Hi all!

I hope you’re enjoying the end of summer and the beginning of fall. In this e-newsletter, I’ll give a brief budget update, I’ll let you know about my upcoming community conversations and I’ll also give you an update on two legislative packages I recently led and introduced. Please contact my office at [email protected] 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 districts across the state to plan for the current school year. I am hopeful that an agreement can be reached before a potential government shutdown on Oct. 1 and will continue to do everything in my power to meet this deadline. 

There also has not been much visible progress on a budget that would fund the rest of the services citizens in our state depend on. The Michigan House finally passed House Republicans’ version of a spending plan in late August, but there has not been any meaningful progress towards a compromise budget proposal with the state senate and the governor. 

If we reach Oct. 1 without an agreement, some services across our state will shut down. This could make it harder to interact with departments like the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) or the Secretary of State. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services caseworkers could be temporarily laid off, which would have a severe negative impact on those who need help in our communities the most. I am hopeful that an agreement can be reached before Oct. 1, but with only about a week left until the deadline, we are in serious risk of entering a shutdown. 

Community Conversations

I have several community conversations planned for the rest of the year, including one this Thursday. 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. 

  • Thursday, Sept. 25 ⋅ 6-7 p.m. at Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Road, Detroit, MI 48235

 

  • Tuesday, Oct. 14 ⋅ 10:30-11:30 a.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.-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.-noon on the second floor of the Royal Oak Township Library, 21131 Garden Lane, Ferndale, MI 48220

Investing in Education Package

Earlier this month I was able to work with my colleagues to introduce a series of bills that would enshrine in statute funding for some of the most important budget items for schools around our state. This package sets up baseline funding for things like school meals, special education, transportation, at-risk students, English language learners and school safety and mental health. Additional information on House Bills 4868–4877 can be found here: Weiss, Fellow Democratic Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Invest in Kids.

UIA Improvements Package

This week I was able to work with my colleagues to introduce a package of legislation that would make some needed improvements to the way that the UIA works. Some improvements that this package of bills would accomplish are requiring the UIA use plain language in communications with claimants, increasing the threshold for the hardship waiver when the agency seeks to reclaim benefits up to 200% of the federal poverty level, and restricting the level of garnishment from 50% of paychecks down to 20%. As the economy is becoming less stable and unemployment is on the rise, these needed improvements would help workers in Michigan if they fall on hard times. You can read the full press release here: Democratic Labor Caucus Unveils Legislation to Strengthen Unemployment Insurance.