Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

Welcome to my e-newsletter! As always, I am honored by the opportunity to represent you in Lansing and encourage you to stay up to date with what’s going on. Please continue to let me know of the issues you care about most.

 

In this Edition

 

  • Ban on Municipal Incineration
  • Walk Against Toxic Water
  • March is Reading Month
  • Good Neighbor and Student of the Month
  • Coffee Hours

 

For two weeks the Legislature took a break from meeting in Lansing to allow representatives to spend time with the people who matter most–their friends, neighbors and community members right at home.  I spent those two weeks catching up on legislative research and in-district events.

 

Ban on Municipal Incineration

 

I teamed up with Rep. Isaac Robinson to support the closure of the Detroit Renewable Power Incinerator and voice the need for a permanent ban to protect the air and water quality of Detroit residents. By working together, we can prevent future incinerator establishments from popping up and toxifying our air.

 

 

Walk Against Toxic Water

 

I also joined Rep. Isaac Robinson and a number of community activists to Walk Against Toxic Water to urge residents to submit public comments to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) on the potential expansion of US Ecology’s hazardous waste storage and process operations.

 

 

March is Reading Month

We know how valuable reading skills are for elementary education and how important it is to develop consistent reading habits at a young age. That’s why I joined legislators across the state in celebrating ‘March is Reading Month’ by reading to a number of classrooms throughout Detroit and Dearborn.

 

I had so much fun reading with the kindergarten and first grade classrooms in district nine. Thank you for having me!

 

 

 

MiAble Announcement – Save Without Losing Your Benefits!

I enjoyed learning about Michigan’s new state-operated savings program, called MiABLE, to help people with disabilities and their families save money and prepare for the future without fear of losing vital government benefits like Medicaid and Social Security Income. Michigan residents with disabilities are no longer limited to just $2,000 in assets. Now, by creating a disability savings account with the Michigan Department of Treasury’s MiABLE program, individuals and their loved ones are free to save and invest up to $15,000 annually. For more details, visit miable.org.

 

Announcing Good Neighbor and Student of the Month Program

 

I’m excited to unveil a new program my office will administer each month that spotlights an outstanding member of the community. Beginning in April, we’ll be accepting nominations for both the “Good Neighbor of the Month” and “Student of the Month” in the 9th House District. This is a great opportunity to highlight and express our gratitude for the unsung work members do for our community each day as well as our outstanding academics. Check out my web page to nominate someone who deserves recognition!

 

 Upcoming Coffee Hours

 

Join me for coffee and conversation!

 

Friday, April 26 10- 11 a.m., McDonalds, 15501 Plymouth Road in Detroit

Friday, April 26 Noon-1 p.m., Mary’s Grill 20804 Plymouth Road in Detroit

 

 

 

“Success is liking yourself, what you do, and liking how you do it”

-Maya Angelou

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

State Representative Karen Whitsett

9th House District