Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It continues to be a privilege to represent Livonia, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in Lansing. I encourage you to stay up to date on what’s going on in Lansing and continue to let me know about the issues that matter to you.
If there is anything I can do to help you and your family, please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-3920 or email me at LauriePohutsky@house.mi.gov. You can also catch me on Facebook.
Legislative Update
Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit
Last week, I introduced House Bill 5641, which would expand Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to childless adults between the ages of 18 and 24. Young adults face the highest poverty rates out of any age group and historic levels of unemployment following the onset of the pandemic. They have been historically excluded from the EITC because policymakers have assumed that they receive adequate financial support from their parents, which is untrue for many young people, especially members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color. Expanding the EITC for this age group would increase economic mobility in low-income and marginalized communities. These hardworking Michiganders should receive the same tax credits as their peers who are parents and adults 25 and older.
Session
To see what we’ve been voting on over the past couple of weeks, please click here. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (517) 373-3920 or lauriepohutsky@house.mi.gov.
Community Update
Livonia’s Merry & Bright Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
Despite the inclement weather, my team and I had a wonderful time walking in the Livonia Merry & Bright Parade. I hope that you and your family have a safe and restful holiday season!
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Constituent Resources
OK2SAY
My heart goes out to the families and students of Oxford High School, as well as to the students across this state who have been repeatedly traumatized by threats in the last few weeks following this tragedy.
While I work with my colleagues in Lansing on this issue, I want to remind folks in our community about OK2SAY. OK2SAY is a student safety program designed to knock down barriers for students to get help before a situation turns into a tragedy. If your child is concerned about a classmate or a peer’s safety, they can file a confidential tip using this service. To do so, call (855) 565-2729, visit ok2say.com or help make a difference by using any of the other contact outlets listed in the photo below. Specially trained technicians receive the tips and forward them to appropriate agencies.
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Events
Coffee Hours
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I hope you can join me for one of my upcoming in-person and virtual coffee hours! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about the issues families face in our community. The in-person coffee hour will be held at Coffee + Cream here in Livonia. You can join the livestream of my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.
Virtual: Monday, Dec. 20, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
In-person: Sunday, Jan. 2, from 2-3 p.m.
Never hesitate to reach out to me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns!
Sincerely,
Laurie Pohutsky
State Representative
19th House District