Greetings!
It’s officially budget season in the Legislature! Recently House Republicans brought forward budget bills that passed along party lines. Budgets are a reflection of our values and putting forward bills that cut funding for infant and maternal health, community colleges and public universities, veteran services, gun violence prevention and more simply do not reflect the values my Democratic colleagues and I represent. The good news is, this is just the beginning of negotiations. As the budget process continues to play out in the Legislature, stay tuned.
As the weather warms up and parents look for enriching activities to fill their children’s time, I have started a list of resources with things to do for our young people. This includes resources for academic support, employment, volunteer opportunities and more! It’s important that our youth find constructive opportunities in our District and around metro Detroit. If you know of summer programming or work opportunities, please let me know, so we can vet and include in the resource guide.
As always, you can reach me by email at: [email protected] or by phone at (517) 373-2576. I appreciate hearing from you!
Blessings,
Rep. Steph
Stephanie A. Young
State Representative
House District 16
Love Is The Work!
Lansing updates: Legislation on the Move
House Bill 5853 — HOPE Zones Legislation
I recently sponsored HB 5853, one of 18 bills proposed in the HOPE (Helping Opportunity Prosper Everywhere) Zones package, spearheaded by one of my colleagues in the Detroit Caucus. The HOPE package designates economically distressed communities as special zones where tax incentives and reinvested local tax revenue are used to attract businesses, support job training and fund neighborhood development. My bill requires cities to recognize a designated HOPE Zone and adjust for the exemption accordingly. The entire 18-bill HOPE Zones package is currently in the House Government Operations Committee.
House Bill 5746 — Firearm Responsibility Bill
I introduced this bill this spring and it was referred to the Government Operations Committee. HB 5746 increases penalties for anyone who harms or kills a child while intentionally shooting at a house or otherwise occupied building. It helps to address the increasing occurrences of and future prevention of drive-by shootings.
Michigan‑specific analyses confirm that:
- Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents.
- Unintentional shootings are a documented subset, especially among younger children.
- MDHHS and CDC data consistently show that youth firearm injuries are a significant public‑health issue in Michigan.
House Bill 5774 — Early Intervention for Learning Strategies for Vulnerable Children
Last month I introduced HB 5774, which would require certain children to be referred to Michigan’s Early On program when specific health conditions are identified. Specifically, the bill mandates referrals for children diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder so they can receive early intervention services as soon as possible. This bill has been referred to the House Health Policy Committee.
Other Legislation on the Move in Lansing I am watching in the Legislature:
House Bill 5387 — The Green Alert
As minority vice chair of the House Family and Veterans Committee, I am glad this bill is on the move. The “Green Alert” is an added category to the current missing seniors and missing vulnerable adult alerts. This bill would add the “Green Alert” to include missing veterans at risk.
A missing veteran at risk would mean an active-duty member or a veteran of any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the reserve components, or the Michigan National Guard who is reported missing and as having a physical or mental health condition by a person familiar with that individual.
The “Green Alert” could be issued for missing veterans at risk under the current wireless emergency alert system. The bill passed on March 19 in the House. The bill is currently in the Senate, referred to their Veterans and Emergency Services Committee.
House Bill 4765 — Michigan’s SAVE Act House Republicans passed their version of the SAVE Act on April 16. The bill has since been referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee. The bill, introduced by Republicans, is meant to mirror the federal SAVE Act. It was no surprise that this bill passed the GOP-controlled House on a party-line vote.
Not only is this legislation unnecessary, as it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote, but it would implement obstacles to voter registration that contradict two different constitutional amendments that Michigan voters themselves implemented, overwhelmingly, in the last decade. Noncitizen voting is extremely rare, and Michigan is a leading state in ensuring only eligible citizens are voting. In fact, hundreds of audits and dozens of court cases since 2020 have affirmed repeatedly the safety and security of Michigan elections.
Senate Bill 847 — Seniors and Driving Changes
The Senate took up SB 847, which would require seniors aged 75 and older to take a series of tests if they still want to be on the road driving. The bill is currently waiting for a hearing in the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
I’ve gotten a few letters from constituents about this bill and I am watching closely. Not only are older drivers concerned about this bill, but The American Association for Retired People (AARP) Michigan expressed opposition to the legislation, arguing it targets drivers solely on the basis of age without consideration of an individual’s ability. AARP is opposed as well, as reported in local news coverage.
SB 847 would require a driver who is 75 years of age or older and who is seeking to renew or obtain a driver’s license to appear in person at the secretary of state’s office at least once every four years. Before that individual is issued a license, seniors would be required to pass a vision test, a driving skills test and a written knowledge test.
Additionally, an applicant who is 85 or older must pass the same tests in person at least once a year, according to the bill.
Resources for Youth in HD 16: Summer is Coming!
Wellspring, a youth development organization located in Brightmoor/Old Redford neighborhood of northwest Detroit, offers programming and resources including math and reading tutoring, recreation, field trips, college prep, community service, outdoor adventure and leadership development for youth and young adults ages 6-24.
Wellspring also hires youth and young adults for various, limited year-round positions at the center, including assisting with math and reading instruction, field trips and community blight removal.
For more information, please call Wellspring at (313) 255-9085.
New Learning Center for Youth!
The Jessie Feliz Learning Center is a fully licensed, fully open multilingual learning center serving children, families and the Brightmoor community with afterschool programming, adult education and inclusive programming for neurodiverse children. It is now approved to accept the DHS Child Care Scholarship, allowing qualifying families to access their afterschool programs, summer programs and out-of-school-time enrichment at little to no cost.
The center is located at 20441 Schoolcraft Road, Detroit, MI 48223. For more information, call (313) 528-9428.
Six Points for Community Safety –
Important Information for Every Community
Recently, the City of Detroit and the Detroit Police Department (DPD) partnered to announce the Six Point Community Safety plan designed to curb violent crime and ensure a peaceful environment as the city moves into the warmer summer months, focused on prevention, intervention and enforcement.
The six points for safety include focusing on reducing gun violence, like distributing 2,000 free gun locks through the Health Department and the Department of Neighborhoods. DPD is hoping to continue the decline in gun-related incidents. The City of Detroit and DPD are also cracking down on illegal, after-hours night clubs operating in neighborhoods and putting a stop to illegal street parties and drag racing in public spaces. The aim for the six-point plan is to simply make the summer months enjoyable and SAFE for everyone!
For youth, as part of the six-point plan, officers will enforce curfew compliance. For children 15 and under, the curfew is 10 p.m.; for 16- and 17-year-olds, it is 11 p.m.
DPD firmly reminds parents that they are also holding the line on accountability for curfew compliance this summer. Fines for parents whose children violate curfew range from $250 for a first offense to $500 for subsequent violations.
Save the Date for the Fourth Annual Small Business Resource Fair!
The Detroit Caucus Executive Board is bringing it back – by popular demand! I am excited for the Detroit Caucus Executive Board to come together again for the Small Business Free Resources Expo on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Global Empowerment Ministries, 21630 W. Seven Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48219.
This is a GREAT community event that fills up fast! If you are a small-business owner or thinking of scaling your business larger in the community, you won’t want to miss this event!