Hey there, Neighbor.

Have you unburied yourself from the snowstorm yet? I hope you were able to stay warm and safe last week during our winter weather. While the snow kept us from getting to Lansing on Wednesday and Thursday, luckily, we were able to pass some bills on Tuesday before the storm arrived. I would like to take a moment of your time to update you on those pieces of legislation.

Tuesday, Feb. 1

Providing Information to High School Students on Post-Grad Opportunities 

Last Tuesday, we passed House Bill 4953 to require that the state develop and distribute to students a packet of information about post-secondary school career and educational options. As our high school students prepare for graduation and decide what’s next for them, it’s important they have all the information necessary to make that decision. Students should have access to materials about colleges, trades, the military and more so that they can make an informed choice about their futures.

I’m proud to support a bill that provides students with the resources they need to succeed in their post-graduate endeavors.

Ensuring Federal Funding for Licensure Examinations

Next, we passed a small package of bills, House Bills 5433–5435. These bills work together, amending several acts to require the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to work with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to ensure funding for licensing, registration and exam fees for veterans. The bill is intended to assist Michigan’s veterans with finding employment in the health care industry and various trades by ensuring examination fees are paid.

These bills are important for supporting our veterans and showing our gratitude for their service by ensuring that they have a path to a career when they return home.

Allowing Charitable Donations of Unclaimed Shoes

Finally, we passed a straightforward bill, House Bill 4994, that would create a new act to allow shoe repair shops (or cobblers) to donate unclaimed shoes to charity. Just as other businesses are allowed to donate unclaimed items after a certain amount of time, so too should cobblers. Not only does this bill help cobblers declutter their shops, it allows them to help their communities by donating quality shoes to those in need.

More information on these bills or others can be found at www.michiganlegislature.gov or at www.michiganvotes.org.