Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you all were able to enjoy finally experiencing some warmer weather this last month and appreciated our first edition of the video version of our e-news, the Martus Monthly. We will be returning to that format next month as we enter the primary election blackout period whereby starting Monday, July 6, through Tuesday, Aug. 5, our office cannot put out e-news, social ads, text messages or mailers. But as always, it is an honor to represent the residents of the 69th House District and Genesee County. The purpose of this e-newsletter, no matter the format, is to keep you updated on my work in Lansing and around our community.

In between these updates, I encourage you to please follow me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, where myself and my office post frequent updates. You can also always get in touch with us, for the time being, through our website, office number, 517-373-1786, and by email, [email protected].

We are here to serve you,

Jasper R. Martus

State Representative

69th House District

Office: (517) 373-1786

Email: [email protected]

In this Edition:

• Lansing Updates
• In-District Event Updates
• Resources

Future Prospects in Lansing

The month of May did not see as much news around Lansing itself, as we are anticipating the final budget negotiations.

With that in mind, I want to reiterate something I wrote a couple of months ago and that is what myself and my Democratic colleagues are promising to you and all of Michigan. We have been building a vision over the past two years for the people of Michigan’s future with a policy plan based on your input to address the affordability and economic stability issues affecting working families today.

Our Vision for a Brighter Michigan comes after we hosted dozens of town halls and meetings with residents across the state, aimed at shaping a policy plan focused on crafting legislation and state budgets that lower everyday costs, expanding access to healthcare, strengthening education that leads to workforce pathways and investing in our local communities. The cornerstone of our vision remains building on the gains of lowering the costs of starting life here for families that we achieved under the previous majority, like our Rx Kids program, the direct cash payment program for eligible pregnant women and new mothers which offers $1,500 mid-pregnancy cash assistance and then $500 a month during the first year of the baby’s life, our universal free pre-k program and increasing Michigan’s match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.

These priorities are my priorities. They include the funding of a study and pilot program on how best to fund and fulfill the promises of a Michigan Baby Bonds program, building on the success of the Rx Kids program, as well as ensuring that paid family and medical leave laws are on the books here in Michigan, so all working folks, young and old, are able to get proper compensation to take time off with partial or full wage replacement for qualifying personal or family health reasons.

Local Spotlight

One of the great parts about being your Representative is all the people that I get to meet and hear from in emails and letters to my office. One of these letters I received last month was from one of my younger constituents, Henry, from Springview Elementary in Flushing where he asked me to come to speak to his class about state government. I was more than happy to accept and not only was our conversation about state government, but also about civic responsibility and the importance of being active in your community. I also heard some of the students’ own innovative ideas on improving governance in Lansing and about the issues that matter to them. It was an all around great time and I can’t wait to see what those future leaders will do next.

Speaking with Springview Elementary students, May 18

Recent Community Events

Thank you to those who showed up to my most recent coffee hour! I always appreciate getting to hear and connect with constituents. My favorite part of this job is getting out with the community, listening to my neighbors and friends, and hearing what issues matter to them. I’m hosting a series of coffee hours this year, and I invite you all to stop by any of them to express your thoughts on the issues that surround our community. My next coffee hour is on Friday, July 31, from 10-11 a.m. at the Kraphol Senior Center, 5473 Bicentennial Drive G, Mt. Morris, MI 48458.

If you haven’t got the chance to stop by one yet, I hope to see you there soon!

Touring the Genesee Career Institute with Michigan College Access Network, May 15

Speaking with constituents at Flint Township Senior Center, May 22

Speaking to graduates from the Academy West Adult Education Program, May 28