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Dear Neighbors, I take tremendous pride in serving our community. Every day I strive to serve the needs of the 28th House District residents. It is an honor to continue to serve as your representative during such a pivotal moment in history. I am eager to continue to work to enact policies that will help us innovate economically and deliver the necessary support for our public schools to provide a world-class education to every child. If you need assistance or resources, please reach out to me and my staff. You can visit my website at stone.housedems.com to learn more about resources, events and recent efforts in Lansing. I can be contacted at my office phone number (517) 373-1772 and my official email is LoriStone@house.mi.gov. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Lori M. Stone State Representative, 28th House District
In this Issue:
Upcoming Community Conversations Community Conversations are an important part of government transparency and accountability. Each month, I hold Community Conversations and release an e-newsletter. I have provided a combination of in-person and virtual participation formats throughout COVID-19. I encourage participation and welcome ideas on topics of interest so I can better serve community needs. March 19 Community Conversation TIME: 11 a.m. – Noon LOCATION: Center Line Library – (7345 Weingartz St. in Center Line) Or Virtual Zoom Meeting: https://bit.ly/3r4fbfs Meeting ID: 875 3159 5649 Passcode: 050618
April 23 Community Conversation TIME: 11 a.m. – Noon LOCATION: Kuhnhenn’s Pints & Politics – (5919 Chicago Road in Warren) Or Virtual Zoom Meeting: https://bit.ly/3rSL0qN Meeting ID: 889 6523 0969 Passcode: 002173
Information for future Community Conversations, town halls and resources can be found on my Facebook Page or sign up for email updates at stone.housedems.com.
Small Business Roundtable Virtual Discussion
I will be joined by special guests from Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Small Business Association of Michigan, Macomb County Planning, Economic Development and Macomb County Chamber of Commerce. Friday, Feb. 25, 6:30– 8 p.m. Register here to participate: https://bit.ly/3GtLwRr. As we move forward with safely reopening, we need to ensure that neighborhood businesses are receiving the support and direction they need to be successful as we look ahead to the future. The event will also be streamed to Facebook Live! Please share this event with your email lists, family and friends. Reach out to loristone@house.mi.gov or call (517) 373-1772 with any questions.
Veterans Listening Tour – Macomb County The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MDMVA) is partnering with the Michigan House Democrats to host a state-wide listening tour for veterans. The objective of the listening tour is to hear directly from Michigan veterans about any issues or concerns they are facing. The Veterans Listening Tour will make a stop in Macomb County on Feb. 28 from 1-2:30 p.m. Register for the event here: https://bit.ly/36oeDJt
Invest in MI Community Survey The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver billions of dollars for Michigan to fund large-scale infrastructure investments and create good-paying jobs. The people living in and working in our community have thoughts on what local infrastructure needs to be improved. I want to hear from you!
Now is your chance to tell us! Please fill out this survey with as much detail as possible. Responses will be collected from across the state and be turned into an action plan for rebuilding Michigan.
Legislative Update As part of the Legislative Labor Caucus, I’m proud to have a bill in the Michigan Workers First bill package focused on restoring rights to organize, collective bargaining and workers’ rights. The bill I sponsored in the package would restore the “reasonable and just cause” discharge standard in the Teacher Tenure Act, ensuring our educators have a strong voice in the workplace, the ability to advocate without fear of retaliation, and stronger learning environments for our students so they can achieve and succeed.
I am excited to inform you that House Bill 5477, Kratom Consumer Protection and Regulatory Act will receive a hearing in the House Regulatory Reform Committee this month. Kratom Consumer Protection and Regulatory Acts have gained national support to empower consumers with essential information about the product.
Energy and Homeowner Payment Assistance If you or anyone in Michigan is facing problems paying their DTE bill – call DTE at (800) 477-4747 as soon as possible or reach out via our website at www.dteenergy.com/help.
In addition to energy assistance, The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) uses federal resources allocated under the American Rescue Plan to provide financial assistance to homeowners who have fallen behind on homeownership-related expenses. The MIHAF program can help with delinquent mortgage, property tax and/or condominium payments, payment of escrow shortages, and past due utilities payments, including gas, water, electric, and internet or broadband. Interested homeowners can find details and a link to the application portal at Michigan.gov/MIHAF or receive assistance with their application submission by calling (844) 756-4423.
FAFSA Deadline and Virtual College Financial Aid Night The State of Michigan’s FAFSA priority deadline is March 1 and is rapidly approaching! Students and families looking for help paying for college are encouraged to register for a Virtual College Financial Aid Night provided by Treasury’s MI Student Aid team. Sessions will be available:
Presentations will include information on:
Reclaim Your Rhythm During American Heart Month February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to reclaim your rhythm by creating healthy habits and committing to health goals. Throughout the month, join me to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and help save lives. The American Heart Association is helping people take control of their mental and physical well-being. There are so many ways to get involved and reclaim your rhythm: ❤️ Mellow Out and Reduce Stress: Stress leads to unhealthy habits like overeating, physical inactivity, smoking, and risk factors for heart disease and stroke like high blood pressure, and depression or anxiety. ❤️ Move to the Music: Physical activity is linked to lower risk of diseases, stronger bones and muscles, improved mental health and cognitive function, and lower risk of depression. ❤️ Feed Your Soul, Rock Your Recipes: Eat meals together as a family for a chance to connect and decompress. Regular meals at home with family reduce stress, boost self-esteem and make the whole family feel connected. ❤️ Stay on Beat with Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is a leading cause and controllable risk factor for heart disease and stroke and can contribute to worse outcomes for people who contract COVID-19. ❤️ Keep the Beat! Learn Hands-Only CPR: When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby. Help your community reclaim their rhythm by learning the two simple steps of Hands-Only CPR: Call 911, then press hard and fast in the center of the chest.
2021 Michigan Tax Guide
In preparation for 2021 Tax returns, the 2021 Michigan Tax Guide is available. This booklet includes information about property taxes, income taxes, homestead property tax credits, farmland and open space tax relief, and the home heating credit program. This booklet is not designed to provide line-by-line instructions for filling out state income tax forms. Please refer to the Michigan Department of Treasury’s income tax instruction booklets for line-by-line guidance. To receive a complimentary copy, please reach out to our office at loristone@house.mi.gov or access the Electronic Version at https://bit.ly/3HZRlHK. |
