Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to my e-newsletter! I’m honored and humbled to serve as our community’s voice at the Capitol. The year 2020 was unlike any other. As we move forward into 2021 and this legislative term, rest assured addressing the challenges families in our community and state are facing is my top priority.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-0152 or email at AmosONeal@house.mi.gov if we can help.

Sincerely,

Amos O’Neal
State Representative
95th House District

In this issue:

  • Upcoming Community Conversation on Mental Health– with special guests
  • Legislative Update
    • FOIA Expansion Package and Resolution
    • Prescription Drug Package

Upcoming Community Conversation

Join our community conversation on Thursday, April 15, starting at 6 p.m. on Facebook Live! I will give a brief legislative update and then we will have a conversation around the importance of mental health and how it truly affects every part of our daily lives. We will have a presentation from MSU Extension’s Kai Gritter and Saginaw County Community Mental Health’s Sandra Lindsey. We will also save some time for Q&A, so come with questions for our guests. You can join us on Facebook Live by clicking here or searching @StateRepAmosONeal.

I hope to see you there!

Legislative Update

FOIA Expansion: A ten bill package to create more transparency and accountability in state government passed the House last week. These bills would subject the governor’s office and legislature to the Freedom of Information Act l. This will provide the necessary public oversight that we have been lacking for many years.  We are one of the only states that does not provide open records for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and legislature. Better government transparency is something my Democratic colleagues and I have been trying to achieve for years. . These bills are a great first step. We will keep fighting until  Michigan becomes a leader in transparency.

Prescription Drug Package: Last week, I voted in favor of a 14-bill package that would lower the cost of prescription drugs for Michiganders. The legislation creates more transparency in the price-setting process for prescription medication, eliminates conflicts of interest in the pharmaceutical industry and caps the copay for insulin. Last year, Gov. Whitmer created the Prescription Drug Task Force, which recently released its findings in a comprehensive report. Many of the bills in the package passed today were based on the recommendations in that report. Quality healthcare is important now more than ever, and no Michigander should be in a situation where they have to choose between buying their groceries or their necessary medications. I am proud that we are moving in the right direction and were able to get these necessary changes made.