{"id":6924,"date":"2023-09-08T20:59:38","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T20:59:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/irwin\/?p=6924"},"modified":"2023-09-08T20:59:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T20:59:41","slug":"district-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/irwin\/2023\/09\/08\/district-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Senate District 15\u202fCoffee Hour, Events, Legislative Update & Community Resources\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/irwin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/01\/IrwinEmailBanner.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”IrwinEmailBanner” url=”www.senatedems.com\/irwin\/” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-20px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

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

As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-11px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/irwin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/03\/irwin_coffee_hour.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”irwin_coffee_hour” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-12px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

Please join me this Saturday for a Coffee Hour. These events are a great way to share your questions and ideas with me while also receiving a firsthand update on what my colleagues and I are working on in the Legislature.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

WHEN:<\/span><\/b> Saturday, September 16 at 11:00 a.m.\u00a0<\/span>
<\/span>WHERE:<\/span><\/b> B<\/span>rewed Awakenings Caf\u00e9, 7025 E Michigan Ave, Saline, MI 48176<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since it is this week, don\u2019t forget to click \u201cGoing\u201d on the <\/span>Facebook event page<\/span><\/a> to get a reminder the day before and the day of. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have any questions, please contact my office at <\/span>(517) 373-2406<\/span><\/b> or by responding to this email.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

District Events<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ann Arbor Farmers Market:<\/span><\/b><\/a> Saturday, September 9 at 7 a.m. |\u00a0315 Detroit St.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Besties on The Boulevard:<\/span><\/b><\/a> Thursday, September 14 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. |\u00a0Downtown Tecumseh<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

WRAP Movie Night in the Park: <\/span><\/b>Friday, September 15 from 8:00 p.m.\u2009-\u200910:00 p.m. | Frog Island Park<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Entheofest<\/span><\/b><\/a> (I will be a guest speaker):<\/span> Sunday, September 17 from 1:11 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. | The Diag, University of Michigan Central Campus<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Classic Car & Bike Show:<\/span><\/b><\/a> Thursday, September 21 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | 205 E. Chicago Blvd. Tecumseh<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Manchester Farmers Market:<\/span><\/b><\/a> Thursday, September 28 from 3 p.m. \u2009\u2013\u20097\u202fp.m. | Chi-Bro Park, 209 Ann Arbor Street\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ypsilanti Farmers Market:<\/span><\/b><\/a> Saturday, September 30 from 9:00 a.m.\u2009-\u20091:00 p.m. | 100 Rice St.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The Legislature meets on a schedule that roughly parallels the school year, though legislators spend the summer meeting with constituents and working on future legislation. I\u2019m excited to be back in Lansing as important legislation is being introduced and advancing through the Senate. Here\u2019s a few of the projects I\u2019ve been working on and plan to introduce in the coming weeks:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ensure Foster Care Review Boards Appropriately Serve Indigenous Children<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Michigan has a system of local volunteer foster care review boards (FCRB) who provide a third-party perspective to the courts and MDHHS on certain foster care cases. Unfortunately, Michigan law does not direct the boards to work with tribal governments when cases involve Native American children, and some boards have refused to engage with tribes. This exclusion perpetuates the shameful role of the child welfare system in systematically removing indigenous children and severing their relationships to their tribes. My bill would codify the role of tribal governments in the FCRB process so that Native American children can remain connected to their communities and cultures.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ensure Dyslexia is Identified and Addressed<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting at least 1 in 20 people in the US, but it can be easy to miss in young kids until they have already fallen far behind in reading. I am working with colleagues to re-introduce legislation to require schools to screen kids\u00a0specifically for difficulty in decoding and other characteristics of dyslexia, provide appropriate evidence-based intervention services, and require teacher preparation programs to include information on dyslexia and science of reading. This session, this legislation will be integrated into the Read by Third Grade law, which will make it simpler for schools to implement and to avoid duplicative testing.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Decriminalize Entheogenic Plants<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Entheogenic plants and fungi (also known as psychedelics) are part of traditional spiritual practices in many religions and have a low potential for abuse. Entheogens are increasingly being used in professional mental health treatment for PTSD and depression, including by the Veterans\u2019 Administration. Michigan law still classifies entheogens as Schedule I substances with no medical use, so our state continues to waste public money on enforcing a failed policy of prohibition. My bill would decriminalize the cultivation, transfer and use of entheogenic plants and fungi containing naturally occurring substances such as mescaline or psilocybin. Selling entheogens would still be illegal.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Clean up Pollution and Hold Polluters Accountable<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Michigan\u2019s laws on environmental cleanup have been weakened over the years. We have tens of thousands of orphaned sites where the polluter is unknown, defunct or unable to pay for cleanup. Even at sites where there is a viable \u201cresponsible party,\u201d the law often allows polluted land or water to be fenced off instead of cleaned up (for example, the Gelman Sciences plume). I am working with colleagues on a broad legislative package designed to require better cleanups, make more information about sites available to the public, require polluting industries to fund cleanups and provide better civil recourse to the public and to individuals who are harmed by pollution.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Support Parents Who Give Kids Reasonable Independence<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many parents, myself included, would like to be able to exercise their judgment and knowledge of their own kids to allow them to do more things independent of adult supervision. We would like our kids to develop skills and confidence from the sorts of activities that we did on our own at their age: walking to school, playing at the park and biking to the library. While many argue that the world has become too dangerous for this sort of childhood, facts about crime rates and injuries don\u2019t bear that out. What has changed is attitudes towards parenting. Parents have a justified fear that they will be reported to the police or Child Protective Services for leaving their kids unaccompanied even in the most benign of settings; such cases show up in the news regularly. This legislation would clarify that, allowing kids reasonable independence appropriate to their age and life skills does not constitute child abuse or neglect.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n


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

September Is National Recovery Month\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

National Recovery Month<\/span><\/a> (Recovery Month), celebrated throughout September, is a time to honor the resilience and strength of individuals who have embarked on the journey of recovery from addiction or mental health challenges. It is a month dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma and promoting understanding of the recovery process.<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>The<\/span> Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration<\/span><\/a> (SAMHSA) sees Recovery Month as an opportunity to inspire hope and reinforce the message that recovery is a lifelong journey worth pursuing. Through education, advocacy and events, SAMHSA works to raise public awareness regarding mental health and addiction recovery.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout September, SAMHSA is hosting several events to commemorate National Recovery Month. A list of events, times, locations and registration information can be found<\/span> here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SAMHSA also offers additional resources, including:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n