{"id":7943,"date":"2024-05-21T09:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-21T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/?p=7943"},"modified":"2024-05-23T09:13:09","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T13:13:09","slug":"legislative-updates-community-resources-and-news-for-district-3-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/chang\/2024\/05\/21\/legislative-updates-community-resources-and-news-for-district-3-2\/","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><\/p>\n

What a truly beautiful season it has been to be out and about. Whether to walk the dog, chef up something on the grill, stay up late to catch a glimpse of the recent Northern Lights show, or watch your kid\u2019s sports game, I hope you have been able to get outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and spend time with those near and dear to you.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both in Lansing and throughout District 3, our team has been keeping busy <\/span>advocating for key priorities in a <\/span>balanced budget and making progress on legislative priorities that gets things done for Michiganders. And \u2014 as a favorite part of our work \u2014 we have been engaging with residents, hearing first-hand what is important to the folks who call this great state home. With this newsletter, I hope to provide an update on the many things we\u2019ve been up to.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what\u2019s happening in Lansing, or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can email us at <\/span>senschang@senate.michigan.gov.<\/span><\/a>\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=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

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

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Upcoming Events\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Community Baby Shower <\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bringing new life into this world is a huge milestone and one that we want to help celebrate \u2014 and support! If you are a new or expectant parent, we hope you will join us for our annual Community Baby Shower coming up in June. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and other members of the community, we will be offering up all kinds of items free of charge \u2014 from diapers to wipes, bottles, and more \u2014 to help recognize this exciting time in your life as you care, or are about to care for, a little one. <\/span>We also will have informational workshops about breastfeeding, safe sleep, healthy eating and other topics! Please spread the word, especially to pregnant people who may be having a tough time paying for all the baby items!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

WHEN:<\/span><\/b> Saturday, June 22, from 1:00 \u2013 4:00 p.m.<\/span>\u00a0
<\/span>WHERE: <\/span><\/b>Ernest T. Ford Rec Center, 10 Pitkin St., Highland Park, MI 48203<\/span>\u00a0
<\/span>RSVP to 313-922-6949<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Coffee and Conversation<\/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=”-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″]

WHEN: <\/span><\/b>Friday, June 14, from 12:00 \u2013 1:00 p.m.<\/span>\u00a0
<\/span>WHERE:<\/span><\/b> Hamtramck Public Library, 2360 Caniff St., Hamtramck, MI 48212<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Playgrounds, Policies, and Progress<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the warmer temperatures and sunshine at our door, we are excited to connect with residents in outdoor spaces! <\/span>Join us at the park and bring your kids in June for these Playgrounds, Policies, and Progress conversations about policies and progress, especially for our children and families. Childcare will be provided.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

W<\/span><\/b>HEN: <\/span><\/b>Saturday, June 22<\/span>, from <\/span>9:30 \u2013 10:30 a.m.<\/span>\u00a0
<\/span>WHERE<\/span><\/b>: <\/span><\/b>Shaw Park, 22001 Warner Ave., Warren, MI 48091<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

WHEN: <\/span><\/b>Friday, June 28, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.<\/span>\u00a0
<\/span>WHERE: <\/span><\/b>Dueweke Park, 4975 Sheridan St., Detroit, MI 48214<\/span><\/p>\n

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In Recent News<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

EPA Awards Michigan With Historic Investment in Solar Energy for Low-Income Residents<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Local and state leaders from the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO), City of Detroit, community organizations and state legislators are celebrating a <\/span>historic $156 million investment in solar energy by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the State of Michigan<\/span><\/a> to accelerate the deployment of community and rooftop solar for thousands of low-income households across the state.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The initiative, known as the Michigan Solar for All (MISFA) program, aims to reduce utility costs for families, foster job creation, and strengthen Michigan\u2019s advanced clean energy sector \u2014 all while moving the state toward its <\/span>MI Healthy Climate Plan<\/span><\/a> goals. The program is expected to make a substantial impact by providing low-income households across Michigan with access to affordable renewable energy and by enabling home repairs, reducing their energy bills by up to 20%.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To stay informed with MISFA updates, please sign up via the <\/span>MI Solar for All Interest Form<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Advancing Protections for Judges<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier this month, I introduced <\/span>Senate Bill 871<\/span><\/a>,which establishes the Judicial Protection Act. This legislation was developed to address the deeply concerning uptick in threats against judges by protecting their personal identifying information from disclosure. The ready availability of judges\u2019 personal information on the internet and the ease with which such information can be shared through social media puts judges at unique risk every time they issue a decision that may be controversial or unpopular.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In July 2020, a disgruntled former litigant searched for and found U.S District Court Judge Esther Salas\u2019 personal information on the internet. He then went to Judge Salas\u2019 home posing as a deliveryman, fatally shot her twenty-year-old son, Daniel, and critically wounded her husband. This shocking attack focused congressional attention on a disturbing trend: the uptick in threats and acts of violence targeting judicial officers across the United States.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Congress then passed, and President Biden signed into law, the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act in December 2022. The bill prohibits federal agencies and private businesses from publicly posting personal information of federal judges and their immediate family members and protects such information from resale by data brokers. Unfortunately, no such protection exists today for state-level judges in Michigan. However, this legislation will change that, if it is passed into law. While state-level data on threats to judicial officers is unavailable, the U.S. Marshals Service reported that serious threats to federal judges have more than doubled over the past three years from 224 in FY 2021 to 457 in FY 2023. Judicial officers and their families should not live in fear of being retaliated against for decisions they make in the courtroom.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Senate Democrats Introduce Bills to Codify Capitol Weapons Ban<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) and Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Keego Harbor) introduced SB <\/span>857<\/span><\/a> and SB <\/span>858<\/span><\/a>, respectively, which would codify a weapons ban enacted by the Michigan State Capitol Commision in 2023 and expand it to include the state Senate and House office buildings. This legislation is vital to protecting all visitors to our State Capitol, especially children and school groups, and making sure people aren\u2019t intimidated out of participating in democracy and attending committee hearings and visiting their lawmakers.<\/span>
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The legislation also would maintain an exemption allowing sitting members of the <\/span> Legislature to carry concealed firearms. I am proud to be a cosponsor for these bills.<\/span> \u00a0<\/p>\n

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Voting Access and Information\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I am proud to sponsor <\/span>Senate Bill 835<\/span><\/a>, which will ensure that the Department of Corrections provides information about voter registration and the different methods of voting to incarcerated individuals before they are released. Michiganders are eligible to vote after release from prison but some are not aware of this right. My bill will ensure that they receive this critical information.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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70th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education Decision<\/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\/Brown-v-Board-Anniversary.png” alt=”Maternal Health Package” title_text=”Brown v Board Anniversary” _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″]

May 17 marks the 70th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education milestone Supreme Court decision which ruled that separating children in public schools based on race was unconstitutional. While we honor this important victory in our country\u2019s history and the civil rights progress that has been made thus far, let us also recommit to the necessary work ahead to make our systems and communities more equitable and inclusive for all.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Senate Democrats Fight to Expand Access to Mental Health Care<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout our state, communities are grappling with the issue of having too little access to mental health support \u2014 a crisis particularly affecting young Michiganders and our veterans. That\u2019s why Senate Democrats took action and made critical investments in the 2024 State Budget to address this gap in coverage and ensure all Michigan residents who need assistance can access it. A few highlights of the investments we have made thus far in mental health care include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n