Capitol and Community Update

Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to my monthly Capitol and Community Update e-newsletter! As your state representative in the 102nd Michigan Legislature, I am happy to provide these regular updates on my legislative work. In this issue, you will find information on my upcoming events, a legislative update, tax season savings reminders, additional opportunities for local organizations and residents, and resources for how my office can assist you!

Neighbors and friends in House District 103 are encouraged to also sign up for these updates at my website, RepCoffia.com. You can reach my office by phone at (517) 373-3817 or by email at BetsyCoffia@house.mi.gov. Be sure to check out the latest on my social media platforms as well, including on Facebook. As this legislative session continues, I welcome your continued feedback and encourage you to reach out if my team and I can ever be of assistance to you!

In Service,

Betsy Coffia
State Representative
House District 103

Upcoming Events

Please join me for my upcoming coffee hours, where I will give a legislative update and take your questions about the issues facing our state and our community! My 2024 legislative coffee hours occur monthly in one of the three counties located fully or partially in the 103rd District — Grand Traverse, Benzie and Leelanau — on a rotating basis. This month, my in-person coffee hour will be in Leelanau County, with a virtual session later in the day. These events are a great way to find out what policies I’m working on and to share your ideas and concerns with me!

March meeting information:

In-Person Coffee Hour

When: Monday, March 11, from noon to 1 p.m.

Where: Leelanau County Government Center
(8527 E. Government Center Drive in Suttons Bay)

Virtual Coffee Hour

with special guest state Rep. Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park)

When: Monday, March 11, from 4-5 p.m.

Where: Zoom (Register here)

Legislative Update

This has been the most productive legislative term in years, if not in decades. The Legislature passed over 320 bills that have been signed into law so far, the vast majority with bipartisan support. Last year, the House voted more days than previous legislatures had over the last 20 years. The work does not stop here. It is my great honor to put the people of Michigan first by delivering on our promises, and I am ready to keep the momentum moving forward in 2024.

The Michigan Legislature is back in full swing with session and committees meeting and moving bills. My bipartisan package with our neighbor in the 104th District, state Rep. John Roth, to support local small business summer resorts has passed the committee stage and is set to be voted on in the House soon! Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also recently delivered her sixth State of the State address to lay out her budget and policy priorities for 2024. I appreciate the governor highlighting my work on climate action in her speech, as well as Traverse City’s housing needs. I applaud the governor for signaling that addressing affordable housing issues will be one of her top priorities this year.

Here at home, I’ve had the opportunity to tour the facilities of several local manufacturers such as RJG Inc. and Plascon Group, both headquartered in Traverse City, and get to know their operations and how they support our local workers and economy and their role in the state, national and even global economy. Plascon Group employs over 90 workers, and RJG employs over 140, most residing here in northern Michigan and some working from RJG’s locations in nine countries.

I also toured the site for the future Grand Traverse Center for Mental Wellness, which is being developed with $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars that I voted to approve for expanded youth and adult mental health services at my last meeting as a Grand Traverse County commissioner, along with $5 million in state funding I voted to approve early last year in my first month as a sitting state lawmaker. On the tour, we learned more about how we can further address mental health needs in our community and how Munson and Northern Lakes Community Mental Health, lead entities on the project, are working to develop the concept of a center for mental wellness. I stressed my strong support for developing both juvenile and adult in-patient beds and expanded services, and will continue to advocate fiercely for relief for the countless families and individuals grappling with mild, moderate or severe mental health crises and struggling to access services in the region. Costs are a big piece of this puzzle, which is why I am also advocating for the passage of House Bill 4707 that I co-sponsored to make mental health care more affordable. We cannot rest until these needs are truly met for our neighbors, co-workers and loved ones of all ages and incomes.

Additionally, I recently met with our local Area Agency on Aging to learn more about our Meals on Wheels program. I also shared a report as majority vice chair of the House Families, Children and Seniors Committee, on efforts that the legislature is working on to support our senior Michiganders — including a bipartisan package on guardianship reforms that I’m a sponsor of, with the backing and partnership of Attorney General Dana Nessel!

Also in February, I was proud as a member of the House Economic Development and Small Business Committee to be on a legislative panel speaking to members of the Benzie Area Chamber of Commerce at its annual summit to discuss economic development initiatives, including access to workforce housing and child care opportunities. I was honored to give a legislative update and learn more from their panels on education, housing, child care, health care, high-speed internet, tourism and more.

As always, legislation I have sponsored can be found here or by going to legislature.mi.gov, clicking “Legislators” and then selecting “Sponsored Legislation” under my name. My co-sponsored legislation — which another legislator has sponsored, but to which I have added my name in support — can be found here. Real-time updates on my legislative work can also be found here.

Additional Updates

• House Dems Introduce “Advancing MI Mental Health” Bill Package
• Democrats Invest in Communities and Affordable Housing, Laws Taking Effect
• Gov. Whitmer’s 2024 State of the State Address as Prepared for Delivery
• Michigan lawmakers react to State of the State Address
• Michigan State Rep Gets Schooled at RJG, Aces Injection Molding Pop Quiz

• A broken system: Changes needed to improve mental health care in northern Michigan

• Yarrow Brown: Housing is economic development
• Chambers set ’24 business agenda
• Whitmer, lawmakers discuss rural development, housing crisis at Northern Michigan Policy Conference
• DNR reports Benzie County’s first TB-positive deer

Putting Money Back in Working Families’
and Seniors’ Pockets

Working Families Tax Credit

Earlier this term, I was proud to vote to expand the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for Working Families; it had been cut to 6% in 2012 by the Snyder administration despite proven benefits for working families. The EITC is a tax credit for working individuals with income below a certain level. The Michigan tax credit is similar to the federal EITC. The Lowering MI Costs Plan quintupled the Michigan EITC from 6% of the federal EITC to 30%, significantly expanding savings for Michigan taxpayers. In the 103rd, about 5,000 working families will qualify for this tax credit with an estimated $3 million back into the local economy for necessities like school clothing, car repairs and other needs.

The expanded Michigan EITC is retroactive to the 2022 tax year, but the law change did not take effect when it was passed due to a lack of support from Republican senators. The law took effect on Feb. 13.

Tax Year 2022 (Jan. 1, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2022; due Apr. 18, 2023)

Federally eligible individuals who claimed the Michigan EITC on their 2022 MI-1040 received the original 6% credit. Between tax year 2022 and tax year 2023, the Michigan Department of Treasury addressed impacted returns. As of Feb. 13, Treasury is issuing supplemental check payments over a 5-to-6-week period to provide eligible taxpayers with the remaining 24% portion of the credit.

These paper check payments will be issued to the most recent address on file with Treasury. If you have moved frequently or recently and have concerns about your address accuracy, you can manually update it through IIT eService. Go to this page about how to change your address with Treasury for more information. Do not file an amended 2022 individual income tax return in an attempt to change your address or claim the increased Michigan EITC.

Tax Year 2023 (Jan. 1, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023; due Apr. 15, 2024)

Michigan’s 2023 tax return, forms and instructions (e-file and paper format) reflect the expanded Michigan EITC created in the new law. Treasury will address impacted returns submitted prior to Feb. 13, 2024, and prepare them for release so that Michigan EITC eligible individuals can claim the expanded credit.

Please go to www.michigan.gov/taxes/iit/eitc for more information.

Retirement Tax Rollback

One of the first actions of the new Democratic trifecta was enacting the Lowering MI Costs Plan earlier this year, repealing the Snyder-era 2012 tax on Michiganders’ retirement. Repealing the retirement tax provides an estimated 500,000 retirees with more options to choose the best taxing situation for their retirement benefits. Although subject to a temporary 4-year phase-in period beginning tax year 2023, this new law essentially restores the pre-2012 retirement and public and private pension subtraction for most taxpayers in Michigan beginning in 2026. This law change will ultimately benefit most retirees in Michigan while ensuring that taxpayers in unique circumstances are not harmed.

The phase in of this retirement tax repeal began on Feb. 13, 2024. Treasury will address impacted returns submitted prior to this date and prepare them for release so that eligible retirees can claim the most advantageous pension and retirement benefit subtraction.

Please go to www.michigan.gov/taxes/iit/retirement-and-pension-benefits for more information.

Grant Funding Opportunities

Current federal and state grant opportunities include:

• Agriculture and Rural Businesses Energy Incentive Grant: The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has made funding available to farmers and rural businesses to accelerate renewable energy adoption and increase energy efficiency. Applications close March 3.

• Small Manufacturers Retooling Grant: EGLE has funding available to small manufacturers to implement process energy efficiency measures. Applications close March 3.
• County Fair Capital Improvement Grant: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has made funding available for county fairs to make building and other capital improvements to their fairground facilities. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on March 15.
• Pollution Prevention (P2) and Sustainability Assessment Implementation Grant: EGLE has funding available to small businesses for implementing energy efficiency upgrade recommendations following an environmental assessment. Applications close March 30.
• Dairy Business Builder Grant: MDARD and the federal Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) is accepting application for this grant, which aims to encourage small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, entrepreneurs and processors in the Midwest to pursue projects such as dairy farm diversification, on-farm processing, value-added product creation and efforts to market dairy products for export. Applications will be accepted until April 3.
• Community Energy Management Grant: EGLE has made funding available to local governments, tribal governments and other public-service entities for energy-related projects. Applications close June 30.

• Small Business Worker Protections Grants: The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) offers two grant programs ⁠– Consultation Education and Training (CET) Grants and MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) Grants to help organizations improve workplace safety and health through trainings and equipment. The grant period begins annually on Oct. 1.
• Other Grant Opportunities: For more energy-related grants for local and tribal governments, visit EGLE’s Federal Funding Technical Assistance Webpage, part of the Catalyst Communities Initiative. The Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO) also has a Technical Assistance Center for communities to get one-on-one assistance and directly contract with consultants for grant writing, administration and other services.

MSHDA Announces Tribal Nations Housing Development Assistance Program

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has launched the Tribal Nations Housing Development Assistance Program (TNHDAP). The program is aimed at building on tribal nations’ existing capacity and providing resources and support that each needs to develop affordable housing programs and projects that respond to their unique housing needs.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis is supporting this new program with a grant of up to $3 million. The grant will provide flexible funding to help remove barriers to program participation and will cover critical pre-development expenses, respond to additional capacity building needs and opportunities, and help bridge project financing gaps.

The program will assist tribal nations with building new housing while also supporting needed upgrades to existing homes. This program is a continuation of Michigan’s government-to-government partnership with tribal nations, where the state has already invested in high-speed internet access and additional economic opportunities for these communities.

MSHDA has retained the National American Indian Housing Council to develop a toolkit and offer a series of tailored trainings and one-on-one project and organizational technical assistance. More information on the program is available at www.michigan.gov/tribal-housing.

Apply for State Boards and Commissions

As you may know, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer makes appointments to nearly 250 statewide boards and commissions. These appointments are opportunities for Michiganders to engage with their state government on the issues they care about and represent their expertise and communities at the state level.

Vacancies can be viewed online. Each board listed includes the number of total members, number of vacant seats and specifications for each vacancy. If you match the descriptions and are interested in applying, please go to Michigan.gov/appointments.

E-News Archives, Publications and Recognitions

My e-news archive is available on my website here.

State publications on various topics are also available here. Physical copies of any of these publications can also be mailed to you by emailing my office with your request!

Do you know someone in the district who is retiring and would like a legislative tribute to celebrate their years of service? Has a local team or group reached a milestone that they would like to be acknowledged with an official certificate for each member? Our office can provide legislative tributes, letters and certificates on a wide range of recognitions for constituents and local small businesses. If you would like to request any of these materials for yourself or others, please fill out this form or email my office at BetsyCoffia@house.mi.gov. Please provide as much information as possible on the requested recognition, and we will work with you to arrange delivery or presentation of the recognition!