Capitol and Community Updates

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It is and continues to be a privilege to represent Livonia, Redford Township and Detroit, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in Lansing. I encourage you to stay up to date on what is going on in Lansing and continue to let me know about the issues that matter to you.

If there is anything I can do to help you and your family, please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-1530, or email me at LauriePohutsky@house.mi.gov. You can also follow me on Facebook.

Legislative Update

Vote Post

Follow this link to see what we voted on over the last couple of weeks. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (517) 373-1530 or lauriepohutsky@house.mi.gov.

Constituent Resources

MDARD Pet Safety Reminders

As we enter the summer months, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is reminding owners on some of the best ways to keep animals cool and safe.

Keep animals safe from the heat by following these tips:

Let it Flow: Provide unlimited cool, clean, fresh water.

Just like people, animals can quickly get parched in hot temperatures. No matter the species, animals should have access to unlimited cool, clean, fresh water to prevent dehydration. Also, if out in public, bring along some hydration options for your animal and avoid using shared/communal water bowls.

Know Their Limits: An animal’s ability to tolerate heat varies.

An animal’s age, breed, type of coat, and health history can all play a role in their ability to tolerate the heat. Keep an eye on them for signs of heat stress — like increased panting or drooling and being more lethargic. If they are showing these signs, it is time to immediately move them to a cooler area.

Also, consider talking to your veterinarian. They will have a greater knowledge of your animal(s) and be able to give more specific guidance on how to best handle them in hot weather.

Happy Paws: Test surfaces to make sure they won’t burn paws.

Surfaces like asphalt, concrete and sand can really heat up in the sun, which can burn paws — or at least make a walk very uncomfortable. To test if a surface is too hot, touch it with the palm of your hand. If it is too hot for you, consider taking a different route that is mostly grass or waiting until the evening when everything has had a chance to cool.

Look Before They Splash: Avoid harmful algal blooms (HABs) in bodies of water.

HABs form due to rapid growth of cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, which are naturally found in lakes, rivers and ponds. To prevent illness in animals, keep them out of areas with scums or discolored water, rinse them off after contact with any lake water, and bring clean, fresh water for them to drink. If an animal becomes sick after contact with a suspected HAB, call your veterinarian right away.

Also, animal illness due to HABs is reportable to MDARD. To report cases, submit a Reportable Disease Form or call (800) 292-3939. In addition, to report any suspicious looking algae, please email algaebloom@michigan.gov.

Get in Gear: Parked vehicles are not places to park pets.

Even when temperatures feel more moderate, vehicles can heat up very quickly, creating dangerous conditions for the animals left inside. Leaving windows cracked open and/or parking in the shade do little to improve the situation. In these conditions, it is best to leave pets at home when you need to go out and about.

A Place to Chill: Make sure animals have a place to cool down.

Animals know when they are too hot and will usually try to find a place where they can cool down. Make sure they have access to shade, fans, misters, pools, cooling mats and/or air-conditioned spaces to help them stay comfortable.

Following these tips can keep your animals cool and comfortable through any heat wave. If there are any concerns about your animals’ health, either now or throughout the summer months, please talk to your veterinarian.

New UIA Coaching Sessions Available

When you file for unemployment, the first letter you receive from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) states whether you are approved or denied for benefits. But how did the UIA make that determination? A new coaching session aims to help claimants understand the Monetary Determination letter everyone receives after applying for benefits.

Understanding Your Monetary Determination is the second in a growing series of online group coaching sessions by trained, professional UIA staff. These sessions provide practical information to help workers better understand the process of filing for unemployment benefits.

Understanding Your Monetary Determination Letter coaching sessions are scheduled from 11 a.m to noon every Thursday. Time is allowed through the presentation for attendees to ask questions. Those interested in participating in the coaching session can sign up by going to the Online Coaching Sessions page at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Community Update

Wayne County Cooling Centers

As we continue to experience high heat and humidity, it is crucial to stay safe and cool. Wayne County has several cooling centers open to help you beat the heat.

Please remember to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged activities, and check on vulnerable neighbors and family members.

Find your nearest cooling center here.

Events

Coffee Hours

I hope you can join me for one of my upcoming coffee hours! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about the issues families face in our community. I host two coffee hours a month, one in-person and one virtual. The location for in-person coffee hours will rotate throughout the year between Livonia, Redford Township, and Detroit. My in-person July Coffee Hour will be in Livonia at Biggby Coffee (33443 W. Seven Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48152). You can join the livestream for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.

In-Person: Sunday, July 7 from 2-3 p.m

Virtual: Monday, July 15 from 6:30-7:30 p.m

Never hesitate to reach out to me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns!

Sincerely,

Laurie Pohutsky

Speaker Pro Tempore

17th House District

District 1 Monthly Update | July 2024 — From State Rep. Tyrone Carter

Dear Friends,

Thank you for reading my e-news, and thank you for allowing me to serve you in the 1st House District and act as your voice in Lansing. My team and I remain committed to helping constituents with their questions and issues, while also providing useful resources.

As your representative, I am most effective at my job when acting on your input. As you know, I am the chair of the Regulatory Reform Committee. I also serve on the following committees: Judiciary; Criminal Justice; Military, Veterans and Homeland Security; and the Appropriation Subcommittee on Labor, Economic Development, and Lifelong Learning. I encourage you to reach out to me and my staff with any questions, comments or concerns you may have about issues in the district or legislation that will impact our state. You can contact me at (517) 373-0154, toll free at (888) 254-5291, by email TyroneCarter@house.mi.gov, or through my website. Thank you for your commitment to the community we both call home; I look forward to hearing from you!

In Service,

Tyrone Carter

State Representative, 1st House District

The Legacy of Juneteenth

In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective, legally liberating all enslaved people in Confederate States. Unfortunately, this was not enforceable in territories still under Confederate control. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced those who remained enslaved were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as Juneteenth.

Juneteenth became recognized as the 11th federal holiday on June 17, 2021, and the first to obtain legal observance since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was designated in 1983. Last year, Michigan followed suit and codified Juneteenth as a state holiday. As we celebrated Juneteenth this month, I focused on education, reflection, community and our continued fight for freedom and justice.

Fourth of July Celebrations

Let’s be responsible, respectful and safe this Fourth of July. Please keep these Michigan fireworks laws in mind:

Fourth of July fireworks are allowed from June 29 to July 5, until 11:45 p.m. each day.

Consumer-grade fireworks can only be lit on personal property.

Fireworks cannot be used on public property, including streets and sidewalks, school property or church property. It is also illegal to light off fireworks on someone else’s property without permission.

If you plan on setting fireworks off, please keep these safety tips in mind:

Point fireworks away from you and occupied areas, even when they aren’t lit.

Do not let young children use sparklers and closely monitor older children’s use.

Keep a water source nearby in case of fire and accidents.

Only use legal fireworks approved for consumer use.

Do not use fireworks if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Enjoy a public display of fireworks if possible.

If you are burned by a firework, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Please visit Fireworks (michigan.gov) for more information. Be sure to check with your local city ordinance regarding the use of fireworks as well.

Stay Cool this Summer

With predicted record high temperatures this summer, it’s crucial to take precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe. When it is extremely hot, there is an increased risk of heat-related illness including heat exhaustion. If not treated, it can worsen and lead to heat stroke or death.

Drink more fluids and avoid liquids with large amounts of sugar or alcohol.

Limit outdoor activities to when it is coolest in the early morning and late evening.

Spend time indoors in air conditioning.

Check to make sure your air conditioner filters are clean, and the unit is working properly.

Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.

Wear sunscreen, as sunburn affects a body’s ability to cool down.

Check on neighbors and relatives to determine if they need assistance.

Never leave children or pets unattended in cars, even with the windows cracked.

Call 211 or contact your local health department to locate a cooling center in your area.

Heatstroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. If you suspect someone has heat stroke, call 911 for immediate medical help and try to cool the person down by moving to a cooler environment and using cool clothes or a cool bath. Signs of heat-related illness vary but may include:

Heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, confusion, slurred speech, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, fainting, high body temperature (above 103 degrees) and tiredness.

For more information about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from heat-related illness, visit Michigan.gov/ClimateandHealth and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

Cooling Centers in Detroit

When a heat emergency is declared by the Detroit chief health officer, there are seven air-conditioned recreation centers that will be opened as cooling centers. Location and hours of cooling centers are below:

Adams Butzel Complex, 10500 Lyndon (M-F, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; closed Saturdays)

Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval Avenue (M-F, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

Clemente Recreation Center, 2631 Bagley (M-F, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 E. Outer Dr. (M-F, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; closed Saturdays)

Lasky Recreation Center, 13200 Fenelon (M-F, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.; closed Saturdays)

Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers (M-F, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere (M-F, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; closed Saturdays)

Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort (M-F, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; closed Saturdays)

Crowell Recreation Center, 16630 Lahser (M-F, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; closed Saturdays)

Heilmann Recreation Center, 19601 Crusade (M-F, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; closed Saturdays)

Please visit Cooling Centers | City of Detroit (detroitmi.gov) for additional information.

Double Up Food Bucks

For those who shop for groceries using 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 230+ participating farmers markets, farm stands, and grocery stores across Michigan. With farmers market season around the corner, it’s a great time to use the program! Learn how it works and find a participating location near you at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org.

Legislative Update

State Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), speaking on House Floor, June 20, 2024.

The House recently passed House Bill 4177, which gives voters in Wayne County the chance to decide on a new millage to create the History Museum Authorities Act. The History Museum Authorities Act will allow voters to empower a county board of commissioners to establish a history museum authority to provide funding support for historical museums owned by the city of Detroit. If voters pass the measure on the ballot, the Detroit Historical Society — which operates the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum — and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be able to receive critical funding and support.

FY 2025 Budget

The Michigan Legislature passed the final state budget for the 2025 fiscal year ahead of the legally required July 1 deadline. The FY25 budget totals $82.5 billion, including a general fund total of $15 billion and a school aid budget total of $19 billion. Democratic leaders crafted a budget focused on strategic, targeted investments that improve the lives of people and hometowns across Michigan without raising taxes. After the vote, state Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit) issued the following statement:

“This budget season we focused on making local investments, which for our community means bringing more dollars back home to our Detroit neighborhoods. We’re investing in public safety to make sure our communities are protected, empowering Michiganders to live and enjoy life wherever they reside, work, worship and foster their family and social connections. We are moving Michigan forward with policies that help make life easier. It’s that simple — we’re putting money back into hometowns where the people need it most.”

Going PRO Talent Fund Awards

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity makes Going PRO Talent Fund awards to employers through Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs). Participating employers play an integral role in defining their key training needs, then work with their local MWAs and other partners to develop strategic training plans.

Thanks to the most recent round of Going PRO Talent Fund grants, three businesses in our community will receive nearly $90,000 in funding to help local workers receive the training they need to gain and retain high-skill, high-wage careers.

Statewide, $17.8 million in grants from the second cycle of the fiscal year 2024 Going PRO Talent Fund were awarded to more than 300 Michigan businesses to help about 10,000 workers secure employment, industry-recognized credentials and strong wages. To view a full list of grant recipients for the 2024 fiscal year and learn more about the Going PRO Talent Fund and its application cycles, visit Michigan.gov/TalentFund.

We Want to Hear from You

Rep. Carter would like to hear from you! Use the link below to let us know your concerns about both legislation and issues within the district. Additionally, we would love to hear what you would like to see included in future monthly newsletters.

District 1 Concerns/Suggestions

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE

Tyrone Carter

State Representative

House District 1

tyronecarter@house.mi.gov | (517) 373-0154