Dear Neighbor,\u00a0<\/p>\n
I want to provide you with some information about what has been going on in our state government and update you on what I\u2019ve been working on in the Legislature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In this e-news, you can find information about:<\/span><\/p>\n As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _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\/IrwinSignature.jpg” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”IrwinSignature” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-8px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Jeff Irwin <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Upcoming Coffee Hour<\/b><\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-14px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _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\/09\/Irwin-Coffee.png” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”Irwin Coffee” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Please join me on February 17 at the Clinton Public Library<\/b> for coffee and conversation. These gatherings not only give me an opportunity to provide you with important updates on my work in Lansing \u2014 but also offer a chance for you to actively engage by sharing your thoughts, questions and ideas.\u00a0<\/p>\n WHEN:<\/b> Saturday, February 17 at 11 a.m\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget to click on \u201cGoing\u201d on the Facebook event page<\/a> to get a reminder the day before and the day of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you have any questions, please contact my office at (517)-373-2406<\/b> or by responding to this email.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n District Events\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Ypsilanti\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ann Arbor<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lenawee County\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Milan<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n For a refresher on snow removal policies, click <\/span>here<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Legislative Update<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bills that took effect on February 13th of this week: Elimination of the Asset Test from Food Assistance\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Michigan\u2019s Clean Energy Future Plan\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Last fall, Michigan\u2019s Democratic-led Legislature passed the Clean Energy Future plan<\/a> to address the escalating impacts of climate change in Michigan. The Clean Energy Future plan takes effect this week, establishing clean energy and renewable energy standards, raising energy efficiency targets, establishing a new Community and Worker Economic Transition Office, and broadening the responsibilities of the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). Although the legislation did not contain everything I had hoped for, I am proud we are finally taking real steps towards securing a sustainable future for our state\u2019s residents and natural resources.\u00a0\u00a0 New Gun Safety Laws\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n As part of the legislative effort to protect Michigainians from the tragedies of gun violence and unintentional firearm injuries, Public Act 17 of 2023<\/a>, a law requiring secure storage of firearms<\/a>, went into effect Tuesday, February 13th of 2024. Under this law, firearms must be locked and unloaded when unattended, particularly if minors are likely to be present. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is working with the Michigan Attorney General\u2019s office to ensure federally licensed firearm dealers communicate these new requirements to their customers, and to provide dealers with safety information on the new storage requirements, including the penalties.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To offset the cost of purchasing firearm safety devices, these devices are exempt from sales and use taxes through December 24th, 2024. Free gun safety kits<\/a> can be obtained through the Project ChildSafe law enforcement partners throughout the state. Many unintentional firearm injuries among minors occur due to unlocked and loaded firearms, often stored in accessible areas like nightstands. Additionally, firearms are involved in over half of Michigan\u2019s suicide deaths. You can find more information on new gun safety laws here<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n More Updates…<\/p>\n <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Improving Literacy in Michigan: Dyslexia Screening Bills\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n The Senate Education Committee has held two hearings on my bill, Senate Bill 567<\/a>, and Sen. Polehanki\u2019s bill, Senate Bill 568<\/a>, part of a comprehensive package that would help educators identify children early who show signs of dyslexia and connect those students with evidence-based intervention so they can achieve literacy. Teacher preparation programs would also need to meet standards for educating future teachers in science of reading and evidence-based practices.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You can learn more about these bills from an interview I did with WEMU Morning Edition here<\/a>. NPR recently covered the need to have teacher training programs based in the science of reading<\/a>, which Senate Bill 568 would directly address. I original drafted bills to address these issues in the Michigan House in 2016, and I intend to see this legislation enacted this year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n View the powerful testimony given in the Senate Education Committee on February 6th by individuals and educators who would be directly impacted by these bills here<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n View testimony from the 13th here<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Budget Update<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Governor Whitmer presented her executive budget recommendations last week to kick off the 2024 budget season. You can view her 2024-2025 Fiscal Year priorities here<\/a>. I look forward to working with her and my colleagues this spring to design a budget that will continue our state\u2019s investments in childcare, healthcare infrastructure and education.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Resources\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Michigan\u2019s Presidential Primary on February 27 is fast approaching. Here are a few key dates to be aware of:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Filing Individual Income Tax<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The Michigan Department of Treasury has announced that Monday, Jan. 29, was the official start date of the 2024 tax season when the agency will begin processing individual income tax returns.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tips to help you maximize your state and federal tax return this year:\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Earned Income Tax Credit Checks to be Sent to Michigan Families Starting this Month\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n On Tuesday, Feb. 12, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that eligible Michigan families will begin receiving Working Families Tax Credit supplemental checks this week. The new checks are part of a $1 billion tax relief package signed into law last year that will help put an average of $550 back into the pockets of working families. Please note the Department of Treasury will automatically process checks for Michiganians who submitted their 2022 tax return and confirmed eligibility for the additional state credit. Checks will be mailed on a rolling basis as soon as they are printed. It is estimated to take between five to six weeks to print and distribute all payments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Statewide Warming Centers\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Public warming centers are available to provide a place for people to come in from the cold this winter. If possible, call ahead to ensure the warming center has space and capacity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Grant Opportunity\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Dear Neighbor,\u00a0 I want to provide you with some information about what has been going on in our state government and update you on what I\u2019ve been working on in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7165,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-email"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
<\/b>State Senator – 15th District\u00a0<\/span>
Twitter<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | Facebook<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span>WHERE: <\/b>Clinton Public Library, 100 Brown St., Clinton, MI 49236\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
Voting Information for Michigan\u2019s Presidential Primary\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n