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Dear Neighbor, Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! Included in this edition are some important legislative and COVID-19 updates, along with a few resources I hope will prove helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-1788 or email at KyraBolden@house.mi.gov for questions about this or any other state-level issue.
In service, Kyra Bolden State Representative, 35th House District
Upcoming Events Save the Date! Please save the date. On Jan. 24, 2022, from 5-6 p.m., my office will be hosting a Financial Literacy Town Hall. Keep an eye out for further information!
Legislative Updates Allowing Survivors to Remain Anonymous My bill, House Bill 4856, passed 96-6 in the House on Nov. 4. This bill will protect the identity of parties proceeding anonymously in civil actions alleging sexual misconduct from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on this bill to protect survivors.
The Importance of Accurately Telling Our Country’s History On Wednesday, Nov. 4, I spoke on the House floor about HB 5097. Click this link to view my speech.
Probate Financial Thresholds Adjustments I testified before the House Committee on Judiciary, along with state Rep. Graham Filler and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan, on a bipartisan set of bills, including my bills, HB 4900 and 4901. These bills would adjust various financial thresholds to address the effect of inflation on a variety of probate matters. In many cases, these adjustments will make it easier for the public to complete asset transfers without involving the court system.
Ceremonial Bill Signing With Gov. Whitmer Earlier this month, Gov. Whitmer hosted my office for a ceremonial bill signing of HB 5058 of 2019! HB 5058 was a bipartisan bill that passed both chambers unanimously. This bill, now signed into law, requires that notices sent to victims of juvenile offenses be sent to a designated address if requested by the victim.
Incentivizing Economic Growth in Downtown I am pleased to report that my bill, HB 5062, was unanimously passed through the House Committee on Regulatory Reform! This bill would make some minor changes to the Michigan Liquor Control Code to clarify the definition of “redevelopment” and incentivize economic growth in our downtown development districts.
COVID-19 Updates & Resources
COVID-19 Vaccine and Other Prevention Measures Best Way to Fight Recent Surge in Community Transmission Following a recent increase in community transmission of COVID-19, the Oakland County Health Division is urging residents to continue to get vaccinated along with other prevention measures such as masking indoors or in large crowds outdoors, social distancing, practicing good hand hygiene and staying home when ill.
Oakland County’s seven-day positivity rate for COVID-19 tests has jumped to 15.38%. There were over 11,800 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 from Nov. 29 to Dec. 12. Around 20% of the new cases were residents 18-years-old and younger. More than 34% of the new cases were among 19-39 year-olds.
Oakland County Health Division’s epidemiologists reviewed some of the cases and determined that the increase in community transmission is general and broad and not attributable to a particular location or activity.
The Health Division continues to offer pediatric, first, second, third and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments remain available and strongly encouraged at OaklandCountyVaccine.com or by contacting the Nurse on Call at (800) 848-5533.
Oakland County Launches Advantage: Apprenticeships Funding Program to Help Local Employers Attract Talent Oakland County Michigan Works! is launching a program to encourage companies in a variety of industries to pursue registered apprenticeships by providing them with funding to help offset apprentice tuition, on-the-job wages and other related costs.
Apprenticeships, funded by a $625,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, are being introduced as part of Oakland County’s celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 15-21. Oakland County Michigan Works! held a virtual workshop for employers on Tuesday, Nov. 16, to share details on the funding program, benefits of apprenticeship programs and how to build them, and the advantages of hiring U.S. military veterans as apprentices.
Michigan Surpasses 70% Vaccinated Milestone for Ages 16 and Older The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced on Nov. 15 that Michigan has reached the state’s 70% goal of eligible residents age 16 and over receiving at least one dose of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. To date, nearly 5.7 million Michiganders have received at least one dose since they became available less than a year ago.
Children Ages 5 to 11 Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), doctors and state public health leaders are urging Michigan parents to get their children ages 5 to 11 vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 pediatric vaccine. The vaccine has received emergency use authorization for this age group from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Nov. 2.
COVID-19 Vaccine Help If you know someone who doesn’t have access to the internet and they’re eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine or need help with vaccine translation services, call 2-1-1 and press ‘5’ for free, confidential assistance.
Places that offer the vaccine in the Southfield area: CVS Pharmacy, Beaumont Health, Kroger Pharmacy, Meijer Pharmacy, Walgreens
Other News
ONE ON ONE Interview With Chris Campbell I had the opportunity to speak with Chris Campbell from the City of Southfield’s Multimedia Services on Channel 15. Click this link to watch the interview.
Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist’s Thriving Cities Tour I joined Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, state Sen. Jeremy Moss and Mayor Ken Siver in welcoming Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II to City Hall on Nov. 15 during his Thriving Cities tour to give an update on infrastructure, housing, job opportunities and environmental justice. I am very grateful to have such strong relationships with our local, state and federal representatives!
MDHHS: “First Influenza A Outbreak in State Serves as Reminder to Get Flu Vaccine” The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is asking Michiganders to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, wear masks in indoor settings, social distance when possible and stay home when they are ill to prevent additional outbreaks of the flu and COVID-19.
House Democrats, Gov. Whitmer Deliver Historic Investments in Child Care On Nov. 8, Gov. Whitmer announced the launch of the Child Care Stabilization Grant, which will distribute $350 million in grants to give every full-time child care professional a $1,000 bonus and keep child care programs open and serving kids.
I was proud to vote YES on the historic, bipartisan budget that made a $1.5 billion investment to expand child care access and opportunities for Michigan families. We know that for our economy to continue to rebound, Michigan families need reliable access to quality and affordable child care.
The Child Care Stabilization Grant application is now open. Licensed child care providers are eligible to apply and should visit www.Michigan.gov/childcare to review frequently asked questions and apply. Child care professionals will be awarded bonuses directly from their employer and do not need to apply. This is a non-competitive grant. Every eligible child care provider that submits a complete application will receive a grant award.
House Democrats will continue to partner with Gov. Whitmer to ensure quality care for our kids, better wages for frontline heroes, like our dedicated child care providers, and the stability all Michigan families deserve.
New Filers for UIA Must Now Register with Michigan Works! to Receive Benefits The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced that beginning Nov. 7, unemployed workers filing a new claim for benefits will be required to register for work with Michigan Works! staff and verify their registration with either an in-person or virtual appointment. More information about this announcement can be found on the LEO website.
Visit the UIA website at www.Michigan.gov/UIA for more information about Work Registration. For a list of local Michigan Works! Service Centers, visit www.MichiganWorks.org.
Special Benefits for Military Members and Veterans Provided by the MI Department of Treasury Current and former military members may be eligible to receive these benefits through the Michigan Department of Treasury:
State Resources Available to Help Jobless Find Work There are numerous free resources and programs available to support individuals in taking their next steps. Whether they want to conduct a job search, explore new career pathways, or discover educational or training programs, there are many opportunities they can pursue.
UIA Virtual Appointments Offer More Accessibility for Michiganders Closed caption option available for deaf and hard of hearing customers The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has added a virtual appointment option for customers needing assistance with their claims, including a dedicated link for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing utilizing voice-to-text closed captioning.
In addition to phone and in-person appointments, customers can now also schedule virtual appointments. Virtual appointments provide personal contact with a customer service agent with the convenience of a remote connection. The 20-minute virtual appointments can be scheduled online up to one week in advance at Michigan.gov/uia. Click on “Schedule an Appointment.” The UIA expects to schedule up to 340 virtual appointments per day.
“We’re excited to expand the ways that customers can get one-on-one service if they need assistance with their claim,” said Liza Estlund Olson, former acting director of the Unemployment Insurance Agency. “Offering virtual appointments also helps us to be more responsive to our customers who are Deaf or hard of hearing.”
“The UIA’s efforts to implement a virtual meeting platform option and enhance service accessibility to the public, particularly at this time, are excellent,” said the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training Director Stephanie Beckhorn. “The platform’s real-time captioning and chat features may provide those with disabilities, such as deafness or hearing loss, a readily available accommodation so they can engage UIA and receive their services.”
Once the virtual appointment is scheduled, customers will receive an email with a link to join the appointment via Google Meet at the appointed day and time. Customers will need to have a Gmail account to join from a mobile device. They do not need to have a Gmail account to join from a computer.
Hours of operation for virtual appointments are:
In addition to scheduling a virtual appointment, Customers may contact UIA by:
Customers in need of other special accommodations to participate in a virtual meeting should request the accommodation when initially scheduling their appointment.
So far, the Agency has held more than 12,000 virtual appointments, including 212 which utilized the closed captioning feature.
This video explains how to set up an appointment for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing. For hours of operation and office locations, visit the UIA website at michigan.gov/uia.
Important Dates Universal Human Rights Month December is Universal Human Rights Month. On Dec. 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations outlined the basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which we’re entitled. This month is a reminder for our state and our country to reflect on the way we treat others and what we can do in the fight for equality and justice for all.
National Month of Giving December is also National Month of Giving. As the holidays approach and we prepare to give presents to our loved ones, we must also remember those who are less fortunate than us and those who are in need. This December, let us help our neighbors and our community through acts of service and kindness. Americans of all walks of life are volunteering their time and giving their resources to improve the quality of living of others. I will continue doing my part in the Legislature by doing what I can to make our state a better place. |
