Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are having a great start to the spring season and are enjoying what the warmer weather brings to our state. Things are swiftly moving ahead within the Michigan Legislature with new legislation passing and in-district activities regularly. I will continue to advocate for the communities I serve and look forward to seeing you out in the district!
This newsletter informs you of some of the exciting things happening in the Legislature and Senate District 14.
I’m grateful to represent our district, and I appreciate hearing from you. Feel free to share your concerns and ideas with my office. The best ways to connect with us can be found below. For more frequent updates on what I’m working on and where I am in the district, please follow my official Facebook page.
Please visit my webpage at senatedems.com/shink/ to check out my future events and sign up for my newsletter.
- Email: sensshink@senate.michigan.gov
- Phone: (517) 373-2426
- U.S. Mail: P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909
Sincerely,
Sue Shink State SenatorDistrict 14
Featured in This Newsletter
- Legislative Updates
- In the Community
- Community Resources
Legislative Updates
Recently Introduced Legislation
As your state senator, I have been working hard on introducing bills that I believe will have a positive impact on our community. I’m excited to share with you some key bills that I have recently introduced in the Michigan Legislature.
Domestic Violence PPO
This bill would improve access to personal protection orders for survivors of domestic violence. Specifically, the bill would allow judges to grant a personal protection order without an expiration if it is against an individual who has been convicted of domestic violence or who has previously violated a personal protection order. This bill reduces the requirement that a survivor of intimate partner abuse go back to the judge frequently for protection when the threat of violence is long-term.
Uniform Premarital and Marital Agreements
This bill would help determine when and how prenuptial agreements will be enforced in Michigan. The bill will bring Michigan in line with the 28 other states that have adopted the Uniform Premarital and Marital Agreements Act. It will lead to predictability and consistency in the way prenuptial agreements work in and outside the state of Michigan.
Nonprofit Income Threshold
This bill is meant to reduce the burden of financial audits on charitable organizations. Currently, the state average cost for a financial audit is between $15,000 and $20,000 per audit. The current threshold does not take into account the inflation we have experienced since the threshold was set. This places a significant financial burden on small non-profits. This bill revises the Charitable Organizations and Solicitations Act to increase the ceiling on contributions a charitable organization may receive before triggering a mandatory audit. Specifically, organizations will trigger a mandatory full financial audit if they bring in over $1,000,000 in contributions versus the current amount of $500,000
MPSC Engagement Sessions on Renewable Energy Siting
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 5120 (PA 233 of 2023) into law. When it takes effect in about a year, it will, while requiring that landowners/developers apply to local governments first, create siting authority in the Michigan Public Service Commission for utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage facilities under specified conditions. The MPSC has scheduled several engagement sessions that are open to the public to gather input on the implementation of PA 233.
These sessions are an opportunity for landowners, local governments, developers, residents, or any interested persons to engage with experts and ask questions. These sessions will take place virtually, with the next session on Friday, April 5th. Follow this Event Link for more information. Additional sessions will take place on April 26 and May 17.
International Women’s Day
On March 8th, I celebrated International Women’s Day alongside my colleagues, including the first ever female Senate Majority Leader and first Black female Senate Appropriations Chair. This is a time to reflect on the many social, cultural, economic, and political contributions achieved by women. I am proud to serve in the state of Michigan, where we fight for and protect women’s rights. “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Senate Passes Bipartisan Government Transparency Bills Out of Committee
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This year, the Michigan Senate took significant steps by advancing two bipartisan bills from the Senate Oversight Committee. These bills, Senate Bills 669 and 670, would bring both the Michigan Legislature and the governor’s office under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). March is Reading Month |
Throughout March, we celebrated the joy of reading! Schools, libraries and communities came together to promote literacy and encouraged everyone to pick up a book. From reading challenges to author visits, there were plenty of great opportunities to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of books. I hope you had time to grab a book, found a cozy spot, and let your imagination soar last month!
In the Community
A Capitol Visit from Ezra Eby Elementary School of Napoleon
Ezra Eby Elementary School of Napoleon sent several groups to visit with me at the Capitol. It was a special treat to meet them!
Residents in Action
I visited with Residents in Action at the TA Wilson Emergency shelter. I support this community group, whose work brings positive change to folks who are struggling in Jackson.
March is Reading Month
March was Reading Month, so I spent a morning visiting and reading with students at Jackson Public Schools’ Hunt Elementary.
I also read to fifth graders at Hanover-Horton Elementary School. I loved hearing the great ideas students shared with me.
Jackson College Community Violence Intervention Town Hall
Thanks to Rep. Carrie Rheingans, Jackson Mayor Daniel Mahoney, and Cheryl Ragland, coordinator for Jackson’s Group Violence Intervention initiative, for putting on a town hall on Group Violence Intervention with me. We discussed how community-led programs are making a real impact on reducing gun violence.
Community Resources
Tax Help and Resources
It’s tax season! Remember that the deadline to file state and federal taxes is April 15. If you have questions about filing your taxes, want to check your refund status, view account information and more, click here.
Michigan families began receiving Working Families Tax Credit supplemental checks earlier this month. If you are a qualified recipient and believe there was an issue with getting your check, the Michigan Tax Help Center may be able to provide additional help.
Call Michigan 2-1-1
Michigan 2-1-1 is a toll-free service that provides residents with information. Specialists trained to assist community members will connect you with the proper resources. From utility payment assistance to household needs, 2-1-1 is a great tool for you and your loved ones to use.
Though based in Lansing, Michigan 2-1-1 supports about seven regions in the state of Michigan. You can text, email or call for help. For more information, click here.
Constituent Services on the Road
Join us for Constituent Services on the Road. This event will act as a mini resource fair to be able to resolve or assist with casework on site and answer any questions folks might have about state government.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Northfield Township Community Center, 9101 S Main St. Whitmore Lake, MI 48189