Hello Friends,
With the worst of the summer heat behind us, August might be the perfect time to squeeze in the last of summer’s outdoor adventures before school starts. Visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources webpage at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/ to make campground reservations, explore local fishing holes, or pick a state park to visit.
If you want to stay involved and up to date on what’s happening in Lansing and the district, there are a few different options available to you. You can visit the House website to view our session meetings or any committee meetings you might be interested in. You can also stay updated by visiting my website at Cherry.housedems.com or following me on Facebook @StateRepCherry.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, I hope you will reach out to me. You can email me at any time at JohnCherry@house.mi.gov or call my office at (517) 373-7515.
Best,
John
Legislative Update
The Budget Process: Where are we now?
On March 5, Gov. Whitmer released her budget proposal. Since then, I have been working with the governor and my colleagues in the House to create a budget that reinvests in our schools, our infrastructure and the health and safety of our communities. I’ve been using the feedback you and others in our community have shared to work on our priorities. If you have something more you’d like to share, please feel free to reach out.
[We are here]
It’s important to remember that the budget has yet to be finalized. The House and Senate have voted on the appropriations bills; and now, we’re going back to committee to make sure that this budget does what it needs to. Next, we’ll take a floor vote, and Gov. Whitmer will sign off on the budget if she agrees to it.
If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding the budget, you can also reach out to my office at (517) 373-7515 or by email at johncherry@house.mi.gov.
Energy Infrastructure
Early this month, the Michigan Public Service Commission launched the initial Statewide Energy Assessment (SEA) to investigate current conditions of Michigan’s energy infrastructure. While the report deemed our infrastructure as “adequate”, they also made 36 recommendations for improvement. It is important that we continue to work toward an efficient and lasting infrastructure that is also environmentally friendly.
To read more on this report, check out the fact sheet or read the full initial report here.
Conversations with Cherry
Join me out and about for my community conversation series. I’ll give a brief legislative update, then I’ll have time for any questions, comments or concerns you’d like to share. These events are family friendly.
Helpful Resources for the Folks in the 49th
Flint Property Portal: Get Your Data
Want to learn more about your house and those around you? Visit the Flint Property Portal here. The Flint Property Portal is made-up of city of Flint and Genesee County Land Bank Authority data. For this site, the city of Flint and the Land Bank have strategically collected and combined more than 60 data points for each of the 56,000 properties that comprise Flint, more than 4 million pieces of property information in total. The Land Bank and the city of Flint maintain this data and use it on a daily basis to make decisions.
You can look up information for properties in Flint, such as ownership, value and condition. You can also make maps for your neighborhood, ward, or custom area. This site is delivered to you by the Genesee County Land Bank Authority and the city of Flint as part of their commitment to increasing the public’s access to information and ensuring governmental transparency and accountability.
Worried About Your Utility Bills?
It can be hard to make sure your bills are always caught up. But for those tough times, you do have options. The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is a non-profit organization that helps through partnerships with agencies across the state of Michigan to distribute utility assistance. THAW programs are open to income-eligible Michigan residents. Prior to seeking THAW assistance, you can also contact your utility provider to see what options may be available to you.
DTE Energy – (800) 477-4747
SEMCO Energy – (800) 624-2019
Detroit Water & Sewerage Department – (313) 267-8000
Consumers Energy – (800) 477-5050
Michigan Gas Utilities – (800) 401-6402
Want to lower your bills and help save the environment? Check out THAW’s list of 30 no-cost tips to help you use less energy and reduce your energy costs.
Seeking Mental Health Services?
Coping with stress or anxiety caused by your daily life? Genesee Health System offers a Mobile Mental Health Unit that travels around Genesee County to provide mental health services. So far, the mobile unit has connected 35,000 residents to mental health services. This service is free for adults and children.
Need Answers?
United Way for Genesee County can offer help 24 hours a day by calling 2-1-1 or by visiting their website. They have information and resources on a variety of topics such as utility and rent payment assistance, job search and placement, food, health and child care, housing and temporary shelters, prescription expense assistance, school-related programs, free tax preparation and more. This is a great resource available to the residents of Genesee County.
Community Events
Wings and Things: Bats – Monday Meander – Flushing County Park
How many species of bats live in Michigan? Discover the answer to this question, and others, while walking through scenic vistas and enjoying some wildlife viewing. Closed toed shoes and protection against mosquitos is recommended. This event is free to attend.
When: Monday, August 26, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Flushing County Park, Pavilion #5 – 4417 N. McKinley Road in Flushing
Book Club @ Mt. Morris Library
When: Saturday, August 24, 11 a.m. – noon
Where: 685 Van Buren Ave. in Mount Morris
American Red Cross Blood Drive @ Mt. Morris Library
When: Tuesday, August 27, 1 – 6:45 p.m.
Where: 685 Van Buren Ave. in Mount Morris
Genesee County Fair – Mt. Morris
Come and enjoy a Festival of Patriotic Music on Armed Forces Day! Admission is free with a ticket. To secure your ticket, please call (810) 407-5823 extension 509. Seating is limited.
When: Monday, Aug. 19 – Sunday, Aug. 25
Where: E.A. Cummings Center, 6130 E. Mt. Morris Road in Mt Morris
The Assenmacher 100 Cycling Event – Swartz Creek
The Assenmacher 100 is a recreational and social fun bicycle ride through the farmland and villages of mid-Michigan. With routes of 20, 34, 56, 66 and 100 miles, there are courses for experienced cyclists as well as the casual rider. Entry fees apply. For more information:
https://www.active.com/swartz-creek-mi/cycling/races/cycling-races-assenmacher-100-2019
When: Sunday, August 18
Registration begins at 7 a.m. Riders should be on the road by 10:30 a.m.
Where: Swartz Creek Middle School, 8230 E. Crapo St. in Swartz Creek
Book Sale – Friends of Swartz Creek-Perkins Library
Support your local library!
When: Saturday, August 3, from 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.
Where: Swartz Creek-Perkins Library, 8095 Civic Drive in Swartz Creek
Coloring Club – Swartz Creek Perkins Library
When: August 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 2 – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Swartz Creek-Perkins Library, 8095 Civic Drive in Swartz Creek
Art In the Park – Swartz Creek
A juried, fine art festival featuring: metal sculpture, wood, paintings/drawings, photography, textiles, glass, jewelry, pottery and ceramics.
When: Saturday, August 24
Where: Elms Park, 4150 Elms Road in Swartz Creek
Flint Township Book Club
When: Thursday, Aug. 22 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Flint-McCarty Library, 2071 S. Graham Road in Flint
HAP HR Medicare Seminar at the Flint Farmers’ Market
Medicare can be complex. HAP wants to make it easy and be with you every step of the way! Come join them and meet our team of licensed Medicare professionals to learn information on Medicare including: HAP Medicare plans, the ABC’s of Medicare, how to enroll, important dates and more! We look forward to meeting you!
When: Wednesday, August 24, 8 – 9:30 a.m.
Where: Flint Farmers’ Market, 300 E. First St. in Flint
I hope this information has been useful to you. As always, reach out if there is anything more I can do for you.