Dear Friend,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! Read on for legislative updates and things to do this month, along with other community information.
Take My Survey!
Michigan is at a crossroads. As we look into the future, our state is facing a clear choice: do we invest, build and thrive? Or do we continue to divest, stagnate and decline? Gov. Whitmer’s budget presents bold solutions to put Michigan on the road to opportunity by making the largest investment in education in a generation of students, closing the skills gap to help our workers compete, cleaning up our drinking water and finally fixing the damn roads. To share your input on what projects we should fund and how we should fund them, please visit my website to take my budget survey by clicking here.
City of Mt. Morris Fire Department Offering Free Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Residents in the city of Mt. Morris can get free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors from their fire department. The Mt. Morris Fire Department received an allotment of detectors from the Michigan State Fire Marshal's Office to give city residents. The detectors come with 10-year batteries that never need to be replaced. The batteries expire when the entire detector needs to be replaced 10 years after the manufacturing date. This offer is valid for city of Mt. Morris residents only and does not included Mt. Morris Township residents.
The fire department will install up to six smoke detectors and one carbon monoxide detector in residences within its jurisdiction based on the fire code, which calls for a smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside the main sleeping areas and one on each floor. Mt. Morris city firefighters will install each of the detectors for free. Call Assistant Fire Chief James Young at (810) 835-5220 or email jyoung@cityofmtmorris.org for more information and to check eligibility.
I-475 Reconstruction in Genesee County
The state is investing $44 million into the reconstruction of I-475. According to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the state will conduct substantial repairs to the 18 miles of I-475 in Genesee County with the work continuing through the entire 2019 construction season. The project will include:
- Rebuilding three miles of I-475 from Carpenter Road north to just east of Clio Road.
- Northbound I-475 will include a 50-year pavement design, using hot-mix asphalt.
- I-475 will undergo a capital preventive maintenance cape seal from Clio Road to I-75.
- Interchange improvements and redesign at Saginaw St., including the removal of two loop ramps.
- A freeway road diet, reducing I-475 from three lanes to two lanes from Saginaw to Carpenter Road.
- Lighting improvements from Carpenter Road to Saginaw.
- Sign improvements along the entire length of I-475.
The project is expected to be completed in November. Northbound I-475 will be reduced to one lane from Carpenter Road to Clio Road. Southbound I-475 will be closed and detoured from the north junction of the I-475 interchange to I-69. Motorists should follow the posted detour using southbound I-75 to eastbound I-69. MDOT said this work will improve the road surface and drainage, while also improving safety with new signs and freeway lighting.
State Income Tax Returns Due April 15
The Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding taxpayers that state income tax returns are due soon. State income tax returns must be submitted electronically or postmarked through the U.S. Postal Service by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 15. Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is fast, safe and secure. Last year, more than 4.2 million Michigan taxpayers e-filed, which is nearly 85 percent of state income tax filers.
For more information about e-filing, go to www.mifastfile.org.
MPSC Urges Michiganders to Call 8-1-1 Before Digging
April is Safe Digging Month and the Michigan Public Service Commission reminds everyone — from homeowners to construction crews — to make a free call to MISS DIG at 8-1-1 before starting any outdoor digging project and have work areas marked for safety.
A few days before starting an excavation project, make a free call to 8-1-1 or fill out a request online at www.MISSDIG811.org. Homeowners should click on “Request Service” and excavators should select “e-Locate.” Trained workers from local utilities will be dispatched to a job site to mark the approximate locations of underground gas, electric, communications, water or sewer lines using flags or spray paint. To be safe, do no start an outdoor project until public utility locations are marked, and carefully dig by hand in the designated areas.
Go to www.call811.com for more information.
Severe Weather Tips
Severe weather can happen anytime, in any part of the country. Severe weather can include hazardous conditions produced by thunderstorms including damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail, flooding and flash flooding, and winter storms associated with freezing rain, sleet, snow and strong winds. To learn more about how to plan for severe weather or learn how to take action, please visit https://www.ready.gov/severe-weather.
Events in the 48th District
Public Open House to Discuss I-75 corridor study in Genesee County
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will hold a public open house on April 22 from 3-7 p.m. at the Flint Township Police Department located at 5200 Norko Drive in Flint. This open house will discuss practical design alternatives resulting from ongoing operational studies of I-75 from US-23 to Court Street and the I-75/I-69 interchange. MDOT has identified this corridor as a potential site for future improvements to address aging infrastructure, increasing safety, and the existing and future needs of the freeway configuration.
MDOT will conduct presentations at 3 and 5 p.m. to review the current study process and design alternatives developed following the initial phases of the study. Additional time will be reserved for questions and input from attendees.
Genesee County Metropolitan Alliance Open Forum
The Genesee County Metropolitan Alliance will have a meeting on Wednesday, April 17, at 7 p.m. on the third floor of the Willard P. Harris Auditorium in the Genesee County Administration Building, 1101 Beach St. in Flint. This public meeting is an opportunity for you to review and comment on a proposed amendment to the FY 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP lists federally funded transportation projects eligible for funding under Title 23 as amended, or Federal Transit Act funds.
Come meet Peter Rabbit!
The Huckleberry Junction Playhouse Theater invites you and your family to come meet Peter Rabbit on Friday, April 12, from 5–7 p.m. An Easter celebration is not complete without seeing the Easter Bunny! For more information, please call (810) 640-1100.
Easter Egg Hunt
On Saturday, April 20, Wojo’s Greenhouse in Davison is hosting an Easter egg hunt from 10– 10:30 a.m. Age group assignments start at 9:30 a.m., but this activity is for children of all ages. Please bring something for your child to hold the eggs they find.
Dog Easter Egg Hunt
The Davison Area Dog Park is hosting an Easter egg hunt for your furry friends on Thursday, April 18, from 6– 7 p.m. For more information, please visit their website by clicking here.
Citizen Science: Frog & Toad Survey
The For-Mar Nature Preserve is hosting a Frog & Toad survey on Saturday, April 20, from 8–9 p.m. Learn calls of native species and how to help monitor and complete the survey. Participants will then be invited to travel to other park locations for additional monitoring after 9 p.m. All ages welcome. For more information, please visit the Genesee County Parks website.
I hope you found this information useful. Please feel free to contact my office if we can be of any assistance.