Dear Neighbor,
What a busy time it has been these last five months in House District 48 and in Lansing, where we passed a state budget in June that included continuing to fund universal breakfast and lunch in all public schools and dedicating $150 million to tackling the housing crisis in Michigan head-on.
What I most enjoyed, however, was getting out in the community this summer and talking to constituents about what matters most to them — whether it is veterans’ issues, environmental concerns, infrastructure challenges or questions from small-business owners.
Here is a run-down of all that Team Conlin has been working on in the Capitol and focusing on in the district during these past summer months.
Legislative Update
In May, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed my bill, House Bill 4343, which requires the Department of Insurance and Financial Services to conduct a seven-year study on payday lending! We will finally be able to get a picture of how the practice of payday lending affects residents throughout the state so that we can better regulate this industry. This week, I also plan to introduce two new pieces of legislation: one will create a grant program for farmers affected by PFAS, and another will either eliminate or extend the sunset on our medical interstate licensure compact. Our Michigan farmers deserve all the support that they can get, and we must also continue to address staff shortages in hospitals through innovative methods like an interstate licensure compact.
Community Engagement
At the beginning of the summer, I had the opportunity to tour the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Genoa Township with state Sen. Stephanie Chang and Genoa Water Utility Director Greg Tartara. Genoa’s plant is one of the most automated plants in the state and has even won awards for being the best tasting water in the region nationally! It takes a lot for us to have clean, affordable drinking water, and I appreciated learning all the work that goes into the process.
Sen. Chang, is the main sponsor of Senate Bills 549–54 aimed at ensuring that low-income Michiganders pay no more than 3% of their household income on water, provides critical shut-off protections for those whose health conditions require access to water in their homes, creates a low-income water affordability fund, provides protections for tenants and decriminalizes water reconnections after shut off due to financial hardship.
I have heard from many constituents who are in support of these bills and their respective House versions (HBs 5088–93), as these bills will keep water affordable for every Michigander. Every Michigander should have access to safe, clean drinking water, and with such unbridled access to clean water here in Michigan, there is no reason that anyone in our communities should struggle for safe drinking water.
I also was able to attend the National PFAS Conference, which was held in Ann Arbor this year. House District 48 not only has PFAS problems in the lakes, making it unable to eat the fish, our district has the only cattle farm in the state that was closed down for PFAS contamination. Jason Grostic, the farmer affected, bravely spoke of the emotional and financial toll the state’s actions have taken on his family and the need for us to help other farmers who find their land is contaminated in the future. I’m working on legislation I hope will help him and others.
I toured of the flooding affecting the Huron River and Ore Lake in Livingston County. Unfortunately, a perfect storm occurred between exceptional rainfall in July and August, thus making it impossible to do the July harvesting of weeds in the river that make the lake level even higher. The river is now too high to harvest the weeds, which hopefully will be possible by the end of the month. But in the meantime, the homes on Branch Drive at the top of Ore Lake are sitting in 13 inches of water. I suited up in waders to visit with some of the homeowners yesterday and learn how the state might help. Below is a photo of the weed harvesters used to clean the river up. Enormous job, to say the least.
Many constituents affected by this extreme flooding have contacted my office for assistance and to be kept up to date on solutions we are working on finding with the Michigan State Police’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.
On Oct. 21, the FEMA Regional Flood Insurance Liaison will be delivering a flood insurance presentation for Hamburg Township residents.
Date: Monday, Oct. 21, from 7-9 p.m.
Location: Hamburg Township Hall, 10405 Merrill Road, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189
House District 48 has many rivers, lakes, ponds and streams that make up the beauty of our wonderful community. We are fortunate to have in the southernmost corner of the district, Argo park and the cascades. I toured the Broadway Park West/Lower Town Riverfront Conservancy to see the largest brownfield development in Washtenaw County. This project will bring the community new trails, a footbridge and an 8,000 square foot multi-use event facility.
In June, I attended multiple local events like Art in the Park in Pinckney and the Webster Township Historical Society’s Flea Market. It was wonderful to be at two amazing events that featured talented artists and local small businesses.
As many of you know, last year I secured $5 million in state funding for Freedom River in Livingston County. This new center will assist in the re-assimilation of U.S. military service members, veterans and their families. In June, it hosted its groundbreaking ceremony and its annual H.E.R.O 5K run, which I attended and cheered on participants!
The Whitmore Lake fireworks were spectacular again this year, and it was great to celebrate with the community on the funding we secured for the waterfront!
In July, LACASA held its 25th Anniversary Garden Tour. The gardens were gorgeous, with wooded paths, water features, vertical vegetable gardens and topiaries! Such a good cause and such a fun way to support them. The guide had the wonderful tagline, “Helping Survivors Bloom.” Thank you, LACASA, for caring for those suffering from domestic abuse.
I had the privilege to attend two ceremonies this year for the groundbreaking of two amazing projects in the Dexter community. The first event was for the Dexter Wellness Center, and the second was for the new Dexter Senior Center. The $8.5 million in state funding we helped secure has made it possible for the community to build a wonderful facility for our elderly population, including my 90-year-old mother who lives with me. Can’t wait to take her there for the first time! So glad we could help with a project that has been in the works for many years.
I attended the Howell Senior Center “Lunch and Learn,” where I participated in the Livingston Leadership Council on Aging’s biannual senior luncheon to discuss all we can do to help our elderly population. Everyone should be sure the seniors in your life know what great senior centers we have in Livingston, Washtenaw and Jackson counties. The activities provided are incredible in Livingston, from exercise classes to an Elvis Party at the Putnam Township Senior Center! Not to mention pickleball at the Hamburg Senior Center!
I had an early morning at the grand opening of the renovated, gorgeous new Kroger store in Pinckney. A fantastic grocer, but the highlight — beyond the Tiger mascot — was the moment the Farley Hill Food Pantry received a check for $10,000 (a total surprise!) The hard-working women behind the pantry, which feeds around 35 families per week, burst into tears.
At the beginning of August, I got to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Zeeb to Delhi Metropark segment of the Border To Border Trail! This exciting segment along the Huron River connects all three Washtenaw County Metroparks on the Trail. I was proud to lead the effort to secure $3 million in state funding for the nonprofit Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative to support the development and completion of the Washtenaw County-wide B2B Trail. When complete, it will be a paved 55-mile long pathway running across the county and connecting to trail networks in Wayne County as well as Jackson and Ingham counties.
Later in August, I was invited to attend the Title IX Plaza ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Dexter Huron Metropark in Dexter, Michigan. The plaza honors women from southeast Michigan who helped to pass the Title IX legislation in 1972 and have been pivotal in honoring women’s sports since then.
The Jackson County Farm Bureau held its annual meeting in August, and I attended with my friend and colleague state Sen. Sue Shink. We learned their legislative priorities over fantastic food for both breakfast and lunch. Then we went to the Waterloo Hunt Club to watch a dressage competition. I used to ride, so it was really fun to watch the control these riders have over the horses as they almost dance around the ring!
Right before Labor day weekend, I met with the Huron River Chain of Lakes group and updated them on all I have been working on to clean up our water. I am ready to continue working on our PFAS and Polluter Pay legislation with my fellow lawmakers. 
On Sept. 11, the Michigan House of Representatives honored the lives lost on 9/11 and the courage of the first responders who stepped in during our darkest hour, during a ceremony at the Capitol. I had a great friend and constituent who served in Iraq attend with me. A few days after the ceremony at the capitol, I attended the 9/11 Never Forget Trail 5K at Fillmore Park. More than 200 people ran in the second annual event.
I also spent the afternoon at The Moving Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Livingston County, attending the Women in the Military ceremony, highlighting the history of service from Rosie the Riveters to Women AirForce Service Pilots. The wall is a half-size replica of the Washington, D.C., Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for 30-plus years. When John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, he felt the positive power of “The Wall.” He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington. It is a wonderful, inspiring tribute to those who gave their lives for our country.
I was able to attend the incredibly exciting ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Hamilton Whitmore Lake Clinic, as it officially became open to the public on Sept. 16. Community members have been trying to get a primary care clinic since 2016, and their hard work and dedication has paid off with this new medical facility. It was an honor to help provide $1.8 million in state funding alongside state Sen. Sue Shink for the clinic, and it will be a huge step forward in providing behavioral health services for the community.
My office has been busy assisting constituents across our district one-on-one with navigating state agencies, and helping find solutions to issues they are currently facing. We can help get you in contact with staff at state departments like the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Treasury Department or the Unemployment Insurance Agency. We know it can be tough sometimes when you’re working through issues and we’re here to help as best we can. I want to hear from you. What do you need? How can we help you? Please, reach out to me at (517) 373-7557 or JenniferConlin@house.mi.gov.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Conlin
State Representative
48th House District