Dear Neighbor,

We’ve been having some great weather and I hope you are able to get outside to enjoy it.

The House of Representatives has seen a busy last two weeks working on government ethics and transparency reforms, and on our state budget. The ethics reforms are real, meaningful, steps that will help restore faith in our government.

Also, don’t forget that on Thursday, May 6th at 7pm, I have my virtual town hall on Zoom and Facebook Live.

To reach out, please email me at DonnaLasinski@house.mi.gov.

Sincerely,

Donna Lasinski

State Representative, 52nd House District

COVID-19 Michigan Statistics

Please continue to wear a mask, wash your hands and stay safe. You can see our state’s COVID-19 statistics and data here. You can view our state’s COVID-19 vaccine data here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Data as of 4-26-2021:

State Total Residents Vaccinated: 4,044,710, 50%

State Total Vaccines Administered: 6,914,699

Washtenaw Total Residents Vaccinated: 185,098, 60.1%

Washtenaw County Total Vaccines Administered: 311,701

COVID-19 Data as of 4-26-2021:

State Total Confirmed Cases: 849,420

State Total Confirmed Deaths: 17,771

Washtenaw County Total Confirmed Cases: 23,271

Washtenaw County Confirmed Total Deaths: 270

COVID-19 Testing

One of the ways that we can make sure we contain COVID-19 is by remaining vigilant and making sure that we get tested if we go indoors with groups of other people, especially as cases have begun to rapidly increase in recent weeks.

You can find a testing site here.

Legislative Updates

Information is changing rapidly. We are working hard to share updates and information as quickly as possible on social media.  Please take a moment to like and follow me on Facebook, as this is where information will first be shared.

Thursday, May 6th at 7pm – Virtual Town Hall

Join me for an update on our state legislature and our state’s response to COVID-19, and to ask questions about anything happening in our state.

You can join on Zoom using this link: https://zoom.us/j/91544628540 or join on Facebook by visiting my page at https://www.facebook.com/replasinski

MI Vacc to Normal

The “MI Vacc to Normal” plan is a pathway to returning our state to normal as we continue to push toward our goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders ages 16 years or older.

To accomplish this, all future epidemic orders issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will be based on four vaccination milestones that will take us one step closer to normalcy.

  • Step One: two weeks after 4.5 million Michiganders, or 55% of those eligible, have received their first shot, MDHHS will lift the requirement for employers to require remote work when feasible.
  • Step Two: two weeks after 4.9 million Michiganders, or 60% of those eligible, have received their first shot MDHHS will:
    • Increase indoor capacity at sports stadiums, conference centers, banquet halls, and funeral homes to 25%.
    • Increase capacity limits at gyms to 50%.
    • And lift the curfew on bars and restaurants.
  • Step Three: two weeks after 5.3 million Michiganders, or 65% of those eligible, have received their first shot MDHHS will:
    • Lift all indoor capacity limits, only requiring social distancing between parties.
    • And relax the limits on residential social gatherings.
  • Step Four: two weeks after 5.67 million Michiganders, or 70% of those eligible, have received their first shot MDHHS will:
    • Lift the gatherings and face masks order and no longer impose mitigation measures of that kind unless the virus threatens to overwhelm the medical system or some other unanticipated circumstance arises.

Ethics and Transparency Reform

I was proud to announce a set of bipartisan ethics reforms that will provide meaningful steps to restore citizens’ faith in our government by increasing transparency and demanding high ethical standards from public servants.

These reforms will:

  • Increase penalties for unethical conduct by lawmakers, including taking away salary and expenses for inappropriate acts or excessive absences. The punishments would require the approval of a supermajority of lawmakers.
  • Expand monetary penalties for violations of the law against gifts from lobbyists.
  • Ban lawmakers and department leaders from becoming lobbyists for at least two years after they leave their public jobs.
  • Require a supermajority vote, instead of just a majority, to ensure an approved bill takes effect immediately.
  • Create standing House and Senate ethics committees. Each committee would have the same number of Republican and Democratic lawmakers, sharing power over the committee.
  • Require lobbyists to file disclosures showing how much money was spent wining and dining all policy-making staff in the Legislature and the governor’s office. Right now, the law requires disclosures only for lawmakers or state officials, not staff.
  • Ban sitting lawmakers from taking lobbying jobs in a separate state.
  • Ban lobbyists from being appointed to state boards and commissions.

I Want to Hear from You

During this challenging time, I want to hear from you. What do you need? How can we help you? Please, reach out to me at DonnaLasinski@house.mi.gov.

Resources

Manchester Vaccination Clinic

Thursday, May 6th there will be a pop-up vaccination clinic at Emanuel United Church of Christ (324 W. Main Street in Manchester) from 3pm – 7pm. This clinic is open to anyone 16 years or older. They will be administering the Pfizer vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available at request while their supply lasts.

Sign up here or call 734-544-6700

Saline Vaccination Clinic

Friday, May 7th, there will be a pop-up vaccination clinic at Saline High School (1300 Campus Pkwy in Saline )from 2pm – 6pm. This clinic is open to anyone 16 years or older. They will be administering the Pfizer vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available at request while their supply lasts.

Sign Up here or call 734-544-6700

Chelsea Vaccination Clinic

Tuesday, May 11th, there will be a pop-up vaccination clinic at Pierce Lake Elementary in Chelsea (275 N. Freer in Chelsea) from 3pm – 6pm. This clinic is open to anyone 16 years or older. They will be administering the Pfizer vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available at request while their supply lasts.

Sign Up here or call 734-544-6700

Chelsea Vaccination Clinic

Each Tuesday from 9:30am – 3pm, there is a vaccination clinic at Pierce Lake Elementary School (275 N. Freer, Chelsea). Appointments are preferred, but they are allowing a limited number of walk-up vaccinations each day of operation. They are administering the Moderna vaccine.

Sign Up here or call 734-544-6700

Where to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine in Washtenaw County

The Washtenaw County Health Department’s website has a list of the places in Washtenaw County you can sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This list gives the location and any links needed to schedule your vaccine appointment.

Find the list here.

Criminal Record Expungement

You can have certain criminal offences expunged from your record, meaning that when you apply for a job, housing, financial aid or a professional license, you won’t have to list those criminal offenses. It also means that if employers, landlords or educational / professional institutions search your criminal history, they will not be able to see those criminal offenses.

You can apply for expungement assistance here.

The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office has an FAQ on expungements you can read here.

If you have questions about expungement, contact the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office Conviction Integrity & Expungement Unit (CIEU) at CIEU@washtenaw.org

Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) Rides

The Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) is offering free rides to the COVID vaccine site at Pierce Lake Elementary School. This service is available to anyone who has a vaccination appointment and lives in Dexter, Chelsea and the surrounding Washtenaw

County areas.

The shuttle service operates on Tuesdays from 8am-4:15pm. To schedule your ride: call 734-475-9494 or visit here.

Michigan Reconnect Scholarship Program

Michiganders over 25 who have not completed a college degree can now attend in-district community college for free! Check out the Michigan Reconnect Scholarship Program to see qualifications and how to apply.

To learn more, visit here.

Earned Income Tax Credit

It’s estimated that each year thousands of Michiganders who are eligible for both the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits do not claim them. If a federal EITC is granted, the state of Michigan will provide a 6% supplemental EITC when the taxpayer files his or her state income tax return.

To learn how to claim this credit check here.

Home and Heating Credit

Anyone struggling with their energy bills can apply for the Home and Heating Credit through the MI Dept. of Treasury. All applications must be received before Sept. 30,2021.

To learn more and claim this credit check here.

Rental Assistance

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) will administer the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) Program through its network of local nonprofit agencies starting March 15, 2021. CERA can provide rental and utility assistance for eligible renter households so that they retain their housing stability.

You can find more information and apply for the program here.

Healthcare Coverage

If you have lost your employer-provided health care due to layoffs, reduced hours, or a change in income during the COVID-19 crisis, please remember that you have up to 60 days to enroll in new coverage.

If you have questions, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services can help. Contact DIFS toll free at 877-999-6442 if you need assistance.

Find if you are eligible for the special enrollment period here.

Apply for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace here.

Employee Rights

Governor Whitmer acted to protect workers from retaliation by their employers, if they stay home because one of their close contacts has tested positive for COVID-19: Click here for post and further information.

The Attorney General’s office has created a website to help you “know your rights” as an employee if you are still required to work during this time. Click here

COVID-19/Coronavirus Resources

You can receive continual updates from the MI Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) by clicking here.