Dear Neighbors,

 

Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your day to read my monthly e-newsletter.  Keeping residents informed and engaged is at the core of my service as a State Representative.  Communication is a two-way street, so please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have concerns, questions or bill suggestions.  We are in this together!

 

Rep. Steph

 

 

February 2021 Highlights

District 8 ‘Community Conversations’ 2021

 

 

We continue our monthly “Community Conversations”, a meeting of residents, business owners and other stakeholders from the District.  We had a great discussion in February on heart health and Black History.

 

This is a time to share your suggestions and concerns as we work together to improve our overall quality of life.  Please join us for our March virtual conversations.  We hold a morning meeting and evening meeting twice monthly to ensure those interested in attending have an opportunity to do so.

 

Please save the dates for the upcoming virtual “Community Conversations”:

 

Squatters and Other Neighborhood Nuisances

Monday, March 8    10:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Friday, March 26     5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

 

Financial Literacy Month

Monday, April 12     10:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Friday, April 30        5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

 

Join Zoom Meeting

 

 

Rep. Young appointed to Adoption and Foster Care Task Force

 

“And how are the children?”  This is the traditional greeting among the Masai warriors in Africa, acknowledging the high value that the Masai always place on their children’s well-being. Even warriors with no children of their own would give the traditional answer, “All the children are well” meaning the peace and safety of their children remain a top priority for them.  As a recently appointed member of the Adoption and Foster Care Task Force, I will work to make this response a reality for Michigan’s children.

 

The Adoption and Foster Care Task Force researches and makes recommendations to improve and reform Michigan’s adoption and foster care structure.  We will engage a broad group of stakeholders including parents, youth and child welfare organizations on ways Michigan can improve its adoption and foster care system. The state’s child welfare system has been under federal court oversight for 14 years and we hope to bring an end to this soon.

 

Michigan ranks 12th in the nation for the most children under state custody, nearly 12,000. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, roughly 3,000 foster children are waiting for adoption at any given time.  A disproportionate number of these children are African Americans who have been separated from their families simply because of financial challenges.  To learn more about the foster care system in Michigan, please click here.

 

 

Unemployment Insurance Town Hall Meeting

 

Over the last year, we have seen an unprecedented surge in unemployment claims due to COVID-19. My office has been working hard to make sure you’re able to get the unemployment benefits you need and deserve.  Please mark your calendars for a virtual Unemployment Insurance Assistance Town Hall meeting on Friday, March 26 from 3-4:30 p.m.  Representatives from the Unemployment Agency will be on hand to give an overview of the claims process and to answer your questions.

 

Zoom Registration Link

 

In the meantime, if you or anyone you know needs help navigating the State’s unemployment system, please contact my office using the Unemployment Assistance Form available by clicking here.

 

 

Team Young Getting It Done

 

I was pleased to be able to help a resident of the 8th House District with their unemployment claim. Team Young is dedicated to service, so I wanted you to hear from one directly.

 

“I want to give a BIG thank you to Rep Stephanie Young and her AMAZING Assistant Alica!

I am just now getting paid from unemployment today back dated to June. I called multiple time getting the run around, never getting a resolution. I lost hope. I have a 9-year-old that is doing virtual learning and a 8-month-old, so I was unable to work. My husband’s income was the only thing we had. I said to myself there is somebody that can help me! This is not right! I searched State reps in my area and got a hold of Alica! This woman fought for me! She was very professional, warm hearted and just over all determined to help me! And she did just that! So I thank you Alicia! I wish it was another way to show my appreciation!!! You guys ROCK!!! Thank you and God bless you both!”

 

-Brandi Hurt

 

*Individual results may vary

 

 

First Bill Introduced

 

Promoting health and safety with common-sense procedures are at the heart of my first piece of legislation. In the building where I work, there was a recent upgrade to the bathrooms to install hands free soap dispensers, water faucets, toilet levers and they even added a device that allows you to open the door with your foot instead of your hands. House Bill 4124 is a forward-thinking bill that will require touchless faucets and fixtures to be installed in any newly constructed state building, thereby preventing costly upgrades in the future and minimizing the spread of germs. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform for future consideration.

 

 

City Expands COVID-19 Vaccination

 

Detroit residents who are 60 or older with chronic health conditions are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations at the TCF Center. The full list of eligible individuals now includes:

  • Any Detroit resident age 60 or older
  • Food service workers, including grocery store, restaurant, meat packing and food and beverage handling employees living or working in Detroit
  • Security guards living or working in Detroit
  • Janitors living or working in Detroit
  • K-12 teachers and support staff and day care workers
  • U.S. Post Office employees who live or work in Detroit
  • Employees of the City of Detroit or city-related agencies who are working from their regular job site
  • State and Federal law enforcement living or working in Detroit
  • Clergy members interacting face-to-face with members of their congregation
  • Funeral home/mortuary employees living or working in Detroit
  • Healthcare workers with the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials working in Detroit

 

Governor presents budget recommendation

 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s third executive budget is centered on equitably growing the state’s economy by expanding skills training, childcare for families, greater investments in education, rebuilding the state’s distressed infrastructure and helping small businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic and more. Here’s a snapshot:

 

  • $840 million investment for children and public education
  • $594 million investment for economic recovery and opportunity
  • $592 million investment in the health of Michigan’s families
  • $665 million investment in the state’s infrastructure
  • $35 million investment in clean energy and the environment
  • $32 million investment centered on diversity, equity and inclusion.

 

For a full breakdown of the Governor’s recommendations, please click here.

 

 

Tribute Request

 

We all know there are individuals and organizations that deserve special recognition for the tremendous work they do to serve the people of our communities and our state. If you know of an individual or organization that has truly gone above and beyond for their neighbors, you may fill out the form on this page to request an official state tribute so that we can all show our full appreciation for their efforts.

 

If you should have any comments or questions, please feel free to call me at (517) 373-3815 or email me at stephanieyoung@house.mi.gov.

 

In service,

 

Rep. Steph

STEPHANIE A. YOUNG

State Representative, 8th House District

 

 

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