Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It continues to be a privilege to represent Livonia, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in Lansing. I encourage you to stay up to date on what’s going on in Lansing and continue to let me know about the issues that matter to you.

If there is anything I can do to help you and your family, please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-3920 or email me at LauriePohutsky@house.mi.gov. You can also catch me on Facebook.

Legislative Update

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Closing the Revolving Door in Lansing

I am proud to announce that HB 4687, my bill to prevent legislators from leveraging their service to secure more lucrative lobbyist positions, has passed through the House. Members of the House are elected to serve the public, not their own personal or professional interests. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get this bill signed into law.

Session

For an in-depth look at what my colleagues and I have been voting on in Session these past couple of weeks, click here.

Community Update
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Legislative Check-Ins

It is crucial to have the voices of our community heard in Lansing. As the weather starts to warm up, my staff and I have hit the ground running on our door-to-door legislative check-ins.

So far, I have had great conversations about the importance of investing in education, repairing our economy and expanding access to quality, affordable health care.

My team and I will be out in the district throughout the summer, and we look forward to meeting you!
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Coffee Hours

I hope you can join me for one of my upcoming in-person and virtual coffee hours! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about the issues families face in our community.

The in-person coffee hour will be held at Coffee + Cream here in Livonia, and for virtual coffee hours, you can join the live stream on my Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/RepPohutsky

Virtual: Monday, June 21, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

In-person: Monday, July 5, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Constituent Resources

Secretary of State Service Update

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced her offices are adding appointments to serve 350,000 more Michiganders, greeters at office doors to assist in scheduling visits and priority service for residents needing a disability placard.

The three changes Secretary Benson announced were:

  • By shaving minutes off transaction times to maximize efficiency, the department is increasing appointments by 25% between now and the end of the fiscal year. It released half of the more than 350,000 new appointments on June 9, and the remaining half will be split up and released every weekday at 8 a.m. and noon between now and Sept. 30 as next-day appointments. Appointments can be booked online at gov/SOSor, for people with internet limitations, by calling (888)SOS-MICH.
  • Additionally, residents will be able to book appointments in person thanks to a pilot program that will place greeters at the doors of many of the department’s busiest offices this month. When visitors arrive without an appointment, greeters will tell them if any staff can serve them or assist them in scheduling a return visit. The same service will be available at offices without dedicated greeters when counter staff can approach the door between appointments.
  • Residents needing disability placards can now be served as soon as possible after arrival at any office. While these residents are still encouraged to schedule their visits, appointments are no longer required to receive a disability placard.

UIA Work Search Waivers

A waiver of the work search requirement may be granted due to certain COVID-19 related reasons. Claimants can apply for a waiver online by logging into their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) or by calling the UIA Customer Service line at (866) 500-0017. You must apply and be approved for the waiver before you certify for benefits for the biweekly certification period. You will be notified at the time of the request whether a waiver of the requirement is granted.

How to Apply Online for a COVID-19 Work Search Waiver

  • Log in to your MiWAM account
  • Under the Claimant Services tab, click on “Request a COVID-19 Work Search Waiver.”
  • Answer the questions and click submit.

A confirmation page will let you know if your waiver is approved or denied. If approved, the confirmation page will provide the dates of the approved waiver. A waiver may be from two weeks up to Sept. 4, 2021.

You May be Eligible for a COVID-19 Waiver if:

  • The individual has a current COVID-19 diagnosis within the last 14 days.
  • A member of the ” ’individual’s household has a current diagnosis of COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
  • The individual is providing care for a family member or a member of the ” ’individual’s household who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
  • The individual was previously diagnosed with COVID-19, and COVID-19 caused health complications that render the individual objectively unable to perform their job with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • The individual is under self-isolation or self-quarantine in response to an elevated risk from COVID-19.
    • Elevated risk includes but is not limited to those who are immuno-compromised, older adults (age 65 and older), pregnant individuals, individuals with a specific disease or chronic condition such as cancer, heart disease, or lung disease, and those with specific medications or treatments like steroids, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, dialysis, stem cell, bone marrow, or organ transplant.
  • A child or other person in the household for which the individual has primary caregiving responsibility can’t attend school, or another facility that is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency and such school or facility care is required for the individual to work.
    • The individual is only exempted from the work search requirement if the school or facility care is not available 100% in person. For example, if the school provides an option between 100% in person or 100% online instruction, the individual is not eligible for the work search waiver. If the school is available through a hybrid of online and in-person instruction, the individual is eligible for the work search waiver because the school is not available 100% in person.
  • The individual is unable to work because the individual has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19.
  • If you are receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and you are self-employed, you are not required to apply for a waiver. A waiver will automatically be granted.

Claimants – Work Search Waiver Reminders

  • Waiver request needs to be made before certifying
  • Waiver approval will indicate the time frame of the waiver (start date and end date)
  • Best way to apply for a waiver is via MiWAM

Click here for more information on Work Search Waivers.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns. Myself and my staff are here to help.

Sincerely,

Laurie Pohutsky

State Representative

19th House District