Dear Neighbor,

It is an honor to be your representative in Lansing, and I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on what has happened since the beginning of the year. We have been hard at work over the last three months, striving to provide positive changes for Michiganders across the state but also focused on the impact of these policies here at home.

As we continue to get the people’s work done, I will be in regular communication with you all through these e-newsletters, at regular coffee hours, through social media and community events. If you haven’t already, I invite you to follow my Facebook page to stay up-to-date on local issues and my work as your representative. Additionally, you can find me on Twitter @JohnforMI.

If you are in need of support or need access to local or state resources, have any questions regarding legislation or state government in general, please reach out to me at my office at JohnFitzgerald@house.mi.gov or by calling (517) 373-0835.

In this issue:

  • Upcoming Coffee Hour
  • John’s Journal
  • Legislative Updates
  • Constituent Resources

Coffee Hours:

Fitz coffee graphic

Each month, I will be holding regular coffee hours to have open conversation with you, the residents of the 83rd district. My coffee hour this month will be held at Lindo Mexico Restaurante on Saturday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to noon. I always look forward to hearing from constituents and hope to see you there to talk about the things that are most important to you and our community. Of course, if you are unable to attend, do not hesitate to email or call my office.

Fitz coffee

John’s Journal:

Fitz reading

March is Reading Month has just wrapped up, and I had a wonderful time reading to students across the district at Wyoming’s Gladiola Elementary, Godfrey-Lee’s Godfrey Elementary, and North and West Godwin Elementary schools. I enjoyed talking with all of our young scholars and answering their questions about what it’s like to be a state representative. They had great questions, and it is my hope that they remain curious and thoughtful as they keep going with their studies. As I told them, it’s fun to make every month Reading Month!

Legislative Updates:

Fitz Sos

John at the State of the State Address in January with his guest, Michael Perez, Burton Middle School Principal

Fitz standing

On Thursday, March 30, I held my first town hall at the Wyoming Public Library with fellow representative Phil Skaggs to discuss all the work we’ve done to begin this legislative session. Thank you to all who attended! If you have followed the news, you can see that my colleagues and I have wasted no time getting to work to help improve our state and make it a destination for all people: workers, families, seniors, employers and really anyone who wishes to call our state “home.”

For those of you who weren’t able to make it, here’s a brief rundown of what has been accomplished so far:

  • Repealed the retirement tax
    • Helped more than 500,000 retirees keep more of their hard-earned money.
  • Expanded the working families tax credit
    • This affects more than 700,000 Michiganders and helps working families keep more of their money each year.
    • In fact, this will help lift roughly 25,000 families above the poverty line.
  • Passed legislation to help address gun violence in our communities
    • Secure Storage.
      • This bill requires that firearms in the home where a minor is present must be stored safely in a locked box or with some type of locking device, such as a trigger lock or cable lock.
      • This helps to ensure that firearms are inaccessible or inoperable without supervision. This means that firearms cannot leave the home in an operable manner without a parent or guardian knowing, reducing the likelihood of firearms being used for violent crime, accidental discharges and other harmful firearms accidents for children and teens.
    • Required Universal Background Checks
      • This bill package now requires a background check for all firearms sales, both commercial and private.
      • This closes loopholes for private gun purchases where the purchaser may have been able to conceal their criminal background when purchasing a firearm.
    • These initiatives are widely supported by Michiganders, especially firearm owners. Michigan now has better tools to fight and curb gun violence, making it harder for people with criminal histories to access firearms.
  • Supported Michigan’s working families by repealing Michigan’s so-called “right-to-work” laws, which weakened the bargaining power of employees and unions.
    • Since the passage of anti-worker “right-to-work” laws in 2012, Michigan has not seen significant increases in wages or benefits afforded to workers, while also seeing a steep decline in union membership.
    • Unions have a meaningful place in Michigan’s history and helped to create America’s middle class. This helps to empower workers and strengthen Michigan’s working class.
  • Restored prevailing wage on public construction projects.
    • This will have an impact in so many areas of our state, as studies have shown that construction projects are more likely to be completed on time and under budget where prevailing wage is paid.
    • See this news release to learn more.
  • Expanded the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections for the LGBTQ+ community, codifying a decision already delivered by Michigan’s Supreme Court in 2022.
  • Repealed the state’s unenforceable 1931 abortion ban, clarifying the state’s laws to reflect the passage of Proposal 3 in 2022.

I am committed to supporting legislation that helps Michiganders of all backgrounds live better lives, and you can count on me to fight for safer communities, economic growth, workers’ rights and equal rights.

Constituent Updates:

Medicaid Beneficiaries Will Need to Renew Coverage This Year

Medicaid beneficiaries will have to renew their coverage this year, starting in June, as Michigan resumes Medicaid eligibility redeterminations to comply with federal legislation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which required state Medicaid agencies to continue health care coverage for all medical assistance programs, even if someone’s eligibility changed. However, under new federal laws, people who have had their Medicaid insurance coverage automatically renewed each year will now need to reapply to continue it.

Although the federal COVID-19 public health emergency won’t end until May 11, Congress passed legislation to allow states to begin the Medicaid renewal process starting April 1. Michiganders who no longer qualify for Medicaid will receive additional information about other affordable health coverage options available, including on HealthCare.gov. Affected Michiganders will be able to shop for and enroll in comprehensive health insurance as they transition away from Medicaid, and many Michiganders can purchase a plan for less than $10 per month.

Renewals for traditional Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan will take place monthly starting in June 2023 and run through May 2024. Monthly renewal notices will be sent three months prior to a beneficiaries’ renewal date starting with June renewal dates. Beneficiaries can check their renewal month at Michigan.gov/MIBridges.

More information about how Medicaid benefits are changing can be found at Michigan.gov/2023BenefitChanges.

Reminder: Tax Returns Must Be E-Filed or Mailed by April 18

The Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding taxpayers that state individual income tax returns are due in less than a month. State individual income tax returns must be filed electronically or postmarked through the U.S. Postal Service by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18.

Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is convenient, safe and secure. Last year, more than 4.8 million Michigan taxpayers e-filed, which is 89% of state income tax filers.

For more information about e-filing, go to Michigan.gov/Taxes.