Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It is and continues to be 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
This week, my legislation to ban the use of the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic defense” passed out of the full House of Representatives. This defense only serves to dehumanize our community and indicate that violence against us is less impactful, and it’s time to eliminate it.
Michigan is within the top 10 states where the panic defense is most frequently used. With anti-LGBTQ violence on the rise, particularly against our trans family, it’s more important than ever that we no longer allow prejudice to discount violence towards the LGBTQ community.
Vote Post
Follow this link to see what we have been voting on over the past couple of weeks. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.
Constituent Resources
Affordable Connectivity Program
Nearly 1.7 million Michigan households are estimated to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) from the Federal Communications Commission, but only 30% of qualifying households participate. The ACP provides a discount of:
- Up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households.
- Up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
- Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers.
To see if you qualify, click here.
Community Update
Public Engagement Opportunity: Proposed Land Value Tax Plan
The city of Detroit’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer is holding community outreach meetings in all seven City Council districts to get resident input on the proposed land value tax plan. Officials will give an overview of the proposal, answer questions and take comments.
Residents in City Council District 1 will have an opportunity to participate in one of these meetings on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 5:30 p.m. Instructions on how to join the meeting can be found in the graphic below.
Events
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 November Coffee Hour will be in Detroit at the Motor City Java House (17336 Lahser Road Detroit, MI 48219). You can join the livestream for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.
In-Person: Saturday, Nov. 11, from 2-3 p.m.
Virtual: Monday, Nov. 20, from 6:30-7:30 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