State Rep. Price (right) stands alongside her Democratic colleagues in support of accessible and affordable health care in Michigan.
Dear Neighbor,
I hope that you are safely enjoying the summer and finding time to reconnect with your communities offline this month. As we continue to navigate our shifting political reality, I am grateful for the continued engagement of our community members. It is important to remember that we all have a voice when it comes to policy and politics. Whether you are taking part in parades or attending small gatherings, we all have a critical role to play in shaping our communities and cultivating lasting relationships with our neighbors.
I’m also glad to share information on events and updates with you in this latest edition of my newsletter. Also included in this issue are a few resources I hope you find helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-0823 or email at NataliePrice@house.mi.gov for questions about this or any other state-level issue. You can follow me on Facebook to get regular legislative updates, too. I look forward to hearing from you!
In Service,
Natalie Price
State Representative
6th House District
In this issue:
- District Events
- Royal Oak Community Conversation — July 24
- Legislative & District Updates
- State Updates & Resources
- Important Dates
District Events
Community Conversation
Last month I was joined by a special guest, former state Rep. Jim Ellison, Oakland County’s Chief of Older Adult Services, for a community discussion on services for aging populations. This was a great opportunity to learn about the support systems that exist for seniors here in Oakland County and to highlight the work that my colleagues and I are doing to support senior populations through legislation. If you are interested in learning more about resources in Oakland County, visit the Older Adult Services website.
My next community conversation will be on Thursday, July 24, at Royal Oak Public Library at 5:30 p.m. I will be joined by a special guest, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. We will discuss issues that many of our community members are focusing on, such as ID requirements and maintaining fair elections in our state. Space is limited and tickets are required for in-person attendance — if you would like to join us in person please order a free ticket here.
If you can’t join us in person, you can register to view the event virtually over Zoom. It is also recommended that both in-person and online attendees submit their questions in advance using this form. We look forward to meeting with you all and discussing the work our offices are doing to support you.
Can’t make it to the next in-person event? No problem. My office has created a schedule of upcoming community conversations stretching as far as September. These dates, attached below, will help you plan in advance and save the date for my upcoming community events.
Virtual Town Halls
Summer is full of opportunities to get outside and reconnect with the environment around us. In the spirit of connecting offline, my office has decided to temporarily pause our virtual town halls for the summer. These virtual sessions will return in September. In the meantime, I look forward to connecting with you all at various in-person events this season.
Legislative & District Updates
Budget Breakdown
Michigan school districts, teachers and students were counting on lawmakers to finalize the state budget by July 1. But after months of delays under House Republican leadership, the deadline has come and gone. This means economic uncertainty for many Michiganders and job insecurity for our state’s educators.
To make matters worse, the passage and signing of the President’s federal spending bill includes the largest cuts to health care and food assistance in American history — $1 trillion to Medicaid and $186 billion to SNAP over the next 10 years. These cuts will make the state budget process even harder and will directly affect everyday Michiganders — hurting students, workers, seniors, veterans and families. That means:
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Grocery bills, housing and utilities costs will continue climbing.
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Access to health care will shrink.
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Food assistance programs will be slashed.
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Rural hospitals risk having to shut their doors.
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Child care needs will go unmet.
The damage from Washington is being compounded by inaction here in Michigan. I have your back, and I am continuing to fight for a responsible, people-first state budget that puts our schools, public safety and community needs front and center.
Protect Medicaid. Protect Michigan. Protect MI Care.
Whenever I have the chance to connect with you, either in person at community events or virtually through this newsletter, I look forward to sharing good news about the positive developments I have worked on in Lansing. However, with the passage of the congressional budget and the delayed state budget, I know that this month has been harder than most for many of our neighbors. Our friends and family are now having to seriously consider how they will continue to afford health care without Medicaid, or whether or not their children will continue to receive meals at school. I understand that this moment in time may feel overwhelming and scary for some of us. Leading with empathy has always been a cornerstone of my work and I sincerely understand how you are feeling. While things may seem bleak, I want to reiterate the importance of building hope by leaning into our communities and networks through this period of turmoil.
Connecting with our support systems in times like these helps to remind us that we are not alone, and it enables us to engage in meaningful discussions with others who want to see our communities flourish. Some days will be harder than others, but I will be fighting for you in Lansing and working with you in our neighborhoods to cultivate the positive change our communities desperately need. From affordable care to a quality education system that meets the needs of all Michigan students, I remain committed to amplifying your voice in our government.
Since June, I have been proud to work for you on the following legislative actions:
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Gun violence continues to pose a significant threat to the health and safety of Michiganders everywhere. I’m proud to have lent my signature to state Reps. Matt Longjohn and Morgan Foreman’s HBs 4478-4479. This will help address the issue of unregistered ghost guns by requiring all parts of a firearm to have an identifiable serial number and introducing sentencing guidelines for those caught selling or trading unmarked firearms.
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As a former stay-at-home mom, I understand how high costs of child care can make working difficult if not impossible for young families. And for many, the costs of child care can be a barrier to stepping up to serve the public. That is why I joined state Rep. Carrie Rheingans in support of HB 4480, which will allow parents running for office to use campaign funds to cover child care expenses. Policy, like parenthood, is a full time job and families deserve the flexibility to pursue public service and ensure their kids are well taken care of.
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I also joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including my colleague state Rep. Julie Rogers, in advocating for a PFAS testing pilot program. There is still much that we do not know about the impacts that PFAS and other environmental contaminants can have on our overall health and well-being. The pilot program proposed by HBs 4499-4500 will help researchers and health care providers better understand how to safeguard our communities.
Please note this is not an exhaustive list of all the issues my office is working on. Stay tuned for updates as we continue working on critical legislation.
State Updates & Resources
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
The governor recently announced that 10 development projects in the state of Michigan have earned funding to build and maintain affordable housing rentals in our state. These 10 developments have been awarded over $14 million in tax credits which will go towards building 484 rental homes and providing employment opportunities in sites throughout the state. As we continue to navigate rising housing costs and a competitive housing market, this funding will help ensure that more Michiganders get access to the safe and accessible housing they need.
To learn more about the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and the development projects click here.
Staying Cool on a Budget
Heatwaves over the last few weeks have tested Michiganders and their wallets. Recent guidance from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) offers tips for staying cool and keeping your energy bill in check. For example, you may find it helpful to utilize a smart thermostat that allows you to turn your AC off when you aren’t home, avoiding peak energy usage times and cool your home in the evenings when usage rates are lower. Even using cost-effective measures like curtains and shades can help keep your home cool without running your AC more than needed.
For additional guidance on staying cool with a budget, check out this article.
Online Driver’s License Testing
With the increasing accessibility of technology, your visit to the local Secretary of State’s office has become more convenient than ever. In fact, eligible new drivers can now skip the SOS visit altogether and take the written portion of the license exam online at home. The online written test is the same as the written test that new drivers have to take when they visit their local SOS branch. Test takers 18-years-old and older must first verify their identity and pay a convenience fee before taking the test using a device with a functional webcam that must be on throughout the duration of the test. This new virtual service aims to increase the convenience of the SOS while maintaining the integrity of vital road knowledge tests.
To learn more about the new virtual testing option visit Michigan.gov/SOSOnlineTesting.
Important Dates
Royal Oak Community Conversation – Thursday, July 24