Hi all!
I hope you’re enjoying your summer and getting ready for the back-to-school season. In this update, I will give a brief budget update and let you know about my upcoming town hall and community conversations. Please contact my office at ReginaWeiss@house.mi.gov or (517) 373-0844 if you need any help from the state government, and I hope to see you around the district soon!
All the best,
Regina
Budget Update
After blowing past the statutory budget deadline of July 1, there has still not been any serious movement on a compromise for the education budget. This makes it extremely difficult for school districts across the state to plan for the upcoming school year. I am hopeful that an agreement can be reached before schools resume in the next few weeks, but I am not sure that is a realistic expectation right now.
Even worse, it is uncertain whether we will have a budget that will determine state funding for everything else besides schools. House Republicans have yet to pass any comprehensive budget out of the House that would fund state services people depend on like MDHHS, MDOT, local governments and many more critical items. It makes it extremely difficult to negotiate a deal when one of the three primary groups in the room has not passed a budget outlining their plan for what the state government should provide to the citizens of Michigan.
I will continue pushing to get a budget passed as soon as possible. If you’d like to learn more about what is at stake when it comes to education funding, please plan on attending our upcoming town hall.
Education Funding Town Hall and Backpack Giveaway
On Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 6:30-8 p.m., I will be hosting an education funding town hall and backpack giveaway with special guests from the Detroit Caucus at Mumford High School in Detroit (17525 Wyoming Ave., Detroit, MI 48221). If you have ever been curious about how our schools are funded this would be a great opportunity for you to learn more. We will also be discussing how some of the changes at the federal level will impact our schools here in Michigan.
Community Conversations
I have several community conversations planned for the rest of the year. Community conversations are chances to connect directly with me in the district. If you have any issues or want an update on what has been happening in Lansing, these are fantastic opportunities to meet in person.
- Tuesday, Aug. 26 — 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Oak Park Library, 14200 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237
- Tuesday, Sept. 9 — 11 a.m. to noon on the 2nd floor of the Royal Oak Township Library, 21131 Garden Lane, Ferndale, MI 48220
- Thursday, Sept. 25 — 6-7 p.m. at Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Road, Detroit, MI 48235
- Tuesday, Oct. 14 — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Oak Park Library, 14200 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237
- Thursday, Oct. 30 — 6-7 p.m. at Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Road, Detroit, MI 48235
- Thursday, Nov. 13 — 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Oak Park Library, 14200 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237
- Tuesday, Nov. 18 — 11 a.m. to noon at Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Road, Detroit, MI 48235
- Monday, Dec. 8 — 5-6 p.m. at Oak Park Library, 14200 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237
- Tuesday, Dec. 16 — 11 a.m. to noon on the 2nd floor of the Royal Oak Township Library, 21131 Garden Lane, Ferndale, MI 48220