Dear Neighbor,
Here is some information that I hope you will find helpful, including some updates and news from your state government.
Upcoming Event: Facebook Live Coffee Hour
Please join me for a Facebook Live coffee hour this Monday, June 13, from 9-10 a.m. You will find the event on my Facebook page at that time. I will give a legislative update and take your questions. Please email KaraHope@house.mi.gov with any questions or topics you would like covered. I look forward to speaking with you all soon.
Lansing Child Care Access Fair
Individuals interested in beginning or advancing their child care career should attend the Lansing Child Care Access Fair this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Wainwright Elementary School, 4200 Wainwright Ave. in Lansing. Participants at the fair include the Child Care Licensing Bureau, the Child Care Providers Association of Michigan and others. Free onsite fingerprinting will also be available.
Gun Violence Survivors and Local Leaders Join Together For Wear Orange Day
On Saturday, I spoke at a Wear Orange Day rally at Everett High School in Lansing. This event was put on by the Greater Lansing Area Moms Demand Action and the Mikey23 Foundation to support survivors of gun violence and advocate for common-sense gun laws.
Reforms to reduce gun violence have been a priority of mine since I got to the Legislature. So far this term, I have co-sponsored legislation that would:
- Limit magazine capacity by prohibiting the sale or possession of a magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition (House Bills 5627 and 5628).
- Require gun owners to properly secure and store firearms if minors could access the firearms (House Bills 5066–5069).
- Prohibit guns in the Michigan State Capitol and legislative office buildings (House Bills 4023 and 4024).
- Prohibit guns within 100 feet of voting locations and absentee ballot counting boards (House Bills 5947 and 6165).
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Child and Family Charities Celebrates Services
Last week, I attended Child and Family Charities’ Igniting Hope Breakfast. This event highlighted the important work this organization does for homeless young people, foster families, and others in our community and across the state.
I look forward to the opening of Child and Family Charities’ Jackson House, which will be part of CFC’s reuse of the old McLaren Hospital campus in South Lansing. This transition will allow CFC to offer all of their services in one location, and it will allow them to double their capacity, meaning more kids and families in the Lansing area and around the state can be served. Congratulations to Julie Thomasma, Child and Family Charities CEO, and her team for all their hard work.
Portion of I-496 Closed Due to Construction
Last week, construction began to rebuild two miles of I-496 in Lansing between the Lansing Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard interchanges. These improvements are part of the Rebuilding Michigan Program. Construction is scheduled to be finished by Oct. 15. More information, including information about detours, can be found here.
DNR Offers Free Park Entry During “Three Free” Weekend
This weekend, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will offer free fishing, off-roading, and state park entry during the department’s “Three Free” weekend. On June 11 and 12, residents and non-residents can fish without a license, ride an ORV on state-designated routes, trails, and scramble areas without a license or trail permit, and get a free temporary recreation passport to enter any of Michigan’s state parks or state-managed boating access sites.
Happy Pride Month
Happy Pride Month! I am proud to be an ally, and I will never stop working to ensure equal rights for our LGBTQ family members, friends and neighbors.
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Sincerely,
Kara Hope
State Representative