Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to my e-newsletter! I’m honored and humbled to serve as our community’s voice at the Capitol in Lansing. As we continue into the term, rest assured that the challenges families in our community and state are facing are at the top of my legislative priorities. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-0837 or email at AmosONeal@house.mi.gov if we can help. 

Sincerely,

Amos O’Neal

State Representative, 94th House District

In this issue:

  • Events
  • Pancake Breakfast – April 26, 9 a.m
  • Going Pro Talent Fund Grant Opportunity
  • Legislation Introduced 
    • House Bill 4405 and House Bill 4406: Unemployment Expansion for Seasonal Workers and School Employees 
    • House Bill 4325: Payroll Fraud Package . 

Pancake Breakfast – April 26,th 9 a.m.

Please join me for a pancake breakfast at the Spaulding Township Community Center. I welcome the community for an open dialogue on state affairs. I will provide a legislative update and be available for discussion throughout the morning. Please feel free to bring family, friends, and an appetite!

Going Pro Talent Fund Grant Opportunity

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) announced this week that approximately $16 million in funding is available for cycle 2 of the Going PRO Talent Fund. 

Michigan employers have until May 2, to apply for funding to help train, develop and retain current and newly hired employees in high-demand, high-skill positions. Since its inception in 2014, the Going PRO Talent Fund has provided training for more than 175,000 Michigan workers and supported over 7,100 businesses. The fund covers a variety of employer-driven training programs, including classroom instruction, on-the-job training for new employees and Registered Apprenticeships that lead to industry-recognized credentials.

The Going PRO Talent Fund directly aligns with the goals of Michigan’s first-ever Statewide Workforce Plan to expand career opportunities, strengthen Michigan’s workforce and support employers. Recognizing the program’s ongoing impact, the governor included $54.8 million in her FY26 executive budget recommendation to continue these job training grants for current and new employees in high-demand, skilled trades industries.

Businesses interested in applying should contact their local Michigan Works! Service Center. Information can be found at Michigan.gov/MichiganWorks.

House Bills 4405 and 4406: Unemployment Expansion for Seasonal Workers and School Employees

This week in Lansing, I introduced two bills, House Bills 4405 and 4406, that would change our state’s current unemployment system to allow for low-wage school employees to collect unemployment benefits during the summer months and for seasonal workers to collect unemployment. 

These are a re-introduction of HB 4340 (low-wage school employees collecting unemployment) and HB 4339 (seasonal employees) from 2021. They are much-needed bills, aimed at protecting hard-working Michiganders.  

House Bill 4325: Payroll Fraud Package

Last week I was happy to again sponsor a House bill in the Payroll Fraud Package. This package was heavily worked on with our Labor Caucus, and I am proud of the changes it contains. The bills in this package would strengthen whistleblower protections to shield and incentivize employees who report wrongdoing, toughen penalties against payroll fraud and reimburse back wages and benefits to cheated workers, making Michigan a leader in protecting workers. Michigan loses over $107 million each year from payroll fraud. That’s money stolen from workers, taxpayers and honest businesses. This package helps us take action to stop the abuse and make sure working people aren’t left holding the bag.