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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In this e-news, you can find information about:\u00a0<\/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,\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-17px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _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=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” alt=”Jeff Irwin Signature” title_text=”IrwinSignature” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Jeff Irwin \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Joint Coffee Hour with Rep. Rheingans\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-18px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/irwin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2024\/04\/IrwinCoffeeHourPicture1.png” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” alt=”Irwin Coffee Hour” title_text=”IrwinCoffeeHourPicture1″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-13px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Please join me and State Representative Carrie Rheingans this Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 A.M. at the Manchester District Library, 912 City Rd, Manchester, MI 48158.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n 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 the event.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you have any questions, please contact my office at (517) 373-2406 or by responding to this email.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n District Shoutouts\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ypsilanti Middle School Wins National Remote-Controlled Car Race Competition<\/i><\/b><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-17px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/irwin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2024\/04\/IrwinDistrictNews1.png” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” alt=”Golden Grizzly” title_text=”IrwinDistrictNews1″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-12px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] A huge congratulations to team \u201cGolden Grizzly\u201d for securing first place at the TEN80 racing events at this year\u2019s National Society of Black Engineers Convention in Atlanta Georgia. These champions were the only all-girls team competing at the middle school level. The team includes seventh and eighth graders Danasia Murphy-Roberts, Teliah Hinton, LeAjah Turner, Elovie and Jencia Mazama, and Alanah Reed. View their full story on MLive by clicking here.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n University of Michigan Debate Team Wins National Championship Title\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/irwin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2024\/04\/IrwinDistrictNews2.png” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” alt=”U of M Debate Team” title_text=”IrwinDistrictNews2″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] More champions return home from Atlanta, as University of Michigan\u2019s debate team secured its first national title after 121 years of competing. Debaters Kelly Phil and Bennett Dombcik went 5-0, securing the national title at the 2024 National Debate Tournament in Georgia. Read more about their team and its history <\/span>here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n District Events\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Ypsilanti\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Ann Arbor<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Lenawee County\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Milan<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Legislative Update<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tax Day is Past Us; Let\u2019s Keep EITC in the Pockets of Michigan Families\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n An estimated 78,000 households will have all or part of their state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) garnished by debt collectors before it even gets to them. The EITC is a refundable tax credit to support vulnerable working families, a public benefit that should not be intercepted or diverted. My bill, SB 408<\/a> would exempt the EITC from being garnished by creditors. I will continue to work toward the passage of this bill so that next year Michigan families can keep the public benefit they are entitled to, and which taxpayers paid for, so that it does not get pocketed by debt collectors.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n April 2024 Recognized at County Government Month\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Alongside Senator Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), I introduced SR-105 that recognizes this month as County Government month to commemorate the vital public service provided by our local governments. Our counties are responsible for many of our most intimate policy necessities, from mental health services to our parks and recreation. You can view the text of the resolution here<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n SB 279 Hearing\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n I sponsored Senate Bill 279<\/a> to remove bureaucratic barriers that prevent nurse practitioners from being allowed to treat patients within the full scope of their education, and without having to pay a physician to sign off on their work. In March, the Senate committee on Health Policy<\/a> took testimony on the bill, which is a significant step forward in the legislative process. This bill is especially important considering Michigan is experiencing a shortage of healthcare personnel, particularly in vulnerable urban and rural areas. Allowing nurse practitioners to have full practice authority will strengthen our healthcare services statewide. I look forward to the progression of this bill and its next committee hearing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Resources<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Fraud Prevention Tips\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n AG Nessel Warns Renters, Homebuyers of Fraudulent Real Estate Ads, Zillow Scams in New Alert\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a new consumer alert, Real Estate Scams \u2013 How to Avoid Being Taken in by Fake Listings<\/a>, to educate renters and homebuyers on how to avoid property scams. Fraudulent real estate listings often advertise properties that don’t exist, are not for sale or rent, or are not what they appear to be.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Nessel\u2019s alert cites Zillow’s advice<\/a> on the red flags homebuyers should look out for:\u00a0<\/p>\n The red flags for rental listing scams are similar to those that exist in homebuying fraud schemes. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)<\/a>, using the following strategies can help you avoid being a victim of a rental scam:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you believe you have been the victim of a rental or real estate scam, report it to:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grant Opportunities\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n Renewables-Ready Communities Award\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will provide per-megawatt (MW) funding to Michigan municipalities that host or are expected to host utility-scale renewable energy projects. The deadline to apply is September 30th, 2024; learn more here<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n MI Clean Water Grants\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n EGLE has announced MI Clean Water Plan grants<\/a> to help Michigan communities upgrade water infrastructure, protect public health and the environment. These grants aim to address challenges like sewage overflows into Lake St. Clair and the replacement of hazardous lead drinking water service lines. Learn more here<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n New Website Available to Help Track Your Status of Benefits\u00a0 <\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched a brand-new version of their MI Bridges website to help Michiganders applying for assistance monitor their benefits status. The tool tracks five benefits programs: health care coverage, the food assistance program, cash assistance, child development and care, and state emergency relief.\u00a0<\/p>\n Applicants can receive assistance through the MI Bridges virtual assistant chat or by calling the MI Bridges help desk at 844-799-9876. Visit newmibridges.michigan.gov<\/a> for more information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/b>State Senator – 15th District\u00a0
Twitter<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | Facebook<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nPC: MLive<\/i><\/h6>\n
PC: Aaron Kall\u00a0<\/i><\/h6>\n
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