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 represent 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 [email protected]. You can also catch me on Facebook.
Legislative Update
Senate Hearing on Microplastics
Last week, I had the opportunity to testify with state Sen. Jeff Irwin in the Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee on the issue of microplastics. Plastics do not biodegrade; they only break into smaller pieces. Fragments less than five millimeters are called microplastics, and while they have long existed, the extent of their presence and their threats are still emerging. Sen. Irwin and I have introduced identical legislation that would ban the manufacturing and distribution of plastic microbeads in certain products in Michigan.
I am proud to be working on this critical policy with Sen. Irwin. This approach not only safeguards our water supply but also supports public health, preserves our ecosystems and strengthens our economy by ensuring access to clean water — a cornerstone of community and industry success.
Vote Post
Follow this link to see what we have been voting on. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at (517) 373-1530.
Constituent Resources
UIA Overpayments
Michiganders who received more unemployment benefits than they were entitled to are being notified by the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) that collections on those overpayments will resume at the end of the month. Those who cannot afford the back payments can apply for a waiver.
As a part of the court-approved settlement in the Saunders v. UIA class action lawsuit, a pause in collections was lifted last week. First payments for affected workers are due on Sept. 29.
Workers have started to receive reminders in their Michigan Web Account Manager accounts that they were overpaid benefits which must be returned. Claimants will receive a follow-up collection notice — known as a Form 1088 — that includes the amount owed and information about applying for a waiver.
Questions concerning balances should be directed to the Benefit Overpayment Collections Unit, who you can contact by calling +1 (866) 500-0017 before dialling 4 and then 1. A frequently asked questions document can be found at Michigan.gov/UIA.
Lifeline Awareness Week
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), in connection with agencies across the country, is bringing awareness and encouraging eligible Michiganders to take advantage of the Lifeline telephone and broadband program.
Lifeline is both a state and federal program providing financial support for voice or broadband service to income-qualified veterans, seniors and other eligible households.
To qualify for the state program, a Michigan customer must have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty level or participate in one of these programs:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Supplemental Security Income
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Tribal Eligibility Programs (and living on federally recognized Tribal lands)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Program
- Safe Connections Act Survivors
For more information about Lifeline, see the MPSC’s Federal Lifeline or Michigan Lifeline consumer tip sheets or contact the MPSC at +1 (800) 292-9555. To find a provider, check with the MPSC’s list of participating companies to see if your local landline telephone company, wireless provider or broadband provider participates in Lifeline.
Events
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 facing families 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. More information on the October coffee hour will be announced closer to the date. You can join the livestream for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.
You can join the livestream for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.
Virtual: Monday, Sept. 15, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
In-Person: Sunday, Oct. 5, from 2-3 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