{"id":6039,"date":"2022-09-02T09:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-02T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/brinks\/news\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/"},"modified":"2023-01-06T16:38:08","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T16:38:08","slug":"senatedistrict29newsupdates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/","title":{"rendered":"Senate District 29 News &amp; Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;4px||8px|||&#8221; da_is_popup=&#8221;off&#8221; da_exit_intent=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_close=&#8221;on&#8221; da_alt_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_dark_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_not_modal=&#8221;on&#8221; da_is_singular=&#8221;off&#8221; da_with_loader=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_shadow=&#8221;on&#8221; da_disable_devices=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<!-- divi:html --><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%;\" align=\"center\">\n<div style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div><a id=\"\" name=\"\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.senatedems.com\/brinks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"State Senator Winnie Brinks\" src=\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a id=\"1629473412905905\" name=\"1629473412905905\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 19px; padding-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px;\">\n<div>\n<p>Hello Neighbors,<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s back to school time!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">There\u2019s no higher priority for me than education; supporting our schools and our great educators is the issue that originally inspired me to come to Lansing to serve as a legislator. I care deeply about the challenges that our educators face today and am working hard to address them. You\u2019ll see some of those priorities reflected in this newsletter, as well as some resources that may be helpful to you as we start a new school year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Today and every day, I am proud to serve as your State Senator in Lansing. I thank you for sharing thoughts and concerns with me, and let\u2019s continue to make our community better together.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">As always, please continue to look out for your friends and neighbors and be patient with one another. For the latest updates, please follow me on\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SenatorBrinks\">Facebook<\/a><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Warm Regards,\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div><a id=\"162947561009393\" name=\"162947561009393\"><\/a><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"example image 800x100\" src=\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/611fd395d1e01.jpeg\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a id=\"162947573709191\" name=\"162947573709191\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 19px; padding-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px;\">\n<div>\n<p><b>Winnie Brinks<br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-size: 19px;\">State Senator<br \/><\/span><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">29th District<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>In This Issue<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>LEGISLATIVE UPDATE <\/b><\/li>\n<ul>\n<li>Teacher retention bill package\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Millions for mental health in schools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li><b>IN THE DISTRICT\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<ul>\n<li>Arbor Circle<\/li>\n<li>Kent County Welcome Plan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li><b>HELPFUL INFORMATION <\/b><\/li>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Absentee ballot applications now available for Nov. 8 general elections\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Beware of scammers trying to take advantage of federal student loan debt forgiveness\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Where to get Monkeypox vaccine in Michigan\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li><b>CONTACT US <\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>HELPFUL LINKS <\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>LEGISLATIVE UPDATE\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Teacher Retention Bill Package\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">It\u2019s time to be proactive about the teacher shortage.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Back in June, Sen. Polehanki and I introduced a package of bills (SB 1092-1101) designed to attract and retain teachers in Michigan to address the educator shortage that has been many years in the making. This bill package has been referred to the Education Committee, where it has not yet received a hearing. I will continue to push for movement on these bills, because we simply cannot wait to address these pressing issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">In February 2020, just before the pandemic, the Michigan Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers released a report finding that newly issued teacher certificates were <a href=\"https:\/\/publicpolicy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Examining-Michigan_s-Educator-Workforce.pdf\">down nearly 25% between the 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 school years<\/a>. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the problem, and now, teachers are retiring faster than they can be replaced. I\u2019m grateful to all the teachers who have gone back to the classroom this year, the new teachers who are starting out their career, and those who have retired who are coming back to assist during this unprecedented time. School districts across the state are coming up with innovative solutions to recruit and retain educators; we need to back them up here at the state level, because this is an issue in every county in Michigan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Budget Boosts Mental Health Programming in Schools\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>We know that schools need immediate support to address the ongoing mental health impacts of the pandemic.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">I worked hard to include funding in this year\u2019s state school aid budget for just that. The fiscal year 2023 budget includes:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">$50 million in funding over the next four years for a program called TRAILS (Transforming Research Into Action to Improve the Lives of Students). The program teaches children practical skills to manage their emotions and learn about mental health.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">$150 million in funding for other mental health grants.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">$25 million for school-based health centers.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Schools are a primary access point to services for children who are suffering from grief, loss, social isolation, trauma, and the many lingering mental health impacts of the pandemic. This funding is a step in the right direction to addressing those needs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><b>Count Day Adjusted for Yom Kippur\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>I stood alongside my colleague Sen. Jeremy Moss in requesting that the Michigan Department of Education update its guidelines regarding Count Day, since the day that had been scheduled (Oct. 5) was the same day as the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">On count day, all public schools in Michigan tally the number of students in attendance so they ca<br \/>n access the $9,150 per pupil that the state\u2019s budget this year has allocated for each student. It\u2019s a matter of practicality, but also of respect, to allow for school districts to plan Count Day around religious holidays.\u00a0<\/span><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">IN THE DISTRICT\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Arbor Circle\u2019s Revamped Greenspace and Mural\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div><a id=\"1657203212655655\" name=\"1657203212655655\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2022\/07\/28\/michigan-supreme-court-law-bans-discrimination-sexual-orientation\/10175560002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Brinks\" src=\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/6310facc8d07c.png\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a id=\"1658410069422422\" name=\"1658410069422422\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 19px; padding-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px;\">\n<div>\n<p>Congrats to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/arborcircleorg\">Arbor Circle<\/a> on their beautifully rejuvenated courtyard space at The Bridge, their shelter for youth experiencing homelessness. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, it was fun to hear from the artist, Edwin Anderson, whose mural brightens up this basketball court. Thanks for all you do to promote both physical and mental wellness for our community\u2019s kids, Arbor Circle!\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Kent County Welcome Plan<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div><a id=\"1641409540644644\" name=\"1641409540644644\"><\/a><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"I Voted Yes to Invest in our Community\" src=\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/6310fb148f0e4.png\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a id=\"162947573709191\" name=\"162947573709191\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 19px; padding-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px;\">\n<div>\n<p>Did you know that Kent County is home to more than 55,000 immigrants?\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">My staff was part of this week&#8217;s enthusiastic celebration of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KentCountyWelcomePlan\/\">Kent County Welcome Plan<\/a>, which has been in the works for more than three years and has gathered stakeholders from government, business, nonprofit, education, and more\u2014all working together to make our community more welcoming for New Americans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>HELPFUL INFORMATION\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><b>Absentee Ballot Applications Now Available for The Nov. 8 General Election\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is reminding Michigan residents they can now apply to vote absentee in the Nov. 8 general election. Voters choosing to vote by mail are encouraged to s<br \/>ubmit their application as soon as possible to avoid postal delays.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">All voters registered in Michigan are eligible to vote absentee. They can apply online at <a href=\"https:\/\/mvic.sos.state.mi.us\/\">Michigan.gov\/Vote<\/a> or print an application form from the site and mail, email, or hand deliver it to their local clerk. Voters can find their clerk\u2019s contact information at <a href=\"https:\/\/mvic.sos.state.mi.us\/\">Michigan.gov\/Vote<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Voters with disabilities may apply online for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot at <a href=\"https:\/\/mvic.sos.state.mi.us\/\">Michigan.gov\/Vote<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.omniballot.us\/26\/absentee\/app\/home\">Michigan.gov\/AccessibleBallot<\/a>. The accessible ballot can be completed electronically, printed, and returned to their clerk.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Clerks will begin mailing out absent voter ballots by Sept. 29. They will be available for early, in-person voting in clerks\u2019 offices on that date as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">A ballot-tracking tool on the <a href=\"https:\/\/mvic.sos.state.mi.us\/\">Michigan.gov\/Vote<\/a> site allows voters to check when their clerk received their absentee ballot request, when they mailed out the ballot and, when they received the ballot back from the voter.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">For more information on absentee voting, or to register to vote, go to <a href=\"https:\/\/mvic.sos.state.mi.us\/\">Michigan.gov\/Vote<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Beware of Scammers Taking Advantage of Student Loan Debt Forgiveness\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel wants to warn Michiganders to be on the lookout for potential scammers seeking to take advantage of borrowers pursuing new sweeping student loan debt relief recently announced by the Biden Administration.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Here are the highlights of the announced loan debt relief:\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">The current student loan repayment pause has been extended to Dec. 31, 2022, with payments resuming in January 2023.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">The U.S. Department of Education will provide up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients with loans held by the Department of Education and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients. Borrowers are eligible for this relief if their individual income is less than $125,000 or $250,000 for households.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">The previously announced limited Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program waiver is still in effect until Oct. 31, 2022. It forgives the remaining balance on your federal student loans after 120 payments working full-time for federal, state, tribal, or local government; military; or a qualifying nonprofit. The limited PSLF waiver allows borrowers to receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF. For more information on eligibility and requirements, go to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/publicserviceloanforgiveness\/?utm_source=pslf.gov\">PSLF.gov<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">AG Nessel encourages residents to follow these tips to avoid scams seeking to take advantage of borrowers\u2019 eagerness to obtain debt relief:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">For more information about this relief, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/debt-relief-announcement\/\">Federal Student Aid website<\/a> and\/or their loan servicer.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Do not provide your personal or financial information in response to unsolicited emails, phone calls, or texts either from the federal government or a company claiming to be able to assist you with obtaining the announced relief.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Do not agree to pay anyone for assistance in obtaining this relief.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Don\u2019t be rushed. To get you to act fast, scammers say you could miss qualifying for repayment plans, loan consolidation, or loan forgiveness programs if you don\u2019t sign up right away. Take your time and check it out.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Don\u2019t give away your FSA ID. Some scammers claim they need your FSA ID to help you, but don\u2019t share your FSA ID with anyone. Dishonest people could use that information to get into your account and steal your identity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Those who wish to make a report about potential scams can do so with the Attorney General\u2019s Consumer Protection team by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/ag\/complaints\">filing a complaint online<\/a> or by calling 877-765-8388.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Where to Get Monkeypox Vaccine\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Cases of monkeypox in Michigan continue to increase. As of Wednesday, August 31, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/poxvirus\/monkeypox\/response\/2022\/us-map.html\">there are now 186 confirmed cases in the state<\/a>, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Since the start of the outbreak, the federal government has distributed 670,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to states from the national stockpile, and Michigan has gotten 7,600 vials of the vaccine so far.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">As vaccine doses arrive in Michigan, they are being delivered to hubs established at health departments across the state, including in Kent County. For more information, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accesskent.com\/Health\/CommDisease\/pdfs\/CD_Epid\/MonkeypoxFactSheet.pdf\">visit the Kent County Health Department\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/span><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b><\/b><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a id=\"1654877477768768\" name=\"1654877477768768\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 19px; padding-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px;\">\n<div>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><br \/>CONTACT US<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Here are a few reasons to contact my office:<\/p>\n<p><b>Comment on Legislation<\/b>: If you want to express your opinion about legislation or learn more, my office can answer your questions and keep me informed of your comments. Your opinion matters!<\/p>\n<p><b>If You Need Help<\/b>: If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, my office can help you resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to help direct you to the appropriate person.<\/p>\n<p><b>There\u2019s No \u201cWrong\u201d Reason<\/b>: Any comment, question or concern is welcome. If your issue would be more appropriately addressed by a different unit of government, I will help direct you. Remember, I am here to serve YOU and your family.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>I have other questions. Are you and your office still available? <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/Whitmer\/Appointments\">SenWBrinks@senate.michigan.gov<\/a>, as you normally would, and we will do our best to avoid any interruption of service.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a id=\"1656095519704704\" name=\"1656095519704704\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 19px; padding-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px;\">\n<div>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">HELPFUL LINKS<\/b><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/brinks\/\">State Senator Winnie Brinks<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/brinks\/district\/\">29th Senate District Map<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.senate.michigan.gov\/\">Michigan Senate\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.house.mi.gov\/\">Michigan House of Representatives<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.legislature.mi.gov\/\">Michigan Legislature<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.senate.gov\/\">U.S. Senate\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.house.gov\/\">U.S. House of Representatives<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.accesskent.com\/\">Kent County<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/grcity.us\/\">City of Grand Rapids<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"height: 130px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\">\n<p><a id=\"\" name=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SenatorBrinks\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/oi2bk24hhfe.senatedems.org\/icons\/1\/facebook.png\" style=\"padding-right: 10px;\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"height: 25px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a id=\"\" name=\"\"><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0;\">\n<table width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"height: 100px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\">\n<p><a id=\"\" name=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; color: #000000;\">\n<p>As an elected representative, I believe in being readily available and transparent because my office is your office.<\/p>\n<p>Reply to this email if you would like to unsubscribe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/divi:html -->[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Hello Neighbors, It\u2019s back to school time!\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s no higher priority for me than education; supporting our schools and our great educators is the issue that originally inspired me [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:html -->\n<p><div><div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0;width:100%\" align=\"center\"><div style=\"margin: 0px;padding: 0px\"><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\"><tbody><tr><td><div><a id=\"\" name=\"\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.senatedems.com\/brinks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"State Senator Winnie Brinks\" src=\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png\"><\/a><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px\"><tbody><tr><td style=\", Times, serif\"><a id=\"1629473412905905\" name=\"1629473412905905\"><\/a><div style=\"text-align: left;font-size: 19px;padding-top: 15px;padding-bottom: 15px;, Times, serif\"><div><p>Hello Neighbors,<\/p><p>It\u2019s back to school time!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">There\u2019s no higher priority for me than education; supporting our schools and our great educators is the issue that originally inspired me to come to Lansing to serve as a legislator. I care deeply about the challenges that our educators face today and am working hard to address them. You\u2019ll see some of those priorities reflected in this newsletter, as well as some resources that may be helpful to you as we start a new school year.&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Today and every day, I am proud to serve as your State Senator in Lansing. I thank you for sharing thoughts and concerns with me, and let\u2019s continue to make our community better together.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">As always, please continue to look out for your friends and neighbors and be patient with one another. For the latest updates, please follow me on&nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SenatorBrinks\">Facebook<\/a><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">.<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><br \/><\/span><\/p><p>Warm Regards,&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\"><tbody><tr><td><div><a id=\"162947561009393\" name=\"162947561009393\"><\/a><a href=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"example image 800x100\" src=\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/611fd395d1e01.jpeg\"><\/a><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px\"><tbody><tr><td style=\", Times, serif\"><a id=\"162947573709191\" name=\"162947573709191\"><\/a><div style=\"text-align: left;font-size: 19px;padding-top: 15px;padding-bottom: 15px;, Times, serif\"><div><p><b>Winnie Brinks<br \/><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">State Senator<br \/><\/span><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">29th District<\/span><\/p><p><\/p><p><br \/><\/p><p><b>In This Issue   <\/b><\/p><p><\/p><ul><li><b>LEGISLATIVE UPDATE <\/b><\/li><ul><li>Teacher retention bill package&nbsp;<\/li><li>Millions for mental health in schools<\/li><\/ul><li><b>IN THE DISTRICT&nbsp;<\/b><\/li><ul><li>Arbor Circle<\/li><li>Kent County Welcome Plan<\/li><\/ul><li><b>HELPFUL INFORMATION <\/b><\/li><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Absentee ballot applications now available for Nov. 8 general elections&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Beware of scammers trying to take advantage of federal student loan debt forgiveness&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Where to get Monkeypox vaccine in Michigan&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/li><\/ul><li><b>CONTACT US  <\/b><\/li><li><b>HELPFUL LINKS <\/b><\/li><\/ul><p><\/p><p><br \/><\/p><p><\/p><p><b>LEGISLATIVE UPDATE&nbsp;<\/b><\/p><b style=\"background-color: transparent\">Teacher Retention Bill Package&nbsp;<\/b><p><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">It\u2019s time to be proactive about the teacher shortage.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Back in June, Sen. Polehanki and I introduced a package of bills (SB 1092-1101) designed to attract and retain teachers in Michigan to address the educator shortage that has been many years in the making. This bill package has been referred to the Education Committee, where it has not yet received a hearing. I will continue to push for movement on these bills, because we simply cannot wait to address these pressing issues.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">In February 2020, just before the pandemic, the Michigan Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers released a report finding that newly issued teacher certificates were <a href=\"https:\/\/publicpolicy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Examining-Michigan_s-Educator-Workforce.pdf\">down nearly 25% between the 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 school years<\/a>. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the problem, and now, teachers are retiring faster than they can be replaced. I\u2019m grateful to all the teachers who have gone back to the classroom this year, the new teachers who are starting out their career, and those who have retired who are coming back to assist during this unprecedented time. School districts across the state are coming up with innovative solutions to recruit and retain educators; we need to back them up here at the state level, because this is an issue in every county in Michigan.&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><b style=\"background-color: transparent\">Budget Boosts Mental Health Programming in Schools&nbsp;<\/b><br \/><\/p><p>We know that schools need immediate support to address the ongoing mental health impacts of the pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">I worked hard to include funding in this year\u2019s state school aid budget for just that. The fiscal year 2023 budget includes:&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">$50 million in funding over the next four years for a program called TRAILS (Transforming Research Into Action to Improve the Lives of Students). The program teaches children practical skills to manage their emotions and learn about mental health.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">$150 million in funding for other mental health grants.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">$25 million for school-based health centers.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Schools are a primary access point to services for children who are suffering from grief, loss, social isolation, trauma, and the many lingering mental health impacts of the pandemic. This funding is a step in the right direction to addressing those needs.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><b>Count Day Adjusted for Yom Kippur&nbsp;<\/b>&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p>I stood alongside my colleague Sen. Jeremy Moss in requesting that the Michigan Department of Education update its guidelines regarding Count Day, since the day that had been scheduled (Oct. 5) was the same day as the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">On count day, all public schools in Michigan tally the number of students in attendance so they ca\nn access the $9,150 per pupil that the state\u2019s budget this year has allocated for each student. It\u2019s a matter of practicality, but also of respect, to allow for school districts to plan Count Day around religious holidays.&nbsp;<\/span><b style=\"background-color: transparent\">&nbsp;<\/b><br \/><\/p><p><b><br \/><\/b><\/p><p><b style=\"background-color: transparent\">IN THE DISTRICT&nbsp;<\/b><\/p><p><b style=\"background-color: transparent\">Arbor Circle\u2019s Revamped Greenspace and Mural&nbsp;<\/b><\/p><p><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><\/p><div><p><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><div><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\"><tbody><tr><td><div><a id=\"1657203212655655\" name=\"1657203212655655\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2022\/07\/28\/michigan-supreme-court-law-bans-discrimination-sexual-orientation\/10175560002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"Brinks\" src=\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/6310facc8d07c.png\"><\/a><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px\"><tbody><tr><td style=\", Times, serif\"><a id=\"1658410069422422\" name=\"1658410069422422\"><\/a><div style=\"text-align: left;font-size: 19px;padding-top: 15px;padding-bottom: 15px;, Times, serif\"><div><p>Congrats to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/arborcircleorg\">Arbor Circle<\/a> on their beautifully rejuvenated courtyard space at The Bridge, their shelter for youth experiencing homelessness. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, it was fun to hear from the artist, Edwin Anderson, whose mural brightens up this basketball court. Thanks for all you do to promote both physical and mental wellness for our community\u2019s kids, Arbor Circle!&nbsp;<\/p><p><b style=\"background-color: transparent\"><br \/><\/b><\/p><p><b style=\"background-color: transparent\">Kent County Welcome Plan<\/b><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\"><tbody><tr><td><div><a id=\"1641409540644644\" name=\"1641409540644644\"><\/a><a href=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"I Voted Yes to Invest in our Community\" src=\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/6310fb148f0e4.png\"><\/a><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px\"><tbody><tr><td style=\", Times, serif\"><a id=\"162947573709191\" name=\"162947573709191\"><\/a><div style=\"text-align: left;font-size: 19px;padding-top: 15px;padding-bottom: 15px;, Times, serif\"><div><p>Did you know that Kent County is home to more than 55,000 immigrants?&nbsp;<\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">My staff was part of this week's enthusiastic celebration of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KentCountyWelcomePlan\/\">Kent County Welcome Plan<\/a>, which has been in the works for more than three years and has gathered stakeholders from government, business, nonprofit, education, and more\u2014all working together to make our community more welcoming for New Americans.<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><br \/><\/span><\/p><p><b>HELPFUL INFORMATION&nbsp;<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><b>Absentee Ballot Applications Now Available for The Nov. 8 General Election&nbsp;<\/b><\/span><br \/><\/p><p>Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is reminding Michigan residents they can now apply to vote absentee in the Nov. 8 general election. Voters choosing to vote by mail are encouraged to s\nubmit their application as soon as possible to avoid postal delays.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">All voters registered in Michigan are eligible to vote absentee. They can apply online at <a href=\"https:\/\/mvic.sos.state.mi.us\/\">Michigan.gov\/Vote<\/a> or print an application form from the site and mail, email, or hand deliver it to their local clerk. Voters can find their clerk\u2019s contact information at <a href=\"https:\/\/mvic.sos.state.mi.us\/\">Michigan.gov\/Vote<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Voters with disabilities may apply online for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot at <a href=\"https:\/\/mvic.sos.state.mi.us\/\">Michigan.gov\/Vote<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.omniballot.us\/26\/absentee\/app\/home\">Michigan.gov\/AccessibleBallot<\/a>. The accessible ballot can be completed electronically, printed, and returned to their clerk.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Clerks will begin mailing out absent voter ballots by Sept. 29. They will be available for early, in-person voting in clerks\u2019 offices on that date as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">A ballot-tracking tool on the <a href=\"https:\/\/mvic.sos.state.mi.us\/\">Michigan.gov\/Vote<\/a> site allows voters to check when their clerk received their absentee ballot request, when they mailed out the ballot and, when they received the ballot back from the voter.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">For more information on absentee voting, or to register to vote, go to <a href=\"https:\/\/mvic.sos.state.mi.us\/\">Michigan.gov\/Vote<\/a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><b style=\"background-color: transparent\">Beware of Scammers Taking Advantage of Student Loan Debt Forgiveness&nbsp;<\/b><\/p><p>Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel wants to warn Michiganders to be on the lookout for potential scammers seeking to take advantage of borrowers pursuing new sweeping student loan debt relief recently announced by the Biden Administration.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Here are the highlights of the announced loan debt relief:&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><\/p><ol><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">The current student loan repayment pause has been extended to Dec. 31, 2022, with payments resuming in January 2023.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">The U.S. Department of Education will provide up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients with loans held by the Department of Education and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients. Borrowers are eligible for this relief if their individual income is less than $125,000 or $250,000 for households.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">The previously announced limited Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program waiver is still in effect until Oct. 31, 2022. It forgives the remaining balance on your federal student loans after 120 payments working full-time for federal, state, tribal, or local government; military; or a qualifying nonprofit. The limited PSLF waiver allows borrowers to receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF. For more information on eligibility and requirements, go to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/publicserviceloanforgiveness\/?utm_source=pslf.gov\">PSLF.gov<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ol><p><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">AG Nessel encourages residents to follow these tips to avoid scams seeking to take advantage of borrowers\u2019 eagerness to obtain debt relief:&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">For more information about this relief, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/debt-relief-announcement\/\">Federal Student Aid website<\/a> and\/or their loan servicer.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><\/p><ol><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Do not provide your personal or financial information in response to unsolicited emails, phone calls, or texts either from the federal government or a company claiming to be able to assist you with obtaining the announced relief.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Do not agree to pay anyone for assistance in obtaining this relief.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Don\u2019t be rushed. To get you to act fast, scammers say you could miss qualifying for repayment plans, loan consolidation, or loan forgiveness programs if you don\u2019t sign up right away. Take your time and check it out.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Don\u2019t give away your FSA ID. Some scammers claim they need your FSA ID to help you, but don\u2019t share your FSA ID with anyone. Dishonest people could use that information to get into your account and steal your identity.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ol><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Those who wish to make a report about potential scams can do so with the Attorney General\u2019s Consumer Protection team by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/ag\/complaints\">filing a complaint online<\/a> or by calling 877-765-8388.&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><p><\/p><p><b style=\"background-color: transparent\">Where to Get Monkeypox Vaccine&nbsp;<\/b><br \/><\/p><p>Cases of monkeypox in Michigan continue to increase. As of Wednesday, August 31, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/poxvirus\/monkeypox\/response\/2022\/us-map.html\">there are now 186 confirmed cases in the state<\/a>, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Since the start of the outbreak, the federal government has distributed 670,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to states from the national stockpile, and Michigan has gotten 7,600 vials of the vaccine so far.&nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">As vaccine doses arrive in Michigan, they are being delivered to hubs established at health departments across the state, including in Kent County. For more information, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accesskent.com\/Health\/CommDisease\/pdfs\/CD_Epid\/MonkeypoxFactSheet.pdf\">visit the Kent County Health Department\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/span><b style=\"background-color: transparent\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/b><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><div><b><\/b><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px\"><tbody><tr><td style=\", Times, serif\"><a id=\"1654877477768768\" name=\"1654877477768768\"><\/a><div style=\"text-align: left;font-size: 19px;padding-top: 15px;padding-bottom: 15px;, Times, serif\"><div><p><b style=\"background-color: transparent\"><br \/>CONTACT US<\/b><br \/><\/p><p>Here are a few reasons to contact my office:  <\/p><p><b>Comment on Legislation<\/b>: If you want to express your opinion about legislation or learn more, my office can answer your questions and keep me informed of your comments. Your opinion matters!  <\/p><p><b>If You Need Help<\/b>: If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, my office can help you resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to help direct you to the appropriate person.  <\/p><p><b>There\u2019s No \u201cWrong\u201d Reason<\/b>: Any comment, question or concern is welcome. If your issue would be more appropriately addressed by a different unit of government, I will help direct you. Remember, I am here to serve YOU and your family.  <\/p><p><b><i>I have other questions. Are you and your office still available?  <\/i><\/b><\/p><p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/Whitmer\/Appointments\">SenWBrinks@senate.michigan.gov<\/a>, as you normally would, and we will do our best to avoid any interruption of service.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"line-height: 31px\"><tbody><tr><td style=\", Times, serif\"><a id=\"1656095519704704\" name=\"1656095519704704\"><\/a><div style=\"text-align: left;font-size: 19px;padding-top: 15px;padding-bottom: 15px;, Times, serif\"><div><p><b style=\"background-color: transparent\">HELPFUL LINKS<\/b><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/span><br \/><\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><a href=\"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/brinks\/\">State Senator Winnie Brinks<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><a href=\"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/brinks\/district\/\">29th Senate District Map<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.senate.michigan.gov\/\">Michigan Senate&nbsp;<\/a>&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.house.mi.gov\/\">Michigan House of Representatives<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.legislature.mi.gov\/\">Michigan Legislature<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.senate.gov\/\">U.S. Senate&nbsp;<\/a>&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.house.gov\/\">U.S. House of Representatives<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.accesskent.com\/\">Kent County<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><span style=\"background-color: transparent\"><a href=\"http:\/\/grcity.us\/\">City of Grand Rapids<\/a>&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><\/p><p><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"height: 130px\"><tbody><tr><td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a id=\"\" name=\"\"><\/a><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\"><tbody><tr><td><div style=\"width: 100%;vertical-align: middle;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SenatorBrinks\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/oi2bk24hhfe.senatedems.org\/icons\/1\/facebook.png\" style=\"padding-right: 10px\"><\/a><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"height: 25px\"><tbody><tr><td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a id=\"\" name=\"\"><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><div style=\"margin:0;padding:0\"><table width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"height: 100px;, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\"><tbody><tr><td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a id=\"\" name=\"\"><\/a><div style=\"font-size:10px;font-weight:normal;color:#000000\"><p>As an elected representative, I believe in being readily available and transparent because my office is your office.<br \/><br \/>Reply to this email if you would like to unsubscribe.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:html -->","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-email"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.4 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Senate District 29 News &amp; Updates - Senator Winnie Brinks<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Senate District 29 News &amp; Updates\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"&nbsp; Hello Neighbors, It\u2019s back to school time!\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s no higher priority for me than education; supporting our schools and our great educators is the issue that originally inspired me [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Senator Winnie Brinks\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-09-02T13:15:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-01-06T16:38:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"alshaw\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"alshaw\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"alshaw\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#\/schema\/person\/37b8f75eea2499cc8820dd5aa14f8ead\"},\"headline\":\"Senate District 29 News &amp; Updates\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-02T13:15:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-01-06T16:38:08+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/\"},\"wordCount\":1915,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Email\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/\",\"name\":\"Senate District 29 News &amp; Updates - Senator Winnie Brinks\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-02T13:15:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-01-06T16:38:08+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#\/schema\/person\/37b8f75eea2499cc8820dd5aa14f8ead\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Senate District 29 News &amp; Updates\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/\",\"name\":\"Senator Winnie Brinks\",\"description\":\"Michigan Senate Democrats\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#\/schema\/person\/37b8f75eea2499cc8820dd5aa14f8ead\",\"name\":\"alshaw\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/71326d3b5d197cd5e2bf2c1cf0cb7c391847527fc3ac291886e801e576885827?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/71326d3b5d197cd5e2bf2c1cf0cb7c391847527fc3ac291886e801e576885827?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"alshaw\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/author\/alshaw\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Senate District 29 News &amp; Updates - Senator Winnie Brinks","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Senate District 29 News &amp; Updates","og_description":"&nbsp; Hello Neighbors, It\u2019s back to school time!\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s no higher priority for me than education; supporting our schools and our great educators is the issue that originally inspired me [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/","og_site_name":"Senator Winnie Brinks","article_published_time":"2022-09-02T13:15:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-01-06T16:38:08+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"alshaw","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"alshaw","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/"},"author":{"name":"alshaw","@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#\/schema\/person\/37b8f75eea2499cc8820dd5aa14f8ead"},"headline":"Senate District 29 News &amp; Updates","datePublished":"2022-09-02T13:15:00+00:00","dateModified":"2023-01-06T16:38:08+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/"},"wordCount":1915,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png","articleSection":["Email"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/","url":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/","name":"Senate District 29 News &amp; Updates - Senator Winnie Brinks","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png","datePublished":"2022-09-02T13:15:00+00:00","dateModified":"2023-01-06T16:38:08+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#\/schema\/person\/37b8f75eea2499cc8820dd5aa14f8ead"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/600ae639944c3.png"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/2022\/09\/02\/senatedistrict29newsupdates\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Senate District 29 News &amp; Updates"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/","name":"Senator Winnie Brinks","description":"Michigan Senate Democrats","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#\/schema\/person\/37b8f75eea2499cc8820dd5aa14f8ead","name":"alshaw","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/71326d3b5d197cd5e2bf2c1cf0cb7c391847527fc3ac291886e801e576885827?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/71326d3b5d197cd5e2bf2c1cf0cb7c391847527fc3ac291886e801e576885827?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"alshaw"},"url":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/author\/alshaw\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6039","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6039"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6039\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6295,"href":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6039\/revisions\/6295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}