Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to the latest edition of my e-newsletter. I am excited to share with you updates from Lansing!

Remember, our government is most effective when we engage with it. I want to hear what matters most to you, how I can help address your needs and what you want me to fight for at the Capitol. My staff and I are always here to talk about ways we can improve our community. You can reach me at RepKellyBreen.com or (517) 373-0827.

In service,

Kelly Breen

State Representative, 38th House District

Upcoming Coffee Hours

Friday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m. at Novi Coffee

Friday, Dec 17, at 6:00 p.m. at Witches Hat Brewing

Legislative Update:

This month, I passed my first bill in the House! House Bill 5043 is part of a bipartisan package of bills to assist Michigan’s current child care facilities and providers while expanding assistance for emerging caregivers. The bills come after a $1.5 billion investment in child care included in the recent budget, which was advocated for by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other members of her bipartisan Taskforce on Child Care. I am proud that both sides of the aisle were dedicated to working together for the good of the people

The bill package takes on regulatory and organizational issues by:

  • Giving providers time to comply with new health and safety rules by allowing a 90-day grace period during implementation.
  • Helping providers locate where families live and work by giving child care providers a safe path to locate in multi-use buildings.
  • Reducing the burden on providers by allowing their health and safety records to be shared with parents online.
  • Letting quality and caring providers thrive by cracking down on bad actors who try to game the system and get out of regulations.
  • Improving quality of and access to quality infant/toddler care by allowing a contract model that covers the cost of care.
  • Helping expand and support family child care providers by creating Family Child Care Networks.
  • Allowing increased ratios for family and group homes who have a proven record of success.

Funding for Novi Schools

I am proud to announce I have secured $400,000 for the Novi Community School District outdoor classrooms and gardening programs to be transformed thanks to a one-time state grant. The Novi Educational Foundation (NEF) will receive the funding as part of the budget.

Budget Highlights:

  • $55 million for the governor’s Michigan Reconnect program, which offers free community college or job training for residents age 25 or older
  • $25 million for Future for Frontliners, which Gov. Whitmer launched last year to provide free tuition to essential workers.
  • $54.3 million boost in funding for ambulance providers by guaranteeing them Medicare reimbursement rates.
  • $414 million to permanently raise direct care workers’ hourly wage by $2.35.
  • $12 million for state roads.
  • $53 million to local road agencies.
  • $28 million to a local bridge program.
  • $3.8 million for police body cameras and support staff and $4.5 million for a professional development bureau that will oversee training on topics like mental health, cultural competency, communication and de-escalation training to avoid violent encounters.

Mental Health Listening Tour with Brabec, Kuppa, Weiss, Ellison, Carter and Steckloff

Earlier this month, I held a listening event focusing on the current state of our mental health system in Michigan, existing barriers and ideas for improvement. Opening a discourse between Lansing, mental health professionals and consumers is key to better understand the issues and pathways to solutions. Community organizations and their consumers are so vital. I am honored to work together and bring real, substantive improvements to the way we treat behavioral health in this state.

MDHHS Halloween Guidance

To keep Halloween a safe and fun holiday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is offering tips and tricks to keep loved ones safe and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Tips for trick-or-treaters and parents:

  • Talk with children about Halloween safety and expectations.
  • Stay outdoors for activities, particularly if participants are not vaccinated.
  • Trick or treat in small groups.
  • Avoid congregating in groups around houses.
  • If indoors or in crowded outdoor settings, wear a face mask covering both mouth and nose (a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask).
    • Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask if wearing both causes difficulty breathing. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.

Tips for homeowners to consider:

  • Distribute candy on a table to eliminate direct contact.
  • Consider handing out candy in an open space where distancing is possible, rather than from the front door.
  • Consider a neighborhood costume parade; it is an easy way to keep safe distance from children.

Helpful Resources

Coronavirus Info – Michigan.gov/coronavirus

Michigan 2-1-1 – mi211.org

COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) – CERA Program

State Emergency Relief (SER) – michigan.gov/mibridges

Apply for a Home Heating Credit at michigan.gov/treasury

Unemployment Benefits – Michigan.gov/UIA

Small Business Assistance – michiganbusiness.org/covid19 and sbdcmichigan.org/small-business-covid19

State Rep. Kelly Breen – RepKellyBreen.com

State Senate – senate.michigan.gov

State House of Representatives – house.mi.gov

Michigan Legislature – legislature.mi.gov

U.S. Senate – senate.gov

U.S. House of Representatives – house.gov