District 10 News and Updates

Dear Neighbor, 

Spring is upon us here in Michigan! I hope you are having a great start to the season and enjoying everything the warmer weather brings to our state. As we transition into spring, I encourage you to take advantage of the longer days and pleasant weather by spending time outdoors, whether it’s exploring our beautiful state parks, going for a hike, or simply relaxing in your backyard. I also encourage you to attend events happening within our district!

Featured in Today’s Newsletter:

• Protecting Vulnerable Adults from Abuse
• New Child Restraint Law Takes Effect April 2
• Michigan’s Unemployment Expansion Benefits Begin April 2
• DIFS Encourages Michiganders to Review Insurance Coverage for Severe Weather Preparedness
• City of Detroit Yard Waste Collection Begins March 31
• Free Tax Preparation Help Through City of Warren’s Partnership With AARP
• City of Detroit Free Tax Preparation Sites 
• Spoofing Victim? You May Be Out of Luck
• Warren Spring Carnival
• Macomb County Library Events

Please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can email me at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-8360.

Warmest regards,   

Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 10 

Protecting Vulnerable Adults from Abuse

Elderly individuals and vulnerable adults are at high risk of being subject to abuse and exploitation at the hands of family members, friends, or other close associates. According to the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General, more than 73,000 older adults in the state are victims of these crimes, which can lead to serious physical and psychological effects such as depression, increased hospitalization, and premature death.

To protect older and vulnerable Michiganders from these threats, I joined my colleagues to pass Senate Bills 111–114 this week, which would increase protections by making a special personal protection order available, strengthening penalties for abuse and financial exploitation offenses, and developing programs to bolster prevention efforts. Learn more about this legislation here.

New Child Restraint Law Takes Affect April 2

Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for young children. But you can reduce your child’s risk of death in a crash by 50% simply by ensuring they’re properly restrained in the appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seat belt for their age and size.

Beginning April 2, Michigan’s child restraint law is changing. Here’s what you need to know:

• Children must ride rear-facing until they are at least 2 years old or outgrow the height or weight limits of their rear facing car seat.
• Children must ride in a forward-facing car seat with an internal fivepoint harness until they are at least 5 years old or outgrow the car seat’s height or weight limits.
• Children must ride in a booster seat secured with a lap and shoulder seatbelt until they are at least 8 years old or until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall.
• Children younger than 13 years old must be restrained in the vehicle’s rear seats, unless all rear seats are occupied by other children or the vehicle doesn’t have rear seating.

While not every location offers car seat installation, many fire or police departments have individuals certified as Child Passenger Safety Technicians who can assist with car seat inspections and installations, often free of charge. Contact your local station to learn more.

For more information about the law change or tips on how to install a car seat yourself, visit the Michigan State Police’s webpage on child passenger safety here.

Michigan’s Unemployment Expansion Benefits Begin April 2

Last session, my colleagues and I passed a five-bill package that extends unemployment benefits and puts money back in the pockets of Michiganders who have been struggling to get by. This legislation streamlines Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) system and processes.

Notably, this legislation also restores Michigan’s own previous practices — and brings us up to par with most other states — by updating the maximum number of weeks people can qualify for benefits. The number of benefit weeks was cut by six weeks in 2011, unnecessarily harming workers for more than a decade. The bill also increases the maximum dollar amount of benefits.

Senate Bill 40 (PA 173 of 2024), which I introduced, restores the maximum number of weeks claimants could access benefits from 20 to 26 and raises the maximum weekly benefit from $362 to $614. With future increases being tied to changes in inflation, this legislation would ensure Michigan’s UIA benefits adapt to a changing economy. The maximum dollar cap for dependent benefits also increased from $6 to $26. 

This legislation will go into effect on April 2, 2025. To learn more about the expansion of these benefits please click here. 

DIFS Encourages Michiganders to Review Insurance Coverage for Severe Weather Preparedness

The Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is encouraging all Michiganders to review their insurance coverage to prepare for the potential impact of severe weather conditions.

Severe weather is especially common during rapid temperature swings during the spring warmup. These changing conditions can create dangerous weather patterns that significantly increase the potential for damaging severe weather, such as high winds, hail, or tornadoes.

It is important that Michiganders take the following steps to ensure they are properly protected:

• Review your insurance coverage. Verify that you have appropriate coverage with your insurance agent or company and discuss any coverage needs. Make sure you are financially comfortable with the amount of your deductible and know how it applies to an insurance claim. Though many types of storm damage are covered by homeowners’ and renters’ insurance, flood damage is typically not covered unless you have purchased flood insurance. Water and sewer back-up is also not automatically covered under a homeowners’ or renters’ policy, so it is important to discuss coverage options with an insurance agent or insurance company before flooding or water damage occurs.
• Take inventory. Create a detailed list of personal possessions with photographs of each room on the property and a thorough list of other valuables not seen in the photographs. These materials should be stored in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box, with a relative, or digitally online.
• Gather emergency contacts. Make a list of important phone numbers, including family members, emergency responders, insurance agents, and insurance companies.
• Secure important documents. Store copies of all insurance policy declaration pages and insurance cards in a secure place, such as a safe deposit box or online securely in a digital format in case the originals are destroyed or lost.
• Protect your finances. Make sure to have a financial plan, such as a dedicated emergency fund, for paying an insurance policy’s deductible to help avoid severe financial strain in the aftermath of a disaster. A deductible is a certain amount of money that must be paid out-of-pocket before the insurance company will pay a claim after a loss.

If your property is damaged, you should:

• Report the claim. Contact your insurance company’s claims hotline and/or agent and have your policy number(s) ready as well as other relevant information easily available. To make the claims process even easier, DIFS has prepared an Insurance Claims Tracking Sheet.
• Prevent further loss. Take steps to protect the property to avoid further loss but do not make permanent repairs until the insurance company has inspected the damage. Be sure to keep receipts for any purchases of supplies that are needed to protect the property.
• Document the loss. Take pictures or videos of the damaged items and do not get rid of the items until instructed to do so by the insurance company.
• Protect yourself from fraud. After a storm, fraudsters claiming to be adjusters, contractors, and other service providers often go door-to-door claiming to offer services, like debris cleanup or building repairs. In these scams, the work may not be completed, may be completed with poor-quality materials or shoddy workmanship, or you may be significantly overcharged for the work. Always contact your insurer before hiring a contractor, verify the credentials and licensure of these individuals, be present in the home when damage is inspected or repaired, and never sign a contract for work without understanding it first. Also keep in mind that insurance adjusters work for and are paid by insurance companies, and you should not be asked to pay them for their services. To report a scam or price gouging, contact Michigan’s Attorney General at (877) 765-8388 or online for further information.

If you have questions or would like any additional information, please contact DIFS at (877) 999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

City of Detroit Yard Waste Collection Begins March 31

The City of Detroit’s Dept. of Public Works (DPW) curbside yard waste collection begins Monday, March 31 and will continue on a weekly basis until December 19. Residents are asked to set out their yard waste the night before their scheduled trash day. The City of Detroit recently approved a new contract, in which contractors now collect household trash, recycling, bulk trash, and yard waste every week on each neighborhood’s scheduled trash collection day.

Residents can place grass clippings, leaves, and small twigs that are no more than two inches in diameter in biodegradable paper bags on their scheduled collection day. Branches and twigs that are up to four feet in length and no more than four inches in diameter should be bundled and tied securely and placed at the curb. Please note: individual bundles should not weigh more than 60 pounds.

When placing bagged yard waste at the curb, it should be at least six feet from the city garbage container or in a personal garbage container that is clearly labeled “yard waste” on two sides of the container. The city’s contractors, Waste Management and Priority Waste, will not collect yard waste in plastic bags. DPW also offers affordable paid curbside pickup for bulk and yard waste that exceed the city’s collection limits. Call (313) 876-0004 to request a quote.

If yard waste must be disposed of immediately, residents are encouraged to take their yard waste to any of the free drop-off locations below:

• Southfield Yard: 12255 Southfield Service Drive, Monday-Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Davison Yard: 8221 W. Davison Ave., Monday-Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Fons Transfer Station: 6451 E. McNichols Rd., Monday- Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. or Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Residents can find out their next yard waste collection date by visiting DetroitMI.gov and typing their address into the “My Home Info” search field. 

For additional information about collection schedules or to report concerns, residents should call their assigned contractor:

• East and Southwest Detroit residents should call Priority Waste at (855) 927-8365. 
• Westside residents should call Waste Management at (844) 233-8764.

For Illegal Dumping and Excessive Debris, please call (313) 876-0426.

Additionally, residents can sign up to receive weekly reminders by subscribing to the free DPW text messaging service. Residents can text their address to (313) 800-7905. 

Free Tax Preparation Help Through City of Warren’s Partnership With AARP

The City of Warren is offering free tax preparation help to their residents through their partnership with AARP. This program, designed for seniors and low-income residents, has walk-up appointments upon availability.

The service is offered from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in Warren City Hall’s first floor conference room on March 31, as well as April 2, 7, and 9.

Free parking is available in the attached parking garage at 1 City Square, Warren, MI 48093.

City of Detroit Free Tax Preparation Sites

Accounting Aide Society offers free tax assistance in Detroit! Listed below are the available sites, the hours, and whether you need an appointment.

Accounting Aide Society Sites

• Detroit Public Library- Main Library, 5201 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202 
  • Monday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday – Wednesday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. from Jan. 21 – April 15 (closed 3/24)
  • Appointment Preferred
• Duffield Branch Library, 2507 West Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48208 
  • Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. from Jan. 25 – April 12 (closed 2/8)
  • Appointment Preferred
• Fisher Magnet Academy – FREC East, 15491 Maddelein St., Detroit, MI 48205
  • Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. from Jan. 21 – April 15 (closed 3/24).
  • Appointment Preferred
• Focus Hope, 1400 Oakman Blvd, Detroit, MI 48238
  • Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturdays (3/15, 4/12), 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. from 
    Jan. 21 – April 15 (closed 3/24)
  • Appointment Preferred
• La Sed Senior and Youth Center, 7150 W. Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
  • Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. from Jan. 21 – April 15 (closed 3/24)
  • Appointment Preferred
• Northwest Financial Hub, 7800 W Outer Dr, LL20, Detroit, MI 48235
  • Mondays- Tuesday and Thursday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesdays, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. from Jan. 21 – April 15 (closed 3/24)
  • Appointment Preferred
• University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W. McNichols Rd, Commerce & Finance Bldg. Detroit, MI 48221. 
  • Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. from Feb. 8 – April 5 (Closed 3/29).
  • Appointment Necessary

To book an appointment, please call (313) 556-1920 or book online here. Before you go, please make sure to review the checklist and what to bring.

To learn more, please click here.

Spoofing Victim? You May Be Out of Luck

Scammers constantly update their methods to steal personal information and your money, and to infect your devices with malware. Spoofing involves scammers faking caller ID or an email and pretending to be a legitimate source, business, colleague, or other trusted contact, such as an employee of your financial institution. If you give out account or personal information, you may have no fraud protection or other way to recover lost funds, but there are steps you can take to protect your personal information and data from future attacks.

• Act quickly to protect your accounts.
  • Contact the financial institution involved immediately at the number on your statement or the back of your debt card.
  • Ask about their policies regarding consumers who lose money due to scams. If you are a victim, you may not be able to get the money you lost back.
  • Change your passwords immediately if an online account was compromised.
  • Use strong, unique passwords for each account, and multifactor authentication whenever available.
• Secure devices.
  •  If you need help figuring out technology, don’t hesitate to ask a trusted friend or family member for help!
  • Consider uninstalling any unknown or suspicious apps you do not recognize.
  • Ensure your device operating system, software, and antivirus programs are up to date to protect against further attacks.
• Spread awareness.
  • Alert friends, family, and colleagues about the scam so they can avoid falling into the same trap. Share details on social media or consumer forums if comfortable.
  • Consumers can report the scam to consumer advocacy organizations to help raise awareness and possibly get advice on further actions.

Even after taking these actions, monitor your accounts and personal data for anything suspicious. Staying informed on new or updated scams helps you to recognize the warning signs and protects you in the future, so share the information with family and friends 

Warren Spring Carnival

The City of Warren will be holding their spring carnival on April 5, 2025. This free event includes a visit and picture taken with the Easter Bunny, egg hunt, inflatables, balloon sculptures, airbrush face painting, seed planning, and a bike helmet raffle. The event will be happening from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Warren Community Center located 5460 Arden Avenue, Warren, MI 48092.

Macomb County Library Events

Macomb County Library’s host events throughout the week you may be interested in! Check out the happenings below.

Center Line Public Library
7345 Weingartz, Center Line | (586) 758-8274

• Baby and toddler play group 11:00 a.m. Tuesdays. Children up to 36 months and their caregivers participate in stories, songs, and play.
• Storytime at 11:00 a.m. Wednesdays or 5:00 p.m. Thursdays. Stories and a craft for ages 0 to 5, no registration required. Program same both days.

Sterling Heights Public Library
40255 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights | shpl.net | 586-446-2640

• Library cardholders can reserve a time to use the Maker’s Space by appointment. Look for Maker Space Lab on the program calendar.
• Biblio Book Box offered for adults and Teen Book Box for teens offered every month. Register and a librarian will pick a book based on user’s preferences and include a surprise.
• Toddler Time and preschool storytimes are both offered at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Registration is required. Check the library calendar for full details.
• PAWS for Reading from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. The first 10 children to check in at the youth desk on Tuesday nights will be able to read to a therapy dog.
• The Upton House is open for self-guided tours from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. every Wednesday and second Sunday of the month. Register up to six people in a household. Registration only required for Wednesdays.
• Sterling Heights Public Library will continue curbside materials service, phone service, and home delivery/outreach service on Monday – Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In addition, 24/7 digital library services are available at shpl.net.

Warren Public Libraries

• Warren Public Library is distributing My First Library Bags at all four library branches for children from birth through age five who are Warren residents. Children can stop by any Warren Public Library branch with their parents or caregivers to receive a free bag.
• The bags for babies from birth through age two include a board book, sensory ball, bib, and a list of library resources in a reusable tote bag. The bags for ages three through five include a picture book, egg shaker, and a growth chart in a reusable tote bag.
• Bags available while supplies last and are designed to help develop early literacy skills by encouraging adults to talk, sing, read, write, and play with young children every day to help every child get ready to read and succeed when kindergarten begins.
• All Warren Public Library branches will be able to offer a telescope for patrons to check out with a valid library card thanks to being selected to be part of NASA @ My Library, an education initiative to increase and enhance science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) opportunities for library patrons. The Warren Civic Center library will offer telescope events throughout the year as well.

Warren Busch Branch Library
23333 Ryan Rd., Warren

• Grab-and-Go Science at Busch Branch Library has science themed kits available for check out exploring topics in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with fun and kid-friendly hands-on activities. Each kit also contains a related book and instructions. For children, tweens, and teens ages six and up, recommended ages vary by kit and activity.  More kits will be added to the collection soon. They can be checked out for 21 days and renewed up to two times and must be checked out and returned to the Busch Branch.

Warren Civic Center Library
1 City Square, Suite 100, Warren

• Children’s Book Boxes, a subscription box program for children in grades 3-5. To sign up you must live in Warren and have a valid Warren Library card. Each box will contain 1-2 library books selected based on your preferences and one free book to keep. Boxes will contain fun surprises too! Sign up online here.
• PAWS To Read from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Children of all ages can read to therapy dog Desmond. The PAWS program welcomes new and struggling readers to read to a certified therapy dog. The goal is to provide a non-judgmental atmosphere in which kids can read without correction or interruption and learn not just to read, but to love reading as well. No registration required.