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Dear Friends, For those who celebrate, I hope you had a safe and enjoyable Halloween. It’s an honor to serve as your 9th District senator in Lansing. As always, I’m available for you to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas you may have to make our community a better place to live. Featured in this newsletter:
If you have any questions, want to comment on pending legislation, or resolve any issues in state government, please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-8360 or by email at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov. Warmest regards,
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Paul Wojno
VOTERS CAN REGISTER, CAST BALLOT IN ONE TRIP AHEAD OF NOV. 8 ELECTIONS Michigan residents who have not yet registered to vote can do so in person at their local clerk’s office now through 8 p.m. on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 8). They can also apply for and return an absentee ballot at the clerk’s office in the same trip. Online registration closes 15 days before an election and is no longer available for the Nov. 8 election. Voters can view a sample ballot, find their local clerk and their polling place, and apply for an absentee ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote. Voters who already have an absentee ballot are encouraged to return it as soon as possible by hand-delivering it to their clerk’s office or ballot drop box. Locations of drop boxes for individual jurisdictions can be found at Michigan.gov/Vote. All absentee ballot return envelopes must be signed by the voter for their ballot to be counted.
CHECK CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS As temperatures get colder and the nights longer, Michigan residents are urged to take action to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by checking to ensure furnaces and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are properly working while turning back the clocks for the end of daylight-saving time Sunday, Nov 6. Known as the “silent killer,” CO is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless poisonous gas. Most CO poisonings take place at home and are caused by items that are not properly cared for or vented, such as furnaces, water heaters, generators, gas grills, dryers, lanterns, space heaters, fireplaces, chimneys, and gas stoves. To protect yourself and your family from CO, follow these safety tips:
Visit Michigan.gov/MiTracking for more information about CO poisoning.
NOVEMBER RECOGNIZED AS VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES MONTH On Tuesday, Nov. 1, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed November 2022 as Veterans and Military Families Month to honor veterans and military families throughout the state by recognizing their sacrifices and celebrating their successes. Michigan is committed to making the state the premier choice for military service members, veterans and their families to live, work, serve and play. In support of this effort, the MVAA helps connect veterans with federal, state and local benefits and resources they earned for their service. To learn more about employment, health care, education and quality-of-life benefits, veterans can contact the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center at 1-800MICH-VET or visit Michigan.gov/MVAA. For more information on upcoming ceremonies and activities to honor veterans and military families, please visit the MVAA events calendar at Michigan.gov/MVAA/Events.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SAVINGS ON NEW HEALTH PLAN CHOICES DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox are reminding Michiganders that the annual Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period began Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, 2023. With savings still in effect to make health insurance more affordable for more Michiganders, new grants for free local help, and more plan options than last year, shopping for health insurance has never been easier. While shopping for a health plan during Open Enrollment, Michigan consumers can choose from 233 health plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace, which is available at HealthCare.gov or by calling 800-318-2596. In total, including off-Marketplace plans available directly from insurers, Michiganders can choose from 308 plans, 52 more options than last year. For questions about health coverage, visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance or call DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442.
$50 MILLION IN GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR CHILDCARE FACILITIES On Thursday, Nov. 3, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that applications for the Caring for MI Future: Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund are now open. Childcare entrepreneurs who are interested in starting or expanding a childcare facility can apply for a grant to reduce the cost of converting space that meets childcare facility guidelines. The $50 million to open and grow new childcare facilities is part of the state’s Caring for MI Future initiative. Caring for MI Future is a $100 million investment to help Michigan families find quality, affordable childcare in their community by opening 1,000 new or expanded childcare programs by the end of 2024. The grants, which range in size from $50,000 for home-based childcare and $150,000 for center-based programs, will help providers to complete minor renovations and improvements to meet licensing and quality standards. Eligible applicants include licensed childcare providers located in the State of Michigan who are newly licensed providers or existing providers expanding their licensed capacity. For a full breakdown of eligibility requirements and information on the application process visit Michigan.gov/caringformifuture.
UPCOMING PROJECT HEALTH EVENTS As a part of CVS Health’s commitment to helping improve access to health care for all Americans, Project Health will once again be offered in your area. Project Health is an annual, free health services campaign that partners with CVS pharmacies to provide residents with high quality health care services at no cost. Project Health offers an array of comprehensive health risk assessments, including:
Once screened, CVS pharmacy helps patients through onsite consultations with bilingual nurse practitioners or physician assistants. These individuals will analyze results and then refer patients who require additional medical attention to no-cost or low-cost medical facilities or their primary care physician. CVS pharmacists will also be available to conduct one-on-one medication reviews and answer any questions patients may have. Please feel free to attend these events and take advantage of the services being offered. No appointments are needed. WHEN: Sat., Nov. 12 and Sat., Dec. 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
NEW MPSC WEBSITE MAKES IT EASIER TO LEARN ABOUT PROGRAMS FROM REGULATED UTILITIES The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has unveiled a new webpage to provide a central place online for utility customers to find information about programs and other offerings from electricity and natural gas suppliers regulated by the MPSC. The MPSC’s Utility Program Portal is designed to make information that can help customers better control their energy use, save money on their monthly utility bills, and find financial assistance. By clicking on links to regulated energy providers at the page — seven electric utilities and nine natural gas companies — customers can find information and links to information about a range of programs each utility offers. These can include energy assistance, payment programs, rebates on efficient appliances and home upgrades, voluntary green pricing, rooftop solar, electric vehicles, energy sav
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