Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It continues to be a privilege to represent Livonia, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in Lansing. I encourage you to stay up to date on what’s going on in Lansing and continue to let me know about the issues that matter to you.

If there is anything I can do to help you and your family, please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-3920 or email me at LauriePohutsky@house.mi.gov. You can also catch me on Facebook.

Legislative Update

Sex Education Curriculum Expansion

Last week, State Senator Jeremy Moss and I introduced SB 496 and HB 4938, which would require that medically accurate information regarding post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) be presented as part of a school’s HIV/AIDS curriculum.

Pep and Prep

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is crucial for adolescents to receive medically accurate, evidence-informed, age-appropriate and comprehensive sexual health education. Students who receive comprehensive sex education are at a significantly lower risk for contracting a sexually transmitted infection such as HIV. Expanding the HIV curriculum to include medically accurate information on PEP and PrEP medications will help keep adolescents healthy. Armed with the right tools, young people are able to make well-informed decisions that lead to better health outcomes.

Auto No-Fault Insurance Reform

My House Democratic colleagues and I are sounding the alarm to highlight the urgent action needed to pass House Bill 4486, which will protect vulnerable residents who are in danger of losing access to life-saving care.

Starting July 1, reimbursements rates for specialized rehabilitation services will be slashed by 45%—leaving thousands of critically injured Michigan citizens without the care they paid for and need to survive.

House Democrats are calling for a cost-neutral solution to this looming crisis that requires auto insurers to reimburse providers at the same rate as they do providers in a hospital setting.

I stand for protecting vulnerable victims, and my House colleagues and I will continue to fight on behalf of accident survivors and all Michigan consumers.

Session

For an in-depth look at what my colleagues and I have been voting on in Session these past couple of weeks, click here.

Community Update

Small Business of the Month

Last week, I stopped at Golden Gifts to present them with a tribute naming them as the District 19 May Small Business of the Month. This Livonia staple has been serving our community for nearly 40 years. It was an honor to be able to show our appreciation!

Golden Gifts

Legislative Check-Ins

It is crucial to have the voices of our community heard in Lansing. As the weather starts to warm up, my staff and I have hit the ground running on our door-to-door legislative check-ins. So far, I have had great conversations about the importance of investing in education, repairing our economy and expanding access to quality, affordable health care. My team and I will be out in the district throughout the summer, and we look forward to meeting you!

Canvassing

Virtual Coffee Hours

Coffee Hour

I hope you can join me for one of my upcoming virtual coffee hours! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about the issues families face in our community. You can join the livestream on my Facebook page here: facebook.com/RepPohutsky.

Wednesday, June 9  from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Monday, June 21 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Constituent Resources

Unemployment Policy Update: Work Search

As of May 30, 2021, claimants receiving unemployment benefits are now required to actively search for work and report at least one work search activity for each week they claim benefits. You must report your work search activity when you certify. Your benefits will not be paid until your work search activities have been reported to UIA.

A waiver of the work search requirement may be granted due to certain COVID-19 related reasons. You must apply and be approved for a COVID-19 Work Search Waiver before you certify for benefits for the week. You will be notified at the time of the request whether a waiver of the requirement is granted.

Claimants may apply for a waiver beginning May 30, 2021, either in MiWAM by clicking “Request a COVID-19 Work Search Waiver” or by calling the UIA customer service line at 1-866-500-0017.

How to complete your work search

The first time you are required to include the details of your work search activity is when you certify for the week ending June 5, 2021. 

The preferred method for reporting work search activities is online using your Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account.

  • Enter your work search activity in MiWAM at Michigan.gov/uia. Questions about your work search will be included with your regular certification questions. Enter the details of your Work Search Activity for Week 1 and Week 2.
  • Certify with MiWAM any day during your certification week.

OR

  • Certify by phone with MARVIN at 866-638-3993. Listen carefully to the prompts and answer the certification questions. After completing the automated questions, you must stay on the line to be connected with an agent to provide the details of your work search.
  • Do not hang up before you have provided your work search details or your certification will not be complete, and your benefits will not be paid.

Beginning June 7, 2021, if certifying by phone, you must certify on your scheduled certification day and time. Your certification day and time are scheduled according to the last two digits of your Social Security Number.

Example: If your Social Security Number is 555-55-5511, the last two digits are 11. The appointment time for number 11 is Monday between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

What to include when reporting your work search activities:

  • Date of Contact – The date of your work search activity must fall within the week ending date (Sunday through Saturday) for each.
  • Activity – Enter the work search activity for the week you are claiming benefits. One is required, but additional can be entered. Allowable work search activities may include submitting applications, contacting employers, checking resources at employment offices, checking job listings at Michigan Works, attending job fairs or employment workshops.
  • Name of Employer/Organization/Search Engine – Write the name, if known, or the online job search site, or employment service or agency that was contacted. If the search was done online and the employer was not specified, enter the name of the search engine, employment service or employment. Enter the Michigan Works agency that you used for your work search activity.
  • Employer Address/Online Location – Enter the location where work was sought, physical address or online website address. If the contact was made by telephone or fax, enter the phone number.
  • Method of Contact – Enter how contact was made (e.g., online, email, in person, phone, mail, fax).

Please continue to check the UIA website at michigan.gov/uia for updates on Michigan’s work search requirements.

Never hesitate to reach out to me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns!

Sincerely,

Laurie Pohutsky

State Representative

19th House District