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Friends, I hope you have been enjoying the beautiful summer weather Michigan has been experiencing. As we continue to enjoy all the fun our state has to offer, please remember to stay safe and be mindful of your personal health. Featured in this newsletter:
Please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-0990 or reply to this email if you have any questions or need assistance. Working for you, |
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Sylvia Santana
SCOOP WITH SANTANA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Please join Senator Santana for ice cream as she provides a legislative update to the community and shares insights about the fall legislative calendar. WHEN: Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, from Noon to 1:30 p.m. |
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AVAILABLE HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding consumers of options that may be available to support homeowners who are having difficulty making payments. Foreclosure restrictions placed on mortgage servicers by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have expired, but there may be other options for consumers. It is important to: Pay if you can: If you can pay your mortgage as agreed, you should continue to do so. Don’t wait: If you are having trouble paying your mortgage, contact the company you make your payments to right away. You should find its contact information on the statements you receive on your mortgage loan. It may not be too late: Even if you have missed one or more mortgage payments, and have not contacted your mortgage company, it may not be too late. Contact the company you make your payments to today to ask for assistance. In addition, if you are concerned about your housing situation, these programs may be able to help:
You can also contact an MSHDA-approved agency for other free assistance. Consumers who have questions or disputes that cannot be directly resolved with their financial institutions can contact DIFS Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 877-999-6442 or file a complaint online at Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.
SUPREME COURT EXPANDS CIVIL RIGHTS TO LGBTQ+ MICHIGANDERS FOR FIRST TIME IN STATE HISTORY On Thursday, July 28, 2022, the Michigan Supreme Court delivered a decision in Rouch World LLC v. Michigan Department of Civil Rights, affirming that the protections, rights, and freedoms afforded to all Michiganders under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) extends to sexual orientation. In 2018, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) issued an interpretive statement that the word “sex” in the state’s ELCRA included protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2019, Rouch World, an event center in Sturgis, declined to host a same-sex wedding, saying it conflicted with the owners’ religious beliefs. The MDCR launched an investigation into a complaint filed, while Rouch World said it could not be investigated because state law does not explicitly protect sexual orientation or gender identity. The Court of Claims said in 2020 that it was bound by a Court of Appeals decision decades earlier that found sexual orientation wasn’t covered by the civil rights law, but Attorney General Dana Nessel appealed the decision on behalf of the MDCR and was granted a bypass to bring the matter to the state Supreme Court faster.
ONLINE NURSING HOME COMPLAINT FORM LAUNCHED TO PROTECT VULNERABLE ADULTS Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has launched a new, online complaint system to better protect vulnerable adults in nursing homes. If concerned staff knows, or has reason to believe, that someone is using a nursing home resident’s assets or benefits for purposes other than the care, needs, and wishes of the resident, a complaint may be filed online. The system creates a direct line of communication and enables nursing home administrators to provide information directly to the Department’s Health Care Fraud Division for follow-up and investigation. As always, members of the general public may make a complaint regarding nursing home abuse to the Attorney General’s hotline by calling 1-800-24-ABUSE.
GOVERNOR SIGNS EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE TO REDUCE CRIME, GUN VIOLENCE On Tuesday, July 26, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive instructing Michigan state departments and law enforcement agencies to utilize federal resources from the recently passed Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to reduce crime and gun violence. This action follows a roundtable discussion the governor held with members of the law enforcement community, parents, students, and faith leaders on how to stop violence and hold criminals accountable for committing violent crimes. Within 30 days, all departments and agencies must designate an individual to coordinate across state government. The Michigan State Police (MSP) must explore ways to improve Michigan’s process for reporting criminal, mental health, and juvenile records to national criminal databases. MSP must also establish the Community Violence Intervention Office which will coordinate state and federal grants related to community violence intervention programming.
GET HELP WITH ENERGY COSTS If your household is struggling with energy costs, there are options for help. Consumers may contact Michigan 211 by calling 211 or going to www.mi211.org. Michigan 211 is a free, confidential service that connects Michiganders with a broad range of assistance programs and services and other resources, including help with food, housing, transportation and home energy bills. More information on energy assistance is available through the MPSC’s tip sheet on applying for energy assistance. |
