Hello friends,
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. It continues to be a busy fall in Lansing, and please know that I am working every day to ensure that the voices of our communities are heard and the issues that face our communities are being addressed.
My office is reachable by phone at (517) 373-0828, by email at DonnaLasinski@house.mi.gov or by coming to one of our District events. Upcoming coffee hours, celebrations, and town halls are listed below, and I would love to see you there.
Sincerely,
Donna Lasinski
Legislative Updates
On the State Budget
Michiganders deserve better than the budgets that were sent to Gov. Whitmer’s desk, and I will continue to fight to adequately fund the programs that Michigan families and individuals rely on.
As the budget process unfolded from last spring to this fall, it because clear that there was going to be a tension as our governor determined to face the challenges confronting Michigan head on. The budget broke down as the majority party legislature sent a budget to the governor for the first time that had not been negotiated with her office. The budget that was put up for votes in the State House continues the shell game of moving money, stripped core functions of government, and refused to address the state’s precipitous decline in academic achievement and its deteriorating infrastructure.
I voted no on the status quo of kicking the can down the road and the continuance of game playing with our resident’s futures.
I voted ‘no’ on the School Aid budget because I am unwilling to simply accept the budgetary equivalent of leftovers to fund the education of our future leaders. While schools may be receiving a few more crumbs than they did last year, when compared to how much is still needed, it still amounts to crumbs. I will continue to stand up for our students, for our teachers and for the future of our state by opposing insufficient budgets, instead choosing to fight for our schools to receive the funding they need to halt our academic decline.
I voted ‘no’ on the Transportation budget because it fails to provide a sustainable solution to repair our crumbling infrastructure. Experts agree that Michigan needs between $2-2.5 billion in additional funds every year to get our roads in good condition. Unfortunately, this budget includes no new revenue for roads; it only includes a one-time general fund allocation of $375million. Because this one-time influx of $375 million comes from the general fund, that means that other departments’ budgets had to be cut or remain underfunded to pay for this increase. Unfortunately, this amount is inadequate to even keep our roads and bridges in their current condition; and in the long run, fixing our infrastructure tomorrow will end up costing much more than it would have if we got serious about fixing it today.
I voted ‘no’ on the Health and Human Services budget because it is littered with partisan pet projects and fails to adequately fund programs to ensure the health of Michiganders. It notably strips funding from programs meant to help local communities comply with the new lead and copper rule, which is intended to keep these contaminants out of our drinking water. This budgets also continued to fund phony family planning centers that attempt to pressure and influence their patients’ medical decisions based on opinions rather than medical fact.
Fix the “Fix” Rally
Last week, thousands of Michiganders came to the State Capitol lawn for the MI Auto Insurance Rally to Fix the “Fix”. I gave a speech on why we must fix this reform to protect the people of Michigan and ensure that everyone is protected in case of catastrophe.
Michigan Broadband Summit
Broadband coverage within the 52nd House District has been one of my top priorities. The first annual Michigan Broadband Summit took place last week in Gaylord. Because I was in legislative voting session that day, a member of my staff attended to learn more about the progress of broadband coverage for the communities of Michigan and across the nation. It is critical that we address broadband so that small businesses can thrive, students are able to complete homework and individuals and families can flourish. I will continue to work on this issue for our district.
Upcoming Time With Donna
Coffee Hour at Grand Traverse Pie Company
I hope you can join me for my upcoming coffee hour! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about the issues our community is facing.
When: Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 – 11 a.m.
Where: Grand Traverse Pie Company, 291 N. Zeeb Road in Ann Arbor
Transportation Town Hall at Chelsea Senior Center
Please join me for a transportation town hall to discuss the different transportation options and issues for residents in western Washtenaw County. Joining me will be Chelsea City Council Member Jane Pacheco, Washtenaw County Road Commissioner Barb Fuller, Washtenaw Area Value Express Director Michaelene Pawlak and Huron Waterloo Pathway Initiative Chair Jeff Hardcastle.
When: Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. – noon
Where: Chelsea Senior Center, 500 Washington St. in Chelsea
▪ ▪ ▪
District Spotlight
Last week, I was delighted to spend time with a group of 5th grade students from Dexter. I showed them around the House floor and spoke with them about my job and how I vote when I am in session.
This week I attended the Silver Maples’ Evening of Civil Discourse event in Chelsea. I greatly enjoyed speaking and answering questions about health care, education, the economy and many other important topics with other community leaders.
▪ ▪ ▪
What to Do in 52
There are so many fun fall events and festivities happening in the district. Here are a few to check out.
Dexter Lions Club Apple Daze
There will be hayrides to the cider mill, games for the kids, an apple eating contest and crafts.
When: Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Monument Park, 8031 Main St. in Dexter
Saline Fall Fest 2019
When: Sunday, Oct. 6, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Saline Liberty School, 7625 N Ann Arbor St. in Saline
Manhattan Short Film Festival
When: Sunday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m.
Where: Dexter Library, 3255 Alpine in Dexter
▪ ▪ ▪
Resources
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. If you, a family member or a friend is experiencing domestic violence and is looking for resources, information or help with identifying unhealthy relationship signs, here are two organizations to contact.
Domestic Violence Hotline
The Domestic Violence Hotline provides 24/7 highly skilled advocates to help anyone experiencing domestic violence. You can contact the hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233).
SafeHouse Center
SafeHouse is a non-profit that works to provide safety, support and resources for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and for their children.
24/7 Helpline: (734) 995-5444
Address: 4100 Clark Road in Ann Arbor
Phone: (734) 973-0242
Email: info@safehouse.org
▪ ▪ ▪
I hope that this information has been helpful and that we will see you at future events.
Sincerely,
State Representative Donna Lasinski