Dear Neighbor,
It has been an extraordinary and productive last couple of months serving as your state representative. As we now head into June and the early days of summer, I wanted to update you all on what I have been working on in Lansing and how I have been spending my time in the district.
This past Memorial Day was especially meaningful for me. Last Monday, I had the honor of marching in the Pinckney Memorial Day parade for the first time as an elected official. I was also able to participate in a moving ceremony in Brighton that day honoring the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country and protecting our freedoms.
Significantly, this year’s commemoration came just after a week after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law my first piece of legislation, House Bill 4199, which allows the transfer of National Guard tuition assistance benefits to spouses and dependents and increases the funding cap to $15 million from $10 million. As U.S. Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers noted at the bill signing in Detroit, this legislation “signals Michigan is serious about supporting military families who have made significant sacrifices on behalf of our state and nation.” I was so proud to see this legislation become law and look forward to the help it will bring to many of Michigan’s deserving veterans and their families.
That bill signing capped an extraordinarily busy month. This past month, I also held a two-part series of hearings on veterans’ mental health and suicide awareness in the House Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security, which I chair. This is an extremely important problem that impacts our servicemen and women in Michigan and across the country. We discussed current and future efforts to address the issue, and we also heard very moving testimony from several individuals who were deployed abroad. I asked numerous stakeholders in this space to speak to the role of clinical therapy in treating mental health symptoms and diagnoses, testify to what Michigan currently does to assist our veterans, and explore the burgeoning topic of psychedelic-assisted therapy for this subset of individuals. There is so much work to be done, and the members of my committee and I are just getting started.
I also offered testimony on HB 4343 in the House Insurance and Financial Services Committee (DIFS). I introduced this legislation so that DIFS can conduct a seven-year study on payday lending in the state. So many residents are impacted by unfair practices that trap them in a vicious cycle of debt, and it is crucial for us to gain a better understanding of this landscape so we can make more informed decisions on how to better regulate these lenders.
On May 24, I was honored to speak before a gathering of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, a nonpartisan group that does important work promoting legislation that safeguards our water and our environment. I promised the many concerned attendees that holding polluters accountable and addressing PFAS contamination of our water is on my agenda to tackle next alongside my fellow legislators who care equally about safeguarding our environment.
On April 28, to mark my first 100 days in Lansing, I hosted an open-house coffee hour at the Traverwood Library in Ann Arbor, where we had a lively discussion about important issues facing our district and our state. It was great to get some time with my constituents. I invite you to attend the next one if you are able to do so. Details coming soon!
Upcoming District Events
Summer has officially arrived! With all the nice warm weather we have had these last few days, and will hopefully continue to have, it’s a great time to visit our local farmers’ markets. Fresh veggies, fruits, flowers and meats are just a few of the items you can get from local vendors at farmers’ markets across the 48th district. I attended my local Ann Arbor market over Memorial Day weekend and made an amazing rhubarb crumble for my family.
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Below are a few of the farmers’ markets located in House District 48 and their hours this summer!
Ann Arbor Farmers Market
Hours: Saturdays 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: 315 Detroit St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104
More info: a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/parks-places/farmers-market/pages/default.aspx
*Some Vendors accept WIC Project Fresh Coupons, Senior Project Fresh, and SNAP/Bridge Cards. The farmers’ market participates in the Double Up Food Bucks Program.
Brighton Farmers Market
Hours: Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: Brighton City Municipal Parking Lot 200 N. First St. Brighton, MI 48116
More info: brightoncoc.org/farmers-market/
*Some vendors accept WIC Project Fresh Coupons, Senior Project Fresh, SNAP/Bridge Cards. The farmers’ market participates in the Double Up Food Bucks Program.
Chelsea Farmers Market
Hours: Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and Wednesdays 1-5 p.m.
Location: Saturday: Palmer Commons 222 S. Main St. Chelsea, MI 48118
Wednesday: Chelsea State Bank Lot 1010 S. Main St., Chelsea, MI 48118
More info: chelseafarmersmkt.org/chelsea-farmers-market/
*Bridge Cards are accepted and the market participates in the Double Up Food Bucks Program, matching every dollar of SNAP benefits with a FREE dollar to be spent on fresh fruits and veggies.
Dexter Farmers Market
Hours: Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and Tuesdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: 3233 Alpine St., Dexter, MI 48130
More info: dextermi.gov/community/farmers_market.php
*Some vendors accept WIC Project Fresh Coupons, Senior Project Fresh, SNAP/Bridge Cards. The farmers’ market participates in the Double Up Food Bucks Program.
Howell Farmers Market
Hours: Sundays 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: State and Clinton Street, adjacent to the historic Livingston County Courthouse in downtown Howell
More info: howell.org/howells-sunday-farmers-market/
Whitmore Lake Farmers Market
Hours: First and third Sundays of the month, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: While construction is ongoing at the Northfield Community Park, it will be located at the Whitmore Lake Middle School parking lot, 8877 Main St., Whitmore Lake, MI 48189
More info: twp-northfield.org/community_visitors/farmers_market.php
Finally, I want to reiterate what an honor it has been to serve as your representative in Lansing and to remind you that you are always welcome to reach out to me and my staff, the wonderful Alex and Emma, if you ever have a question that needs answering, an issue that needs to be resolved or a suggestion you want to pass on. And if there are any of your friends and neighbors who you think would benefit from receiving this email in the future, please feel free to pass on this link to sign up for this e-newsletter.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Conlin
State Representative
48th House District