Capitol and Community Updates

In this e-newsletter:

• Upcoming Coffee Hour: Aug. 16
• Disaster Relief for Kalamazoo County
• Governor Whitmer Signs the FY 2025 Budget
• National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit 2024
• Women Veterans Recognition: Irene Hosking

Upcoming Coffee Hour

Please join me for an informal, in-person discussion of legislative and community issues:

Friday, Aug. 16

9 to 10 a.m.

Stroud Family Park (3435 Grand Prairie Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49006)

While advanced registration is not required, anyone who would like to RSVP or submit questions in advance may do so by emailing JulieRogers@house.mi.gov

Disaster Relief for Kalamazoo County and Storm Information

At the end of July, Governor Whitmer announced that portions of Southwest Michigan were to receive funding from the state’s Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund following the tornadoes that devastated our community on May 7. Kalamazoo County received $1.5 million to go towards damage caused. This funding however does not apply to private losses from the storms. Additionally, $3 million was included in the FY 2025 budget for disaster relieve in Kalamazoo County. I am proud to have joined others in our legislature advocating for these resources.

On the topic of storms, always remember that if you see a downed powerline, stay at least 25 feet away and always assume that the powerline is live. Make sure that you, your family, and those that may be out surveying storm damage do not touch or go near anything that the downed powerline may be touching. Some examples of this could be if the powerline was touching a fence or puddle. Lastly, report downed power lines to Consumers Energy, as all downed powerlines should be treated as dangerous.

Also remember to avoid flood waters. Though it may look harmless, flood water can contain debris, waste, and other harmful materials that may cause injury. If a road is flooded, please do not assume your car can handle it. Be safe and find a new route if possible.

Governor Whitmer Signs the FY 2025 Budget

In last month’s e-newsletter, we highlighted some major budget wins for our community. On July 24, Governor Whitmer was in Flint for a bill signing ceremony, signing into law our budget for the next year. I am happy to see these funds go towards helping our community and getting funding to programs such as Rx Kids and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. These funds will go a long way in helping our community get the assistance that they require. As a current healthcare provider and chair of the House Health Policy Committee, the funding we secured, especially for our healthcare systems will help in ensuring that mental and physical healthcare is more accessible to our communities.

I would also like to highlight the $2.95 million that was awarded to fund my E-Bike incentive legislation (HB4491), legislation that will be a tool in helping people to be active, improve their health, and also have a mode of transportation to get to work.

After months of hard work and advocacy for my district, I am pleased to see the 2025 fiscal year budget be signed into law. Our community is receiving funding for vital programs that will continue to contribute to the wellbeing of those that call Kalamazoo home.

National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit 2024

 I recently attended the National Council of State Legislatures conference in Louisville, Kentucky. While at this conference, I had the opportunity to meet with some knowledgeable stakeholders within the healthcare industry and had conversations with fellow state lawmakers to see what they were doing in their state and what was working well for their constituents.

This past year, I was appointed to the NCSL Health Policy Committee by Speaker Joe Tate. This year’s legislative summit gave me the opportunity to represent Michigan on a national level. I attended the NCSL Health Committee meeting where we voted on two policies during this conference. The first policy pertained to comprehensive approaches to preventing and treating behavioral health issues. While this policy has been ongoing for some time, we voted on some changes that were made to update several areas not currently included. These areas include telehealth, mobile crisis response systems, and workforce supports to meet the growing demand for behavioral health services. In the digital age, we must continue to adapt to the growing needs of our residents and must continue to find ways to make healthcare more accessible.

The second policy we voted on was on an existing resolution that marks Global Health Equity Week Nov. 11-15 of 2024. Originally started in 2006 by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, this week’s special designation highlights the usage of health information and technology to help transform our constituent’s health and well-being, as well eliminating inequities within the healthcare system. This year’s foci include digital health literacy, inclusion and access, social determinants of health, and maternal health. This could not come at a better time, as just at the end of June, the Maternal Health Package (House Bills 5166–5173) passed the House and has moved on to the Senate.

After the individual committees voted on policy platforms, the full membership voted on the policies that NCSL will advocate for nationally over the next year. I had the honor of being the Michigan delegate to cast our state’s votes for policies that were discussed at the conference. Some of the policies included areas that covered health, education, banking, financial services, insurance, and labor and economic development.

Lastly, I attended various meetings during the conference that spanned from a wide range of topics, including workforce issues, education, and jail reforms. I look forward to bringing back new thoughts and ideas to Michigan as we continue to collaborate and work on legislation that makes healthcare more accessible for our residents.

Women Veterans Recognition: Irene Hosking

Last June, I introduced a bill (HB4555) that would permanently designate June 12^th as Women Veterans Recognition Day, which passed the House with wide bipartisan support and a unanimous vote in the Senate, which the Governor signed into law. This day honors the nearly 44,000 women that have served our country and our state well.

In the spirit of recognizing the extraordinary women that have put their lives on the line to protect our country, I wanted to highlight Irene M. Hosking who passed on August 4^th of this year at the age of 106. Irene joined the United States Army on May 15^th, 1942, and served her country well during World War II. While serving, Irene’s bravery and hard work earned her both respect and admiration from her fellow servicemembers, which led to Irene receiving the American Theater Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, a Victory Medal, and four Overseas Service Bars.

After the war, Irene returned to her home, bringing with her the years of experience from serving. She used the experience as she served as the Superintendent of Shiawassee County Hospital from 1946 to 1957, where she helped as many as she could in her community. She would later go on to be the first female commander of the VFW Post 4005 from 1995 to 1996, the first female commander of the Shiawassee County Council VFW, and finally the chaplain of the VFW Post 4005 from 1996 to 2022.

Irene’s story and bravery is why I continue to champion policies that help our veterans and give them the recognition that they deserve. Irene’s story should be one we all strive to achieve; being selfless, brave, and giving service to our community in any capacity. I would like to thank Irene for her service to not only the United States, but also to Michigan and her community, where she served them faithfully. I was honored to meet Irene last year at the Women Veterans Recognition Day ceremony in Detroit. She had a tear in her eye and was very pleased that we passed this important legislation.