My first year in the Senate has gone fast, but — together — we’ve achieved so much for Macomb and for Michigan.
I’ve met many new friends, and I am dedicated to meeting many others as we look to accomplish our goals as a district and state.
In this newsletter, you will find resources for seniors, what you need to know about REAL ID, our accomplishments in Lansing, and so much more!
If you have questions, concerns or ideas, we would love to hear from you.
Warmest regards,
Paul Wojno
State Senator
9th District
Website: SenatorWojno.com
Email: SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov
Toll-free: (855) DIST009 or (855) 347-8009
Sen. Wojno Honored with Legislator of the Year Award
It was an honor to be awarded Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Library Association. I was proud to attend their annual conference in October with friends and family at the Suburban Collections Showplace in Novi.
The award was in recognition of the work I did leading a bill package that allows trained individuals, including librarians, to administer Naloxone if someone overdoses on opioids.
I truly believe these laws will help save lives all over Michigan, especially in our public libraries, which are frequently used as safe spaces in our communities.
Constituent CORNER
From coffee hours and school visits to town halls, I enjoyed sitting down and talking about what matters to the hardworking people of Macomb County in 2019.
academic leader, Jason Henshaw, visited the Senate.
Nick Najjar, Vice President from St. Michael Aid Society, and guests toured the Capitol Building and surrounding grounds.
To see the most up-to-date list of in-district events in the new year, visit my website at SenatorWojno.com.
Are you ready for REAL ID?
On Oct. 1, 2020, the federally mandated REAL ID law will go into full effect and, if you travel by air, this law will impact you. If you haven’t been paying attention to this issue, it’s time to get informed.
REAL ID is the post-9/11 federal requirement setting higher security standards for identification. Once in effect, standard state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards will not be enough when boarding flights within the U.S. and entering certain federal facilities, such as military bases or nuclear power plants.
Some people already have a REAL ID document, such as a valid U.S. passport, a DHS Trusted Traveler Card or an enhanced driver’s license. A full list of acceptable REAL ID documents is available online at TSA.gov.
To make a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID card, visit a Secretary of State Office and bring the following documents with you:
• Your driver’s license or state ID card;
• Your certified birth certificate, with a raised seal or stamp issued by a governmental agency;
• Your valid, unexpired U.S. passport OR an approved citizenship or legal presence document (faxes and photocopies won’t be accepted); and,
• If your name differs from what is on your birth certificate, bring certified documents for every
time your name has changed, such as marriage licenses or court orders.
There’s no additional fee to turn a license or state ID card into a standard REAL ID if it’s done during your normal renewal time. Otherwise, a duplicate card fee will be charged.
DON’T DELAY.
REAL ID goes into effect Oct. 1, 2020
For more information, visit Michigan.gov/RealID.
Senator Wojno’s LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
With my first year in the state Senate complete, I’m looking forward to continuing our work in 2020. Since 2020 is an election year, we need to protect our elections and ensure that EVERY vote is counted. Our democracy is too important.
I have introduced Senate Bill 78, which requires ballot instructions to be printed directly on the ballot, rather than the privacy sleeves that cover it up. This will make it easier for people to read and understand voting instructions when they’re at the ballot box.
I have also introduced Senate Bill 79, which allows uniformed service members to return absentee ballots electronically, rather than U.S. mail.
Along with elections, another important issue that I will focus on is public health. Michigan has a drinking water problem, and our environmental standards have eroded these past eight years. That’s why one of the first bills I co-sponsored, Senate Bill 14, would set enforceable levels for PFOA and PFOS.
I have also introduced Senate Bill 365 to overturn a bill that passed during the 2018 lame-duck session which limits the science our state uses to regulate toxic cleanups.
2020 will be a good year in Lansing. I look forward to working with everyone in the district to ensure that we can succeed as a county and state.
Home Heating Help
Food isn’t the only problem in the dead of winter — heating bills can be too. Many low-income families and seniors struggle just to keep their house warm during the winter. Fortunately, The Heat and Warmth (THAW) Fund can help needy people and families during the cold months.
Public Acts 36, 37, 38 and 39 of 2019 are part of a bipartisan bill package that I was proud to lead, and allows trained individuals at governmental organizations, life support agencies, municipal corporations or political subdivisions to administer Naloxone in the event that an individual experiences an overdose.
As a lawmaker, it’s my job to serve my community and the state of Michigan, and in my experience, opioids are one of the most relevant issues we face in Macomb County. If we can save just one life with these laws and spare families unspeakable heartache, then this a step in the right direction in helping to alleviate this crisis.
Find out if you qualify at thawfund.org.
Meals on Wheels
Senior citizens are a vital part of our community. After a lifetime of hard work, many continue to give back to our communities, and serve as the backbone of our neighborhoods, while others need our help. Seniors live on fixed incomes and struggle to pay for nutritious food due to expensive prescription drug costs, rising utility rates, increased rent, and more.
Meals on Wheels can help.
This program helps senior citizens eat nutritiously by providing five meals per week to homebound, older adults. They also offer liquid nutrition for those who are unable to eat solid food and who have a prescription from their physician.
For more information and to determine whether you’re eligible for Meals on Wheels call or visit:
To qualify for Meals on Wheels, an adult must be: 60 years or older;
Homebound (e.g. unable to leave home without assistance and unable to drive);
Unable to cook for him/herself;
Have no one willing to prepare meals on a regular basis; and,
senior citizens are a vital part of our community. After a lifetime of hard work, many continue to give back to our communities, and serve as the backbone of our neighborhoods, while others need our help. Seniors live on fixed incomes and struggle to pay for nutritious food due to expensive prescription drug costs, rising utility rates, increased rent, and more.
Meals on Wheels can help.
This program helps senior citizens eat nutritiously by providing five meals per week to homebound, older adults. They also offer liquid nutrition for those who are unable to eat solid food and who have a prescription from their physician.
For more information and to determine whether you’re eligible for Meals on Wheels call or visit:
To qualify for Meals on Wheels, an adult must be:
- 60 years or older;
- Homebound (e.g. unable to leave home without assistance and unable to drive);
- Unable to cook for him/herself;
- Have no one willing to prepare meals on a regular basis; and,
- Able to feed him/herself.
Macomb Community Action | Meals on Wheels
(586) 469-5228 | mca@macombgov.org
Able to feed him/herself.
Macomb Community Action | Meals on Wheels
(586) 469-5228 | mca@macombgov.org
Wojno’s Senate Bill Signed into Law
For years, opioids have been destroying our communities through addiction and overdoses. That’s why one of my first major projects was to expand who can administer Naloxone — a drug that reverses opioid overdoses — and require individuals to be trained in administering the anti-drug.
Public Acts 36, 37, 38 and 39 of 2019 are part of a bipartisan bill package that I was proud to lead, and allows trained individuals at governmental organizations, life support agencies, municipal corporations or political subdivisions to administer Naloxone in the event that an individual experiences an overdose.
As a lawmaker, it’s my job to serve my community and the state of Michigan, and in my experience, opioids are one of the most relevant issues we face in Macomb County. If we can save just one life with these laws and spare families unspeakable heartache, then this a step in the right direction in helping to alleviate this crisis.
