Dear Neighbors,
As the school year draws to a close, I enjoyed spending time with the 4th-grade classes who have visited me at the Capitol. Students from Barnard, Bemis, Morse and Schroeder Elementary Schools all had great ideas to share with me. Here are just a few policy suggestions and questions they had:
- Can we create a law to reduce littering?
- What can we do to save the turtles?
- Can we install cameras to prevent crimes?
- What can we do to prevent cyberbullying?
- Can we declare a State Metal?
- What are we doing about Line 5 to protect the Mackinac Straits?
- What are we doing about Asian Carp?
Our discussion covered a range of topics, including my favorite aspects of being an elected official (hearing from constituents, especially kids), what is most difficult (the drives to Lansing during winter and construction season), and why I ran for office. It was exciting to see such young minds engaging in our democracy. I encourage you to do the same, and ask your friends and neighbors to visit our website to sign up for bi-monthly e-news, attend an event (see below), or simply reach out with concerns via email, phone or mail:
(517) 373-1783
Rep. Padma Kuppa
Anderson House Office Building, N-890
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
I hope to see you at in-district events this summer! If you missed our last Town Hall, we will have our Budget Bootcamp materials at our upcoming in-district office hours. Save the date for our next Town Hall on Care, where we will cover a range of aspects like child care, foster care, elder care and the care economy. It will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Clawson High School. And if you have ideas for a future town hall, please share – we are listening!
Your State Representative,
Padma Kuppa
House District 41
Legislative & Community Update
Shelter Pet Bill
Our week started at Larson Middle School, where HB 4455, the Shelter Pet Bill, was born in teacher Cindy Christiansen’s classroom. Representatives from the Michigan Association for Pure Bred Dogs were there to discuss their concerns regarding this bill. Through this meeting, I was pleased to facilitate a civil discussion that respected the concerns and ideas of all stakeholders. I firmly believe that our democracy is at its best when all voices are brought to the table, so I look forward to continuing the discussion about this bill with community members, statewide stakeholders and my colleagues in the Legislature.
Budget Bootcamp Town Hall
Monday, I held my Budget Bootcamp Town Hall. We were happy to welcome a few special guest panelists to the event, including my colleague and Education Appropriations Vice Chair, Rep. Kristy Pagan, State Budget Director Chris Kolb and Kim Avery from the Michigan Department of Transportation. During this informative evening, we all learned more about the process for the state budget, House Appropriations, the School Aid Fund, and how the budget impacts road construction and priorities in Troy and Clawson. I was excited to see so many of you in attendance!
Protecting Vulnerable Adults
This past Wednesday, June 12, the first bill we introduced from back in January was brought forward for testimony before the Families, Children and Seniors Committee. House Bill 4076, or the Justice for Allie bill, would protect vulnerable adults from being sexually exploited online. Dawn Hayes, Allie’s mother, joined me to share her family’s heartbreaking story of how Allie was taken advantage of by an online predator, based on her vulnerability. I would like to thank Allie and her family for their bravery and perseverance in the fight to raise awareness about this issue and for joining me to give testimony on the importance of this bill. With extensive bipartisan support, I look forward to seeing HB 4076 progress through the Legislature so that we can protect vulnerable members of our community.
Upcoming Time with Padma
Please join me for my upcoming in-district meeting hours in our community. These events provide an opportunity for us to chat in an informal setting so that I can hear about the issues impacting you and your family. I hope to see you there!
When: Friday, June 14, 3:30-5 p.m.
Where: Blair Memorial Library, 416 N. Main St. in Clawson
When: Monday, June 24, 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: Troy Public Library, 510 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy
When: Monday, July 22, 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: Troy Public Library, 510 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy
Pints with Padma
When: Saturday, July 20, 5-6:30 p.m.
Where: Tavern on Main, 235 S. Main St. in Clawson
What to Do in 41
Read on for more information on upcoming events happening in the Troy and Clawson community!
Sunday Clawson Farmers Market
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 14: Children’s Cooking Demonstration and Inflatables
August 11: Back to School and Inflatables
September 8: Harvest Day
Where: Clawson City Park, 935 N. Custer Ave. in Clawson
In-Town Market
When: 3-7 p.m.
Wednesdays, June 5-September 25
Where: Salt & Sugar Co., 139 W. 14 Mile Road in Clawson
Concerts in Clawson
Join the Friends of The Blair Memorial Library and Clawson Parks & Recreation Department at the Memorial Park (adjacent to Blair Memorial Library) from 7-8:15 p.m. on Monday, June 17. The T-bone Paxton Project will perform popular songs from artists like Hoagy Carmichael, Louis Jordan, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, and more.
When: Monday, June 17, 7-8:15 p.m.
Where: Memorial Park, 416 N. Main St. in Clawson
City of Troy Farmers Market
The 2019 Troy Farmers Market resumes Friday, June 21 for the summer! After this, the Farmers Market will take place on Fridays through September 27, 2-6 p.m., with NO market on July 5. For more information or questions, please call (248) 524-1147 or email Cindy.Stewart@troymi.gov.
When: Fridays, June 21-September 27, 2-6 p.m.
Where: 510 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy
Resources
The I-75 Modernization Project within Oakland County, from M-102 to South Boulevard, is a large project managed by an independent MDOT I-75 Team. Details can be found here. Segment 1 is complete, while Segment 2 is in progress.
For Segment 2 (North of 13 Mile Road to North of Coolidge Highway) questions or comments, please call (313) 518-1078 or send an email to MDOT-I75-MegaProject@michigan.gov and include your contact information.
For Segment 3 (M-102 to North of 13 Mile Road) questions or comments, please call (586) 486-3626 or send email to info@ocp-i75.com and include your contact information.
I-75 Modernization Project Public Meeting
When: Monday, June 17, 5:30-7 p.m.
Where: UFCW Local 876
876 Horace Brown Drive in Madison Heights
Please email the I-75 Modernization Project Team with questions at NoiseWall@modernize75.com.