Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It continues to be a privilege to represent Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Saline and Whitmore Lake, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in Lansing. I encourage you to stay up to date on what’s going on in Lansing and continue to let me know about the issues that matter to you.

 

If there is anything I can do to help you and your family, please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-0828, email me at DonnaLasinski@house.mi.gov, or stop by my office in Lansing.

 

In this Edition:

  • Legislative Update
  • Community Events
  • Resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legislative Update.

 

Unemployment Reform

 

This week I introduced House Bill 4894, which is part of a package to strengthen unemployment protections and expand benefits, allowing workers to focus on finding a new job without worrying about how they’re going to pay bills or put food on the table. The package focuses on improving the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) system so it can handle a forecasted recession, ensuring accountability for employers not paying their UIA tax, and making whole those falsely accused of fraud.

 

I find it unbelievable that, in a state known for its honest hardworking people — where workers know what it’s like to come home at 8 a.m. after a long third shift to support their family — where workers know what it’s like to have a plant close through no fault of their own — we still fall behind every other Midwestern state in the support available for those same workers when they lose their jobs. My HB 4894 will help right this wrong by extending the number of weeks Michiganders can receive unemployment benefits from 20 weeks to 26 weeks, matching the period offered by every other state in the Midwest.

 

My bill will also restore the weekly amount-per-dependent allowance from $6 back to $20, to reflect the realities of a modern family. The suggestion that you can support a child with $6 a week is an insult to anyone who has ever raised a child.

 

As a small business owner, I have witnessed firsthand the impact economic uncertainty can have on hardworking Michiganders. Restoring these benefits will keep people actively looking for work and keep our economy moving forward. I am proud to be part of this package to reform our outdated unemployment system and will continue to fight to protect Michigan workers.

 

 

 

Pictured: I was proud to take part in a press conference to announce these unemployment reforms, which took place on the steps of the State Capitol.

 

State Budget

 

While I have enjoyed spending time in our community this summer learning about the issues that matter most to you, I am pleased that the House has reconvened session in Lansing. As budget negotiations between legislative leadership and Gov. Whitmer continue and the Oct. 1 deadline quickly approaches, rest assured I will always fight for a budget that reflects our values and ensures funding for vital programs many working families rely on. Michigan will face serious problems in the years ahead unless we implement serious solutions now. We need a responsible and fair budget that invests in the future of our state.

 

This begins with:

 

  •          Supporting education
  •          Building strong infrastructure
  •          Protecting our water and environment
  •          Fostering an inclusive economy
  •          Protecting and expanding health care

 

I am able to better represent our community when I know where your priorities lay, so I encourage you to reach out to my office and let me know what you would like to see in our state budget.

 

Broadband

 

Broadband access is a significant issue in the 52nd District because of the rural nature of our community. It is critical that we address broadband access because it enables local, small businesses to flourish, thus boosting the local economy. I am proud to represent an area that contains a myriad of local businesses and I will strive to improve broadband access for these businesses, as well as extending access to individual families and those seeking the opportunity to receive an education online. My office is working hard to research the most efficient and reliable solution to providing greater broadband access so that everyone in our community has proper access. I have worked to tackle this issue throughout my time in office and I will continue to do so.

 

Gov. Whitmer Issues Executive Action Banning Flavored E-Cigarettes

This week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to issue emergency rules to protect Michigan’s kids from the harmful effects of vaping. The governor’s order bans the sale of flavored nicotine vaping products and misleading marketing regarding their safety.

I support the idea of protecting the public health and the health of young adults. It is important that we start to look into applying the same protections and regulations that we do to tobacco products.

 

 

 

 

 

Community Events

 

Coffee Hours

 

I hope you can join me for one of my upcoming coffee hours! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about the issues facing families in our community.

 

When: Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 6pm to 7pm
Where: The Beer Grotto, 8059 Main St. in Dexter

 

When: Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10am to 11am
Where: Zou Zou’s, 101 Main St. in Chelsea

 

 

Resources

 

National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)

 

NAMI is an organization that aims to improve the lives of those struggling with mental illness. The organization offers education, aims to shape policies, design events for public awareness and offer a toll-free hotline for those in need of a listening ear.

 

NAMI Hotline number: (800) 950-6264

Address: 401 S. Washington Square, Suite 104 in Lansing

Phone: (517) 485-4049

Email: info@namimi.org

 

 

 

Pictured: I was honored to attend a Plumbers and Pipefitter event recently. This event included a 5k and a pub crawl, ending with a block party and live music. All proceeds from the race went toward the Semper Fi Fund, which provides medical and financial services to U.S. service members wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq.

 

 

 

Never hesitate to reach out to me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns!

 

Sincerely,

 

Donna Lasinski

State Representative

52nd House District