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Happy Holidays!
It’s hard to believe I’m coming up on the completion of my first year in office. Where has the time gone? The year began with discussions on where to find bulletproof vests and whether or not I wanted to sit on the House floor or in the balcony due to pandemic concerns. As the months progressed, both sides of the aisle found legislation we could work together on, most of the time, but when we had disagreements, they were severe and polarizing, like the voter suppression bills and the bill banning the teaching of racial injustice. Unfortunately, the last few weeks tend to heat up as legislation gets pushed through with little or no time to review or discuss. I’ll be posting Capitol updates on Facebook, so please be sure to check them out and let me know your thoughts.
Until we meet again in 2022, please stay warm, be safe and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. I’m just a phone call or email away.
Blessings!
Rep. Steph
Bipartisan Justice Reform Package
Since arriving in Lansing, I have been advocating for criminal justice reform. Too many of our residents are sitting behind bars simply because they could not afford bail. I introduced House Bill 5439, which would allow nonviolent misdemeanor defendants an opportunity to be released on their own recognizance, without paying bail and without going to jail. This bill is part of a larger bipartisan package aimed at reforming Michigan’s cash bail system and creating a fairer pretrial process for all Michiganders.
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Bills Protect the Right to Vote
I support a nine-bill package my Democratic colleagues recently introduced that aims to protect Michiganders’ right to vote. The bills in the package would make good on the promise of free, fair and accessible elections through measures such as ensuring that every city or township has at least one dropbox for absentee voter ballots and automatically sending absentee ballot applications to all voters in the state. It also reflects the will of the voters who overwhelmingly passed Proposal 3, a constitutional amendment enshrining no-reason absentee voting that Republicans are trying to undermine. I will be a part of another package of bills that add additional protections to our right to free and fair elections.
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A Sad Day in the Michigan Legislature – Critical Race Theory Legislation
I joined members of the House Democratic Caucus in standing against HB 5097, legislation that bans the teaching of race and gender issues in Michigan’s K-12 schools. The bill’s supporters say it would ban the teaching that one racial group is inherently bad or guilty of historical wrongs, but it would have the effect of whitewashing history. Our kids deserve a full, accurate accounting of our nation’s story — good, bad and ugly. Passing this legislation, with only Republican votes on the board, was nothing more than an attempt to erase the ugliness in American history. I was honored to stand with every Democrat by not casting a vote and walking out when the Speaker refused to let an African-American legislator from Detroit speak on the bill. #Solidarity.
Celebrating Apprenticeship Week
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared Nov. 15-21 as Michigan Apprenticeship Week. I was fortunate to be part of a tour for legislators to visit an amazing apprenticeship program in Ann Arbor where high school students are learning how to build homes from the ground up.
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Registered apprenticeship programs support both employers who need skilled talent, as well as workers who gain skills toward rewarding, high-demand, high-wage careers. Graduates of these types of programs are able to find good-paying union jobs with zero student debt. I would love to see a similar program like this in Detroit, and I am working on it.
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November Community Conversation
With cold weather here, the theme of my November Community Conversation was how to keep the heat and lights on.
Megan Wilk, the assistant director of programs for the Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, briefed us on the many services Wayne Metro offers. Wayne Metro serves 500 low- and moderate-income Wayne County residents a week with more than 60 programs.
Here is how you can contact Wayne Metro:
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We also heard from Krista Capp, the chief operating officer for The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW). THAW partners with nearly 40 agencies to distribute energy and utility assistance to Michigan households. Since its inception in 1985, THAW has distributed more than $250 million in energy bill assistance to more than 280,000 Michigan households.
You can contact THAW by visiting their web site at thawfund.org or by phone at (313) 226-9465.
As always, you can watch the entire meeting on my Facebook page.
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Please join us on Monday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. for our December and final Community Conversation of 2021 as I wrap up my first year in the Michigan House of Representatives. We will have representatives from the proposed asphalt plant on Southfield Road to answer questions and address concerns. I hope to see you there.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 827 2740 1164
(312) 626 6799
Meeting ID: 827 2740 1164
You can also join us live on Facebook.
Thanksgiving is About Caring and Sharing
Team Young was hard at work during the Thanksgiving holiday. We teamed up with Lisa Franklin, Warriors on Wheels and the great team at Jerry L. White Center as we blessed their students and families from across the city of Detroit with turkeys and trimmings. We joined volunteers, like Percy Johnson, as we delivered the food, helped a young man redirect his life and worked on bringing an amazing apprenticeship program to fruition.
On Thanksgiving Day, Team Young was honored to participate in the 11th annual Food for Thanks holiday feast at Artist Village in Detroit. Around 650 meals were served, with a choice of 20 food items. It was a great day to give thanks. We even had enough food to take meals to our amazing officers at the Detroit Police Department’s 8th Precinct. It was a blessed day all the way around!
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Historic Child Care Investment Announced
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the launch of the Child Care Stabilization Grant last month, which will distribute $350 million in grants to give every full-time child care professional a $1,000 bonus and keep child care programs open and serving kids.
I was proud to vote yes on the historic, bipartisan budget that made a $1.5 billion investment to expand child care access and opportunities for Michigan families. We know that for our economy to continue its rebound, Michigan families need reliable access to quality and affordable childcare.
The Child Care Stabilization Grant application is now open. Licensed child care providers are eligible to apply and should visit www.Michigan.gov/childcare to review frequently asked questions and apply. Childcare professionals will be awarded bonuses directly from their employer and do not need to apply. This is a non-competitive grant. Every eligible child care provider that submits a completed application will receive a grant award. The deadline is Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.
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FLU VACCINE REMINDER
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is asking Michiganders to get their flu vaccination, wear masks in indoor settings, socially distance when possible and stay home when they are ill to prevent additional outbreaks of the flu. Despite its comparison to the common cold, the flu is a very serious and potentially deadly disease, especially for children, older people and people with chronic health conditions.
Flu vaccines are available now at local health departments, physician offices and pharmacies around the state. Visit Vaccine Finder to find a location near you. To learn more about influenza, visit Michigan.gov/flu.
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Tribute Request
We all know individuals and organizations that deserve special recognition for the tremendous work they do to serve the people of our communities and our state. If you know an individual or organization that has truly gone above and beyond for their neighbors, fill out the form on this page to request an official state tribute so we can show our full appreciation for their efforts.
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If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to call me at (517) 373-3815 or email me at stephanieyoung@house.mi.gov.
In service,
Rep. Steph
STEPHANIE A. YOUNG
State Representative
8th District
Useful Links
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