Dear Neighbor,
Welcome to the latest edition of my e-newsletter!
Included in this issue are some important updates, along with a few resources I hope you find helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-0844 or email at NataliePrice@house.mi.gov for questions about this or any other state-level issue. Feel free to also follow me on Facebook to get regular updates as well.
In Service,
Natalie Price
State Representative
5th House District
In this issue:
- Save the Date: Community Conversation – May 22
- Legislative Updates
- Historic State Budget
- Natural Resources Funding
- Organ Donor Registry Legislation
- State Updates & Resources
- MDHHS Medicaid Redeterminations
- Students, Families Encouraged to Apply for Michigan Achievement Scholarship
- Treasury: Applicants Wanted for Home Heating Credit
- Other News
- Motor City Makeover
- Grow Detroit’s Young Talent to Provide Summer Jobs for 8,000 Youth
- Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Save the Date! Please mark your calendars for Monday, May 22, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. My office will be hosting a community conversation at the Beverly Hills Park (18801 Beverly Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025). During this event, I will give a legislative update for residents of the 5th House District. Feel free to attend with any questions or issues you would like to talk about.
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Legislative Updates
State Budget
The House passed a historic state budget last week that will reinvest in Michigan and our people. This included:
- Largest amount of per-pupil funding.
- Expanded access to pre-K.
- Free school meals for all students.
- Full foundation allowance for special education.
- Increased funding for local communities, roads and bridges.
Natural Resources Funding
My colleagues and I voted to pass House Bill 4238, which would allocate funding for various projects from the Natural Resources Trust Fund. This will allow the state to acquire and protect land all over the state. This included a section of land in our district in the Rouge River watershed.
Organ Donor Registry Legislation
One of the bills that I sponsored passed the House Health Policy Committee and was voted out of the House floor! HB 4364 is part of a legislative package spearheaded by Rep. Felicia Brabec that would remove barriers for live organ donation and allow more opportunities for Michiganders to join the state organ donor registry. You can find more information on this bill here.
Rep. Price Testifies on HB 4364 in the Health Policy Committee.
State Updates & Resources
MDHHS Medicaid Redeterminations
Recent federal changes could affect health care coverage for those on Medicaid.
During the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, many changes were made to the Medicaid program’s eligibility, administration, and policies to ease rules for providers and prevent Medicaid beneficiaries from losing health care coverage. Per recent federal legislation, Michigan will restart Medicaid eligibility renewals in June and amend certain waived policies that were in place during the pandemic.
To find out more information and to check your eligibility, please visit: Medicaid Benefit Changes (michigan.gov)
Students, Families Encouraged to Apply for Michigan Achievement Scholarship
State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks is encouraging Michigan students and their families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive assistance from the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.
Students who graduate from high school in Michigan with a diploma or certificate of completion or who have achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after will be eligible for more financial aid from the state of Michigan:
- Up to $2,000 if they attend an eligible training provider in Michigan, per year, up to two years.
- Up to $2,750 if they attend a Michigan community college, per year, up to three years.
- Up to $4,000 if they attend a Michigan private college or university, per year, up to five years.
- Up to $5,500 if they attend a Michigan public university, per year, up to five years.
Completion of the FAFSA is required to be considered for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. To get started with the FAFSA, go to FAFSA.gov.
Additional information about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship is available at Michigan.gov/MIStudentAid.
Treasury: Applicants Wanted for Home Heating Credit
Michiganders who need help with their energy bills can now apply for the Home Heating Credit, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
Low-income, deaf, disabled or blind persons, disabled veterans and senior citizens may qualify for the Home Heating Credit. Applicants are not required to file a Michigan individual income tax return to receive the credit.
Individuals can apply for the Home Heating Credit electronically through the e-File system.
Forms and instructional materials are available on the internet at Michigan.gov/IncomeTax or by calling (517) 636-4486. Forms are also available at many libraries, Northern Michigan post offices and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) offices across the state.
All applications for the credit must be received by Sept. 30.
Over the last five years, around 257,500 claimants each year have received the Home Heating Credit, with an average credit of $209.
Additional information can be found on the Home Heating Credit website. For more information about resources available for heating assistance, go to Michigan.gov/HeatingAssistance.
Other News
Motor City Makeover
Motor City Makeover 365 is an annual citywide volunteer cleanup and beautification initiative. Over the past 30 years, MCM 365 has evolved — partnering with block clubs and associations on their efforts has become essential to the success of this initiative. Annually, thousands of volunteers across Detroit come together to clean and beautify neighborhoods, parks, playgrounds and around businesses, schools and places of worship.
This is a great opportunity to serve your community. I had the pleasure of joining one of the sessions last week. Please consider signing up to volunteer at this link: Motor City Makeover | City of Detroit (detroitmi.gov)
‘Grow Detroit’s Young Talent’ to Provide Summer Jobs for 8,000 Youth Ages 14-24
Detroit youth interested in a summer job should visit GDYT.org to apply. Registrations will be open until May 31.
After an individual expresses interest in a summer work experience through the Grow Detroit’s Young Talent program, the applicant will be randomly selected through a lottery system. Selected youth must complete all enrollment forms and upload the required documents into the CareerEdge portal. All properly registered GDYT youth will receive a minimum 12 hours of work-readiness pre-training prior to the start of their summer employment.
During May and June, select partners will have the opportunity to interview youth candidates at a GDYT-sponsored career fair for Career Pathways Internships, Industry-Led Training, and Pre-Apprenticeships, or through a virtual Career Fair. Successful GDYT-registered youth will also attend a Youth Orientation, where they will receive additional materials regarding timekeeping, benchmark achievements and the GDYT Handbook. For more information about the youth applicant process, refer to GDYT’s Roadmap to Success at GDYT.org.
Important Dates
May:
- Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month
- Memorial Day: May 29