Hello Friends,
Welcome to my first newsletter of 2020! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year! The Legislature is back in session this week in Lansing and I am excited for the year ahead of us. I am honored to continue to serve you as your state representative and to work hard on the issues that matter most to you and our community.
With the start of the new year, it’s important to remain engaged and keep our office updated if you have any questions or opinions about state or community issues. My office is reachable by phone at (517) 373-0828, by email at DonnaLasinski@house.mi.gov or by coming to one of our upcoming district events. As always, please find upcoming coffee hours, celebrations and town halls listed below. I would love to see you there and I always look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Donna Lasinski
Legislative Updates
Looking Forward
2020 will be both an exciting and busy year. I will continue to serve as Democratic Vice Chair of the Energy Committee and as a member of the Insurance Committee and Tax Policy Committee. I am committed to continuing transparency in our work and keeping you updated on the legislative happenings in Lansing.
Drinking Water
Ensuring our communities have safe drinking water is extremely important to me. I will continue fighting to improve drinking water standards and protect our water from PFAS contamination. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced this week that they will be holding three public hearings to gather public comments on the proposed rules to create maximum containment levels for seven PFAS substances in approximately 2,700 water supplies in Michigan. One of the scheduled hearings will take place in Washtenaw County. Please see the information below.
When: Jan. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: ML Towsley Auditorium, Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor
Please note that it is requested for all statements made at the hearings to be submitted in writing for the public record by Jan. 31, 2020. For more information about the public hearings and how to submit public comments, please visit the website here.
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Upcoming Time With Donna
Coffee Hours
We will continue to host coffee hours this year, with my first one coming up later this month! I look forward to meeting with you in the community to give legislative updates and discuss the issues that are most important to you and the community.
Dexter Coffee Hour
When: Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Where: Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine St. in Dexter
Scio Coffee Hour
When: Thursday, Jan. 23, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Where: Joe And Rosie Creamery, 3690 Jackson Road in Ann Arbor
(In front of the Quality 16 Movie Theater)
What to Do in 52
Start off 2020 by having some fun and attending great local community events! Here are a few to check out.
Moving and Grooving
Want to stay or become more active in 2020? The Northfield Township Area Library will be hosting Moving and Grooving to stay active and healthy with body groove sessions this winter! Register here.
When: Friday, Jan. 10 and Jan. 31, from 11:30 a.m. to noon
Where: Northfield Township Area Library in Whitmore Lake
Mindfulness Workshop
It is important to take time to de-stress from our daily lives and practice the art of mindfulness. This workshop will feature a meditation and a conversation on mindfulness. Register here.
When: Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Chelsea District Library
Coloring for Adults
Enjoy a relaxing and creative afternoon at the Saline District Library with coloring for adults.
When: Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Saline District Library
Animals of the Rainforest
The Animals in the Rainforest event is fun for the whole family! There will be a live animal presentation that will feature animals originally from the rainforest and an opportunity to learn more about them and their habitat. No registration is required for attendance.
When: Monday, Jan. 20, from 11 a.m. to noon
Where: Dexter District Library
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Resources
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Behavioral Health
MDHHS will be holding five public forums throughout the state and virtually during the beginning of this year to discuss the future of behavioral health for the state of Michigan. This will be especially beneficial for individuals or families who are served by the Medicaid-funded behavioral health system in Michigan.
There are no forums scheduled for Washtenaw County, but there will be a virtual forum and the event information for that is below. For more information and to register, visit the website here.
Virtual Forum
When: Thursday, Feb. 6, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: The link for this virtual forum will be posted here at the end of January.
United Way of Washtenaw County Free Tax Preparation Help
As the new year begins, we also need to start preparing to file our 2019 taxes. The United Way of Washtenaw County offers free tax preparation help to those who are eligible. To see if you are eligible for their tax preparation help, please visit the website below. If you are eligible, you can schedule your appointment online or call the phone number below.
Please note that they will only be able to help with the 2019 tax filing year. Prior years will be on hold until spring 2020 (after this tax season).
Website: https://www.uwwashtenaw.org/freetaxhelp
Phone: (734) 677-7235
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I hope that this information has been helpful and that we will see you at future events this year.
Sincerely,
State Representative Donna Lasinski