Dear Neighbor,

Here is some information that I hope you will find helpful, including some updates and news from your state government.

Gun Violence Prevention Advocates Visit the Capitol

Last week, I met with gun violence prevention advocates to discuss the need for common-sense gun reform in our state. On Tuesday, Moms Demand Action came in to advocate for several bill packages, including safe storage legislation and bills to protect victims of domestic violence. Then on Wednesday, I met with gun violence prevention advocates from End Gun Violence Michigan. This coalition consists of March for Our Lives Michigan, the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity, Oakland Forward, and Interfaith Action of Southwest Michigan.

My Democratic colleagues and I have been working on these sensible gun reforms for years. Just this term, the following bills have been introduced:

  • Funding gun violence prevention (House Bill 5174): Funding for the Advance Peace Peacemaker Fellowship gun violence prevention program that will focus on Lansing. As the lead sponsor of this bill, I am proud to say that this project received $357,000 in the 2021-2022 fiscal year budget (Senate Bill 82).
  • Limiting magazine capacity (SB 785 and 786; HBs 5627 and 5628): Prohibit selling or possessing a magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, with some exceptions.
  • Keeping guns from domestic abusers (SBs 678 and 679; HBs 5371 and 5372): Prohibit abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses from possessing guns for eight years.
  • Requiring safe storage (SBs 550, 551, 552 and 553; HBs 5066, 5067, 5068 and 5069): Require properly securing firearms to prevent accidental injury/death when the firearms could be accessible to minors.
  • Mandating universal background checks (SBs 454, 455 and 456; HBs 4869, 4870 and 4871): Require universal background checks for the purchase of all firearms.
  • Restoring local control (SB 352): Allow local governments to ban guns on property they own or lease.
  • Banning guns in the Capitol building (SBs 34 and 35).
  • Expanding gun-free zones to buildings owned or leased by the state (HBs 4023 and 4024).
  • Increasing penalties for drive-by shootings that injure children (HB 5027).
  • Creates a seven-day waiting period for all pistol purchases (HB 5658).
  • Prohibiting open carry within 100 feet of a voting location (HB 5947).

April 16 Declared Healthcare Decisions Day

Last week, I introduced a resolution to declare Saturday, April 16, 2022, as Healthcare Decisions Day in the state of Michigan. This is a day intended to raise public awareness of the need to plan ahead for healthcare decisions related to end-of-life care and medical decision-making and encourage the use of advance directives to communicate these important healthcare decisions.

Most Michiganders have not executed an advance directive, partially because there is a lack of public knowledge about the need for these documents and partially because they are often written in complicated legal and medical terms. AARP has advance directives in English and Spanish available on their website. The Michigan form can be found here. The organization Five Wishes also offers advance directives in 30 languages that are available for purchase in both digital ($15) and print ($5 versions). These documents can be found here.

Resources Offered for Students Applying to College

Lansing high school students who are planning to attend college in the fall should apply for the Lansing Promise Scholarship. This scholarship, which is available to students who graduated from a Lansing high school, provides financial assistance to complete an associate’s degree at Lansing Community College, Michigan State University and Olivet College. The application is due May 17. Learn more at www.LansingPromise.org.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline for current high school seniors has been extended to May 1. This form determines eligibility for state and federal financial aid, including grants, scholarships and student loans. Find more information and fill out the application at studentaid.gov.

The local nonprofit Capital Area College Access Network offers help completing the FAFSA. Call (517) 203-5011 or email collegequestions@capcan.org. Applicants are also encouraged to seek help from their school counselors or college advisers.

The Legislature is on a week-long in-district work period through April 22. But my staff and I are here to help as always. Don’t hesitate to call or email us!

Sincerely,

Kara Hope

State Representative