the best way to protect your family, friends, and community from the continued spread of COVID-19.

MICHIGANDERS URGED TO GET VACCINATED, BOOSTED

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding Michiganders to get their booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Booster doses are available six months after the primary Pfizer or Moderna series, and two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The COVID-19 booster dose may be given with other vaccines, including the flu vaccine, at the same time. Michiganders should bring their COVID-19 vaccine card or immunization record with them when getting their booster dose, which are available at any vaccine provider.

Downloadable immunization records are accessible free of charge at the Michigan Immunization Portal. If you do not have records in the portal, contact your health care provider or local health department.

Find a booster at VaccineFinder.org.

SHUT-OFF PROTECTIONS, RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO STAY WARM THIS WINTER

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, the Michigan Public Service Commission, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and other state agencies are working to save people money and help keep the heat on this winter as temperatures drop by reminding Michigan families worried about paying for home heating that there are shut-off protections, financial assistance, and other resources available this season.

Need help? Here are ways to get help staying warm:

• Qualifying utility customers may be eligible for State Emergency Relief (SER) or the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), which provide financial assistance. To learn more, visit Michigan.gov/MIBridges or call your local MDHHS office. If you need help applying, call 211 and ask for a MEAP grantee near you for help.
• The Winter Protection Plan protects both seniors and low-income customers of MPSC-regulated natural gas and electric companies. Customers may find relief from electric or natural gas service shut-off and high utility payments during the home heating season, Nov. 1 to March 31. To apply for this or other shut-off protection plans, contact your utility. In addition to the Winter Protection Plan, there are medical emergency, critical care, and active-duty military family shut-off protections.
• Households eligible for the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program can receive utility assistance for tenant supplied electricity, home heating (any type of fuel), water, sewer, and trash (if billed along with another utility). For full program details, go to Michigan.gov/CERA.
• Apply for a Home Heating Credit. Visit the Michigan Department of Treasury’s website to see if you qualify. Even though this funding is distributed by the Department of Treasury, you do not need to pay taxes or wait for a tax return to receive this credit, so apply now if you are eligible. For more information, visit Michigan Public Service Commission Home Heating Credit.
• Households also can take steps to use energy more efficiently through winterization of their homes. Local Community Action Agenci
  es may help with weatherization if specific low-income guidelines are met. Visit the MDHHS Weatherization Operators website to find a Weatherization Operator in your county.
• Taking actions including regularly changing furnace filters, installing a programmable thermostat, sealing air leaks around windows and doors can help reduce energy use and save you money. The MPSC offers the brochure “Energy Saver-Tips on Saving Money and Energy in Your Home.” For a free copy, call the MPSC at 800-292-9555.

This brochure and others on important utility issues are also available on the MPSC’s website, Michigan.gov/MPSC. In addition, a variety of energy resources and information is available at Michigan.gov/BeWinterWise.

For more information, check out the MPSC’s tip sheet on home energy assistance and shut-off protections.

GOVERNOR WHITMER ANNOUNCES ART CONTEST FOR STATE OF THE STATE PROGRAM

On Monday, Jan. 3, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced an art contest for the 2022 State of the State program cover. The governor is challenging Michigan’s K-12 students to come up with a creative design for the 2022 State of the State program cover following the theme “Why do you believe in Michigan?”

During her State of the State address, Governor Whitmer will share her vision for Michigan and plan to address key issues to put Michigan first, including jobs, education, infrastructure, and Michigan’s strong economic progress.

Students should be as creative as possible and are welcome to use crayons, markers, paint, or any other materials. To submit your design, please click here and follow the instructions on the webpage. Submissions will be accepted exclusively through the online system and must be received no later than 11:59 PM on Sunday, Jan. 16.

The student artist of the winning design will receive a prize.