July 23, 2021
Hello Neighbors,
As we turn the calendar toward August, I can’t help but think about the herculean effort people — parents, teachers, administrators and more — have put in during the pandemic to ensure our students don’t miss a beat. This upcoming school year will undoubtedly look, feel and seem different than last year, and the year before that.
In Kent County, only 36.5% of 12- to 15-year-olds have received at least one dose of the vaccine, with children younger than 12 still not yet eligible. Schools must consider the safety of not only their students, but every member of their community, when developing a guidance for going back to school. Please be patient as schools start announcing their plans for returning students, and remember this pandemic still has a very real impact on our community and the people in it.
I am grateful and humbled to represent you as your State Senator, and I do my best to ensure your voice is heard in Lansing. As always, please continue to look out for your friends and neighbors. For the latest updates, I’d encourage you to follow me on Facebook.
Warm regards,
Winnie Brinks
State Senator
29th District
In This Issue
- Joining the Governor for a Historic Investment in Our Schools
- Fostering Futures Scholarship Application Deadline Now Aug. 1
- New Consumer Choices on Health Insurance Marketplace For 2022
- Trash and Trees Don’t Mix
- West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
- Upcoming Drinks with Brinks
- Contact Us
Joining the Governor for a Historic Investment in Our Schools
I was honored to have recently joined students, educators, and school administrators at Kentwood Public Schools, where Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the state’s K-12 budget into law. It was a historic moment to watch as she signed a budget that eliminated the funding gap between the state’s highest- and lowest-funded schools that has existed since Proposal A was passed in 1994.
The 2022 School Aid Fund budget totals $17.1 billion, including $85.4 million from the state’s General Fund. It also provides cost adjustments and supplemental funding for the current 2021 year.
The budget includes $723 million to eliminate the gap between the minimum and maximum foundation allowance by setting both at $8,700 per pupil, an increase of $589 per pupil from the current year minimum amount and $171 per pupil increase from the current year maximum amount. In addition, intermediate school districts will receive a 4% operational funding increase.
The Fiscal Year 2022 School Aid Fund budget also increases access to early education through the Great Start Readiness Program — which provides preschool to families at or below 250% of the federal poverty level — and expands the program. The expansion is the first of a three-year phase-in which seeks to ensure access to this schooling for 22,000 additional, income-eligible children by the fourth year.
In addition to closing the gap and increasing access to preschool programming, the budget also:
- Provides $240 million over three years for the additional hiring of school counselors, psychologists, nurses, and social workers in high-need districts.
- Supports school-based mental health programming with a $17 million increase.
- Invests $74.2 million into Special Education.
- Supports English Language Learners with a 4% funding increase and invests $12.2 million to eliminate the proration of funding.
- Increases funds distributed to small, rural, and isolated districts by $1.4 million, bringing the total added funding to $8.4 million.
- Incentivizes districts to adopt a year-round school calendar by helping to provide for HVAC and infrastructure improvements to improve learning spaces.
- Allocates $11.5 million for benchmark assessments to better gauge student progress and intervention needs.
- Earmarks $10 million to support school safety initiatives, with funding of up to $50,000 per school building or $250,000 per school district.
- Provides $2.4 million to support children impacted by the Flint Water Crisis.
Fostering Futures Scholarship Application Deadline Now Aug. 1
Young adults who have experienced foster care on or after their 13th birthday now have more time to apply for a scholarship from the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
The Fostering Futures Scholarship application period for academic year 2021-22 will stay open until August 1. Eligible students enrolled at a Michigan degree-granting college or university may now apply to receive scholarship funds for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies. To learn more about the Fostering Futures Scholarship, visit www.fosteringfutures-mi.com.
Fostering Futures Scholarship applicants with questions should contact the state Treasury Department’s Student Scholarships, Grants and Outreach Division at mistudentaid@michigan.gov or call toll-free at 1-888-4-GRANTS (888-447-2687).
New Consumer Choices on Health Insurance Marketplace for 2022
Consumers will have more health plan options from an increased number of insurers on the Health Insurance Marketplace for the upcoming open enrollment period.
Open enrollment for 2022 coverage runs from November 1 through December 15, 2021, and Michiganders can obtain coverage by visiting the Health Insurance Marketplace or by calling 800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). Consumers will be able to choose from 175 health plans on the Marketplace, 47 more than last year, offered by the following companies:
- Blue Care Network of Michigan
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mutual Insurance Company
- McLaren Health Plan Community
- Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Inc.
- Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Inc.
- Oscar Insurance Company
- Physicians Health Plan
- Priority Health
- United Healthcare Community Plan
- U.S. Health and Life Insurance Company
For the overall individual market, which includes off-Marketplace plans, 257 plans will be available (52 more than last year). As always, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services encourages consumers to carefully shop around to find the best plan for themselves, their families, and their budget.
Michiganders who still need health coverage for 2021 are encouraged to take advantage of low and no-cost health insurance options that are available under the current special enrollment period which runs through August 15. Additional information is available on the DIFS website or by calling DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442.
Trash and Trees Don’t Mix
Record numbers of people are heading to Michigan’s outdoors this summer, exploring forests to enjoy the beauty of wildflowers, bright songbirds and splashing waterways. This captivating scenery is, unfortunately, sometimes marred by something less beautiful: dumpsites.
Trash in the forest isn’t just ugly — it’s hazardous to people, wildlife and the environment. If you want to help care for the wild places you love, join Adopt-a-Forest, a volunteer-driven cleanup program bringing people together to protect the outdoors. Because of this program, more than half of illegally dumped trash removed from public lands in the last 10 years has been recycled.
First, find a location using the online dumpsite database and fill out a volunteer waiver. Then, pack the right gear — including gloves, sturdy boots, sun protection and bug spray — before heading to the forest for a cleanup. Lastly, let us know to check it off the list by filling out a report — and then feel great about the good work you just did! If a hands-on cleanup isn’t right for you, Adopt-a-Forest also needs assistance with scouting sites and sharing proper disposal resources, and accepts donations for supplies and heavy equipment rental.
Learn more about Adopt-a-Forest by contacting program coordinator Conor Haenni at 989-429-5542 or visiting Michigan.gov/AdoptAForest.
West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
It was great to speak at the annual meeting of the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (WMSBF) last week, whose members incubate and create practices that positively impact our community and the environment. I serve on the Energy and Technology, Environmental, and Health and Human Services committees in the Michigan Senate, and know well that environmental policies are inextricably linked to the health and well-being of Michiganders.
We know people who are low-income or are racial minorities are more likely to be exposed to unsafe drinking water, noise and air pollution, unreliable or no internet, proximity to hazardous sites, and the lack of clean, safe and close outdoor recreational spaces. WMSBF members recognize the potential environmental impact that their business decisions have their neighbors and neighborhoods and are dedicated to making West Michigan healthier and more equitable for all of us. Such a great conversation!
Upcoming Drinks with Brinks
Join me in person at Mitten Brewing Co. (527 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids) on Monday, August 2 from 5:30-7 PM to discuss the issues that are important to you!
Drinks with Brinks is a community conversation similar to my morning coffee hours. I make my way around the district throughout the year to talk with constituents who are eager to make their voices heard.
Registration isn’t required, but it does help us plan. Click here to sign up and submit your question; registered attendees will receive an email reminder. For more details, check out my Facebook events page. Cheers!
Contact Us
I 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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