Dear Neighbor,
Here is some information that I hope you will find helpful, including news and resources from your state government.
Legislation to Protect Free Speech Heard in House Judiciary Committee
My legislation (House Bill 4045) to allow a court to dismiss what are known as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) was heard last week in the House Judiciary Committee. SLAPP suits are retaliatory lawsuits intended to silence, intimidate or punish an individual who speaks out on an issue of public interest. They have been used against environmentalists, scientists, citizen activists and sexual assault survivors. Michigan is one of only 14 states that has not enacted an anti-SLAPP law. Individuals should be able to exercise their First Amendment rights without fear of being sued and buried in legal fees.
Package of Bills to Increase Government Transparency Introduced in the House
My colleagues and I introduced a package of bills (House Bills 4268–73) last week to improve standards for government ethics, transparency and accountability; curtail the influence of lobbying and financial interests; and increase enforcement of election and campaign finance law violations.
Specifically, this package would:
- Require “dark money” accounts (527 and 501(c)4s) affiliated with state officials to register and disclose donors and expenditures of the accounts with the Secretary of State.
- Tighten restrictions on lobbyist gifts to elected officials by holding state representatives to the same rules as statewide elected officials, defining legislative staff as lobbyable and updating who qualifies as an executive branch lobbyable official.
- Allow the Bureau of Elections to petition the Ingham County Circuit Court for an injunction to stop real-time campaign finance violations.
- Prohibit legislators from having more than one so-called “leadership PAC,” which is a political action committee established by a candidate or officeholder that is separate from their candidate committee and can receive unlimited contributions. Currently, individual candidate committees have contribution limits, with state representative candidates limited to $1,225 for individual contributions and $12,250 for committee contributions.
I sponsored House Bill 4272, which would establish the penalties if a legislator has more than one leadership PAC.
Sunshine Week Resolution Introduced, Referred to Government Operations
I introduced a resolution (House Resolution 47) last week to commemorate Sunshine Week, which was March 16-22. Sunshine Week is a national initiative to draw attention to the importance of open government, public access to government documents and meetings, and the media’s role in promoting government transparency.
Unfortunately, Republican House leadership did not put the resolution up for a vote of the House, and instead referred it to the House Government Operations Committee. This is commonly referred to as the committee where proposed legislation goes to “die.”
House Majority Commits to Blocking Nine Bills from Last Year, Senate Appeals
There is news in the court case regarding the nine bills from 2024 that are being held back by Speaker Matt Hall. Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks filed additional motions last week in the Michigan Senate’s lawsuit against Hall and the Republican-led House of Representatives. As you might recall, a Michigan Court of Claims judge ruled in February that the Michigan Constitution requires that the 9 withheld bills be presented to the governor. However, because of separation of powers concerns, the judge said that she cannot order the bills to be presented.
The motion filed last week seeks enforcement of the Court of Claims judgment. A motion was also filed for immediate consideration of the motion to enforce the declaratory judgment. This comes after House Republicans approved a resolution (House Resolution 41) earlier this month that directs the House clerk to present to the Governor only bills that passed during the current legislative session.
The nine blocked bills, if signed, would benefit Michigan’s working families. They include bills to lower healthcare costs for public employees; add corrections officers and other state employees to the Michigan State Police’s pension system; and protect certain assets — including the Earned Income Tax Credit — from garnishment. I sponsored the garnishment legislation to keep families in debt from facing extraordinary hardship (House Bill 4900 of 2024). As more Michiganders struggle to pay their bills, HB 4900 takes on even greater urgency.
March is Reading Month Visit to Horizon and Cavanaugh Elementary Schools
I continued to observe March is Reading Month on Monday by reading to students at Horizon Elementary School in Holt and Cavanaugh Elementary School in Lansing. It has been wonderful to talk with so many students who are excited about reading and learning! The older kids and I enjoyed reading “Grace Goes to Washington” by Kelly DiPucchio.
Coffee & Conversation with Senator Anthony
I look forward to my next Coffee & Conversation with special guest Senator Sarah Anthony on Monday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the Sam Corey Senior Center, 2108 Cedar St., in Holt. You can register for the event and share any questions or topics you would like covered here. See you then!
Office Closed Next Week
My office will be closed Monday, March 31, through Friday, April 4. If you need emergency food, housing, or utility assistance during this period, please call 211. They may be able to help.
Sincerely,
Kara Hope
State Representative
In Case You Missed It…
2025 Michigan fishing licenses now available
Michigan’s new fishing license and regulation season begins Tuesday, April 1. Fishing licenses are now available for purchase and are valid through March 31, 2026. All anglers 17 and older are required to purchase a fishing license to fish in Michigan. Anglers can purchase:
- An annual fishing license at $26 for Michigan residents or $76 for nonresidents (both carry an additional $1 surcharge).
- A daily fishing license for $10 per day.
- An optional youth fishing license, which is available for only $2 for anglers ages 16 and younger.
Fishing licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchasing through the app.
Individual Income Tax Returns Due Next Month
Tax season is quickly approaching, with state and federal taxes due on April 15. Below are some resources that provide free tax assistance:
- Disabled, low-income or taxpayers who are 60 years of age or older may be eligible for free tax help from IRS-certified preparers.
- The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers free tax help from IRS-certified volunteers. VITA services are available to people who generally earn $58,000 per year or less, people with disabilities and people who speak limited English.
- The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free tax help to people over 50 or people with low to moderate income. AARP membership is not required to receive services.
- Those making $73,000 or less may be able to use the IRS Free File site to prepare federal and possibly state tax returns.
- Those making more than $73,000 can prepare and file taxes for free using IRS Free Fillable Forms. This allows taxpayers to prepare and file taxes online, but still requires them to follow IRS instructions and fill out the forms.
Additional free tax services can be found at michiganfreetaxhelp.org or by dialing 2-1-1.
For information about individual income tax returns and refunds, visit the Treasury eServices website.