June 25, 2021
Hello Neighbors,
The effects of the pandemic have touched us all in some way, but the more we learn, it’s becoming clearer this burden has not been carried equally. Issues such as affordable and safe childcare, flexible work schedules, attainable and safe housing, and paid sick leave have been brought to the forefront of the national conversation. It would be negligent for us to not use this opportunity and work toward real solutions to give our fellow Michiganders the resources they need.
In this issue, I’ve included legislative updates, important information on the effects the pandemic has had on our most vulnerable, and what we can do to ease their burden.
As always, please continue to look out for your friends and neighbors and be patient with one another.
For the latest updates, I’d encourage you to follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
Warm regards,
Winnie Brinks
State Senator
29th District
In This Issue
- Legislative Update
- Kids Count Report Released
- Gov. Whitmer Seeks to Expand Tuition-Free College for Frontliners
- Why We Celebrate: Juneteenth
- Upcoming Virtual Coffee Hour
- Contact Us
Legislative Update
Attainable Housing and Rehabilitation Act
There are many tools for local governments to rehabilitate or develop commercial properties, but not many options when it comes to residential projects. My bill, Senate Bill 362, the Attainable Housing and Rehabilitation Act, creates a tool that municipalities can tailor to meet their specific, attainable housing needs. It has passed the Senate with overwhelming, bipartisan support.
Innovation and investment in Grand Rapids have made West Michigan a great place to live, work, and play, but that has also caused a shift in our housing market. Many of our friends and neighbors — across a broad spectrum of income levels — have known or experienced this problem for quite some time, and they could tell you the barriers they face when looking for a home. So, my bill creates a tool for local municipalities to help them.
My bill is part of a larger effort by the Housing Michigan Coalition, which consists of community, business, and government organizations whose efforts support increasing housing supply and affordability.
SB 362 is now with the Michigan House of Representatives for consideration.
Governor Whitmer Signs SB 440 – BAMF Health
I am happy to report that Senate Bill 440 — which would help BAMF Health stay on track with the construction of their facility on the Medical Mile, as well as enable the purchase of the health machinery they need — was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week. It has become Public Act 35 of 2021.
You can read more about BAMF Health and the work they do to revolutionize treatment for cancer in this report by WOOD TV. It is a truly unique endeavor, as the only other place in the world to currently offer this treatment is in Germany. I’m honored I could play a role in bringing this cutting-edge medicine to our community and all who will benefit from their work.
July as Craft Beer Month in Michigan
This week, I offered Senate Resolution 71, which recognizes July 2021 as Craft Beer Month in the state of Michigan. While Grand Rapids has been fondly nicknamed Beer City, USA, our state has craft brewers in every region, and more than 400 statewide. They produce more than 100 distinct styles of flavorful beers, whose quality and diversity have made Michigan the envy of many states.
Michigan Craft Brewers are a vibrant affirmation and expression of Michigan’s entrepreneurial traditions, and, operating as community-based small businesses, provide employment for more than 21,000 full-time workers. They are vested in the future, health, and welfare of our communities and our state, and have committed to supporting a broad range of vital community institutions and philanthropic causes, ranging from not-for-profit housing development associations and chambers of commerce to humane societies, athletic teams, and medical research.
Senate Resolution 71 passed the Senate with unanimous support.
Kids Count Report Released
The Michigan League for Public Policy has released its 2021 Kids Count in Michigan Data Book showing that nearly a decade of progress on kids and families’ needs in Michigan and nationally could be erased by the COVID-19 pandemic unless policymakers act.
The Michigan Data Book found that Michigan worsened in less-than-adequate prenatal care from 2010 to 2019, and the number of children in investigated families went up from 2010 to 2020. Also, the number of 3- and 4-year-olds in early education programs stayed the same from 2010-2019.
The state improved in the number of eighth graders proficient in math between 2015 and 2018, as well as in students graduating high school on time (between 2010 to 2020). The state worsened in third graders being proficient in English Language Arts from 2015 to 2019.
Gov. Whitmer Seeks to Expand Tuition-Free College for Frontliners
Last week, Gov. Whitmer called for the expansion of the Futures for Frontliners scholarship program to meet increased demand and popularity. The tuition-free scholarships would now include frontline workers who served between Nov. 1, 2020, and Jan. 31, 2021.
With the expansion, upwards of 22,000 additional workers would be eligible to apply for this opportunity, adding on to the more than 120,000 essential workers who quickly applied for the program when it launched at the end of 2020. The additional $100 million investment would come from federal American Rescue Plan funding and would need legislative approval.
Futures for Frontliners — inspired by the GI Bill that provided financial assistance for college to those serving our country in WWII — offers eligible Michigan adults without college degrees or high school diplomas a tuition-free pathway to gaining the skills needed to obtain high-demand, high-wage careers. The program is available to those in the medical field as well as essential workers in manufacturing, nursing homes, grocery stores, sanitation, delivery, retail, and more.
In just over three months’ time, more than 120,000 Michiganders have applied for the program, and nearly 16,000 of those applicants are already enrolled in classes with a semester completed through their local community college.
Why We Celebrate: Juneteenth
Last week, we commemorated the day when enslaved Black Americans learned of their emancipation in 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This day is widely celebrated as the official end of slavery in the U.S.
Juneteenth is both a cause for celebration and an opportunity to reflect on the injustices inflicted on the Black community. We must continue our fight for equality, as there is plenty of work yet to do.
Earlier this week, President Biden signed the observance of Juneteenth into law as a federal holiday. This year’s celebration is our country’s first as an official U.S. holiday.
I am grateful to the many organizers, like Opal Lee, who have tirelessly advocated for the official recognition of this holiday that is an important part of our nation’s history.
Upcoming Virtual Coffee Hour
I hope you can join me for a Virtual Coffee Hour Friday, July 16, from Noon to 1 p.m., on Zoom. This is a great opportunity to discuss important issues in our district from the comfort and safety of your own home.
Please click here to register and feel free to include any questions you may have for me. I’ll do my best to address everyone’s question during the coffee hour, and we’ll send you the link to the meeting before the start of the event.
I look forward to chatting with you and hope to see you online!
Contact UsI have other questions. Are you and your office still available?
To keep you and my staff healthy and safe, we are working remotely until further notice. Please call our office at (517) 373-1801 or send me an email at SenWBrinks@senate.michigan.gov, as you normally would, and we will do our best to avoid any interruption of service.
I am still working diligently and engaging with folks in our community, but all in-person events have been canceled for the time being. You can follow me on Facebook or check my website at SenatorBrinks.com for more information on any future events.
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