Dear Neighbor,

Here is some information that I hope you will find helpful, including the latest updates and news from your state government.

Upcoming Event: It’s Time for a Living Wage Virtual Town Hall

I will be participating in For Our Future Michigan’s It’s Time for a Living Wage Virtual Town Hall this Thursday, Oct. 14, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Other panelists include One Fair Wage, the Restaurant Opportunities Center, and local activists and workers. We will discuss how to secure rights for workers across Michigan and the U.S., including pending legislation that would help working families.

Register here to receive the Zoom link. I look forward to speaking with you on Thursday!

Child Care Package Passes House

Last week, a bipartisan child care package unanimously passed the House of Representatives. These bills aim to increase the accessibility and affordability of child care. I was proud to co-sponsor the following legislation that would:

  •     Raise the adult-to-child ratio for in-home care providers by one child (HB 5041).
  •     Modify licensing requirements for child care centers, group child care homes or family child care homes to disclose ownership (HB 5042).
  •     Require the Michigan Department of Education to establish the family child care networks to support home-based child care providers in every region of the state (HB 5043).
  •     Require the Michigan Department of Education to establish infant and toddler child care contracts for certain state-licensed child care providers (HB 5044).
  •     Require the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to establish and maintain a database of child care centers, family child care homes and group child care homes (HB 5045).
  •     Give a child care center at least 90 days to come into compliance with a new rule, unless there is an immediate federal obligation or an immediate risk to health and safety (HB 5046).
  •     Require an operator of a child care center to maintain licensing records on the premises (HB 5047).
  •     Allow child care facilities to be located in a multiple occupancy facility, like a strip mall (HB 5048).

These changes will be funded by the $1.4 billion allocated to child care in the fiscal year 2021-22 budget. These bills now await a hearing in the Senate Families, Seniors, and Veterans Committee.

Students Rally to Fight Climate Change

This weekend, I participated in the Climate 911 Rally in East Lansing. Thanks to MSU Students for Cooperation for inviting me to speak. It was great to see so many young people determined to stop and reverse the effects of climate change. I hope to see these students at the Capitol soon. The organizers did a great job: keep the momentum going!

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins Friday

The Medicare open enrollment period begins on Friday, Oct. 15, and goes through Dec. 7. During this period, you can shop for your Medicare 2022 Prescription Drug Plan or make changes to current Medicare coverage. Coverage for newly selected plans begins Jan. 1, 2022. Even if you are happy with your current plan, it is recommended to take the time to compare and make sure you are receiving the best possible coverage.

The Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) offers Medicare beneficiaries and their families assistance with understanding the eligibility process, enrollment, coverage, medical bills, Medicare supplementals and long-term care insurance. To get connected with a MMAP Counselor near you, call 1-800-803-7174 or go to https://mmapinc.org/ and click on “Get Started.”

Please don’t hesitate to contact my office at (517) 373-0587 or by email at karahope@house.mi.gov if we can help.

Sincerely,

Kara Hope

State Representative