Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to my e-newsletter! I’m honored and humbled to serve as our community’s voice at the Capitol in Lansing. 2020 was a year unlike any other; as we continue into the new year and new term, rest assured the challenges families in our community and state are facing are at the top of my legislative priorities.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-0152 or email at AmosONeal@house.mi.gov if we can help.

Sincerely,

Amos O’Neal

State Representative, 95th House District

In this issue:

  • Community Conversation on Mental Health TONIGHT– with special guests
  • COVID Update
  • Legislative Update
    • Voter Suppression Package
    • Michigan Income Tax Deadline Extension


Upcoming Community Conversation

 

It is not too late to join in on our community conversation tonight, April 15, starting at 6 p.m. on Facebook Live. I will give a brief legislative update and then we will have a conversation about the importance of mental health and how it truly affects every part of our daily lives. We will have a presentation from special guests MSU Extension’s Kai Gritter and Saginaw County Community Mental Health’s Sandra Lindsey. We will also save some time for Q&A, so come with questions for our guests. You can join us on Facebook Live by clicking here or searching @StateRepAmosONeal.

 

I hope to see you there!


COVID Update

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All Michiganders age 16 and up are now eligible to receive a vaccine. You can register to receive your vaccine through the Saginaw County Health Department or through any of the systems below:

Residents can also call the state’s COVID-19 Hotline at (888) 535-6136, which is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also call United Way at 2-1-1 for help with scheduling at vaccination clinics.

The number of COVID cases in Michigan continues to skyrocket, but getting a vaccine is simply not enough. So please continue to wear your mask, stay socially distanced and remain vigilant.

Legislative Update
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Voter Suppression Package: Republicans here in Michigan and across the country are doing everything in their power to stifle democracy and deny voters the freedom to vote. Recently, Senate Republicans introduced a 39-bill package they said would improve the state’s election law processes and preserve the integrity of the vote.

Instead, these bills would create unnecessary barriers to vote, especially for people of color.  Some changes would require absentee voting hurdles like mailing in a paper copy of your ID with a ballot application, shorten the deadline for returning these ballots to a dropbox, stop clerks from buying prepaid postage for absentee return envelopes, and more.

Voters deserve a transparent process they can trust, and we need equitable access for all voters to participate in our democracy. The freedom to vote must be preserved, and that is why I was proud to join the NAACP in participating in a Lansing rally this week to stand up for our voting rights.
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MI Income Tax Deadline Extension: On our first day back in session this week, I am happy to announce that the House voted to extend the Michigan Income Tax Deadline for 2020 tax returns from April 25, 2021, to May 17, 2021. House bills 4568, 4569, and 4571 received unanimous support.

This now aligns with Federal policy and gives Michiganders more financial support and flexibility while after the coronavirus pandemic. If you or someone you know is still looking for help filing their taxes, have them reach out to our local United Way at 2-1-1. You do need an appointment so please call ahead.