January E-News

 

Dear Neighbor,

Happy Black History Month! I am honored to serve as the state representative for the 53rd House District and proud to be a strong advocate in Lansing for our community. Please encourage your friends and family to stay connected and subscribe to this e-newsletter. The e-news keeps everyone up-to-date on legislation and policies coming from the Capitol, coffee hours and other virtual and in-person community events. 

As always, feel free to get in touch: 

In service,

Brenda Carter
State Representative

53rd House District

In this Issue:

  • Upcoming Events
  • State of the State
  • National Human Trafficking Awareness Month
  • Oakland SAVES

Upcoming Events

  • Goldner Walsh Coffee Hour – Hybrid
  • Waterford Senior Center Coffee Hour – In-Person

State of the State

Last week, I was honored not only to attend Gov. Whitmer’s State of the State address, but also to escort the members of the Michigan Supreme Court into the House Chamber. T

Rep. Brenda Carter walking down the aisle of the House Chambers.

State Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), State of the State Address. Jan. 24, 2024.

hroughout her speech, the governor laid out her vision for working with legislators like myself to bring economic and social growth to our great state. She highlighted the importance of incentivizing the building of new homes, providing good-paying jobs and bringing affordable housing to thousands of Michiganders. She also introduced the Caring for MI Family Tax Credit, offering up to $5,000 to households in which family members take care of individuals with additional needs, allowing more seniors to age-in-place where they call home. Finally, Gov. Whitmer outlined her ideas to help improve education in our state, from providing more Michiganders free community college to delivering pre-K for every single 4-year-old in Michigan.

The governor has once again offered a great roadmap for our Democratic majority to build on our successful 2023 session. I am excited to work with her and the rest of the Legislature to bring more prosperity to the people of our great state! 

 

National Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January has been National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. As January comes to an end, it is the perfect time to learn more about how you can help prevent human trafficking in our state. Unfortunately, given our state’s proximity to Canada and the Great Lakes, Michigan residents and visitors are susceptible to criminal traffickers. Thankfully, the Michigan State Police is teaming up with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) to raise awareness of human trafficking and educate everyone on human trafficking prevention. Below are a few resources to educate yourself and those around you on the risks and signs of trafficking and how you can help prevent it. 

National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Human Trafficking Prevention Month Toolkit 2023

To report suspected human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resources Center at 888-373-7888 or text BeFree to 233733.

 

Oakland SAVES
I am excited to announce that Michigan Saves is partnering with Oakland County on the Oakland SAVES (Simple Actions for Valuable Energy Savings) grant program. The program, which launched on Jan. 22, provides up to $5,000 to income-qualified homeowners to implement energy improvements in their homes. From new roofs to energy-efficient furnaces, Michigan Saves has been helping Michigan homeowners update their homes to be energy-efficient while keeping us warm in these cold winter months. It is an honor to be able to partner with them to bring this program and their assistance to Oakland County. The program operates on a first-come-first-serve model so act fast! To learn more, see this flier or follow the link below:

https://michigansaves.org/oaklandsaves/