Dear Neighbor,
Welcome to this month’s Capitol and community update e-newsletter!
As always, please encourage neighbors and friends in House District 56 — Troy, Clawson, Royal Oak, Birmingham and Bloomfield Township — to also sign up for these updates at RepMacDonell.com. Please let us know if you have any thoughts on state-level issues or want to meet with me. My office can be reached by phone at (517) 373-2617 or by email at SharonMacDonell@house.mi.gov.
I can also be found on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. I want to hear from you and work with you to make the 56th House District a better place!
In Service,
Sharon MacDonell
State Representative
House District 56
Upcoming Events
Community Conversation in Clawson
Please join me for a community conversation in Clawson! I look forward to updating you on what the legislature has accomplished so far this year, and on my work with the Michigan Legislative Disability Caucus and Elder Abuse Task Force. Events like these are a great opportunity to share your thoughts and concerns directly with me.
When: Monday, March 11, from 5-6 p.m.
Where: Clawson Senior Center. 509 Fischer Court, Clawson, MI 48017
I had the honor of being invited to the Michigan Youth in Government Conference by Claire W., a student at Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School.
Legislative Updates
The following are highlights from my recent work in the Legislature. All of my sponsored and co-sponsored legislation from this term are available at the provided hyperlink. You can also see my press releases page for additional updates.
State Rep. Julie Brixie and I recently introduced the Safe Homes, Safe Schools legislation.
Introducing new gun safety legislation
Last week, state Rep. Julie Brixie and I introduced legislation to build upon the progress the 102nd Legislature has made in addressing gun violence. Our bills will have school districts provide their students’ parents with information on safe firearm storage once a year. This should lead to increased use of gun safes and gun locks, keeping firearms out of the hands of children. One year after the horrific shooting at Michigan State University, the state can and must do more to prevent gun violence.
My Democratic colleagues and I, along with UAW Region 1 Director LaShawn English, celebrated pro-labor legislation taking effect on Feb. 13.
New Laws In Effect This Month
Last year was a historically productive year in the Michigan Legislature. After claiming the governor’s office and both chambers of the Legislature for the first time since the 1980s, my Democratic colleagues wasted no time passing legislation to protect Michigan’s families, seniors, workers and environment, and more. And as of Tuesday, Feb. 13, these bills have all taken effect! Below is just a small sample of the transformative legislation that now has the force of law in Michigan:
- Putting more money in seniors’ and working families’ pockets by repealing the tax on retirement income and greatly expanding the Working Families’ Tax Credit.
- Strengthening unions, the backbone of the middle class, by repealing anti-union legislation and reinstating prevailing wage requirements.
- Making voting more accessible through pre-registration for 16-year-olds and protecting poll workers.
- Protecting personal rights and freedoms by repealing the state’s archaic and unconstitutional abortion ban, repealing medically unnecessary laws that limit access to abortion, and adding LGBTQ+ protections to the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
- Investing in mental and physical health by ensuring parts of the Affordable Care Act were placed into state law and expanding the SNAP food assistance program.
- Reducing pollution and preserving the environment by putting Michigan on a path to 100% clean energy generation by 2040.
- Preventing horrific gun violence by instituting universal background checks, safe storage requirements and extreme risk protection orders.
Community Recognitions and Resources
One-year anniversary of the shooting at MSU
On Feb. 13, Michiganders marked the solemn one-year anniversary of the shooting at MSU. I attended the vigil at Spartan Stadium, and my staff attended the Light Up the Sky event in Clawson. Our district will continue to remember and honor the victims of the shooting who died so senselessly. They are forever in our hearts.
Submissions for Small Business AND Teacher of the Month
Each month, I recognize a small business in the community from House District 56 as our small businesses of the month. To nominate a business for this recognition, please fill out this form for Small Business of the Month. I am also excited to recognize a Teacher of the Month! Teachers are the backbone of this nation, and our district has the BEST teachers! Please fill out this form to recognize a Teacher of the Month.
Tributes, Letters and Certificates
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. If you would like to request any of these materials for yourself or others, please email my office at SharonMacDonell@house.mi.gov with as much information as possible on the requested recognition, and we will work with you to arrange delivery or presentation of the recognition!