{"id":5665,"date":"2020-02-04T15:46:23","date_gmt":"2020-02-04T15:46:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/bayer\/?p=5665"},"modified":"2024-06-18T15:14:01","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T19:14:01","slug":"state-senator-rosemary-bayer-february-2020-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/bayer\/2020\/02\/04\/state-senator-rosemary-bayer-february-2020-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"STATE SENATOR ROSEMARY BAYER UTILITY NEWSLETTER"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear Neighbors:

My first year in office has been an exciting challenge with so many opportunities to make our community better. We have been working hard in Lansing to ensure we fight for the things that matter to people in Oakland County. Every letter, email and call to our office has helped me to better represent you, and I hope to continue hearing from you as we enter the New Year!

Last year, we hosted four town halls and over 55 coffee hours and community conversations. I\u2019m thankful to those of you who made it out, and I hope more of you can come speak with me and my staff in the future. Our state succeeds when everyone is involved.

If there\u2019s anything I can do to help you, please let me know! You can reach me through email at SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov <\/strong>or by phone at (517) 373-2417<\/strong>, or toll-free at (855) DIST012 (855-347-8012)<\/strong>. I would love to hear from you!

Working for You in Lansing,
\"\"
\"\"
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
Toll-free: (855) DIST012 or
(855) 347-8012 Website: SenatorBayer.com<\/a>
Email: SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prescription Drug Costs\n<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Michigan families have been paying far too much for prescriptions that are necessary for a decent quality of life. Countless Michiganders are not taking their medications because they can\u2019t afford it. Senate Bill 525, which I co-sponsored, would switch this trend by allowing Michigan to import prescription drugs from Canada at huge discounts. This would allow consumers to save money, while also protecting the quality of the medication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health Policy and Human Services. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Home Heating Help<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Food isn\u2019t the only problem in the dead of winter \u2014 heating bills can be too. Many low-income families and seniors struggle just to keep their house warm, but fortunately, The Heat and Warmth (THAW) Fund can help during the cold months.

THAW has multiple utility assistance programs available, including affordable payment plans for customers of DTE Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP), SEMCO Monthly Assistance Program (MAP), Consumers Energy Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy (CARE), and UPPCO Self-sufficiency & Education Program (EASE). They also offer resources for utility payment assistance and\/or state emergency relief.

See which you may qualify for at THAWFund.org\/Programs<\/a> <\/strong>or call (800) 866-THAW (8429)<\/strong>.

In addition, here are some helpful phone numbers if you have questions about your heating bill: <\/strong>
DTE Energy <\/strong>
(800) 477-4747 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEMCO Energy <\/strong>
(800) 624-2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consumers Energy <\/strong>
(800) 477-5050 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michigan Gas Utilities <\/strong>
(800) 401-6402 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Save the Date!\n2nd Annual\nSenior Town Hall\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join me for coffee! <\/strong>
I always enjoy the opportunity to hear directly from residents like you on the issues you care about! My favorite way to do that is to host coffee hours throughout Oakland County. Check my website for upcoming dates and times, sign up for my e-newsletter, or call my office to learn about a future coffee hour near you! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll be hosting a town hall in February just for seniors and you\u2019re invited! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I always enjoy the opportunity to hear directly from residents like you\non the issues you care about! My favorite way to do that is to host coffee\nhours throughout Oakland County. Check my website for upcoming\ndates and times, sign up for my e-newsletter, or call my office to learn\nabout a future coffee hour near you!\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 <\/strong>
ROSEMARY BAYER <\/strong>
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
P.O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bowen Senior Citizens Center <\/strong>
52 Bagley St. Pontiac, MI 48342 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will have light refreshments and a panel of speakers who
will address issues important to seniors including elder abuse, services available to seniors, protecting yourself from identity theft, and how to avoid scams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope to see you there! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Be Counted: <\/strong>U.S. CENSUS 2020 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every 10 years, the U.S. government is constitutionally required to count the\npeople living in our country. It doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re a natural-born citizen, a\nGreen Card holder or an immigrant \u2014 every person living in our country matters.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2020 Census questionnaire will contain a short set of questions asking about\nthe people living in your household. It\u2019s critical that you fill out these forms and\nreturn them.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should make sure you respond to the 2020 Census questionnaire because the results of it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n