Dear Neighbors,
I hope you are enjoying the last weeks of summer before the crisp, cool autumn air approaches. One of my favorite highlights of the summer has been engaging with the Senate District 2 community and learning how our team can better serve our constituents in Lansing.
As we near the end of the season, I wanted to take a moment to share some updates and community resources that you might find helpful.
Featured in this newsletter:
- Ten Days Left for People with Disabilities to Get Match for Opening New MiABLE Account
- Protecting Michigan’s Water During National Water Quality Month
- August is National Immunization Awareness Month
- Michigan Ranks High in Auto Manufacturing, EV Investments
- Share Your Thoughts! Seeking Public Input on Metallic Mineral Leases and Prescription Drugs
- Be Aware of Fraudulent Door-to-Door Solicitors
Please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-0990 or reply to this email if you have any questions, concerns or need assistance.
Working for you,
Sylvia Santana
State Senator
District 2
Ten Days Left for People with Disabilities to Get Match for Opening New MiABLE Account
As the end of August approaches, just 10 days remain for people with disabilities and their families to take advantage of a limited-time bonus of up to a $100 match by being among the first 200 people to open an eligible MiABLE disability savings account.
Established in Michigan in 2015, MiABLE is a disability savings program administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury. It was designed to help ease the financial burden challenging families and people with disabilities by helping them save for current and future expenses without jeopardizing government assistance like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Approximately 500,000 individuals in Michigan are eligible to open MiABLE accounts, but only about 1% of that number are currently enrolled statewide.
Setting up a MiABLE account is quick and easy, generally taking about 15 minutes. Learn more here.
Protecting Michigan’s Water During National Water Quality Month
As Michiganders, our abundance of fresh water is a vital part of our identity. We’re known across the country and world as the Great Lakes State — the source of 20% of Earth’s total fresh water.
During National Water Quality Month, Michigan Senate Democrats reaffirm their commitment to protecting the state’s lakes, rivers and waterways. Only eight months into the 2022-2026 term, the Senate Majority for the People is wasting no time and taking action to ensure residents have access to clean drinking water, invest in water infrastructure, combat rising rates of pollution and more.
Read more about the work Michigan Senate Democrats are doing to strengthen environmental protections, so future generations of Michiganders can enjoy our state’s Great Lakes and unique natural resources for years to come.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
With summer winding down and flu season just around the corner, we recognize National Immunization Awareness Month to highlight the importance of routine vaccination for Michiganders of all ages. Vaccines are the best way for you to protect yourself from preventable diseases and avoid spreading those diseases to others in your community.
In the recently passed state budget for Fiscal Year 2024, the Michigan Legislature — after 30 years of inadequate funding — reinvested in local health departments to ensure they had the resources necessary to provide residents with essential health services such as immunizations. Every Michigander committed to protecting the health of themsevles, their family and community can recieve free or low-cost vaccinations at their local health department.
> To locate a health department nearest you and get up to date on your vaccines, click here.
> Learn more about the vaccines you and your family members may need to stay healthy, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website here.
Michigan Ranks High in Auto Manufacturing, EV Investments
A new report in Business Facilities Magazine ranks Michigan as a top state for automotive industry and electric vehicle investments, holding its number one spot from 2022. Additionally, this ranking follows multiple reports showing Michigan as a leader in business, clean energy, battery investments and high-tech mobility development.
The new Senate Democratic Majority — along with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — has been pushing to grow Michigan’s electric vehicle economy with investments in our state’s budget and the establishment of the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification and the EV Jobs Academy and MI EV Scholars Program.
Only one year out from the bipartisan CHIPS and Science ACT, there have been many opportunities for Michigan to win investments to support the growth of domestic semiconductor technology as well as better-paying, high-quality jobs for Michiganders.
Share Your Thoughts! Seeking Public Input on Metallic Mineral Leases and Prescription Drugs
As always, government works best when the people who are being represented weigh in. There are several opportunities for this as various departments and commissions undertake planning projects. Among them:
- The DNR Minerals Management Section will hold a virtual informational public meeting regarding a metallic mineral lease application from Talon Michigan LLC (of Minnesota) on October 11, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EST. The meeting will allow for questions from the public. Questions may be submitted at DNRLeaseManagement@michigan.gov. For more information, click here.
- MDHHS will host a public meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, regarding the list of prescription drugs covered under Michigan’s Medicaid health plans (known as the Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary). The purpose of the meeting is to provide an annual forum for the public, stakeholders and interested parties to comment on the prescription list. RSVP to krepsd@michigan.gov no later than Thursday, Sept. 29 to attend and request special accommodations to join the meeting, if needed. Those unable to attend can submit questions or comments to MDHHSCommonFormulary@michigan.gov. Read more here.
Be Aware of Fraudulent Door-to-Door Solicitors
During the summer months, more sales representatives are knocking on doors to gain business. Michigan residents are advised to be wary, and especially aware of scammers claiming to be home or business security sales representatives. Many will ask residents to sign up for a new service and then use their personal information.
Follow these general tips to help protect yourself against fraudulent solicitors:
- Look to see who is visiting. If you don’t recognize the person, don’t open the door. It’s safer to speak to strangers through your door.
- Don’t open your door at odd hours. Legitimate solicitors shouldn’t be knocking on your door before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Don’t crack under pressure. You have no obligation to buy something “right now.” You can ask them to make an appointment to come back when it’s convenient for you.
- Reserve your right to “say no”. The longer you engage in the conversation, the greater the chance you will commit to something. The swift ending of a conversation can stop a crime before it takes place.
- Remember you are in charge. If you feel intimidated, pressured or threatened at any time, call 911.
If you think you have been a victim of a deceptive sales scam, you can file a consumer complaint or contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General.