Dear Friends,
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family happy and healthy. As always, it’s an honor to serve you as your state senator in Lansing.
Featured in this newsletter:
- Give back to your community by becoming a free tax preparation volunteer
- AG Nessel announces holiday consumer protection campaign
- DHHS hosting three free baby fairs in December
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,
Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 9
STATE TREASURER: GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY BY BECOMING A FREE TAX PREPARATION VOLUNTEER
On Tuesday, Nov. 29, State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks announced an opportunity for Michiganders to serve their communities through the 2023 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
VITA volunteers are community members trained to help their neighbors file their taxes for free and claim every tax credit available to them. Their service supports workers in caring for their families, withstanding unexpected economic changes, and bolstering their overall financial well-being. Because no tax experience is required, volunteers assisting with the VITA Program come from all walks of life: working professionals, retirees, college and high school students, IRS employees, and people who just want to contribute to their community.
VITA volunteers are assigned to work with a sponsoring organization — first to receive training and then to begin volunteering at a convenient location. Training is offered both online and in the classroom. Tax sites are generally open nights and weekends, and the hours are flexible, allowing volunteers to choose time slots that fit their schedules. Individuals can sign up now through the IRS.
Visit www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers to learn more.
AG NESSEL LAUNCHES HOLIDAY CONSUMER PROTECTION CAMPAIGN
As families prepare to celebrate the holidays, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is launching her annual holiday consumer protection campaign focused on ways to protect your information if you’ll be hitting stores in person or online.
Through mid-December, the Attorney General’s website will focus on educating consumers on the numerous scams and tactics used to cheat them out of their funds during the holidays.
Nessel’s first alert focuses on ways to keep your credit card accounts safe from those who would like to get their hands on your information and your money.
Those tips include creating a strong password and PIN that is unique to only that specific credit card, as well as keeping the information private and shredding documents like statements before they go in the trash.
Nessel is also reissuing her online shopping and wise charitable giving consumer alerts.
Keep the following in mind if you’ll be spending money online:
- Research the retailer. You will know the business and their existing inventory if you’re visiting a store, but on the web some businesses are fabricated by people who just want your credit card information or other personal details. Avoid online retailers if you cannot verify their listed physical locations and customer service phone numbers. Then double-check any listed information is legitimate by putting it in an online search.
- Do an online image search of the product and any other images the seller has posted to see where the product is coming from, how much it really costs, and who else is selling it. Watch this video to learn how to do that.
- When making online purchases, pay with a credit card. Credit cards provide protections that allow you to dispute charges if an item is not delivered or is not as advertised.
When donating this holiday season, consider reviewing the AG Charity Search Database to verify worthy causes. Nessel’s Wise Charitable Giving Consumer Alert also provides insight on certain questions you should be able to get answered when giving to an organization or case.
Those looking to shop local are encouraged to check out the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Support Local campaign, which provides resources online to help residents shop and eat locally.
DHHS HOSTING THREE FREE VIRTUAL BABY FAIRS IN DECEMBER
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is hosting three virtual baby fairs for new or expecting parents in December. At the events, families will have opportunities to learn about available resources, important health and safety information, and ask questions directly to program experts.
The events are free of charge and occurring on the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 9 to 11 a.m.
- Monday, Dec. 12, from 9 to 11 a.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The following MDHHS programs are participating in this event:
- Newborn Screening
- Michigan BioTrust for Health
- Infant Safe Sleep
- Women, Infants & Children
- Immunizations
- Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
- Birth Defects Education and Outreach
- State Breastfeeding Initiative
- Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
- Vital Records
- Michigan Home Visiting Initiative
- Maternal Infant Health Program
- Children’s Special Health Care Services
- Eat Safe Fish
- Unintentional Injury Prevention
- Oral Health Program
Participants can register for one of these sessions online. For questions related to this event or to request baby fair resource materials as a printed document, please contact Kristen Thompson at thompsonk23@michigan.gov or by calling 517-284-4992.