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Dear Neighbor, Hopefully you’re staying warm this winter and that my message finds you healthy and happy. I want to make sure you’re informed about what has been going on in our state government and update you on what I’ve been working on. In this e-news, you can find information about:
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email. Sincerely, |
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Fixing Unemployment Nightmares: Governor Signs Senate Bill 445 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed my legislation, Senate Bill 445, which will help end some of the senseless and agonizing fights thousands of people are having with the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). During the height of this pandemic, Congress passed the CARES Act, creating federal unemployment benefits. Congress intended that all full- and part-time workers made unemployed by the pandemic would be eligible for help. When applying for and certifying for these benefits, some part-time workers who were applying for federal unemployment benefits answered “no” when asked if they were “able and available for full-time work”. This disqualified them from benefits. Others answered “yes,” but the UIA later determined they weren’t eligible for these benefits, and these workers received notices informing them that they needed to pay back the benefits they collected. In the simplest terms, my legislation turns off the “able and available” requirement for federal claims filed during the pandemic. These part-time workers will not have to pay back the benefits they received and the UIA will be able to focus on actual fraud. If you were disqualified for, or received an overpayment notice because of the “able and available” requirement, please contact my office here. Last week, Michigan Republicans pressed for rules that will make voting more difficult. Specifically, Republicans are pressing for rules requiring clerks to use older signatures for signature matching. This will result in more valid voters having their absentee ballot rejected and potentially losing their right to vote. That’s why I support our local clerks and our Secretary of State who want to use all the signatures available to them for comparison. Last week, the Senate unanimously passed my bill, Senate Bill 632. This bill amends Michigan’s Fire Prevention Code to eliminate the flame-resistant requirement for recreational camping tents sold in our state. In 1975, when tents were made from waxed or oiled cotton, Michigan adopted the Canvas Products Association International (CPAI) flammability standard, or CPAI-84. Tents are now made of completely different materials than they were almost 50 years ago, making these fire resistance requirements counterproductive. My bill modernizes our standards and ensures an equivalent level of safety, while eliminating unnecessary exposures of recreational campers to hazardous and carcinogenic flame retardants in these products. |
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Standing with Starbucks Workers Fighting for Better Pay and Working Conditions
UPCOMING COFFEE HOUR ON SATURDAY, March 19th AT 11 AM |
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Please use this form to RSVP to the coffee hour and to receive information and the Zoom access code about how to join the meeting, which you can also watch on my Facebook page. Since it will take place next week, don’t forget to click “Going” on the Facebook event to get a reminder the day before and day of. If you are unable to access the form or have any problems with the link, please contact my office at (517) 373-2406 or by responding to this email.
$409 MILLION AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT MICHIGAN BUSINESSES AND GROW ECONOMY Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced that applications are now being accepted through Thursday, March 31 for the Growing MI Business grant program. The program was signed into law at the end of last year to deliver $409 million to small businesses across the state. Under the Growing MI Business grant program, eligible businesses in operation before Oct. 1, 2019, may receive a grant up to $5 million due to financial hardship. Eligible businesses that began operating between Oct. 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020, may receive a grant equal to 25% of certain specified costs. Individuals can apply for business resources online at Michigan.gov/abr. Under state law, there are nine types of businesses eligible for a grant:
Each business must submit a completed online application to the Michigan Department of Treasury no later than 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, March 31. Grant awardees will be notified in the spring and grant awards will be distributed by July 1, 2022. Grants may be prorated depending upon the number of businesses that apply to ensure that all eligible businesses can receive funding. Grants will not be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Businesses interested in applying for a grant are encouraged to attend an information webinar from 1-2 p.m. EST on Monday, March 7. Details for signing up for the webinar can be found on the grant program’s website.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH THE DNR AT UPCOMING MEETINGS The Department of Natural Resources is committed to providing Michigan residents with the opportunity to share input and ideas on policy decisions, programs, and other aspects of natural resource management and outdoor recreation opportunities. One important avenue for this input is at meetings of the public bodies that advise the DNR and, in some cases, also set policies for natural resource management. Frequently check the DNR boards, commissions, committees and councils webpage for updates. Fisheries “Conversation and Coffee” events The public is also invited to join DNR Fisheries Division staff at Conversations & Coffee events this March and April for an informal opportunity to discuss local issues and management activities related to fisheries. The events provide information on local and statewide regulation changes affecting anglers and offer the public an opportunity to meet with fisheries managers and biologists to discuss local issues and management activities.
MORTGAGE, RENTAL, AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE Homeowners can apply for the MIHAF program here, but before you start, please make sure you have all the necessary documents and information. You can find what documents and information you’ll need here. Who is Eligible?
Up to $25,000 Grant Per Household to Pay: Eligible households can receive a grant worth up to $25,000 to help them pay:
Tenants and landlords can apply by clicking here, but before you start, please make sure you have all the necessary documents and information. You can find what documents and information you’ll need here. Who is Eligible? CERA serves renter households that have incomes less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) who meet the following conditions:
Utility Assistance Households eligible for CERA can also receive utility assistance for tenant supplied electricity, home heating (any type of fuel), water, sewer and trash (if billed along with another utility). Internet Assistance Through CERA, a flat $300 internet stipend that is available for households that have home internet and include a recent internet bill/statement in their application. The $300 payment will be made to either the internet service provider (ISP) or the tenant.
SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE The Growing MI Business grant program will award up to $409 Million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to small businesses affected by the pandemic. The application window is open from March 1st to March 31st. You can apply for the Growing MI Business grant program and find more information here. There are also webinars on how to apply and what businesses are available.
COVID-19 RESOURCES Free At-Home, Rapid COVID Tests Thanks to President Biden, all Americans can get free at-home, rapid COVID tests through the federal government or through their health insurance. You can now order four (4) free, at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests to be mailed to you at covidtests.gov. At-home COVID tests are also now covered by private health insurance and health plans. They are required to cover eight (8) free, over the counter, at-home tests per individual per month. That means that a family of four can have 32 at-home tests covered per month. Also, make sure to only buy FDA-approved tests as they’ve been vetted for accuracy, and you won’t get caught in a scam. You can see the list of approved at-home tests at this FDA.gov website. NOTE: Unfortunately, Medicare Part B plans are currently not covering these at-home COVID tests. The Biden Administration has announced that in early spring 2022 Medicare Part B plans will cover the at-home tests. Meijer is offering free, at-home PCR COVID tests in their stores. You will be able to pick up the tests and have Meijer send them to be analyzed. Order tests online at ineedacovid19test.com. The Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) has an ongoing COVID-19 vaccination site located at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti. Appointments are required. You can request the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
If you are unvaccinated and unable to schedule an appointment, please contact the WCHD so they can prioritize getting you fully vaccinated. Call them at 734-544-6700 or send an email to health@washtenaw.org. Please check the WCHD website for more info about additional doses for immunocompromised people. The Washtenaw County Health Department is offering Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson booster doses at their clinic at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti. They ask that you please bring your vaccination card and identification, if possible. Lynx XD has drive-thru saliva PCR testing sites in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. For both sites pre-registration is required online at lynxdx.health/register. Once you pre-register, you will be directed to schedule a time/date for your test. For additional testing sites across Washtenaw County, and our state, visit the WCHD’s COVID-19 testing information website.
ENERGY BILL ASSISTANCE AND SHUT-OFF PROTECTION There are numerous utility shut-off protection programs and programs that will help you afford your utility bills during the winter. These programs range from bill payment assistance to assistance winterizing your home. Check out our list of these programs here. |
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