Hello Friends,
Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and that your new year’s resolutions are going well. It’s been an absolute pleasure to serve as your state representative for the past year! Here is a small summary of my legislative action from 2019.
As always, my legislative priorities are going to be working on issues that I’ve heard from our community members over past year, such as greater protections for drinking water, increasing the statute of limitations for misconduct by a public official, and repealing the pension tax. Here at the Capitol, session has resumed and I’m hard at work with my fellow representatives working on legislation that will help address those priorities and aid our great state.
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 weekly session meetings or any committee meetings you might be interested in. You can also stay updated by visiting my website at Cherry.housedems.com, following me on Facebook @StateRepCherry or following me on Twitter @JCherry4MI.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please reach out. You can email me at any time at JohnCherry@house.mi.gov or call my office at (517) 373-7515.
Best,
John
Legislative Updates
Review of December
Last month, Senate Bill 154 was approved, which restored $35 million to the school aid fund. This was especially important to public school academies, also known as charter schools, because it provided an increase of $240 per pupil.
Coming in January
On Jan. 14, I testified in favor of House Bill 4834 before the House Committee on Judiciary. This bill would increase the statute of limitation on bringing misconduct charges against a public officer from six years to ten years. Flint residents deserve a complete and professional investigation into the misconduct of city officials that lead to the Flint Water Crisis. These bills will give prosecutors the time they need to review all the evidence and seek justice for our community. You can view my testimony online by clicking here.
Budget
While the budget was passed last year, we are continuing to work on ensuring that we have an executive budget that reflects the needs of our state. Last month, a supplemental appropriation bill (Senate Bill 154) was passed that restored $35 million to the school aid fund. If you would like more information and to stay up-to-date on changes to the budget, I encourage you to visit the House Fiscal Agency website by clicking here for more details and easy to read charts and reports.
Helpful Resources
Prepare for Winter Storms
In light of last week’s snow and rainfall, it’s important that you are prepared for winter storms. If you want to be prepared for possible winter storms but are not sure how, take a look at the info published by the Michigan State Police on their website by clicking here.
Protect Yourself from Tax Scams
As the state of Michigan begins a new year and the state income tax filing season approaches, the Michigan Department of Treasury is asking taxpayers to be alert and watch out for tax scams.
Cybercriminals typically increase their activity in the first part of the year through phone scams and email phishing schemes. These scammers try to obtain personal information using different tricks and tactics so they can file income tax returns and claim refunds on behalf of unsuspecting taxpayers. Some scammers may also allege a taxpayer owes taxes and aggressively demand payment for a quick payout.
The Michigan Department of Treasury will never:
- Initiate a phone call or email to ask for personal information.
- Call or email to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, Treasury will first send a bill through the U.S. mail to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
- Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
- Demand that taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
Contacted by a scammer? Immediately hang up the phone or delete the email. If you have received a call or email from a scammer, you should report the case to the IRS through the web or by calling (800) 366-4484. To learn more about tax-related identity theft, go to www.michigan.gov/identitytheft.
Conversations with Cherry
This month, we will not be having any “Conversations with Cherry” events. However, our office is still available if you have any questions, comments or ideas to share. You can usually reach someone in our office Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. We are also more than happy to share resources via email or through the mail.
Next month, we will be resuming the “Conversations with Cherry” events, so be on the lookout for those dates in the next e-news or coming into your mailbox soon.
Community Events
Mindful Movement Around the Town – Community Yoga Class
Come and enjoy a yoga class hosted by the Crim Fitness Foundation’s Mindfulness Program. Great for anyone new to yoga or experienced. Some yoga mats will be available to borrow. If you have your own mat, you should bring that along with you. Try to wear more comfortable and loose fitting clothing. Classes are every Wednesday until the end of May. Register by clicking here.
Every Wednesday, Jan. 22 and 29, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Located at Brownell Elementary School, 6302 Oxley Drive in Flint.
Flint Institute of Arts – Huntington Free Saturdays
Enjoy free access to the Flint Institute of Art Exhibits every Saturday.
Every Saturday, Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Located at the Flint Institute of Arts, 1120 E. Kearsley St. in Flint.
Folklore for Adults with Special Needs
Come enjoy a series of stories, songs, drama and games for adults with special needs.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Located at the Genesee Valley Center, 3341 S. Linden Road in Flint.
Survival at Home
Come for a free course on monthly budgeting.
On Thursday, Jan. 23, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Located at ELGA Credit Union in Flushing, 6243 W. Pierson Road G in Flushing.
JazzNite
Come and enjoy live jazz music by some of Michigan’s most talented musicians.
On Thursday, Jan. 23, from 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Located at the White Horse Tavern, 621 W. Court St. in Flint.
Tech Tutoring
One-on-one tutoring sessions to help answer any technology related questions you may have.
On Friday, Jan. 24, from 10 – 11 a.m.
Located at the Genesee Valley Center, 3341 S. Linden Road in Flint.
Your Wild Neighbors
Come and get to know many unique animals that call Michigan home, including snakes, toads, frogs, turtles, salamanders and insects. RSVP online at https://www.thegdl.org/events/
On Saturday, Jan. 25, from 11 a.m. – Noon
Located at the Flushing Area Library, 120 N. Maple St. in Flushing.
DIY Flowerpot Snowman
Come and learn to make this cute and easy decorative craft.
On Saturday, Jan. 25, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Located at the Mount Morris Library, 685 Van Buren Ave. in Mt Morris.
Folklore for Adults with Special Needs
Come enjoy a series of stories, songs, drama and games for adults with special needs.
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Located at the Genesee Valley Center, 3341 S. Linden Road in Flint.
Flint Township Book Club
Come meet and discuss a wide variety of fiction titles.
On Thursday, Jan. 30, from 6 – 7 p.m.
Located at the Flint Township-McCarthy Library, 2071 S. Graham Road in Flint.
Tech Tutoring
One-on-one tutoring sessions to help answer any technology related questions you may have.
On Friday, Jan. 31, from 10 – 11 a.m.
Located at the Genesee Valley Center, 3341 S. Linden Road in Flint.
The Science of Cotton Candy
Come and explore the science behind cotton candy. Chemists of all ages are welcome to this fascinating program.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. – Noon
Located at the Flint Township-McCarthy Library, 2071 S. Graham Road in Flint.
The Science of Cotton Candy
Come and explore the science behind cotton candy. Chemists of all ages are welcome to this fascinating program.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, from 2 – 3 p.m.
Located at the Genesee Valley Center, 3341 S. Linden Road in Flint.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. If there is anything further I can do, please reach out.
All the best,
John