Capitol & Community Update

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am most effective at my job when acting on your direct input. I encourage you to reach out to me and my staff with any questions, comments or concerns you may have regarding our community or state and with any policy ideas.

Please do not hesitate to reach out by phone at (517) 373-0822 or send an email to AngelaWitwer@house.mi.gov.

Sincerely,

Angela Witwer

State Representative, 76th House District

In This Issue:

Weekly Wrap-ups
In-District Update
Legislative Update

Weekly Wrap-ups with Witwer

Please keep an eye out on my Facebook page for upcoming Weekly Wrap-ups and any event changes.

Friday, Sept. 8: NONE.
Friday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. at the Charlotte Community Library in the Spartan Room.
Friday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. at the Dimondale Council Chambers (space is limited).
Friday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m. at Eaton Rapids City Hall.

In-District Update

If you have experienced damages due to last week’s severe weather, please review the below resources from the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) for how to file a claim and repair damages:

Other Resources:

How to Stay Safe During a Power Outage.
FEMA Power Outage Tips.
MDHHS can provide immediate help to individuals and families facing conditions of extreme hardship or emergencies that threaten health and safety. You can call the General Hotline at (517) 241-3740 or the Drinking Water Hotline at (844) 934-1315.
Outage credits may be available for customers who lose power during storms; however, they do not always fully address the expenses that can be incurred during an extended outage. Residents experiencing financial hardship can find out more about available assistance and shut-off protections for their home utility services here.

Also, if you are a Food Assistance Program recipient who had food spoil due to a verified power outage or lost due to storm damage, you may be eligible for replacement food assistance. You can call Eaton County DHHS to request replacement benefits at (517) 543-0860 or call 2-1-1 for additional food bank assistance.

Road Work Alert: I-69 ramps to Ainger Road & M-78 closures in Charlotte

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin rebuilding the I-69 ramp to Ainger Road and the M-78 ramp to southbound I-69 as part of the ongoing $210 million investment to rebuild I-69 between Island Highway in Charlotte, Eaton County, and I-94 in Marshall, Calhoun County.

Funding for this project is made possible by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state’s economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improve the condition of the state’s infrastructure.

For project news and updates, subscribe to the I-69 rebuilding project e-mail list.

County: Eaton

Highway: I-69

Closest city: Charlotte

Start date: Noon, Friday, Aug. 25

Estimated end date: 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30

Traffic restrictions: This work will require the southbound I-69 ramp to Ainger Road and the M-78 ramp to southbound I-69 to be closed and detoured for the duration of this work. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.

Jobs numbers: Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support nearly 2,541 jobs.

Safety benefit: This work will result in a smoother, safer ride for motorists.

Road Work Alert: M-100 Resurfacing & Sidewalk Installation

MDOT will begin resurfacing and installing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalks on M-100 from Main Street to Grand River Avenue in Grand Ledge on Monday. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to support six jobs.

County: Eaton and Clinton

Closest city: Grand Ledge

Start date: Monday, Aug. 28

Estimated end date: Tuesday, Oct. 3

Traffic restrictions: Drivers should expect lane closures and traffic control regulators. Alternate routes are advised.

Safety benefit: This work will provide drivers with a smoother, safer driving surface. The ADA-compliant sidewalks will be more accessible for all users.

Eaton County Youth Facility Groundbreaking Ceremony

I was thrilled to help secure $3 million for the Eaton County Youth Facilities expansion project in this year’s state budget. The project will create two new housing pods with a total of 14 beds, one new classroom, two new offices and one large dayroom. It will add nearly 14,000 square feet to the facility’s space for residential housing and treatment programs.

The Eaton County Youth Facility provides a safe and secure environment for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The facility offers trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, substance abuse counseling and daily group therapy sessions focused on anger management, life skills, relationships and communication, and personal responsibility, among other topics. The facility also provides community service and physical fitness programs, as well as educational support.

Project leaders anticipate the expansion’s completion in 2024.

Delta Township Roundtable

I was privileged to host our Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist along with state Sen. Sarah Anthony at the Delta Township offices for a roundtable discussion. We were able to talk about the great budget for our state and for Eaton County.

Delta Mills Park Cricket Court Ribbon Cutting

Last week, I joined Delta Township leaders and constituents for the ribbon cutting of the new cricket court at Delta Mills Park. It is so exciting to see projects in our community come to fruition that many will get to enjoy for years to come.

Legislative Update

Gov. Whitmer Announces ‘What’s Next Address’ in August

On Aug. 30, Gov. Whitmer delivered an address detailing policy priorities for the fall. The governor discussed her proposals to expand opportunities, lower costs, make Michigan more competitive and protect individuals’ basic rights. You can stream the address on Facebook or YouTube.