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Dear Neighbors, It is an honor to continue to serve as your representative, and I thank you for the opportunity to share highlights of Lansing and District 28 happenings. I am eager to continue to work to enact policies that deliver the necessary support for our public schools, provide a world-class education to every child, rebuild our economy and continue COVID-19 community support. Included in this e-news are constituent state resources and highlights for the month of July. If you find you need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me and my staff. You can visit my website at stone.housedems.com for more resources, events and recent efforts in Lansing. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-1772 or email at LoriStone@house.mi.gov for questions about this or any other state-level issue. Sincerely, Lori Stone State Representative, 28th House District In this issue:
Upcoming Community Conversation Summer Picnics As your state legislator, I cherish your input and ideas on how to make our community and state better. That’s why I am looking forward to my community conversations coming up to be able to meet with residents and discuss current happenings. Feel free to share this information with anyone in the 28th District of Center Line or Warren that may be interested in attending.
You can also find more information and a link to join on my Facebook Page.
Recent House Legislation Recently, I introduced House Bill 5092, previously House Bill 4434 (H-1) as that bill was reported from the House Workforce, Talent and Trades committee, that would amend the Michigan Employment Security Act to require that the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) use plain language in all correspondence and documents related to the benefits of individuals. Plain language is language that is clear and concise and avoids complex vocabulary and contradictory statements to constituents across the state. My colleagues in the House and I introduced a comprehensive solution to the critical shortage of teachers with the Respecting Educators package. This package will ensure that we can attract and retain the best possible educators for our kids and improve student outcomes in the process. We are introducing three bills within the 15-bill package which are highlighted below: House Bills 5104 and 5105: Removing student growth component from teacher evaluations: Modifies teacher evaluations to a two-tiered, non-punitive system, not based on student growth. House Bill 5112: Classroom management training for teachers: Requires teacher preparation programs to include a course on classroom management. Flooding Resources In response to the recent flooding affecting those that live in the 28th District, below are hyperlinked resources from the Department of Insurance and Financial Services’ (DIFS) website that you may find helpful when working with insurance companies to file a claim and repair damages. Additional information regarding disaster preparedness, as well as how to file a complaint against an insurance company with DIFS, is available on the DIFS website at www.michigan.gov/difs under the “Consumer” link. Resources related to the recent flood can also be found on the DIFS website under “Disaster Preparedness.” Please feel free to contact the Office of Consumer Services toll-free at (877) 999-6442 with any questions. Flood Resources:
Center Line Public Library Awarded a Grant Congratulations to the Center Line Public Library. The Center Line Public Library has been approved for a Library of Michigan Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) Public Library Services grant in the amount of $2,060 for summer 2021. Library staff will use the funds to improve summer learning opportunities in literacy and technology for children and teens. The Paslin Company Awarded a Contract Congratulations to The Paslin Company, an auto supplier in Warren, for being awarded a contract by Rivian to supply robotic assembly lines to the electric vehicle manufacturer. This contract will create 200 jobs and generate $45 million in economic investment in Michigan. This is one of the top 10 job creation and investment projects initiated in 2020 for consideration in the 8-12 million population category, submitted by Michigan Economic Development Corporation for consideration of economic development. As a result, Michigan has been awarded an Area Development 2021 Manufacturing Gold Shovel Award. Area Development’s Gold Shovel Awards are presented annually to states that have achieved significant success in terms of job creation and economic impact. City of Center Line Grant Awarded The city of Center Line received a grant that will reduce sediment, nutrients and other contaminants to help restore impaired water bodies and protect high-quality water bodies. $160,590 will be utilized to retrofit a parking lot within the city of Center Line’s Downtown Development Area using low-impact development techniques. Four bioretention cells will be installed to mitigate stormwater runoff in the highly urbanized Bear Creek subwatershed. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced 11 grants totaling over $4.7 million for watershed management projects that will benefit wetlands, lakes and streams. Blood Donation Shortage The American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the coronavirus outbreak. I would like to encourage constituents in the 28th District to donate blood, if able. Help Stop Utility Fraud The Michigan Public Service Commission is urging Michiganders to be cautious about giving out personal information or information about their utility account. “Neither the State of Michigan nor energy utilities such as Consumers Energy or DTE Energy Co. make unsolicited phone calls or come to your door asking to see your utility bill or for your utility account number,” said MPSC Chair Dan Scripps. “Utility customers should call the MPSC’s Customer Assistance Division at 1-800-292-9555 if they receive high-pressure calls asking for personal utility account information, which can be used to switch utility service without permission.” In-Person Unemployment Appointments Now Available The Unemployment Insurance Agency is offering in-person unemployment insurance services by appointment at 12 local unemployment offices. You must schedule an appointment online to be seen by a UIA representative. Walk-in appointments will not be accepted. To schedule an in-person appointment, visit Michigan.gov/uia and click on Schedule an Appointment. The nearest local UIA office locations to be open for appointment only: Sterling Heights, 43015 Hayes Road. |
