Dear Neighbor,
I wanted to take a moment to update you on some exciting summer events, as well as share some details on legislation that we have been working on in Lansing.
Please know that my office is hard at work for the families of Michigan’s 75th House District, and we are at your disposal, should you need assistance, want to discuss legislation or would like to provide feedback.
Upcoming Events
PFAS informational film screening with the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network: Monday, June 26, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Hannah Community Center —819 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823.
Join me for the viewing of the critically acclaimed PFAS film documentary No Defense. Created in 2020 by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and former CNN correspondent Sara Ganim, the film focuses on PFAS contamination at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda — the first reported PFAS site in Michigan and the first reported U.S. military PFAS site in the world. Among other things, the film presents gripping stories of people and a community impacted by PFAS contamination, as well as an interesting history of important PFAS developments in Michigan and nationally.
Please contact our office at (517) 373-2668 or PenelopeTsernoglou@house.mi.gov to RSVP or for more information. RSVPs are appreciated, so we may anticipate the number of attendees, but they are not required. This will not be a ticketed event, and all are welcome to join!
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Capitol Updates
May was a busy month in the Legislature, as the House of Representatives passed a proposed budget that is both comprehensive and fiscally responsible. Our budget proposal would be the most comprehensive budget in Michigan’s history, putting money directly to work in communities across the state. I am excited to work with my colleagues in the Senate to finalize this budget for all Michiganders.
As Chair of the Elections Committee, I have been doing everything I can in the Legislature to expand and improve access to voting in Michigan. On May 16, I was proud to introduce a Voter Access Package, alongside my colleagues Reps. Karen Whitsett, Betsy Coffia and Julie Rogers. This package comprises House Bills 4567–70. It would continue to remove barriers for young voters, rural voters and those without reliable transportation. Michigan has become a leading state in youth voter turnout, and I plan to continue to ensure that Michigan elections are effective, secure and accessible.
Additionally, I have been working closely with the Secretary of State, my colleagues in the Senate, Promote the Vote, and clerks and election workers from across the state since the day I took office to implement many aspects of Proposal 22-2. I am happy to report that on Wednesday, June 14, the House of Representatives passed HBs 4695, 4696 and 4702, which are my first three bills to pass out of the House of Representatives as a legislator! House Bills 4695 and 4696 allow jurisdictions to work with one another to allow at least nine days of in-person early voting, expand the types of allowable venues to host a polling location, and outlines procedures to provide flexibility for election workers, increase access for voters, and ensure ballot security. House Bill 4702 increases the precinct size to not more than 5,000, instead of 2,999 active registered electors in a city, ward, township or village in order to free up resources for expanded early and absentee voting options. Additional election bills from my colleagues, which would expand secure drop boxes to every jurisdiction, ensure pre-paid postage on all absentee ballots, and establish a permanent absentee list, also passed the House of Representatives.
If you are interested in learning more about our work on the Elections Committee, below is a link to the Michigan Legislature website, where you can sign up here for Committee notices and keep up to date on upcoming legislation.
Contact Information
PenelopeTsernoglou@house.mi.gov
Phone: (517) 373-2668
N-1094 House Office Building