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Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your state representative. I hope you enjoy these highlights from Lansing and the 28th House District. I continue to work hard to serve the needs of our neighbors and to enact policies that support our public schools, improve community infrastructure, rebuild our economy, and deliver affordable health care. Included in the October e-news are constituent resources and legislative highlights for the month.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-1772 or email at LoriStone@house.mi.gov for questions about this or any other state-level issue. To stay up to date, you can also visit my website at stone.housedems.com.
Sincerely,
Lori M. Stone State Representative, 28th House District
In this issue:
Upcoming Community Conversations
I believe in government accountability and transparency; Community Conversations are one way to pose questions and get answers. As your state legislator, I appreciate your input and ideas on how to make our community and state better. I am looking forward to the upcoming community conversations to meet with residents and discuss current happenings. Feel free to share this information with anyone that may be interested in attending. Saturday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m. Kuhnhenn Brewing 5919 Chicago Road in Warren
We hope to see you there! Link to join LIVE Facebook during event
Saturday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m. – Online via Zoom. ink to join. Meeting ID: 889 8860 4857 Passcode: 660102
Virtual Town Hall Events
Discussion Around Adequate Hygienic Facilities on Construction Sites Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 6-7:30 p.m. A discussion around adequate facilities and hygiene on construction sites. The purpose of this meeting is to have an open dialogue with workers, leaders in the trades and advocates. We are hoping to find legislative solutions to include an adequate number of safe, sanitary bathrooms on construction work sites. Zoom Webinar ID: 839 4132 3320 Passcode: 322711
Mental Health Listening Tour Thursday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. Please join special guests state Reps. Felicia Brabec and Kevin Hertel for a virtual mental health listening tour. Discussion will focus on the current state of Michigan’s mental health system, barriers to access and ideas for improvement. Join experts and interested community members for this important conversation. There will be time during the program for public comment. Registration is required. Please sign-up using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/…/tZcrcemorTkuGNTb0GXrlKtlrjyvB.
Veteran Resource Town Hall Monday, Nov. 29, from 6:30-8 p.m. Veterans and loved ones, please join Michigan’s Veterans Ombudsman and the Macomb County Veteran Services Department to discuss the resources they offer including housing and mental health care. Join the Zoom webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83151405819 Or call to participate: (301) 715-8592 Webinar ID: 831 5140 5819
Legislative Updates
“A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it is accepted by a majority. Government, courts, and our social fabric demand truth, honesty, and integrity. When those threads begin to loosen, our very foundation begins to unravel. Let us do less talking and more listening. Let us think carefully before we speak. Let us humble ourselves as we serve. Let us generously express gratitude. Let us live everyday with intention.”
Red Ribbon Week Resolution — As a member of the Warren Center Line Prevention Coalition, I’m offering a resolution to make the week of Oct. 23-31 Red Ribbon Week-Drug Prevention Awareness in Michigan. I work year round with caring leaders in the community on youth education, substance use prevention and prescription drug take backs. Red Ribbon Week is an opportunity to have conversations with family, get involved, identify resources and stock NARCAN.
Kratom Consumer Protection Act – During Red Ribbon week, I will be introducing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. It would allow consumers 21 and over to continue purchasing Kratom legally with informed warning labels of harmful potential side effects (including addiction) and imposed fines for dealers that do not abide.
This legislation was inspired and developed with community members active in the substance use recovery community. This bill is intended to regulate Kratom, which is currently sold without adequate labeling, dosage or effects. Kratom may be taken in a capsule, smoked, eaten in food or sipped when brewed into a tea. (Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse).
In small doses, Kratom has a stimulant effect. In large doses, it has a depressant effect. Kratom interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors. Some people use it to relieve pain or to overcome opioid addiction. The FDA is concerned that Kratom, which affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine, appears to have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse and dependence (Source: U.S Food and Drug Administration). Kratom can cause vomiting, chills, itching and loss of appetite. Long-term use can cause extreme weight loss, skin darkening, frequent need to urinate, constipation, muscle pain and liver damage. Kratom may also cause dizziness, delusions and seizures. It may suppress your breathing and lead to coma and death. (Source: Mayo Clinic)
House Dems Pass 2022 budget
I’m proud to deliver, along with my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle, a budget that will make transformational investments in Michigan. My House Democratic colleagues and I fought to ensure this budget works for Michigan families. The 2022 budget provides critical funding for several key priorities:
House Democrats fought hard to negotiate a budget that works for working families, students, seniors and everyone else in our community. In the wake of the worst crisis we’ve seen in our lifetime, it’s more important than ever that we invest in our communities and ensure everyone in our state has the support they need to not only recover but thrive. I look forward to continuing negotiations around the remaining federal dollars available to Michigan and bringing even more funding home to our community.
State Resources Available to Help Workers Find Employment
Michigan provides numerous free resources and programs to support individuals in finding employment, whether they want to conduct a job search or explore new career pathways.
Filing a Complaint with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services
Have you experienced an unexplained increase to your auto insurance? Are you seeing the savings expected from the auto insurance reform? Have your benefits coverage been impacted by auto insurance reform? The Office of Consumer Services within the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is here to help you. DIFS provides consumer information and investigates consumer complaints against insurance, banking, credit union, mortgage and other consumer financial products. DIFS responds to consumers’ insurance questions and complaints, assists consumers in resolving those complaints whenever possible, and helps consumers understand their options.
Consumers are encouraged to first attempt to resolve disputes directly with their insurance. If a resolution cannot be reached, DIFS can help try to resolve your dispute. If the insurance company does not sufficiently resolve the concern, they can file a complaint with DIFS by contacting (877) 999-6442 or by filing a complaint online at Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.
Macomb Qualifies for Federal Disaster Unemployment Benefits Due to June Storms
The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has announced that residents of Macomb County, including District 28, are eligible for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits if their work was affected by severe storms and flooding, which hit southeast Michigan between June 25 and 26. Anyone whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to heavy rains and subsequent flooding must file applications by Nov. 12.
To be eligible for DUA benefits, individuals must meet all the following criteria:
Proof of employment can be submitted at the time of filing or within 21 days of filing a claim. A copy of the most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs may also be required (self-employed individuals should also provide Schedules SE and Schedule C or Schedule F.)
Individuals can generally receive up to 26 weeks of benefits if their unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. Eligibility will be determined on a week-to-week basis. To file a claim, download a paper application at Michigan.gov/UIA.
Child Care Access Fairs
Michigan needs professionals with a passion for children to open child care facilities. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB) will be hosting Access Fairs to bring together all the essential elements of child care licensing to speed up the licensing process to quickly fill the need for child care! Child care providers play such an important role in supporting children, families, community and the economy.
By attending a Child Care Access Fair and becoming a licensed childcare provider, you will be able to save over a thousand dollars off your startup costs!
Child Care Access Fair Locations:
Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Westside Detroit – Northwest Activities Center: 18100 Meyers Road in Detroit
Nov. 6 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m Eastside Detroit — Farwell Recreation Center: 2711 Outer Drive E. in Detroit
Need more information? If you have questions, please contact the CCLB at (517) 284-9730 or CCLBHelp@michigan.gov. |
