Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It is a privilege to represent Livonia, Redford Township and Detroit, 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) 373-1530, or email me at LauriePohutsky@house.mi.gov. You can also catch me on Facebook.
Legislative Update
Banning the LGBTQ+ Panic Defense
Last week, I introduced House Bill 4718, which would ban the LGBTQ+ “panic” defense in the state of Michigan. The LGBTQ+ “panic” defense is a legal strategy that attempts to sway a jury to believe a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity is responsible for a defendant’s violent or deadly crime. For years, violent defendants have used the “panic” defense to mitigate or be acquitted of their crimes — sending the message that the lives of the LGBTQ+ community are somehow less valuable than those of people who are heterosexual or cisgender. Targeting a person solely because of their gender identity or sexual orientation is never defensible, and it’s long past time Michigan follows the lead of other states and bans this defense from being used in a court of law.
Session Update
Follow this link to see what we have been voting on over the last couple of weeks. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (517) 373-1530 or lauriepohutsky@house.mi.gov.
Constituent Resources
Applications Now Being Accepted for the Fostering Futures Scholarship
Young adults who have experienced foster care on or after their 13th birthday are eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund.
The priority deadline for the Fostering Futures Scholarship application for the academic year 2023-24 is Aug. 1. Eligible students enrolled at a Michigan degree-granting college or university may now apply to receive scholarship funds for tuition, fees, room, board, books and supplies.
Applications received after Aug. 1 may be placed on a wait list.
Fostering Future Scholarship applicants with questions should contact the state Treasury Department’s Student Scholarships, Grants and Outreach area at mistudentaid@michigan.gov or call toll-free at (888) 447-2687.
Community Update
Water Affordability Community Conversation
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came out this past Monday to our Water Affordability Community Conversation in Redford. If you were not able to attend, there is a recording posted to my Facebook page here.
Coffee Hours
I hope you can join me for one of my upcoming coffee hours! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about the issues families face in our community. I host two coffee hours a month, one in-person and one virtual. The location for in-person coffee hours will rotate throughout the year between Livonia, Redford Township and Detroit. My in-person July coffee hour will be in Livonia at the Biggby Coffee on Seven Mile and Farmington Road (33443 W. Seven Mile Road Livonia, MI 48152). You can join the livestream for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.
Virtual: Monday, June 19, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
In-Person: Saturday, July 1, 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
Speaker Pro Tempore
17th House District