{"id":7922,"date":"2024-05-08T14:57:21","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T18:57:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/?p=7922"},"modified":"2024-05-08T14:57:22","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T18:57:22","slug":"legislative-updates-community-resources-and-news-for-district-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/chang\/2024\/05\/08\/legislative-updates-community-resources-and-news-for-district-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Legislative Updates, Community Resources and News for District 3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/Screen-Shot-2023-03-13-at-4.27.39-PM.png” alt=”Senator Chang Email Banner” title_text=”Senator Chang Email Banner” url=”http:\/\/www.senatedems.com\/chang\/” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-11px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Dear Neighbor,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With spring sunshine finally here, I\u2019m energized to continue getting things done for our community and look forward to all we can accomplish together.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both in Lansing and throughout District 3, our team has been keeping busy advocating for a strong budget that helps address community needs, making progress on legislative priorities, and connecting with residents throughout the district. With this newsletter, I hope to provide an update on the many things we have been up to. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As always, if you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what\u2019s happening in Lansing, or needs assistance, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can email us at <\/span>senschang@senate.michigan.gov<\/span><\/a> or call our Lansing office at 517-373-7346 or our district office at 313-922-6949.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Working for you,\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/Chang_Stephanie_Signature.png” alt=”Chang Stephanie Signature” title_text=”Chang_Stephanie_Signature” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-13px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Stephanie Chang<\/b>
State Senator
<\/span>District 3\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Upcoming Events<\/b><\/p>\n

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May Coffee and Conversation<\/span>s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-15px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/ChangCoffeeConversation.jpg” alt=”Senator Chang Coffee & Conversation graphic” title_text=”ChangCoffee&Conversation” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-14px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Coffee Hour with Special Guest Rep. Mike McFall<\/b>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

WHEN: <\/span><\/b>Monday, May 20, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.<\/span>\u00a0
<\/span>WHERE: <\/span><\/b>Hazel Park District Library, 123 E 9 Mile Rd., Hazel Park, MI 48030<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n


Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-18px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/05\/Rep.Puri-Rep.Xiong-Sen.Chang-Sen.Singh_-scaled.jpg” alt=”Maternal Health Package” title_text=”Rep.Puri Rep.Xiong Sen.Chang Sen.Singh” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-14px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Pictured above from left to right: Rep. Ranjeev Puri, Rep. Mai Xiong, Sen. Stephanie Chang, and Sen. Sam Singh in Senate Chambers<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! <\/span>Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing population in Michigan, and May is an important time to celebrate our communities’ contributions, heritage, history and challenges. I am proud to be Asian American and honored to serve alongside three other Asian Americans in the Michigan State Legislature, where we are working diligently to uplift the voices of our residents and get things done on language access, addressing gun violence, officially recognizing Fred Korematsu Day, protecting places of worship from desecration and more. Thank you to Governor Whitmer for honoring the contributions of the AANHPI community here in Michigan and across the country by proclaiming May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n


Senate<\/span> <\/span>Democrats <\/span>Recognize<\/span> Workers\u2019 Memorial Day<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/05\/Workers-Memorial-Day.png” alt=”Maternal Health Package” title_text=”Workers’ Memorial Day” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Michigan Senate Democrats passed <\/span>Senate Resolution 111<\/span><\/a>, recognizing April 28, 2024, as Workers\u2019 Memorial Day. On this day every year, communities and worksites around the world and across the state honor friends, family members, and colleagues who have been killed or injured on the job.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Workers\u2019 Memorial Day honors the integrity of Michigan\u2019s workforce and honors the memory of the courageous and dedicated members of Michigan\u2019s labor force who have been injured or disabled or have died as a result of workplace accidents.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2022, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that in Michigan, 139 workers were lost through fatal workplace accidents and 5,486 workers were killed by traumatic injuries on the job across the nation \u2014 on average, a worker died every 96 minutes from a work-related injury.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Senate Democrats remain dedicated in our effort to seek stronger workplace safety and health protections, better standards, and enforcement, and fair and just compensation \u2014 continuing to fight to improve both safety and health in every workplace.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n


Legislative Updates<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Working to Deliver a Fiscally Responsible, Community-Focused State Budget<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year marked a <\/span>significant milestone for Michigan Democrats as we capitalized on their first trifecta in 40 years to spearhead a transformative budget<\/span><\/a> \u2014 directing vital resources into historically neglected sectors like infrastructure, education, and local communities. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Crafting this state budget is a collaborative effort involving negotiations between both legislative branches and the governor, resulting in a new state budget being signed into law each year to distribute funding to residents, schools, communities, businesses, local governments and more.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, we\u2019re in the thick of our annual budget process with subcommittees reporting out proposals for the full Appropriations Committee\u2019s consideration. I have been advocating for statewide and district needs and am encouraged about the work ahead. As we work to deliver a budget by the end of June, I encourage you to learn more about the process and the investments we\u2019re looking to make to support communities across Michigan \u2014 read more <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Action on Juvenile Justice Data Bill<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This past Thursday, the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety held a hearing on my bill, <\/span>Senate Bill 688<\/span><\/a>. Last year, the Michigan Legislature passed historic reforms of our juvenile justice system that will ensure that more young people have opportunities to succeed by using evidence based screening tools and getting more youth into diversion programs. It is important that we evaluate these programs’ impact as we move forward. The information has been redacted of personally identifiable information to be collected by a court official and provided to a researcher or program evaluator for the sole purpose of a research request granted by the state court administrative office. The juvenile diversion record would still have a unique identifier such as a case record number, petition number, or other unique identifier as determined by the court and researcher. If the request is granted by a court official, the involved parties will negotiate a data use agreement that will protect personal identifiable information from public disclosure. Researchers and program evaluators need access to this data to be able to analyze juvenile diversion efforts and evaluate whether the state is reaching the intended outcomes. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Modernizing Michigan\u2019s Election Recount Law\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every voice matters; every vote matters. I have been working with my Senate colleagues, the Secretary of State, county clerks and other organizations on Senate Bills <\/span>603<\/span><\/a>–<\/span>604<\/span><\/a>, bills that will reform Michigan\u2019s election law by ensuring the accuracy of voter recounts. Michigan has seen several recounts where the entity asking for a recount had no mathematical chance of changing the outcome in their favor based on the number of votes requested to be recounted. Also, under current Michigan law, precincts are not allowed to be recounted when the number of voters in poll books doesn\u2019t match the number of ballots in the box, even if there is an explainable human error observed by the election worker, such as the voter walking out before turning in their ballot or the voter going to the wrong polling location. <\/span>Senate Bill 603<\/span><\/a>, which passed the Senate last week, would address these issues in addition to many other specific gaps in the recount law that need to be modernized. For example, under this bill, clerks who administer recounts could adequately cover the cost of the recount. Also, this bill would ensure the public understands that a recount is not an investigation or audit.\u00a0All in all, Senate Bills 603-604 include common sense changes that would uplift voices. This bill will now head to the House of Representatives for further consideration.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Resources<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Essential Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/05\/Screen-Shot-2024-05-08-at-2.50.55-PM.png” alt=”Maternal Health Package” title_text=”Screen Shot 2024-05-08 at 2.50.55 PM” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

With one in five Americans and nearly 1.5 million Michiganders experiencing mental health issues each year, it\u2019s important to remind ourselves to care for our mental and emotional health. If you find yourself emotionally struggling or experiencing a mental health crisis, please be sure to utilize the following resources and remember \u2014 you matter!<\/span>\u00a0
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Crisis Lines<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n