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Dear Neighbor,<\/p>\n
I want to make sure you\u2019re informed about what has been going on in our state government and update you on what I\u2019ve been working on.\u202f<\/p>\n
In this e-news, you can find information about:<\/p>\n
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email.\u202f\u202f<\/p>\n
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Jeff\u00a0<\/span>Irwin<\/span> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN-PERSON COFFEE HOUR THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 AT 9 AM<\/b><\/p>\n Please join me at my coffee hour this Saturday, December 10th at Carrigan Cafe (101 S. Ann Arbor St., Ste 107 in Saline) from 9 to 10 a.m.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Since it is this week, don\u2019t forget to click on \u201cGoing\u201d on the\u00a0<\/span>Facebook event page<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>to get a reminder the day before and the day of.<\/p>\n If you have any questions, please contact my office at\u00a0<\/span>(517) 373-2406<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>or by responding to this email.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n LEGISLATIVE UPDATE \u2013 END OF THE 101st LEGISLATURE<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n This week was the final week of the 101st Legislature. These final days were lackluster and disappointing in that legislative leadership failed to pass important bills and critical reforms, but instead passed legislation that can only be described as \u201cburning hot garbage\u201d.<\/p>\n House Bills 4454-4455<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n These bills are burning hot garbage<\/a>. Originally, they were meant to improve our recycling industry and increase the frequency of recycling in our state \u2013 two important goals. Unfortunately, industry lobbying efforts corrupted these bills and language was inserted that\u00a0<\/span>allows manufacturers to use \u201cpyrolysis\u201d \u201cgasification\u201d<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>or other chemical processes to break down plastic waste for use in other products.\u202f<\/p>\n Pyrolysis and gasification are just fancy words for burning garbage. This language undermines the original intent of these bills, and jeopardizes the health of those living downwind of facilities that will burn plastics and garbage.<\/p>\n I voted NO on this legislation, but unfortunately they passed the House and Senate, and are headed to Governor Whitmer\u2019s desk. I am strongly urging her to veto these bills.<\/p>\n Earned Income Tax Credit Expansion<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The Earned Income Tax Credit is a proven tool for lifting working families out of poverty, and the money generated for families goes right back into our local economies. I was hopeful that after almost 10 years after this critical tax credit was cut by Governor Snyder, we would finally be able to restore it and give hardworking people across our state a real economic lift and reduce their tax burden.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, for reasons I\u2019m not sure of, none of the several bills proposed passed. A disappointing and frustrating casualty of this year\u2019s lame-duck session.<\/p>\n I am hopeful that next year, with Governor Whitmer and a Democratic controlled House and Senate, we will finally be able to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit.\u202f<\/p>\n Dyslexia Legislation<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Senate Bills 380-383 did not pass the House this session. Frustratingly, House legislative leaders sat on these bills and killed them, depriving thousands of students and schools of resources to identify characteristics of dyslexia and help those students.\u202f<\/p>\n I am committed to reintroducing these bills next year and getting them to the governor\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH YPSILANTI HEALTH CENTER RELOCATION<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0<\/span>University of Michigan Health Ypsilanti Health Center<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>will be relocating and expanding its services. The future site is located at 300 W. Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti, Michigan \u2013 in the building that once housed Eastern Michigan University\u2019s College of Business.\u202f<\/p>\n UofM announced that this new location will allow them to provide a wide range of adult and pediatric services, including family medicine, geriatrics, urology, behavioral health, cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, and women\u2019s health, among others.\u202f<\/p>\n No opening date has been announced yet.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n HISTORIC APPOINTMENT TO THE MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Governor Whitmer appointed State Representative Kyra Harris Bolden to fill a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court. This makes Rep. Bolden the first Black woman to serve on our state’s high court. I\u2019ve had the opportunity to work with her and can say with confidence that she will be an excellent addition to our Michigan Supreme Court.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n MICHIGAN ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n The Michigan Achievement Scholarship application has opened for all high school seniors! This scholarship will provide:<\/p>\n High school seniors can get started by following these steps:\u202f<\/p>\n MI FUTURE EDUCATOR STIPEND<\/b><\/p>\n The\u00a0<\/span>MI Future Educator Stipend<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>applications are open! This program offers student teachers a $9,600 stipend per semester to use on tuition, living expenses, and even childcare as you work in the classroom full-time.<\/p>\n Follow these steps to apply:<\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE<\/b><\/p>\n MIHAF Application<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Homeowners can apply for the MIHAF program\u00a0<\/span>here<\/a>, but before you start please make sure you have all the necessary documents and information. You can find what documents and information you\u2019ll need\u00a0<\/span>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Who Is Eligible?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Up to $25,000 Grant Per Household<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Eligible households can receive a grant worth up to $25,000 to help them pay:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COVID-19 RESOURCES<\/b><\/p>\n General Vaccination Info<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) has an ongoing vaccination site located at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti that is appointment only<\/p>\n If you are unable to go to a vaccination site, please contact the WCHD to ask about home visits through their Nurse on the Run program. Leave a message at 734-544-6700 or email\u00a0<\/span>health@washtenaw.org<\/a>. You must meet homebound criteria to qualify for home visits.<\/p>\n Please check the WCHD website for more info about additional doses for immunocompromised people:\u00a0<\/span>www.washtenaw.org\/3269\/COVID- Booster Shots<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The Washtenaw County Health Department is offering Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson\u2019s booster doses at their clinic at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti. They ask that you please bring your vaccination card and identification, if possible.\u202f<\/p>\n COVID Testing<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Lynx XD has a drive-thru saliva PCR testing site in Ann Arbor. Pre-registration is required:\u00a0<\/span>lynxdx.health\/register<\/a>. Once you pre-register, you will be directed to schedule a time\/date for your test.<\/p>\n
<\/b>State Senator
<\/span>18th District\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Senator](\"https:\/\/ci5.googleusercontent.com\/proxy\/R6yCEP3t7kisvvx63INDOvSrZJjLPtiXh-gMk3lOhy6Gc_FPCWQHdl-mKcobZe9SSX20tdFOJD1SC7kZbNshr56KIkai_afcrH3RT6RZFFLj=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/static21.senatedems.org\/media\/700x0\/6393478fcdec7.jpeg\")
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