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Dear Neighbor,
I am honored and humbled to be your state representative. Please know that as we continue to face the challenges of the pandemic and its ripple effects throughout our society, my staff and I are here for you. If you are in need of support or resources, have any questions regarding legislation or state government in general, please feel free to reach out to me at my office via email or by calling (855) 473-4635 toll-free.
Sincerely,
Brenda Carter
State Representative
29th House District
In this issue:
- Upcoming Events
- Executive Update
- Legislative Update
- Community Spotlight
- Women’s History Month Heroes
Upcoming Events
Virtual Coffee Hour
Friday, April 12, from 8 to 9 a.m. on Zoom
Business Listening Tour
Tuesday, April 23, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Zoom
Auto No-Fault Changes – Insurance Townhall with DIFS
Monday, May 24, 11 a.m. to 12 noon
Zoom webinar information to come
Spring Cleaning Tour
Every year, I enjoy volunteering and cleaning up our community’s public spaces and parks. This year I will be setting up opportunities to clean parks and public spaces throughout the 29th House District so stay tuned to future editions of this e-news for more details.
Executive Update
Governor Gretchen Whitmer Budget Proposals
Once again it is budget season in the Michigan Legislature and, as always, that begins with a recommendation and presentation of priorities from the governor. The above graphics explain some of the priorities that were presented.
If you have questions about the budget or budget process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. The Legislature has already begun to draft its own budget and I will keep you informed as we continue.
Legislative Update
Floor Speeches
On March 24, I gave a floor speech opposing House Bill 4355. This bill would allow for out-of-state health providers to provide medical advice solely by remote video chat. To watch, please click here
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On March 3, I delivered a floor speech pleading with my colleagues to break the tie bar between HB 4048 and 4049 to allocate the full federal funds to our deserving schools, students and teachers. Please watch the full speech here.
Michigan Legislative Labor Caucus
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I am honored to have been named Vice Chair for the MLLC and I am looking forward to continue working with my colleagues to improve working conditions and ensure good paying wages for every Michigan worker.
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Virtual State of Michigan Tours
In light of COVID-19 Health Safety precautions, the Michigan State Capitol is offering live virtual tours. Visit the website to schedule your virtual Capitol Tour today!
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Community Spotlight
Chris Modest
Pictured here is Kaino Phillips, CEO and President of the Clarence Phillips Ascend Foundation, Chris Modest and State Representative Brenda Carter.
I am proud to have gotten to know Chris, and it was my honor to recognize him for his commitment to success and dedication to the City of Pontiac. The Ascend Foundation provided a safe and educational space for Chris to matriculate into the person he is today. He is currently earning his Master’s degree in public administration.
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Know Your Community
Please tune in to our latest episode of Know Your Community to learn more about Chris Modest, the Ascend Foundation, and his Chris’s amazing story.
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Women’s History Month Honorees
As March closes, I want to take a moment to highlight a few women making history in our communities.
As you may know, Women’s History Month originated in the United States as a response by feminist activists who took issue with the lack of attention our contributions received in American history books. In 1987, Congress passed a proclamation declaring the entire month of March as Women’s History Month calling upon all Americans to mark the month with observances to honor the achievements of American women. Subsequently, each year thereafter a special Presidential Proclamation is issued honoring the extraordinary achievements of American women.
Mattie Hatchett – Pontiac
Mattie Hatchett is being recognized for her efforts in several areas. Since 1963, Commissioner Hatchett has been actively involved with the Pontiac School District as an employee and volunteer. She served as a trustee on the Pontiac Board of Education from 2010-2014. In addition to specific innovations in the classroom, Ms. Hatchett made history in 2011, when she became the first African American woman to serve as the President of the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC).
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Cheryl Verbeke – Auburn Hills
Cheryl Verbeke is a resident of Auburn Hills where she resides with her husband and 4 children. She has been an Auburn Hills City Council Member since 2011 and is Secretary of the Board for the Boys and Girls Club of Auburn Hills. For 15 years she has been a foster parent and this experience has fueled her passion to advocate for issues impacting children in our community and beyond.
As Chairperson of Blessings in a Backpack-Oxford, Cheryl continues her work to assist children by providing food every weekend to eligible students in the community. In this role, she coordinates fundraising, volunteers and distribution of food each week of the school year.
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Rosa Randolph – Pontiac
Rosa Randolph is being recognized for her efforts in several areas. Mrs. Randolph honed her food service management skills during a 19-year career at several major medical facilities including Crittenton Hospital, Detroit Receiving Hospital and Grace Hospital.
Throughout this time, Rosa always dreamed of owning her own business. While working full time as a food service manager, Rosa started Randy’s BBQ Carry Out. As the business grew, Rosa made the decision to leave the “corporate” world and launch Unique Food Management, Inc. Unique Food Management is a catering business located in Pontiac, MI. Under Rosa’s leadership and hard work, the company has flourished over the last twenty years. Currently, the full-service production kitchen produces and delivers over 25,000 meals per week to a variety of clientele including Meals on Wheels and Charter Schools.
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Mary Evans – Pontiac
Mary Evans is a strong community leader in Pontiac. Ms. Evans started The Young Entrepreneur’s Squad Foundation as a non-profit 501(c)(3) for kids between the ages of 6-10 years old. Young Entrepreneur’s Squad Foundation provides mentorship, coaching, workforce development, entrepreneurship training, technical assistance, technical support and human services to kids in our community.
Ms. Evans created two transportation companies. The first, MG & Associates, Inc., provides non-emergency medical transportation, in-home counseling and residential care as part of our continuum of services. The second, Chief Executive Officer at Alternative Transportation Services Inc. (ATS), provides safe, reliable transportation to all non-emergency medical appointments. In addition to non-emergency transport, she also assists those with neurological and traumatic brain injuries.
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Veronica Mitchell – Auburn Hills
Veronica Mitchell serves as Brand Integration Manager & Chief of Staff for the VP of Electric Vehicles Center of Excellence at General Motors. She joined GM in 1994 and progressed through multiple manufacturing, validation and product engineering-focused positions. She has published three papers and has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors.
When not working on GM vehicles, Ms. Mitchell supports her community through her efforts as a member of Rotary International. She serves on the Smithsonian Science Committee for Accessibility in K-12 STEM Education & as an Advisory Board Member for her local Boys and Girls Club. Her past accomplishments include serving in multiple appointed and elected offices, most recently as the Deputy Mayor of the City of Auburn Hills.
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