Dear Neighbor,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! Included in this edition are some important legislative and community updates, along with a few resources I hope will prove helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-0144 or email at AlabasFarhat@house.mi.gov with any questions, comments or concerns..
Sincerely,
Alabas A. Farhat
State Representative, 3rd House District
Upcoming Events
Coffee Hour
Each month, our office will host a Coffee Hour where I’ll have the opportunity to sit down and hear from YOU on the issues that matter most, while also providing updates on what our office is doing in Lansing.
Please, join me on Monday, March 20 at 5:30 p.m. for my next Coffee Hour! Keep an eye out for future details on the location.
Legislative Updates
#MSUstrong Response
My colleagues and I are actively working on passing common-sense reforms to reduce gun violence. Legislation like universal background checks, safe storage laws and extreme risk protection orders have broad, bipartisan support, and I will work with anyone, regardless of party, who shares our goal of fighting back against the gun violence epidemic.
Lowering MI Costs Plan
A few weeks ago, the House passed the Lowering MI Costs plan with bipartisan support. I voted yes on this legislation because it delivers immediate and meaningful relief for Michiganders across our state. The Lowering MI Costs plan helps hardworking families and retirees and provides relief from the increased costs of necessities.
Committee Assignments
I am pleased to share that I have been appointed to the following committees: Economic Development and Small Business; Health Policy; Tax Policy (majority vice chair); Transportation, Mobility, and Infrastructure; Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services; and Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity.
House Resolution 14
On Jan. 18, I introduced House Resolution 14 to commemorate January 2023 as the 94th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This resolution serves as a tribute to the immense impact King had on the civil rights movement and the ongoing efforts to promote equality and justice in our society. Through his leadership and advocacy, King inspired a generation to fight for change and helped bring about historic reforms that continue to shape our world today.
News Updates
First in Series of Payments Released, Lowering Costs for More Than 600 of Michigan’s Next Generation of Teachers
Under the MI Future Educator Fellowship program, scholarship awards are given to students through colleges and universities to cover the cost of tuition and fees up to $10,000 for up to three years. Students who receive the award must commit to teaching in a Michigan classroom for at least three years after graduation.
To date, nearly $2 million in Fellowship scholarships have been awarded to 231 students. Awards are calculated as a part of a student’s overall financial aid package and vary. Over 2,000 students have applied and awards will be made on a rolling basis.
To be eligible, future educators must apply through the MiSSG Portal, submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and:
- Be working toward their first teacher certification.
- Must have earned at least 56 semester credits or 84 term credits with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
- Begin the Education Preparation Program full time in fall 2022 or later.
- Be a Michigan resident.
The MI Future Educator Fellowship program has $25 million available for those who aspire to become teachers. To learn more about the MI Future Educator Fellowship program, go to Michigan.gov/mistudentaid.
Important Dates
Employee Appreciation Day
March 4 is Employee Appreciation Day. Launched in 1995 by Workman Publishing, National Employee Appreciation Day reminds managers that strong employer-employee relations are at the core of any truly successful business.
Women’s History Month
March is National Women’s History Month; it is an annual celebration and recognition of women and their role in U.S. history. This is a time to reflect on and honor the contributions made by women in history and contemporary society today. Go to https://womenshistorymonth.gov/ to learn more.