In this issue:

• “Iced Tea and Talk” schedule
• Tributes
• Small Business Summer

• First Six Months in Lansing
• Legislation
• Michigan’s State Budget

Iced Tea and Talk (aka Coffee Hours)

Monday, July 17:

St. Clair Shores Library

at 3 p.m.

Harper Woods Library

6 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 4:

St. Clair Shores Senior Center (seniors only)

10:30 a.m.

Monday, Aug. 21:

Detroit Library –

Jefferson Branch

6:30 p.m.

I’ll also be attending Detroit neighborhood meetings for East English Village, Cornerstone Village, and Yorkshire Woods. Contact your neighborhood group for more information.

You’re welcome to contact my office if you’d like to schedule a tea/coffee hour or meet-and-greet for your group or neighborhood.

Tributes & Recognitions

• In April, I had the great pleasure of celebrating Detroit House District 11 resident Miss Lottie’s 101st birthday with her family and friends! Miss Lottie has lived in her neighborhood since just before World War II, and oh the stories she had to tell, and the neighborhood changes she’s seen! She is in very good health, and I look forward to celebrating her 102nd birthday.
• In June, it was my equally as great pleasure to present Mr. and Mrs. Moseley of Harper Woods with a tribute in honor of their 75th wedding anniversary!

I love to help honor the many people, businesses and organizations that make House District 11 great. I present official state tributes to recognize residents and businesses, and to celebrate important milestones including retirements, heroic deeds, business ribbon cuttings and more. Contact my Lansing office to learn more.

Small Business Summer Tributes

This summer I’m honoring local small businesses in House District 11. If you know of a small business (fewer than 10 employees) in our district that deserves a tribute for its community service, longevity or as a welcome to the neighborhood (or any special reason), go to my state website to request one and my staff will get back to you to arrange.

First Six Months in Lansing

It’s been busy! This spring, I’ve learned so much about the inner workings of the Capitol and how legislation is passed. I’ve met with numerous constituents and others at in-district coffee hours and events and talked with many who were advocating for specific issues in Lansing. I’ve worked with colleagues, constituents and stakeholders on crafting legislation. I’ve toured an ethanol plant, learned about potatoes (Michigan is #1 for both our “chip” potatoes and processed pickles) and general agriculture, met with representatives of higher education and our Department of Natural Resources, and heard testimony from both schoolchildren about making the Black Swallowtail the state butterfly (and now it is) and met firefighters about health benefits.

Ethanol plant tour with fellow legislators, plant staff, and members of the Farm Bureau.

Sponsored Legislation

I am thrilled that my first House Bill, House Bill 4033, was voted on and passed the Michigan House of Representatives with bipartisan support. This bill will require the state to reimburse local governments for certain costs of special elections to fill a House or Senate district vacancy. This bill saves your city money that can be better spent on your community’s needs. The bill is awaiting a vote by the Senate.

I’ve also sponsored House Bills awaiting committee review. Here is a sampling:

• HB 4067 — retired police K-9 one-time veterinary care reimbursement.
• HB 4277 & 4278 — animal research facilities reporting and research animals for adoption (a House reintroduction of state Sen. Kevin Hertel’s “Teddy’s Law”)
• HB 4430 – requiring cautionary labeling for recreational marijuana (such as on your prescription bottles)
• HB 4471 — criminal sentencing procedures and time served (in conjunction with bills by two of my colleagues)
• HB 4513 – part of a two-bill package about the licensing of clinical art therapists

I’m also working on bills regarding home foreclosures and affordable housing, fair employment practices, agricultural pollution, and library book bans. Plus, I’m working with several constituents on proposed business legislation.

You’re welcome to contact my office if you’d like to arrange a time to talk about a particular legislative need no matter the subject.

Co-Sponsored Legislation

Legislation that I’ve co-sponsored includes hate crime laws, behavioral and mental health care, labor, education, elections, criminal procedures, weapons and much more. Be sure to visit my website here to find more information on my co-sponsored legislation.

Legislation Passed by The House of Representatives

Your 102nd Legislature hit the ground running in January! Many bills have passed with bipartisan support.

Bills which are now public acts include repealing retirement taxes (beginning 2024), tax cuts for seniors and working families, gun safety and storage (keeping in mind children and victims of domestic abuse, for example), Michigan National Guard tuition assistance for spouses and dependents, law enforcement recruiting and training, hands-free driving (no cellphones) and Juneteenth (now an observed state holiday).

A sampling of other bills that are awaiting further action include prospective laws about hate crimes, economic development, teacher shortages and retention, banning child marriage, municipal emergency services, copays for prescription insulin, property tax credits for disabled veterans and their spouses, environmental protections regarding wastewater treatment systems, foster care and health occupations.

Michigan 2023-24 Budget

State legislators had a deadline of June 30 to confirm the Michigan budget with investments that will mark a new and positive chapter for our state.

I am delighted to report that our district, House District 11, received $5 million funding for water infrastructure in St. Clair Shores (which will limit wastewater into Lake St. Clair) and partial funding to repair blighted property and create a small park in an underserved area of Harper Woods. I’m currently working with an economic development corporation on Detroit’s east side to secure funding for a neighborhood market.

Other great funding throughout the state includes $160 million for free student breakfast and lunch, over $10 million for Selfridge Air National Guard Base, direct care workers wage increases, renewable energy and electrification infrastructure, local roads and highway maintenance, law enforcement training, lead service line replacement, technical and vocational training, environment and climate funding, equitable investments for special education and at-risk students, and community development and so very much more.