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 is 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

Vote Post

Follow this link to see what we have been voting on over the last few weeks. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at (517) 373-1530.

Constituent Resources

2024 Tax Guides

The Michigan Taxpayer’s Guide for the 2024 tax year is now available. The booklet contains information for your 2025 Michigan property taxes and 2024 individual income taxes, homestead property tax credits, farmland and open space tax relief and home heating credit program.

Please reach out to my office if you would like a copy.

Post-Storm Resources from DIFS

Damage from recent storms has been widespread, and dealing with insurance claims can be overwhelming. The Department of Insurance and Financial Services  has provided us with some resources and tips if you’re currently navigating this process.

Additional information regarding severe weather preparedness is also available at: www.michigan.gov/difs/consumers/disaster-prep.

Consumers having issues with their insurer or claims process may file a complaint with DIFS at the following link: www.michigan.gov/difs/consumers/complaint

Please feel free to contact the Office of Consumer Services toll free at (877) 999-6442 Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with any questions you may have. DIFS can help answer questions regarding what an insurer must do and help explain policy language.

Additional resources: Insurance policies and how to claim what is yours: www.michigan.gov/…/Insurance/FIS-PUB_0216.pdf…

Guide to resolving insurance problems/complaint form: www.michigan.gov/…/Form/Complaint/FIS_0030.pdf…

How to be “claim smart”: www.michigan.gov/…/Insurance/FIS-PUB_6120.pdf

Homeowners insurance replacement vs. repair cost: www.michigan.gov/…/Pub…/Home/FIS-PUB_0208.pdf

Claim tracking sheet: www.michigan.gov/…/Insurance/FIS-PUB_6000.pdf…

Get REAL ID Ready with the Wayne County Clerk’s Office

Beginning May 7, all U.S. airlines will require a REAL ID-compliant document to board a domestic flight, and travelers without one could be delayed.

Michiganders can obtain a REAL ID, which is a license or ID marked by a star, by going to Michigan.gov/REALID to schedule an appointment at any Secretary of State office. The scheduling system will walk them through documents they will need to bring.

When applying for a REAL ID, you will need to bring:

  • Your driver’s license or ID.
  • Your certified birth certificate, with a raised seal or stamp issued by a governmental agency; your valid, unexpired U.S. passport; or an approved citizenship or legal presence document. (Faxes and photocopies won’t be accepted.)
  • If your name differs from what is on your birth certificate, bring certified documents, such as marriage licenses or court orders, for every time your name has changed

Those who provide proper documentation will be issued a license or ID in Michigan’s new design, which features a REAL ID star indicator in the gold shape of Michigan. Older blue and green licenses and IDs that have the REAL ID star in a gold circle on them are also compliant.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson encourages residents who do not have a REAL ID but may need one to apply soon, as it will take weeks to receive in the mail. 

The Wayne County Clerk’s office has partnered with the SOS to help you get your REAL ID before the deadline!

On April 5, 12 and 26 from 9 a.m-4 p.m. at 400 Monroe St., Suite 610, Detroit, MI 48227, folks can stop by and get official copies of their birth certificates, marriage licenses and apply for a REAL ID.

For more information visit www.waynecounty.com/elected/clerk

Community Update

March is Reading Month

Our celebration of March is Reading Month has come to a close, and as always, it’s been one of my favorite times. Thank you to all of the House District 17 schools that let me be a guest reader and to all of the students for their excellent questions!

Events

Livonia Delegation Virtual Town Hall

On Thursday, April 10 from 5:30-7 p.m. I will be hosting a virtual town hall alongside special guests U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, state Sen.Mary Cavanagh and state Rep. Stephanie Young to answer your questions about how the issues we are facing at the federal level impact you and your family.

Registration is required and is available at this link. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

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. April’s in-person coffee hour will be in Livonia at the Biggby at the corner of Seven Mile and Farmington Road (33443 Seven Mile Road Livonia, MI 48152). You can join the livestream for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.

In-Person: Sunday, April 6 from 2-3 p.m.

Virtual: Monday, April 21 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

State Representative

17th House District