Dear Neighbor,
Welcome to my e-newsletter! I’m honored and humbled to serve as our community’s voice at the Capitol in Lansing. As we continue into the term, rest assured that the challenges families in our community and state are facing are at the top of my legislative priorities.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-0837 or email at AmosONeal@house.mi.gov if we can help.
Sincerely,
Amos O’Neal
State Representative, 94th House District
In this issue:
- Events
- Community Conversation – April 20
- Town Hall – Good Time Credits Legislation
- Legislation
- HB 4349 – Vietnam Veteran Bonus Extension
- HB 4351 – Matching State Grant Program
- HB 4393 – AG Office Payroll Fraud Funding
Community Conversation
On April 20 at 6 p.m. on Facebook Live, we will host another Community Conversation! I will give a brief legislative update. Then, we will have a conversation with special business guest Jumble Firewood and discuss recently released individuals re-entering society.
We hope to 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!
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Town Hall – Good Time Credits Legislation
In April, I am planning to introduce a package of bills that would provide a system of credits to be earned by incarcerated individuals who demonstrate behavioral change in measurable ways. This will incentivize rehabilitation for those who make an effort to improve themselves and re-enter society as a transformed person.
Michigan is one of only six states in our country that does not offer our incarcerated citizens a good time policy. Michigan is number one in the country for the percentage of our state budget spent on corrections. It is time we do more to help this problem.
Shortly after its introduction, we are planning a town hall to discuss the bills and answer any questions. We have yet to release a flier, but save the date for April 24 — more details to come!
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House Bills 4349 – Vietnam Veteran Bonus Extension
Last week, I was pleased to re-introduce my House Bill to Amend the Vietnam Veteran Era Bonus of 1974 to have the “190-day period” to include the period of “Inactive Reserve Service with Military Pay,” if an individual converted to active duty immediately upon completion of that period without a break in pay in accordance with the individual’s enlistment contract. This would apply to individuals who entered military service before February 25, 1973.
The “190 days” requirement in the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Era Bonus is the only time “190 days” was used because they did not want the “six-month enlistee” to receive the bonus. Most other Michigan laws for veterans to receive benefits used 60, 90 or 180 days to qualify. This oversight by the Michigan Department of Military Affairs — 1978 amendment, affected a small number of veterans that were drafted or enlisted before February 25, 1973, and my bill hopes to fix this.
HB 4351 – Matching State Grant Program
Rep. Brixie and myself introduced this package again this term that I do believe would be a great investment for our community.
It would help communities, counties and schools across our state that are struggling to fund essential services due to depressed property values.
This issue impacts rural, suburban and urban areas. In Michigan, we rely heavily on property taxes to fund schools, counties and local governments. This works very well in communities/school districts where land values are high but is failing over two-thirds of our communities/school districts where land values are low.
Under this program, counties, cities, townships, villages and school districts would receive matching grants to raise their millage revenue up to the statewide average in taxable value per capita. The legislation fills that gap between what revenue the local millage generates and what revenue would be generated if the community’s tax base were the statewide average.
House Bill 4393 – AG Office Payroll Fraud Funding
As a member and vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I know that the way we spend our money as a state is a sign of our priorities. Standing up for Michigan’s workers is a top priority for my Democratic colleagues and I, which is why I was happy to re-introduce this bill. This package gives $5 million to the Attorney General’s Payroll Fraud Unit to help uncover and prosecute these crimes.
This is money that will come back to the state in the form of recovered tax payments and more economic activity from workers who are able to keep their hard-earned wages. Money standing up for workers is money well spent.