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
Protecting Your Right to Vote
This week, I joined several of my colleagues to introduce a package of bills that would protect your right to vote and increase access to the ballot box. My bill in the package would allow for nine days of early in-person voting. The right to vote is only a guarantee as long as people can access it. Voters want and deserve more options to exercise that right. The more participation we have in our elections, the more representative elected officials will be of the population they serve, and that’s good for everyone.
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Livonia City Council Approves Erosion Mitigation Funding
This Monday, I spoke before the Livonia City Council in support of the use of a $1 million grant that state Sen. Polehanki, and I secured from the state to deal with erosion issues along Bell Creek. Citizens have been struggling with this problem for 20 years, and I’m happy to be part of the solution.
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Session
To see what we’ve been voting on over the last week, 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
March is Reading Month
Over the past few weeks, I have been visiting classrooms across Livonia to participate in March is Reading Month as a guest reader. It has been such a joy to read to our district’s students and meet more of our phenomenal faculty at Livonia Public Schools and Clarenceville Schools. I also want to give a special shout-out to Mrs. Kerri Winkler’s 3rd-grade class from Coolidge Elementary! We had a great time learning about Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. I look forward to seeing you all at the Capitol soon!
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Constituent Resources
Growing MI Business Grant Program Application Deadline on March 31
The Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding businesses that time is running out to participate in a $409 million business grant relief program designed to provide certain Michigan businesses financial support.
Under the Growing MI Business Grant Program, eligible businesses in operation before October 1, 2019, may receive a grant of up to $5 million due to financial hardship. Eligible businesses that began operating between October 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020, may receive a grant equal to 25% of certain specified costs.
Individuals can apply for business resources online at www.michigan.gov/abr.
Each business must submit a completed online application to the Michigan Department of Treasury no later than 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, March 31. Grant awardees will be notified in early summer and grant awards will be distributed by July 1.
Growing MI Business grants may be prorated depending upon the number of businesses that apply to ensure that all eligible businesses can receive funding. Grants will not be distributed based on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Under state law, there are nine types of businesses eligible for a grant:
- Entertainment venues
- Recreational facilities and public places of amusement
- Barbers and cosmetologists
- Exercise facilities
- Food service establishments
- Nursery dealers and growers
- Athletic trainers
- Body art facilities
- Hotels and bed & breakfast establishments
Additional information about the Growing MI Business Grant Program – including frequently asked questions, fact sheets and previously recorded webinars – can be found on www.michigan.gov/abr. Individuals with questions about this grant program should email Treas-abr@michigan.gov.
Events
Infrastructure Listening Tour
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In mid-November, Michigan was promised billions of dollars from the federal government to make large-scale infrastructure investments and create new jobs. Next month, I will be hosting a listening session with special guest state Rep. Matt Koleszar and other industry experts to hear from you about our greatest infrastructure needs here in western Wayne County. I hope you will join me on Thursday, April 7, at 5:30 p.m. in the Livonia City Hall Auditorium located at 33000 Civic Center Drive in Livonia. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.
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 for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.
Virtual: Monday, March 21, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
In-person: Sunday, April 3, 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