Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I am most effective at my job when acting on your direct input. I encourage you to reach out to me and my staff with any questions, comments or concerns you may have regarding our community or state and with any policy ideas.
Please do not hesitate to reach out by phone at (517) 373-0822 or send an email to AngelaWitwer@house.mi.gov.
Sincerely,
Angela Witwer
State Representative, 76th House District
In This Issue:
- In-District Update
- Legislative Update
- General Update
In-District Update
Upcoming Healthy Aging Fair
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I am happy to announce that I will be hosting my third Healthy Aging Fair this year on Saturday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to noon in the common area of the old Macy’s!
We will have a few speakers and numerous organizations from the tri-county area with resource booths and information about different volunteer opportunities, health and fitness resources, senior living, and other ways for seniors to remain active in the community! This event is free of charge, and RSVPs are not required. We hope to see you there!
Upcoming Coffee Hours
Please note that we will be postponing coffee hours from now until after June 9, so I can focus on delivering a fiscally responsible state budget that works for every Michigander.
May Teacher of the Month Nominations
My office is currently taking nominations for May’s Teacher of the Month program.
Each month, I highlight one of our district’s teachers. Who hasn’t had a teacher who’s deeply affected our lives? We owe so much to these exceptional teachers. The least that I can do is shine a spotlight on these heroes who give so much of themselves for their communities. So, please, nominate one of the wonderful teachers in our district for May’s Teacher of the Month here, so we can celebrate all they do for our community.
Retirement Tax Repeal Town Hall Recap
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There was a great turnout at Monday night’s town hall, where we discussed the repeal of the retirement tax and ways seniors can protect themselves from scams. Thank you to Attorney General Dana Nessel and Paula Cunningham with AARP Michigan for joining and for all the work that you do to help protect seniors and retirees in our state.
If you are a victim of elder abuse, please report it to the Department of the Attorney General by calling (855)-444-3911. More information and resources on elder abuse, neglect and exploitation can be found here.
MediLodge Group – 2023 Employer of the Year Award
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It was a pleasure and privilege to extend a congratulations to MediLodge Group for receiving the Capital Area Michigan Works! 2023 Employer of the Year award.
The mission of the MediLodge Group involves restoring their patients’ health, improving their daily functioning, increasing their independence, and providing them with the utmost comfort. With this mission comes the necessity to have qualified and skilled staff on hand, which MediLodge Group has prioritized throughout their partnership with Capital Area Michigan Works! This partnership allowed MediLodge Group to facilitate apprenticeship programs, hold virtual and in-person career fairs, and provide resources for struggling staff members to help with issues such as child care, transportation and housing.
Congratulations, again, to MediLodge Group, recipient of the Capital Area Michigan Works! Employer of the Year for 2023.
General Update
AARP Ask the Doc Series
Introducing AARP Michigan’s first-ever interactive virtual health series taking place every Tuesday in June from 12-12:45 p.m. Listen in as health and medical professionals share practical advice and answer questions on specific health issues that so many of us endure. To register, use the links provided below or call (877) 926-8300.
DreamZzz: Reclaim the Night
Tuesday, June 6 | 12-12:45 p.m.
Discover the secrets to a revitalizing night’s sleep with the first session in our Ask the Doc series. Gain practical tips so you can say goodbye to sleep deprivation and realize the benefits of a good night’s sleep to overall well-being and brain health. Join us to reclaim the night!
Register here or call (877) 926-8300.
Pain Points: Ease the Ache
Tuesday, June 13 | 12-12:45 p.m.
Don’t let joint pain limit your mobility. Join us for Session II of our Ask the Doc series for practical strategies to reduce joint pain and improve joint health, including exercise, nutrition and lifestyle modifications. Regain your mobility and improve your quality of life!
Register here or call (877) 926-8300.
What You Need to Know About Gut Health
Tuesday, June 20 | 12-12:45 p.m.
Did you know a healthy gut is crucial for overall well-being? Join us for Session III of our Ask the Doc series as we explore gut health. We’ll discuss common issues and practical strategies to address conditions like leaky gut, food intolerances and microbiome imbalances.
Register here or call (877) 926-8300.
Gotta Go Right Now!
Tuesday, June 27 | 12-12:45 p.m.
Tune in for Session IV of the Ask the Doc series on urinary incontinence and accompanying pelvic and low back pain. Gain valuable insight into the causes, symptoms and treatment options, along with practical tips to improve your quality of life. Join us and take control of your health!
Register here or call (877) 926-8300.
Funding for Local Roads and Transportation
The Michigan Department of Transportation has launched a site to provide additional funds to help small communities with local road and transportation infrastructure projects. The Community Infrastructure Grant program allows the state to match 50% of eligible funds for cities and villages with populations of 10,000 people or less to offset the costs of fixing roads and to invest in reconstruction, replacement, rehabilitation or preventive maintenance projects in these smaller jurisdictions.
I encourage local government leaders to consider applying! Applications and supporting documentation are due to MDOT-OED-CategoryB@Michigan.gov by 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 15 and must be complete (including all required information and documents) to be considered for funding.
Legislative Update
Session
It was another busy week in the Legislature. Last week, we started voting out budgets on the House floor. From investments in our children’s education and maternal and child health programs, to funding for state troopers, to reinvesting in Michigan’s agricultural supply chain, to strengthening our labor force by supporting health-care and elder-care recruitment — we accomplished a lot.
As chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I’ve worked hard with my colleagues to come up with a budget that works for our entire state, and that includes the people of the 76th House District. I am proud of the work we are accomplishing.
My Bills
- House Bill 4017: appropriates fiscal year 2022 money to support our public schools and improve education.
- House Bill 4082: would name a portion of I-96 in Ionia County the “Barry Lyn Hause Memorial Highway.”
- House Bill 4197: would help prevent the financial exploitation of seniors and other vulnerable adults by allowing broker-dealers and investment advisors to place temporary holds on disbursements of funds or securities when there is reason to believe that financial exploitation of a customer has occurred.
- House Bill 4319: would help protect the name, image, or likeness of student athletes attending postsecondary education institutions.
- House Bill 4337: amends the signage on a portion of M-50 named after Ensign Francis Flaherty to indicate that he was a Medal of Honor Recipient.
- House Bill 4392: amends the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act to include the State Employee Ombudsman and tweak minor language.
- House Bill 4437: appropriates interdepartmental grant revenues.
- House Resolution 92: A resolution to recognize May as Drug Court Awareness Month. Treatment courts are the cornerstone of justice reform sweeping the nation and are now recognized as the most successful justice system intervention in our nation’s history.
Information on the above bills and more legislation can be found here.