Dear Neighbor,
On Wednesday, January 27, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave her third State of the State Address. She reflected on the past year and announced a series of bold actions to get things done for Michiganders everywhere. In her speech, the governor also announced the Michigan Back to Work initiative; her plan to help us grow our economy and get the people of our state back on their feet as we continue to face the challenges posed by COVID-19.
In addition, the governor and her administration will be announcing initiatives and projects, big and small, throughout the next year that range from tech, mobility, and manufacturing growth to clean energy and road construction. These bold actions will be just what our state needs to protect, grow, and create more good-paying jobs.
Below, you will find other important highlights from Gov. Whitmer’s address, a reminder for my virtual coffee hour, and more important updates. I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome our office’s interns: Jana Rida, Zoe Kimlick and Sasha LaPonsa. Jana and Zoe are both students at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and Sasha joins us from Wayne State University. I look forward to working with this great group!
Please reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-1783 or email at PadmaKuppa@house.mi.gov for questions about this or any other state-level issue.
In Service,
Padma Kuppa
State Representative
House District 41
Virtual Coffee Hour: TONIGHT!
Tonight — Friday, January 29 — I’ll be hosting another of my bi-weekly Coffee & Chat virtual events through Facebook Live, with Special Guest, Oakland County Commissioner Penny Luebs!
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 my 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 tonight!
When: Friday, January 29, beginning at 6:00pm
How: Visit my Facebook page (@mireppadmakuppa)
Upcoming
When: Friday, February 12, beginning at 6:00pm
How: Visit my Facebook page (@mireppadmakuppa)
When: Friday, February 26, beginning at 6:00pm
How: Visit my Facebook page (@mireppadmakuppa)
Highlights from the State of the State Address
In addition to the highlights from Gov. Whitmer’s State of the State Address below, you can also visit Michigan.gov/MISOTS21 to view the full address, quotes from the speech, fact sheets on each of her policy proposals and information on her special guests.
Bipartisan Accomplishments
Gov. Whitmer highlighted a number of bipartisan actions she took with the Legislature last year, including signing two bipartisan budgets, creating the bipartisan MI Reconnect Program, and passing and signing historic Clean Slate legislation to ensure Michigan’s criminal justice system truly lives up to the promise of justice for all.
MI COVID Recovery Plan
In recent weeks, Gov. Whitmer has announced her MI COVID Recovery Plan, focused on distributing vaccines, getting our students back on track, supporting small businesses, and jumpstarting our economy. In her State of the State address, she called on the Legislature to work alongside her to get this important plan passed, including the necessary permanent extension of unemployment benefits from 20 weeks to 26 weeks.
To read more on the Recovery Plan, click here.
Funding for Local Roads
The governor called on the Legislature to work with her to provide local communities more options to fix local roads and bridges, which has received bipartisan support. This will build on the Rebuilding Michigan Bonding Plan, which Gov. Whitmer announced last year to create and sustain thousands of jobs and start fixing our roads without an increase at the gas pump. In the time since, hardworking construction workers have completed the I-496 Rebuilding Michigan project in November, with hundreds of additional projects on the horizon that include heavily traveled sections of I-96 in Oakland County, I-69 in Calhoun County and I-94 in Berrien County.
To read more on this, click here.
MI Classroom Heroes
The MI Classroom Heroes grants will provide up to $500 to each teacher and support staff member, to be administered beginning in February. These grants will help offset some expenses amid the extraordinary efforts Michigan’s educators have demonstrated throughout the pandemic. To read more on these grants, click here.
Good Jobs for Michigan
Previously touched on in Gov. Whitmer’s MI COVID Recovery Plan, she also highlighted the need for the Legislature to pass Good Jobs for Michigan legislation to retain and grow our businesses and create jobs across our state. Pfizer was the first business to utilize Good Jobs for Michigan, doing so to build their sterile drug manufacturing plant and create 450 good-paying jobs in Portage. Passing this legislation will be good for our families, our businesses and our economy, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to accomplish this. Click here for more information.
MI Clean Water
Gov. Whitmer called for the Legislature to pass the MI Clean Water plan, a $500 million comprehensive investment in our state’s water infrastructure announced last year. MI Clean Water will direct dollars to our local communities for safe, clean water to residents while expanding green infrastructure. This plan would support more than 7,500 Michigan jobs. To read more, click here.
Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs
Last year, Gov. Whitmer created the bipartisan Prescription Drug Task Force, of which I had the honor of being a member. We recently released our findings in a comprehensive report on how to lower prescription drug costs and create more transparency in how drugs are priced. The bipartisan, bicameral legislative recommendations we developed would require transparency, hold those accountable who are profiting from skyrocketing prices, and make necessary medications affordable for all Michigan families. Click here to read the Task Force’s full report, and click here for more information on the proposed legislation.
Fixing the Road Ahead
Gov. Whitmer also announced the “Fixing the Road Ahead” tour to engage with and learn from Michiganders across our state, encouraging Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike to join together and make their voices heard. Through this tour, she will engage with people from all parts of our state to focus on what unites us, improve how we talk to each other, and fix the road ahead.
Throughout her first two years in office, Gov. Whitmer has worked around the clock to protect public health, save lives, and get things done for the people of Michigan. She’s demonstrated her dedication to putting an end to the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all, growing our economy, and getting our families and businesses back on their feet.
2021-2022 Committee Assignments
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Last week, my colleagues and I received our House committee assignments for the 2021-2022 term. During the 101st Legislature, I’m proud to share that I’ll be serving as a member on the House Committees on Local Government and Municipal Finance, Rules and Competitiveness (formerly Ways and Means), and Tax Policy. I look forward to working with my fellow legislators from both sides of the aisle to address the most important issues our communities and state are facing in the new term.
Getting Outside in the New Year
With another Michigan winter in full swing, it’s important to take some time to safely get outside and enjoy the beauty our community and state have to offer—even if we have to bundle up to enjoy it! Right here in the 41st District, while still observing social distancing guidelines, a trip to Stage Nature Center is a great option to get outside. Be sure to visit their website for upcoming events and program information.