Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It is a privilege to represent Livonia, Redford Township and Detroit, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in Lansing. I encourage you to stay up to date on what’s going on at the Capitol and continue to let me know about the issues that matter to you.
If there is anything I can do to help you and your family, please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-1530 or email me at LauriePohutsky@house.mi.gov. You can also catch me on Facebook.
In this issue:
- Legislative Update
- 100 Days of Action
- Repeal of 1931 Abortion Ban Signed into Law
- Session Update
- Constituent Resources
- Michigan “Clean Slate” Law
- Community Update
- Detroit Blight Busters Volunteer Day
- Girl Scout Troop Visit
- Events
- Upcoming Coffee Hours
Legislative Update
100 Days of Action
This week marked the 100th day of the legislative session, and House Dems have been working hard for Michiganders. From expanding the working families tax credit, to repealing so-called “right-to-work” laws, to protecting bodily autonomy, we’ve been busy, and we have no intention of letting up.
Repeal of 1931 Abortion Ban Signed into Law
Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed my legislation to repeal Michigan’s 1931 criminal abortion ban. This wouldn’t have been possible without the constant work of activists, policymakers, litigators and abortion providers for decades. In 2022, Michiganders made it clear that they want abortion to remain safe and legal, and while there is still much work to be done to ensure abortion is accessible to everyone in our state, I’m grateful for this victory.
Session Update
Follow this link to see what we have been voting on over the last couple of weeks. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (517) 373-1530 or LauriePohutsky@house.mi.gov.
Constituent Resources
Michigan “Clean Slate” Law
On October 13, 2020, Public Act 193 of 2020 was signed into law with an effective date of April 11, 2021. This act included a group of bills collectively known as the “Clean Slate” package. These bills have impacted the rules and procedures an individual may use to have prior convictions set aside. In addition to making several changes to the existing paper application processes and eligible offenses, the Clean Slate package also created a process to automatically set aside certain convictions without an application. The new automatic process required the Michigan State Police (MSP) to make technical changes to the Criminal History Record (CHR) database. To make those changes, the legislation provided for a two-year development process, making the effective date April 11, 2023.
MSP engaged the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) to develop the automated program for setting aside eligible convictions within the CHR database. In addition, the statute requires that MSP make all set-asides within the database accessible to each court in the state. To accomplish this, MSP will be notifying the courts daily and providing a file, via secure transfer, of all eligible convictions that have been set aside in the MSP CHR database.
While some individuals will be eligible for setting aside convictions by application, individuals with certain types of misdemeanor or felony records could or will additionally qualify to have convictions set aside automatically.
To find out if you are eligible for an automatic set aside and or what remains on your record, go to the Michigan Clean Slate website.
Community Update
Detroit Blight Busters Volunteer Day
This month, Team Pohutsky and friends spent a Saturday morning volunteering with Detroit Blight Busters to bring the Sunflower Arts and Community Center project one step closer to completion. It is an honor to represent House District 17 in Lansing, but I am always grateful for the opportunity to serve outside of the House chamber in our community.
Girl Scout Troop Visit
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit a local Livonia Girl Scout Troop and talk to them about our state government as they work toward earning their democracy badge. It was inspiring to get to spend time with and hear questions from our next generation of leaders.
Events
Coffee Hours
I hope you can join me for one of my upcoming coffee hours! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about the issues families face in our community. I host two coffee hours a month, one in-person and one virtual. The location for in-person coffee hours will rotate throughout the year between Livonia, Redford Township and Detroit. My in-person May coffee hour will be held at Biggby Coffee in Livonia (33443 West Seven Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48152). You can join the livestream for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.
- Virtual: Monday, April 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- In-Person: Sunday, May 7 from 2-3 p.m.
Never hesitate to reach out to me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns!
Sincerely,
Laurie Pohutsky
Speaker Pro Tempore
17th House District