Dear Neighbor,
Thank you for reading my Capitol & Community Update. I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to represent you in Lansing. I hope everyone is having a great fall season and continues to stay healthy.
My staff and I are here to serve you and help however we can. If you have any concerns that you’d like to voice to my office, please email us at RachelHood@house.mi.gov or give us a call at (517) 373-1790.
Respectfully,
Rachel Hood
State Representative
District 81
—
Our Community Recap
Sierra Club Student Group
Last week, I met up with the Sierra Club and activated students at Public Museum School around clean energy and climate policy. I am glad to see young people engaged in policy and advocacy work!
R&D Tax Credit Testimony
Last Tuesday, I testified alongside Chad Bassett and Anthony Chang of BAMF Health on my bills in the research and development (R&D) tax credit bill package. R&D is essential to any state that wants to remain competitive. An R&D tax credit makes a path for Michigan businesses to partner with our universities, offer high-paying jobs to our people and commercialize new global technologies to make Michigan a worldwide destination.
PFAS Lunch and Learn
Last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to host a legislative lunch and learn along with the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. State Reps. Penelope Tsernoglou, Jennifer Conlin and I discussed issues related to PFAS contamination within Michigan. This was an opportunity for lawmakers to get more accustomed to the issues surrounding PFAS as well as learn about upcoming legislation that will help combat these issues.
Upcoming Events
Coffee Hour Oct. 27 from 9-10 a.m. Haggerty’s
1600 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Suite 118
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Resources
Michigan WorkShare Program
Michigan’s Work Share program allows employers to restart their businesses and bring employees back from unemployment. Employers can bring employees back with reduced hours while employees collect partial unemployment benefits to make up a portion of the lost wages.
Home Repairs with State Emergency Relief
State Emergency Relief assists with home repairs to correct unsafe conditions and restore essential services. Eligible home repairs may include repair or replacement of a non-functioning furnace, water heater or septic system. This program can be found through MI Bridges.
Michigan Homeowners Assistance Fund (MIHAF)
This fund will help prevent foreclosure and displacements of homeowners due to the coronavirus pandemic. Applicants will be able to apply and submit required documentation through the web-based application or may be assisted by a third-party counseling agency or legal aid office. MSHDA also is partnering with Michigan 2-1-1, a nonprofit organization, to serve as a statewide call center to answer questions, provide program details and help homeowners with application submissions.
Double Up Food Bucks
Buying food is expensive right now, especially for our neighbors struggling to put food on the table. Double Up Food Bucks is here to help. For those who shop for groceries with a SNAP/Michigan Bridge Card, they can double their benefits to purchase fresh, Michigan-grown fruits and veggies using Double Up Food Bucks. The program is available at 260+ participating farmers markets and grocery stores across Michigan. With farmers market season already here, it’s a great time to use the program! Learn how it works and find a participating location near you at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org.