Dear Neighbor,

I am writing you today to invite you to my upcoming coffee hour on Monday, Feb. 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. These events provide an excellent opportunity to receive updates on my work at the Capitol and discuss any other questions or concerns you may have.

To sign up for this event and submit any questions you would like covered, click here.

I hope you can join me!

c

Budget Update

Last week Gov. Gretchen Whitmer outlined her recommended priorities in her budget presentation to the Legislature.

The executive budget, which will now be reviewed by the Legislature, calls for significant increases in funding for economic recovery and education – marking the largest investment in K-12 schools in Michigan to date. The budget also proposes $40 million to combat issues related to high water levels around the state.

Communities across our state are still struggling, and we need to provide them with the assistance they need as we continue to battle COVID-19. Additionally, the dire need for increased funding for our schools has never been clearer; our students and teachers need our support now more than ever. I was also happy to see the funds allocated to combat high water levels and the resulting damages, as this has been an issue my community has dealt with for far too long.

Other specific budget items I endorsed include:

  • $200 million for schools faced with declining enrollment
  • $370 million for increased access to affordable child care
  • $300 million to fix Michigan bridges
  • $120 million for the Michigan Reconnect program
  • $60 million for the Futures for Frontliners program
  • $120 million for summer learning options, including school and camps
  • $55 million for a statewide Filters First program
  • Making the $2/hour wage increase for direct care workers permanent
  • Covering the cost for sickle cell anemia treatment for all Michigan residents who need it
  • Increased revenue sharing for local government

President Biden Visits Pfizer

President Joe Biden is visiting Portage today to tour the Pfizer plant, which produced and shipped the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The visit comes following the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ announcement of their plan to purchase an additional 100 million COVID-19 doses from the Michigan-based company as part of their nation-wide effort to accelerate vaccine distribution. I will have the honor of greeting the President at the plant prior to his tour of the facility.

President Biden’s visit is an honor for our community and the state of Michigan as a whole. Pfizer and their Portage manufacturing facility have been instrumental in the manufacturing and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine across the U.S. and world, serving as a beacon of hope and pride for Michiganders and all Americans alike. While that is all something to be proud of, the work is far from finished, and our battle with this devastating disease rages on. I am excited by President Biden’s plan to ramp up vaccine distribution and the instrumental role Pfizer will have in this monumental step toward our return to normalcy.

Sincerely,

Christine Morse
State Representative, 61st House District