Dear Neighbor,
Welcome to my biweekly Capitol & Community Update! For many of you, this is the first e-news publication from me as your state representative. I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to represent you in Lansing. I hope everyone is having a great start to the new year and continuing to stay healthy. My staff and I are here to serve you and help however we can.
Also, if you have any concerns that you’d like to voice to my office, please email us at RachelHood@house.mi.gov or give us a call at (517) 373-1790. My constituent correspondent, Alex Zygmunt, will be happy to assist you with whatever you need.
Legislative Updates
As many of you already know, the Democratic Party in Michigan has earned majorities in both bodies of the state Legislature. I am extremely excited to work with the House, Senate and Gov. Whitmer to find new solutions to problems that our state faces. I would also like to thank everyone that participated in the democratic process to give us this opportunity.
Opening Week
The first day of the 102nd Legislature was very busy but was also very fun for myself and my fellow colleagues. Our office came together to celebrate the first day of the new legislative session. I was accompanied by my hard-working staff: Shawon Cecil, Alex Zygmunt and our super-intern Madi Dye. After swearing in and taking the oath of office, both the Michigan House Democrats and Michigan House Republicans voted overwhelmingly to elect my colleague and friend Rep. Joe Tate to be the next Speaker of the House. Speaker Tate has cemented his reputation as a consensus builder that works hard to find bipartisan solutions to problems that affect all Michiganders. I also met with Gov. Whitmer and expressed my enthusiasm to continue working with her and the state of Michigan.
Although the House was limited to a time constraint on the first day, the first week of the 102nd Legislature was very productive. Legislators have already begun to introduce transformative legislation, such as the elimination of the retirement tax and “right-to-work” laws. We were also assigned to our committee positions this week. I will be serving on the House Appropriations Committee and the following subcommittees: Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (Chair); General Government (Majority Vice Chair); Health and Human Services; and Transportation. There will be plenty of work to do in each of these committees, and I am excited about these new opportunities to deliberate spending with my colleagues. Committee
notices are available via email. If you would like to receive committee notice information, click here.
Resources
Michigan Work Share Program
Michigan’s Work Share program allows employers to restart their business and bring employees back from unemployment. Employers can bring employees back with reduced hours while employees collect partial unemployment benefits to make up a portion of the lost wages. Click here for more information.
Home Repairs with State Emergency Relief
State Emergency Relief assists with home repairs to correct unsafe conditions and restore essential services. Eligible home repairs may include repair or replacement of a non-functioning furnace, water heaters or septic systems. This program can be found through MI Bridges, and the link is included here.
Michigan Homeowners Assistance Fund
This fund will help prevent foreclosure and displacements of homeowners due to the coronavirus pandemic. Applicants will be able to apply and submit required documentation through the web-based application or may be assisted by a third-party counseling agency or legal aid office. MSHDA also is partnering with Michigan 2-1-1, a nonprofit organization, to serve as a statewide call center to answer questions, provide program details and help homeowners with application submissions. Additional program details and updates can be found at Michigan.gov/MIHAF.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Strengthening the Safety Net Program
BCBSM Strengthening the Safety Net program is now accepting applications from free clinics statewide for funding opportunities. Grants of $15,000 will be awarded for clinic operations and $25,000 for clinics that serve as medical or dental homes; awards at this level require a $10,000 match. Eligible clinics can now apply for grants through Friday, June 3. Final award amounts will be based on the number of applications received, the scope of applications submitted and the amount of funding available. All materials must be submitted via the online application form, which is accessible at bcbsm.com/safetynet. Any questions can be directed to safetynet@bcbsm.com.
Double Up Food Bucks
Buying food is expensive right now, especially for our neighbors struggling to put food on the table. Double Up Food Bucks is here to help. For those who shop for groceries with a SNAP/Michigan Bridge Card, they can double their benefits to purchase fresh, Michigan-grown fruits and veggies using Double Up Food Bucks. The program is available at 260+ participating farmers markets and grocery stores across Michigan. With farmers market season around the corner, it’s a great time to use the program! Learn how it works and find a participating location near you at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org.
Tax Information
Tax season is coming up, and the Michigan Department of Treasury has resources to help you. For those that are having issues related to their taxes, the Department of Treasury has developed an eServices Individual Income Tax (michigan.gov). This will provide you with plenty of tax information resources including inquiry-based help systems.
Upcoming Events
We are working on our calendar over the next couple of months to schedule coffee hours and town halls.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to read up on my activities in Lansing. I encourage you to stay up to date on any legislation at www.legislature.mi.gov. You can also follow me on Facebook. If you need help with anything, please reach out to my office. I hope everyone is having a fantastic 2023 so far, and please look out for our next e-news!