Hello, Friends and Neighbors!
Here’s a look at what I’ve been doing at the Capitol and in the district.
Capitol Update
Last Wednesday, I attended Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s second State of the State address. In her speech, the governor recognized that we can’t afford to wait when it comes to our healthcare, our roads and our children’s education. She announced that she would pursue bond funding for state trunk lines (interstates and roads with an “M” designation). And the next day, $3.5 billion in bonds were approved. You can see which projects are included here.
With the passage of Proposal 3 in 2018, any voter can vote from home using an absentee ballot. Unlike in the past, voters don’t have to explain why they won’t vote at their polling place; now, they just have to contact their local city or township clerk to request an absentee ballot.
Because of expanded absentee voting, elections officials expect up to a 20 percent increase in voter participation. It is great to have more people take part in our democracy, but this increase will create significantly more work for clerks. To help clerks handle the increase in ballots, I introduced two bills as part of a larger package. One bill allows a municipality to have election inspectors work in shifts. My other bill allocates funds to pay for additional election workers. Other provisions in the package allow municipalities to buy additional equipment and to begin processing ballots earlier. And finally, the last bill in the package would make Election Day a state holiday.
District Update
Thank you to everyone who came to our coffee hour last Monday at the South Lansing Library! If you couldn’t make it to this event, I hope you will join me at my next Coffee and Conversation event on Monday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the Sam Corey Senior Center, 2108 Cedar Street, in Holt.
Last Thursday I presented a tribute to Judge Laura Baird at her retirement celebration. Judge Baird has been serving her community since 1992 when she was elected to the Ingham County Commission. Since then, she has served in the state legislature and as an Ingham County Circuit Court judge since 2000. Her dedication and passion for service is an inspiration, and I wish her a long and happy retirement.
We are still taking submissions for our 67th House District Awards!
If you know of a young person in the district who deserves to be recognized for going the extra mile to make our community a better place, please nominate them using the form here.
If you own or know of a business in the 67th House District that deserves to be recognized for making our community a better place, please nominate them for recognition here.
Sincerely, Kara (517) 373-0587 Facebook: @RepHope Twitter: @KaraHope67
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