|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It continues to be a privilege to represent Northville, Plymouth and eastern Canton, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in Lansing.
I was very pleased with the progress we made during my first term in office, but we still have much work to do. I will continue to fight to ensure that every Michigander has access to the tools, resources and opportunities they need to succeed. I encourage you to stay up to date with what’s going on in Lansing and to let me know about the issues that matter to you, so I can continue to best represent the interests of our community.
If there is anything I can do to help you and your family, please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-3816, email me at MattKoleszar@house.mi.gov, or stop by my office in Lansing. You can also catch me on Facebook and Twitter.
In this Edition:
Upcoming Events
Coffee with Koleszar I hope you can join me for my upcoming virtual coffee chat! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about the issues facing families in our community. When: Thursday, March 25, from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Where: Facebook Live
Vaccine Update
Michiganders may now begin registering for the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Ford Field in Detroit. The community vaccination site is set to officially open on March 24.
After the registration process is completed, people who have registered will receive an invitation either by call or text when it’s their turn to schedule the appointment. Vaccine appointments will be scheduled a few days in advance.
The Ford Field site will operate from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week, for eight weeks under the federal government’s vaccination pilot program. The facility will be managed by the State of Michigan with support from FEMA, Wayne County, the City of Detroit, Ford Field, Meijer, Henry Ford Health System and the Detroit Lions.
All COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Sign-up is available through these three options:
The vaccine will be offered at no cost, and insurance is not required, nor will it be requested at the vaccination center. Any Michigan resident who is currently eligible to receive the vaccine under the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) vaccine prioritization guidance will be able to register for an appointment.
While vaccinations are ongoing, Michiganders are still encouraged to practice preventative measures including wearing a mask, social distancing, and frequent handwashing.
Michigan residents seeking more information about the COVID-19 vaccine should visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine.
Legislative Update
FOIA Package Passes House Unanimously
On March 18, House Bills 4383-4392 passed the House unanimously. This bill package would create the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA) and would apply the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the governor’s office and those of state lawmakers.
I am grateful for the unity we’ve seen over this bill package over the last several legislative terms, with this being the 4th time it has been successfully voted out of the House. Government transparency and accountability is not a partisan issue and I am hopeful our colleagues in the Senate will feel the same way.
Tuition-free Pathway for Paraprofessionals
State Rep. Kevin Hertel and I recently re-introduced our paraprofessional to teacher pathway bill package from last session. House Bills 4368 and 4369 would create a grant for paraprofessionals to receive tuition-free teacher certification education. HB 4368 establishes the eligibility for the grant, which includes two separate pathways for paraprofessionals who currently have an associate degree or equivalent and those who do not. HB 4369 specifies the grant’s funding mechanism. Our bill package was referred to the Workforce, Trades, and Talent Committee where they await a hearing.
Having served as a teacher for years before being elected, I know the hard work that paraprofessionals put in every day for our students. They’ve served on the front lines of education throughout the pandemic, and it’s time our state gives back to them as well.
In Our Community
Teacher of the Month Nominate your favorite Northville or Plymouth-Canton educator to be Teacher of the Month using this form!
|
