Dear Neighbor,
While our schools and the legislature had a snow day this week, our office has been busy! My team and I have been hard at work addressing constituent needs, meeting with stakeholders to tackle policy issues, and introducing legislation that will benefit Michiganders in House District 41 and across the state.
Additionally, testimonies were given in committees on important bills. In the Tax Policy Committee, we heard testimony on bipartisan legislation that would provide a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying businesses who purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for their employees, making PPE more affordable for businesses to protect their employees and ensuring that the state doesn’t profit from the pandemic. Building on my work with the committee, I also introduced legislation to exempt necessary hygiene products such as pads and tampons from Michigan’s sales and use tax, which was a major objective in Governor Whitmer’s budget recommendations.
Those of you who joined my last Facebook Live Coffee & Chat will remember our discussion on the budget timeline and where we go from here. As of now, the state’s budget process is underway as the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have begun to discuss the Governor’s budget recommendations. Don’t miss my next update and be sure to check out my other events in the upcoming week. See below for details!
As always, you can reach my office by phone at (517) 373-1783 or by email at PadmaKuppa@house.mi.gov for any thoughts or questions about any state-level issue – and check out the latest on my website at kuppa.housedems.com!
In Service,
Padma Kuppa
State Representative
House District 41
Legislative Update
On February 11, Governor Whitmer made her budget recommendations; this presentation provides the key highlights. We must focus on our children’s education, infrastructure, public health, protecting the environment, economic opportunity, and fiscal responsibility. This will now follow the budget process, as outlined in the diagram below:
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Since our last update, we’ve been busy introducing legislation and getting ready for our first hearing for our first bill, to ensure Justice for Allie. You can learn about the committee process here and keep tabs on my sponsored legislation for the 101st Legislature here.
Upcoming Events
UIA Town Hall
Join me for an Unemployment Town Hall with special guest Kimberly Berry, Deputy Director of Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) to answer all of your unemployment related questions!
Questions can also be submitted ahead of time. Please email questions to PadmaKuppa@house.mi.gov with the subject line “QUESTION FOR UIA TOWN HALL” so we can plan accordingly.
When: Monday, February 22, beginning at 6 p.m.
How: Register at http://tiny.cc/KuppaUIA
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Virtual Coffee Hours
Mark your calendars! On February 26, I’ll be hosting another of my bi-weekly Coffee & Chat virtual events through Facebook Live.
Every other Friday at 6 p.m., be sure to grab a cup of coffee, jump on my Facebook page (@mireppadmakuppa), and come chat with me from the comfort and safety of your own home! Promoting the health, safety, and wellbeing of the residents in our district is my top priority during this time. I understand that you have thoughts and questions and I want to be able to assist in answering as many as I can. Join me for a virtual office hour where I will be providing updates and answering your questions about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other issues facing our community. I hope to see you there!
When: Friday, Feb. 26, beginning at 6 p.m.
How: Visit my Facebook page (@mireppadmakuppa)
Upcoming
When: Friday, March 12, beginning at 6 p.m.
How: Visit my Facebook page (@mireppadmakuppa)
When: Friday, March 26, beginning at 6 p.m.
How: Visit my Facebook page (@mireppadmakuppa)
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MLBC Black History Month Celebration
The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus (MLBC) is holding our 2021 Black History Month Celebration. This year we will take time to honor Black women in health care on the frontlines of COVID. As Historian, I’m working on a presentation about Black women who’ve played a role in health care, starting with Henrietta Lacks. The event will take place via Zoom and will feature Dr. Joneigh Khaldun of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)!
When: Saturday, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
How: Join at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81412417281
APIA-Vote MI Elections & Redistricting Town Hall with VNP
I will be the guest speaker at Asian Pacific Islander American Vote – Michigan (APIA-Vote MI)’s Zoom town hall focusing on legislation I’ve introduced to improve our elections process. The non-profit, Voters Not Politicians (VNP), will also present the latest on their work, including a redistricting update! We look forward to seeing you!
When: Saturday, Feb. 27 from 2-3 p.m.
How: Register at http://bit.ly/Strongervoices
Resources
Clear to Go! Health Screening Software
Oakland County is providing free user-friendly screening software to local restaurants and public schools in the county to help enhance safety protocols and streamline the process of screening and tracking for COVID-19. The county’s Department of Economic Development has contracted with Rochester-based software developer Clear To Go! for its software and app that helps ensure anyone who enters a building is healthy and adheres to current health protocols. The county is paying between $500,000-750,000 for the cost of the software using federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding passed at the end of 2020. The contract runs through June. Click here for additional information.
Michigan Reconnect program
This week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the launch of the $30 million Michigan Reconnect program, to ensure that more than 4.1 million Michiganders who are 25 or older and do not have a college degree will have an opportunity to earn a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate. Michigan Reconnect will pay the cost of tuition for eligible adults who want to pursue an associate degree or skills certificate at their in-district community college. The program also offers skills scholarships to help cover the cost of tuition through more than 70 private training schools with 120 programs that offer certificates in high-demand careers in industries such as manufacturing, construction, information technology, healthcare or business management. Click here for additional information.