August 26, 2021
Friends,
I hope this email finds you well and, if you have students or loved ones returning to school, that they have a wonderful academic year ahead of them!
In this newsletter, you will find an announcement regarding National Dog Day and what I’m doing to help as a legislator, resources to share your opinion with Attorney General Nessel regarding the recent power outages throughout our area, an update on the increase in SNAP benefits recently announced by the USDA, news regarding Governor Whitmer’s investment into Michigan’s economy and community, and information regarding Michigan’s Education Trust (MET).
Should you need any help, please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-8360 or by email at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov. We are happy to serve you.
Warmest regards,
Paul Wojno
State Senator
9th District
WATER QUALITY TOWN HALL RECAP
Last night, I, along with several of my constituents, discussed the steps being taken to ensure our Great Lakes and other precious waterways in Michigan are clean, healthy, and safe for future generations.
To hear more about what we talked about, visit my Facebook page to see the whole Town Hall!
CELEBRATING NATIONAL DOG DAY AUGUST 26
In light of National Dog Day, I, along with Sen. Dayna Polehanki and a bipartisan group of legislators, sent a letter to Wayne State University officials, urging them to end the use of dogs in invasive heart experiments and asking them to instead focus their work on research that is human-relevant and benefits the people of Michigan.
To ban this type of research, I have introduced Senate Bill 582, which would prohibit public institutions from conducting experiments on dogs that fall within the two highest levels of pain or distress, as stated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
AG NESSEL SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON RECENT POWER OUTAGES
Following her calls last week for utility companies in the state to prioritize customers who dealt with extended power outages, Attorney General Dana Nessel has launched an online feedback initiative to collect resident and business outage experiences as she continues to advocate for Michigan consumers.
AG Nessel’s August Power Outages Feedback form is now live online. Residents and business owners who experienced an extended power outage are encouraged to fill out the form, which collects information including the resident’s utility company, how long the outage lasted, and the financial loss suffered. The form will take less than five minutes to complete and help the department better understand the impact the extended outages had on consumers.
USDA INCREASES PERMANENT SNAP BENEFITS NATIONWIDE
On Monday, Aug. 16, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a 25% increase to permanent Supplemental Food and Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits — the largest increase in the program’s history.
Starting Oct. 1, average monthly benefits under the SNAP program for 42 million Americans will increase by 27%, up to $157 per person, a move that will fight hunger and improve health. While benefit increases will vary by state, Michigan is projected to see some $539 million more, year-over-year, for the SNAP program.
For more information on SNAP in Michigan, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) website. MDHHS also has a website dedicated to locating a SNAP office near you, should you need additional information.
GOVERNOR WHITMER ANNOUNCES $2.1 BILLION INVESTMENT INTO MICHIGAN’S SMALL BUSINESSES AND MIDDLE CLASS
Governor Gretchen Whitmer laid out a $2.1 billion proposal to grow Michigan’s middle class, support small businesses, and invest in communities by tackling several underlying issues. As Michigan’s economic jumpstart continues, Governor Whitmer’s proposals will address issues faced by families, communities, and small businesses and take advantage of the historic influx in federal resources to deliver meaningful change that makes a difference in people’s lives.
The proposals address challenges that fall under three key pillars: $722 million to grow the middle class and educate more workers, $651 million to support small businesses and create better jobs, and $800 million to build housing and invest in communities. Within these pillars are more specific goals that further outline this plan.
To grow the middle class and educate workers, the Governor is calling for a $215 million expansion of Michigan Reconnect and Future for Frontliners, $70 million investment to growing the pipeline of talented workers to industry, a $100 million influx for the Going Pro credential program, and further investments in programs that offer work experience to Michiganders earning their GEDs and help those re-entering society after incarceration to transition into the workforce.
To support small businesses and create better jobs, the Governor is building on her $300 million Michigan Mainstreet Initiative, which offers grants to restaurants, place-based businesses, and microenterprises with further dollars to attract more start-ups. She outlined the following investments:
- $200 million to create a more conducive business environment for high-tech, high-growth start-ups and create jobs of the future in Michigan.
- $40 million to speed up electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- $100 million to prepare manufacturers and the workforce for opportunities of the future.
- $11 million for the STEM Forward program, which places STEM students in internships in Michigan and improves talent attraction and retention.
To invest in our communities, Governor Whitmer expanded on her previous proposal to put $100 million toward building 2,000 housing units, that would create 1,600 jobs and house 6,000 Michiganders. She also proposed:
- An additional $50 million to create healthier, cleaner, and more energy efficient homes.
- $100 million to rehabilitate vacant buildings.
- $200 million to redevelop brownfield sites.
- $100 million to build development-ready sites conducive to business investment.
This economic announcement builds on Michigan’s Economic Jumpstart Plan, which invests in working people and small businesses by increasing incentives to boost wages and attract applicants, provide grants to small businesses to ramp up hiring, and expand access to childcare for families with young children who want to return to work but cannot.
Together, this investment and the jumpstart plan will help Michigan’s families, communities, and small businesses thrive.
UPDATES ON MICHIGAN EDUCATION TRUST FUND
Administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, the Michigan Education Trust (MET) fund is a 529 prepaid tuition program which allows you to pay for future education at today’s rates. Contributions are eligible for a Michigan income tax deduction and grow tax-free if used for qualified expenses. MET contracts are transferable to Michigan private and out-of-state colleges and universities, and also may be transferred to other eligible family members. More than 90% of high school graduates with MET contracts have attended a college or university.
More information about MET is available at SETwithMET.com or 800-MET-4-KID (800-638-4543).