Dear Neighbors,

As your state representative, I strive every day to serve the needs of 28th House District residents. I am eager to continue to work to enact policies that will help us innovate in our economy and deliver support for our public schools to provide a world-class education to every child.

If you need assistance or resources, please reach out to me and my staff. To learn more about resources, events and recent efforts in Lansing, visit my website at stone.housedems.com. I can also be contacted in my office at (517) 373-1772, and my official email is LoriStone@house.mi.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Lori M. Stone

State Representative, 28th House District

In this Issue:

  • Upcoming In-District Events
  • Legislative Update
  • UIA Paused New Wage Garnishments
  • MDE Education Workforce Job Fair
  • Summer Science Professional Development for Teachers
  • Safe Digging Month – MISS DIG 811
  • Health Insurance Marketplace Special Enrollment Period
  • The State of Tobacco in Michigan

Upcoming In-District Events

Information for future Community Conversations and events can also be found on my Facebook page or sign up for email updates at stone.housedems.com.

Pints and Politics Community Conversation

Date: Saturday, April 23 

Time: 11 a.m. to noon     

Location: Kuhnhenn’s Brewery 

5919 Chicago Road in Warren

Community Conversations are part of government transparency and accountability. I encourage participation and welcome ideas so I can better serve community needs.

Join in Wiegand Park Cleanup

Date: Saturday, April 23 

Time: 12:30-2 p.m.

Location: Wiegand Park, 8700 Toepfer Road in Warren

Join Rep. Stone in cleaning up a local park in anticipation of summer fun! All supplies will be provided. Dress according to the weather.

April 18-24 is Earth Week in Michigan. Since April 22, 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated annually to address environmental issues, unite around protecting the environment, and providing our future generations with a safe and sustainable future.

Civic Engagement Town Hall

Date: Monday, April 25

Time: 10-11:30 a.m.     

Location: Thompson Resource Center Gym, 13700 Hupp Ave. in Warren

I am hosting an in-person town hall with presentations and resources. Our focus is participating in the election process, voter protections, a citizen’s voting rights and secure election processes. Presenters include the League of Women Voters, Michigan Center for Civic Engagement and a very special guest. Registration Link: bit.ly/3M6daXx

Community Conversations in the Park

Last year’s Community Summer Picnics were so successful that I plan to host three more this summer. You are welcome to join any or all of them. Food and drinks will be provided.

  • June 25: Veterans Memorial, 27400 Campbell Road in Warren
  • July 16: Wiegand’s Park, 8700 Toepfer Road in Warren
  • Aug. 20: Owen Jax Park, 8207 E. 9 Mile Road in Warren

Legislative Update

  • My Kratom Consumer Protection Act was unanimously voted out of the Rules and Competitiveness Committee on April 13. I’m expecting it to receive a vote by the House of Representatives in the next month!
  • I introduced a bipartisan Education Covid Relief Policy Package that would waive punitive measures resulting from standardized testing scores during COVID-19, including a reprieve from third-grade student retention, teacher and administrator evaluations, and school grade rankings.
  • I am currently seeking a committee hearing for the Homeless Youth Legislation Package that does the following:
    • Extends the window of time youth shelter personnel have to secure permission from a parent or guardian of a homeless minor.
    • Increases access to medical care for homeless youth.
    • Updates the definition of homeless youth ages 17-21 for purposes of transitional housing programs.

UIA Paused New Wage Garnishments

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has paused new wage garnishments and intercepts of state of Michigan tax refunds in roughly 398,000 cases where workers collected federal unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, until at least May 7 while UIA completes its review of claimant accounts that may qualify for overpayment waivers.

The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) granted the temporary pause after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer intervened seeking the legal authority from USDOL and Congress to hold state collections until cases could be reviewed and/or issued waivers so that eligible Michiganders are not negatively affected for following the established rules when they applied for benefits.

MDE Education Workforce Job Fair

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is hosting an Education Workforce Job Fair series that is open to employers of educators and educational support staff as well as individuals seeking work in the educational field. There are two in-person job fairs. An additional virtual fair will take place using the Brazen platform.

Job Fairs will be held:

  • May 11 (at Lansing Community College – West)
  • June 7 (virtual)
  • August 11 (campus of Schoolcraft College)

For more information and to register, job seekers and employers can visit MDE – Education Workforce Job Fairs (michigan.gov).

For information on how to become a certified administrator or teacher in Michigan, please visit the Office of Educator Excellence website.

If a formerly certified Michigan Educator wishes to learn about options on how to re-enter the educational profession. MDE staff are available to answer specific certification questions sent to MDE-EducatorHelp@Michigan.gov.

Summer Science Professional Development for Teachers 

Safe Digging Month – MISS DIG 8-1-1

Are you planning backyard improvements that involve digging? Call MISS DIG 8-1-1 to have buried utilities marked for safety!

Anyone planning a project involving digging should call 8-1-1 or fill out a request online at www.MISSDIG811.org at least three business days (72 hours) in advance to ensure underground utilities aren’t damaged, leading to dangerous and potentially deadly consequences. No matter the size of an excavation project, MISS DIG 811 is FREE and ensures buried gas, electric, water and sewer, phone and other underground utilities are clearly marked by trained workers from utility companies with spray paint or flags. More information is available in the MPSC’s tip sheet on MISS DIG 811 and safe digging.

Health Insurance Marketplace Special Enrollment Period 

Michigan residents have the opportunity to take advantage of free or low-cost health insurance during a new Health Insurance Marketplace Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

The new SEP allows Michiganders the chance to enroll in Marketplace health coverage even if they don’t meet one of the traditional SEP qualifications. To qualify, consumers must have a household income below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is approximately $19,000 for an individual and $40,000 for a family of four. An Advance Premium Tax Credit for qualifying enrollees may make a plan available at no- or low-cost.

Once the application is completed and a plan is selected, coverage begins the first day of the following month.  To determine SEP eligibility, to review insurance options and enroll, visit the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center at (800) 318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). For more information on special enrollment periods and other ways to get covered, go to Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance. The last day to select a plan during this SEP is Nov. 30, 2022.

The State of Tobacco in Michigan

Date: Monday, April 25

Time: 11-11:45 a.m.

Join MS Teams on your computer: Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only) +1 248-509-0316,,450122212#

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is hosting a webinar that will provide a snapshot of tobacco use in Michigan and the cost burden that smoking places on Michigan taxpayers. MDHHS will provide an overview of free resources to help Michiganders quit tobacco.