Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 9
LEGISLATURE PASSES $1 BILLION TO INVEST IN ECONOMY, GOOD-PAYING JOBS, SCHOLARSHIPS Last week, the state House and Senate passed two budget supplemental bills that make investments in Michigan’s economy and support good-paying jobs. Senate Bill 844 sends nearly $1 billion in funding from the state’s $7 billion surplus to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Of that, $846.1 million is being directed into the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund, including $250 million for site development and $100 million for landfill cleanup. Senate Bill 842 routes $12.2 million of General Fund money into the School Aid Fund, with $12 million targeted to providing literacy tutoring services and enrichment programs, with a pilot program in three geographically diverse districts. It also invests $200,000 into Square One to host robotics programs and competitions for K-12 students, and creates two new scholarship programs:
- $250 million would be invested in the Michigan Achievement Scholarship for Michigan high school graduates whose expected family contribution through FAFSA was $25,000 or less beginning in Fiscal Year 2023, which begins Oct. 1. Providing a minimum of $1,000 per student, the scholarship would be available for five years, with no more than three of those years spent at a community or tribal college, and provide:
- Up to $2,750 to community college students; Up to $5,500 to public university students; and, Up to $4,000 to private university students.
- $10 million of the above $250 million would be set aside for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Training Program that would make $2,000 grants available for students enrolled in occupational training programs.
The two new scholarship programs would begin in the 2023-2024 academic year.
NEW 24/7 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS HOTLINE As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is highlighting Michigan’s new, 24/7 hotline providing live, one-on-one crisis support for all victims, survivors, support people, and professionals who serve them. The hotline number is available by calling 866-864-2338 or texting 877-861-0222. The number is free to call and provides local support that is tailored to each unique situation through trained advocates. Hotline services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year via phone, chat, text, or TTY, for those who are deaf or hard of hearing:
- Call: 866-864-2338 Text: 877-861-0222 (standard text messaging rates apply) Chat: MCEDSV.org/chat TTY: 517-898-5533
Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate and impacts all races, genders, education, and economic statuses. Often, multiple forms of abuse are present. It is important to know behaviors to look for to seek support for self or others. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, Michigan’s Domestic Violence Hotline is a free, confidential, and anonymous resource available 24/7/365. Call 866-864-2338.
MICHIGANDERS WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY STATE, FEDERAL TAXES ON FORGIVEN STUDENT LOANS The governor has announced that student loan relief would not be treated as taxable income in Michigan, meaning approximately 1.4 million Michiganders eligible for relief will not owe any state taxes for receiving benefits of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program or other student loan forgiveness. Typically, when debt is forgiven, the IRS treats it as taxable income. However, provisions of the American Rescue Plan have temporarily lifted this requirement. Any federal loans that are discharged between 2021 and 2025 will not be considered taxable income by the federal government. Because state tax law aligns with federal law, this temporary relief will be in effect in Michigan through 2025 as well. Student Loan Forgiveness — Next Steps As many of you know, President Joe Biden recently passed a three-part Student Loan Relief Plan. The plan will allow the U.S. Department of Education to provide up to $20,000 in debt relief to Pell Grant recipients and $10,000 in debt relief to those who are not a Pell Grant recipient. The following information contains the next steps you need to take to obtain loan forgiveness:
- A simple application will open in early October. You can get notified when the application opens by visiting StudentAid.gov/DebtRelief (scroll down to the FAQs section and click on the link titled ‘Department of Education subscription page’). After your application is submitted and processing is completed, you can expect relief within 4-6 weeks. Please note that borrowers should fill out an application before Nov. 15 to receive relief before the payment pause expires on Dec. 31, 2022.
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE AIMS TO LOWER COSTS, MANUFACTURE INSULIN IN MICHIGAN On Monday, Oct. 3, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive to determine how the State of Michigan can lower the cost of insulin, including by developing its own manufacturing capabilities. Michigan is home to more than 912,000 Michiganders with diabetes, and far too many are forced to ration or forgo insulin. If the state can feasibly manufacture insulin, it could lower costs for families and create good-paying jobs for Michiganders. A century ago, Michigan opened a state facility to manufacture cost-effective, life-saving medicine for a variety of illnesses. The executive directive tasks state departments with evaluating options to lower the cost of insulin, including:
- Development, in conjunction with a partner or partners, of a low-cost insulin product for distribution in Michigan. Production, purchase and/or distribution of low-cost insulin products. Establishment of a Michigan-based insulin manufacturing facility, including any potential sites for such facility. Any additional actions that the state could take to feasibly lower insulin costs for consumers.
Diabetes is a top-ten leading cause of death in the U.S., and Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. Insulin is the most common treatment for Type 1 diabetes and can be used for Type 2 as well, depending on the patient. In the U.S., insulin can cost 10 times more than in other similar countries and prices have tripled over the last decade. A Yale study found that 1 in 4 diabetes patients ration insulin because of the high cost.
MDHHS URGES MICHIGAN RESIDENTS TO GET FLU VACCINE The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging Michiganders to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves and their communities from flu this season. Getting a flu vaccine is critical because flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will likely be spreading simultaneously. Residents can get their COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as their flu vaccine. According to the CDC, those who are at higher risk for contracting flu are also at a higher risk for contracting COVID-19. Vaccinations for both COVID-19 and the flu are safe, effective strategies to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from illness. During the 2021-2022 flu season, approximately 3.3 million people in Michigan received a flu vaccine as reported to the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR). The state has set a goal of vaccinating a total of 4 million Michiganders for the 2022-2023 flu season. Flu vaccines are available now at local health departments, physician offices, and pharmacies around the state. Find a location near you using the Vaccine Finder. Visit Michigan.gov/flu for more information or visit IVaccinate.org to find answers to your vaccine questions.
TREASURY: DON’T FORGET TO FILE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RETURNS Taxpayers who requested an extension to file their individual income tax returns have less than a month to file a complete and accurate return, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. Individual income tax returns due under an extension must be received by Treasury on or before Oct. 17, 2022. Returns can be sent through the U.S. Postal Service or e-Filed. For the convenience of taxpayers, the extension deadline is the same as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Taxpayers who have yet to file their individual income tax return should consider:
- Filing a return to claim an outstanding refund. Taxpayers risk losing their state income tax refund if they don’t file a return within four years from the due date of the original return. Visit Michigan.gov/MIFastFile to learn more about e-filing. Filing a return to minimize interest and penalties. File returns and pay now to limit interest charges and late payment penalties. An extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. Penalty and interest on the tax due is applicable from the original due date of the return until payment is received. Paying as much tax as possible. If taxpayers owe outstanding taxes and can’t pay in full, they should pay as much as they can when they file their tax returns. Payments can be made using Michigan’s e-Payments service. When mailing checks, carefully follow tax form instructions. Treasury will work with taxpayers who cannot pay the full amount of tax they owe.
Taxpayers with questions about their state income taxes are encouraged to use Treasury eServices. The online platform enables taxpayers to ask state income tax-related questions when convenient and avoids the extended wait times for calls this time of year. To get started with Treasury eServices, go to Michigan.gov/IncomeTax and click on “Access eServices.”
