Dear Neighbor,
Happy spring! I hope you are enjoying the change in seasons and wish you a safe and healthy start to spring. As the days grow longer and warmer, many in our community are looking forward to spending more time outdoors and reconnecting with friends, family, and neighbors. Our office remains committed to keeping you informed and supporting you with the resources and services available to you.
Featured in this newsletter:
- Senate Unanimously Acts to Deliver Relief for Michiganders Facing UIA Benefit Recovery
- Senate Bills to Support Michigan National Guard Members Approved by Governor
- Watch Out for Tax Scams This Filing Season
- “I Voted” Sticker Contest Returns!
- Severe Weather Resources & Tips
- New Michigan Gaming Control Board Website Expansion
- Sterling Heights Electronics Recycling Event
As always, it is an honor to represent you. If you would like any assistance with state-based issues, please feel free to reach out! You can email me at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-8360.
Warmest regards,
Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 10
Senate Unanimously Acts to Deliver Relief for Michiganders Facing UIA Benefit Recovery
During the chaos of the pandemic, thousands of Michiganders turned to their government for help, tapping into the unemployment system to put food on the table, pay their bills, and ensure their family could weather a once-in-a-lifetime global health crisis. Since then, the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has been attempting to claw back overpayments they mistakenly made to these same individuals — causing stress for many around the state at an already financially tough time.
Let’s be clear: these families did nothing wrong. That’s why, alongside every single Senator, across party lines, I voted to pass legislation that would provide a clean slate for these folks by waiving any overpayments the UIA is currently attempting to collect from this pandemic-era timeframe. Senate Bill 700 now heads to the Michigan House, where I’m hopeful they will act quickly so we can deliver relief to those who need it most.
Senate Bills to Support Michigan National Guard Members Approved by Governor
Late last year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation championed by my colleagues to deliver critical support to Michigan National Guard members and their families. Our guardsmen and women make sacrifices on a daily basis to keep our communities and loved ones safe. To protect them in return, these new laws will:
- Ensure guard members can access the health care and dental coverage they need by requiring the Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create and operate a Tricare premium reimbursement program;
- Help members pay for childcare costs by creating the Michigan National Guard Child Care Assistance Program within the DMVA; and
- Support guard members to advance their education and pursue their goals by requiring the balance remaining in the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Fund at the end of the fiscal year to be transferred to the Michigan National Guard Member Benefits Fund.
To learn more about this legislation, please click here.
Watch Out for Tax Scams This Filing Season
With tax filing season well underway, so too is scam activity. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is urging residents to be on the lookout for tax scams, such as someone claiming to be from the IRS who contacts you by phone, email, text, or social media and may demand immediate payment, threaten arrest, or ask for personal banking information. Please note: the IRS does not contact taxpayers this way to demand payment or request sensitive information. If you receive one of these messages, do not respond or share any information.
Another common scam to be on the watch for involves dishonest tax preparers who promise unusually large refunds, charge fees based on the amount of your refund, or ask you to sign a blank or incomplete tax return. For more information on how to identify tax scams, what to do if you’re a victim, and how to report a scam, visit the IRS website.
“I Voted” Sticker Contest Returns!
The Michigan Dept. of State is now accepting entries from Michigan students and residents for the nationally recognized “I Voted” sticker contest for the upcoming 2026 elections. Those interested in entering the contest must select one category and may submit one design. The three categories are elementary/middle school, high school, and general entry for residents of all ages.
Submissions are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026. The official entry form and other guidelines can be found here.
Severe Weather Resources and Tips
In response to recent severe weather across the state, our first responders and officials are working hard to ensure there is a swift delivery of resources to the affected areas. We applaud this effort and our dedicated first responders who have been working tirelessly around the clock. To ensure you’re prepared for future severe weather events, please review the following safety tips:
General Storm Safety Tips:
- Prepare a kit of emergency supplies for your family and pets.
- Create a family emergency plan.
- For college students, create a campus emergency plan.
- For guides and checklists, click here.
Tornado Safety Tips:
- Sign up for The Emergency Alert System or your community’s warning system.
- Identify a place to take shelter.
- Look for danger signs, such as a dark or greenish sky, large hail, a dark, low-lying cloud, and a loud roar that sounds like a freight train.
- Ensure all doors and windows are shut.
- Be careful when exiting the building after the storm.
- For more information, click here.
Thunderstorms and Lightning Safety Tips:
- To prepare, cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home.
- Consider purchasing surge protectors or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances, and electronic devices.
- When thunder roars, go indoors! Move into a building or car with a roof.
- Avoid running water and using electronic devices connected to an electrical outlet.
- Do not drive through flooded roadways. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately.
- For more information, click here.
To Report Downed Power Lines:
- DTE: outage.dteenergy.com/report-down-line
- Consumers Energy: consumersenergy.com/outages-and-safety/report-an-issue
Visit the Michigan Prepares website to find a variety of resources on this topic, including guidance on how to create your emergency plan. You can also stay informed when severe weather strikes by signing up for emergency alerts from your county or city.
New Michigan Gaming Control Board Website Expansion
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), creator of the statewide responsible gaming campaign Don’t Regret the Bet, announced the launch of its newly expanded website during Problem Gambling Awareness Month. The updated site features additional tools, educational content, and support resources to help individuals make informed decisions about gambling.
The updated website builds upon the campaign’s existing platform with new pages dedicated to recognizing the signs of problem gambling, understanding risk factors, accessing confidential help services, and supporting loved ones who may be struggling. The enhanced site also includes streamlined navigation and improved mobile accessibility to ensure visitors can quickly find the information they need.
Owned and operated by MGCB, Don’t Regret the Bet was created to raise awareness about responsible gaming and provide clear, stigma-free access to support. In Michigan alone, thousands of residents seek help each year by calling the state’s problem gambling helpline, and increased online gambling access has contributed to the growing demand for support services and responsible gaming resources. The website refresh reflects the Board’s continued commitment to public education and player protection as gaming options expand across the state.
New features of the expanded website include:
- Expanded educational content about responsible gaming practices
- Clear guidance on identifying warning signs of problem gambling
- Dedicated resources for friends and family members
- A new Youth Gambling Prevention section featuring research-based information for parents, educators, and community leaders
- Data highlighting that children introduced to “harmless betting” by age 12 are four times more likely to engage in problem gambling later in life
- Prevention tools and conversation guides to help adults address early exposure
- Direct links to confidential support services, including the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline
- Updated FAQs and prevention resources
The website remains free to access and available to anyone seeking information about gambling risks and responsible play. For more information or to explore the updated resources, visit DontRegretTheBet.org.
Sterling Heights Electronics Recycling Event
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Residents are invited to take part in an upcoming Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, April 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Great Lakes Electronics will be on site at the Sterling Heights Dept. of Public Works (DPW), located at 7200 18 Mile Road, to accept electronic items for responsible recycling.
This event provides a convenient opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted or outdated electronics that should not be placed in regular household trash. Items such as old televisions, computers, and other electronic devices with an electrical cord attachment will be accepted. Recycling electronics helps keep hazardous materials out of landfills while allowing valuable components to be properly processed and reused.
Residents looking to declutter their homes or responsibly dispose of old electronics are encouraged to take advantage of this service. Drop-offs will be accepted throughout the event hours, and DPW staff and event personnel will be available on site.
To learn more, please click here.