Dear Neighbor,

There’s still plenty of work ahead this November! I’m looking forward to finishing the legislative year strong, connecting with you and continuing to serve our community. In this newsletter, I’m sharing a few legislative priorities and upcoming opportunities to get together.

In service,

In this issue:

• Join Me for Social Hour – Nov. 13
• Connecting with Neighbors at the Senior Expo
• Our Legislative Priorities Before Year’s End
• Save the Date: Veterans Holiday Food Distribution – Dec. 5

I’m hosting my next legislative social hour on Friday, Nov. 13, from 4-5 p.m. at Brewery Outré, located at 567 E. Ransom St. in Kalamazoo.

These social hours are a great opportunity to connect informally, ask questions and share what’s on your mind. I look forward to seeing you there! While registration is not required, if you have a specific question in mind, you can email it to us in advance at [email protected].

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table at the annual Kalamazoo County Senior Expo last month. We had great questions and engagement from seniors in the community and handed out legislative information. Copies of our Michigan Constitution and fresh apples from a local farm were popular.

The Legislature is entering its “lame duck” session: the final weeks before the new Legislature convenes in January. There’s still important work to do, and I’m focused on getting our priorities across the finish line.

Earlier this year, the House Health Policy Committee advanced our bipartisan Lead Poisoning Prevention Package. My bill, House Bill 4864, would update Michigan’s definition of an elevated blood lead level to match the current CDC reference value of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Michigan law currently uses a higher threshold of 10 micrograms per deciliter.

The package also includes House Bill 4865 and House Bill 5975 to require toxic metals testing for baby food sold in Michigan and ensure children under age three with elevated blood lead levels are connected to Early On developmental services. Lead exposure is preventable, but it can have lasting effects on a child’s development, learning and long-term health. These bills are about identifying exposure earlier and making sure families have the information and support they need.

I also hope to get bipartisan legislation to strengthen protections for vulnerable roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists and people using wheelchairs over the finish line before the end of the term. House Bill 4334, which I sponsored alongside Senate Bill 217, passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary Committee in September.

The legislation would strengthen penalties when a moving violation causes serious injury or death to someone traveling outside the protection of a motor vehicle. As a runner, cyclist and practicing physical therapist, I have seen how devastating a serious crash can be for an individual and their family. Everyone using our roads deserves to get home safely, and I will continue working with my bipartisan partners to move this legislation forward.

Another priority is our bipartisan Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care, or PPEC, legislation, which passed unanimously out of the House Health Policy Committee earlier this year. House Bills 5251 and 5252 would establish a licensing and insurance framework for PPEC facilities in Michigan.

PPEC facilities are non-residential centers where children with complex medical needs can receive skilled nursing care, therapies and developmental support during the day. This model is already operating in 17 other states and gives families another option beyond one-on-one home nursing or extended hospital stays. Most importantly, it allows children to receive the medical care they need in a setting where they can also learn, play and socialize with other children.

There is still work to do before the legislative term ends, but each of these proposals has already demonstrated the kind of bipartisan support that can move good policy forward. I look forward to continuing that work in the weeks ahead.

As we approach the holiday season, I am once again partnering with Veterans First to help provide food to veterans in our community. Our annual Veterans Holiday Food Distribution will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Douglass Community Association (1000 W. Paterson St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007).

Veterans attending the distribution should bring proof of veteran status to receive assistance. Please save the date and share this information with veterans and military families who may benefit. Supporting those who served our country remains one of my highest priorities, and I am grateful to Veterans First and our community partners for helping make this annual event possible.