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 or questions about this or any other state-level issue.

Sincerely,

Alabas A. Farhat

State Representative, 3rd House District

Upcoming Events

Budget Town Hall

Join me for a Budget Town Hall on July 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Centennial Library in Dearborn — 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126. We will be discussing all things budget and appropriations. I hope you can attend!

Coffee Hour

Our Coffee Hours will pause for July and August. I look forward to seeing all of you in September!

Budget Updates

State Budget Reinvests in Michigan

The Michigan House of Representatives passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget, marking a significant reinvestment in the people of Michigan. The School Aid budget — the largest in Michigan’s history — expands access to free preschool and provides free breakfast and lunch to every public school student. It also includes robust support for at-risk youth, mental health services, before- and after-school programs and so much more. There is no better investment than our kids, and this budget puts our state on a path to a bright future.

The state budget puts unspent dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act to work repairing roads, bridges and water infrastructure throughout the entire state to ensure that money is used in Michigan instead of being sent back to the federal government. Hundreds of millions will go toward lead line remediation and local road repairs. This budget prioritizes the health of Michiganders through increasing wages for direct care workers, providing incentives to expand our behavioral health care workforce, funding sickle cell disease treatment and so much more. We included substantial support for public safety, helping us graduate dozens of Michigan State Police troopers, upgrading their resources, providing specific mental health support for first responders and addressing gun case backlogs in Detroit and Wayne County. These investments will help us clean up contaminated sites, address PFAS and emerging contaminants, and protect the precious ecosystem of the Great Lakes.

I worked with our state senator to secure over $150 million for House District 3 and neighboring communities.

  • Funding for Public Safety — $15.5 million.
  • Secured Funding to Fight Substance Use Disorder — $14.5 million.
  • Prioritizing Seniors — $6.6 million.
  • Supporting our Community — $17.5 million.
  • Focusing on Health — $22.7 million.
  • Community Infrastructure — $25 million.
  • Increased Funding to Higher Education — $57.4 million.

These are just a few highlights of this incredibly exciting budget. These reinvestments mark a new chapter for our state. I can’t wait to see how these investments pay off in the months, years and decades to come.

News Updates

I Served, I am a Veteran Campaign 

The Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency is collecting stories and photos from Michigan veterans who have been historically underserved and underrepresented. These stories will be used to help encourage others to get the help they need. Getting veterans linked to the right benefits and resources can help them thrive and prevent the issues that can lead to veteran suicide and suicidal ideation. It also allows a wide variety of veterans to tell their own stories.

This includes multicultural veterans from all ethnicities and religions, LGBTQ+ veterans, tribal veterans, unhoused or previously unhoused veterans, previously incarcerated veterans, veterans struggling with addiction or alcoholism, peacetime veterans, and all other veteran populations, as well as dependents of deceased veterans. Regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, era of service, socioeconomic status or other factors, a veteran is a veteran — and their stories deserve to be heard.

If you served in the U.S. armed forces, including the National Guard and reserves, you are a veteran, and the MVAA wants to help you tell your story to inspire other veterans and get all former service members connected to the benefits they earned for their service. If you’d like to submit your story, please fill out a nomination form and send it to MVAA Communications Manager Andy Henion at heniona@michigan.gov.

State Parks Temporarily Closed — Summer

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) has received $250 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to begin improvement projects at state parks this spring and summer. Temporary closures will be in place so that DNR can carry out these critical improvements. Get the most current information on closures at all DNR facilities at Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.

These projects include new and upgraded camping amenities, park roads, electrical and water distribution systems, and toilet and shower buildings, as well as visitor center enhancements and historic preservation work — contributing to a better visitor experience.

Some of the planned state park closures can be found at this website.

EGLE Requests Removal of Temporary Sandbags Installed Along Great Lakes Shorelines 

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is requesting that shoreline property owners remove sandbags that were placed along shorelines when high Great Lakes water levels threatened properties in 2020.

The sandbags were authorized as temporary actions to help property owners along the Great Lakes to prevent erosion impacts to their property and structures. The sandbags must be removed before they deteriorate and leave behind plasticized materials in the water and along the shore.

Many sandbags were installed under a Minor Project (MP) permit under Part 325, Great Lakes Submerged Lands, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, or using the exemption created under Part 353, Sand Dunes Protection and Management.

Both the MP permit and the Part 353 exemption required removal of the sandbags when the water level fell below the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM). Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Clair, and Erie have had sustained water levels below their respective OHWMs for a significant period. Lake Superior water levels have continued to be higher, and sandbags already installed on the shoreline of Lake Superior can remain in place at this time.

Those who installed sandbags under an EGLE permit, using the Part 353 exemption or without a permit, will be contacted regarding removal of sandbags in the next several weeks. EGLE encourages property owners to begin removing sandbags as soon as possible. More information can be found Great Lakes Water Levels (michigan.gov) or by contacting the EGLE district office that covers your county.

Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council Celebrates Disability Pride Month in July 

The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (MiDDC), part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, is celebrating Disability Pride Month in July with events and outreach.

Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate the unique experiences, strengths and achievements of people with disabilities while raising a greater understanding of the challenges they face in participating in all aspects of community life.

Throughout July, MiDDC will organize events and activities highlighting the talents and achievements of individuals with disabilities. MiDDC will also coordinate initiatives with the Self-Advocates of Michigan to raise awareness of the contributions of people with developmental disabilities that enrich communities and enhance diversity.

Activities during Disability Pride Month include:

  1. Breaking Barriers Disability Art Exhibition: A curated art exhibition showcasing the talent of artists with developmental disabilities. Artwork will be displayed in an online gallery and will be open to the public at a pop-up exhibition at Lansing Shuffle, 325 Riverfront Drive, Lansing on Tuesday, July 11 from 3-8 p.m.
  2. Outstanding Self-Advocacy Recognition: MiDDC will celebrate people with developmental disabilities who were nominated for the invaluable impact of self-advocacy in their own life or community. Achievements will be highlighted to inspire others to begin their advocacy journey.
  3. Community Outreach: MiDDC will launch an awareness campaign to engage the community and promote respect and greater understanding among all residents. The campaign will use various media channels and social platforms to share stories, educate the public and promote inclusivity and advocacy efforts of all disability organizations.

MiDDC encourages community members, businesses and organizations to actively participate in Disability Pride Month. Resources and information will be shared on its Facebook page. The public is invited to participate and follow on Facebook for updates using the hashtag #DisabilityPrideMonth.

More information about Disability Pride Month events and activities can be found at Michigan.gov/DDCouncil.