Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It continues to be 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 in Lansing 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.
Legislative Update
Putting People First Priorities
House Democrats are putting people first. The people of Michigan drive this state forward. That’s why we are going into overdrive to put you first, to prioritize your family and to advocate for the issues that matter most to Michiganders. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently delivered the “What’s Next Address,” outlining our priorities for the fall:
- Protecting Reproductive Rights.
- Lowering Prescription Drug Costs.
- Upholding Democracy.
- Building a Clean-Energy Michigan.
- Strengthening the Economy.
This agenda will build on previous work to lower prices, make Michigan more competitive, improve energy efficiency, expand opportunity and protect Michiganders’ fundamental rights. Democrats are ready to continue passing thoughtful legislation that does just that.
Reproductive Health Act Introduction
This week, the Michigan House and Senate introduced an 11-bill package that will guarantee personal decision-making and remove barriers to accessing reproductive health care in the state of Michigan. The Reproductive Health Act (RHA) protects individual decision-making in reproductive health based on medical advice, not political ideology. These bills repeal and amend outdated and unconstitutional prohibitions on reproductive health care to bring it more in line with the treatment of other forms of medical care. Additionally, the package would repeal the ban on Medicaid coverage of abortion care and replace it with affirmative coverage for Medicaid patients.
When making the complex and deeply personal decisions that determine the direction of our lives, every Michigander should be able to make the decision that’s right for them. We can’t know a person’s circumstances or the factors informing their decision-making, but what we do know is that such a decision must be left to each individual, based on the advice of the health care professionals they trust, their personal values and what they feel is best for their needs.
I am proud to lead this package in the House along with my incredible colleague state Sen. Sarah Anthony.
Constituent Resources
GetSetUp Classes to Empower Older Adults
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has expanded its partnership with GetSetUp, an online learning and discovery platform designed for older adults to combat social isolation and keep older adults mentally, physically, and socially active. It provides Michigan residents aged 50 and older an additional 500,000 free virtual classes across a range of topics.
Classes are taught in English, Spanish, Hindi and Mandarin by older adults on a highly interactive custom-built video platform where participants can connect during and between classes. Programs can be accessed anywhere via smartphones, tablets or computers. For those seeking to learn more about how to use devices to access the resources, GetSetUp offers a selection of classes on topics about how to use smartphones and tablets, as well as how to use popular software programs and apps.
New Student Loan Repayment Program
The SAVE plan is an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan that calculates payments based on a student loan borrower’s income and family size — not their loan balance — and forgives remaining balances after a certain number of years. Get more info and apply here.
The SAVE Plan significantly decreases the monthly payments by increasing the income exemption from 150% to 225% of the poverty line; the plan eliminates 100% of remaining interest for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans after a scheduled payment is made, and the SAVE Plan excludes spousal income for borrowers who are married and file separately.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that student loan relief would not be treated as taxable income in Michigan. Roughly 1.4 million Michiganders eligible for relief will not owe any state taxes for receiving benefits of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program or other student loan forgiveness.
Michigan Secure App Provides More Protection for Michiganders
The Michigan Secure mobile app provided by the State of Michigan provides a free, easy way for Michiganders to protect themselves and their loved ones from cybercrime. It empowers users by informing them of threats they may encounter as they interact with an increasingly technology-driven world.
The most recent version of the app continuously detects and blocks risky links on mobile devices across apps if the user chooses to opt in, warning users about potentially harmful digital environments. It also extends anti-phishing capabilities to the Messages app and the Safari browser on iOS mobile devices, protecting users from malicious and risky links, pictures or videos in text messages and online. Additionally, the upgraded version of the app provides users with a summary of permission requests and privacy information for new downloads, describing the information that can and cannot be accessed from the user’s devices.
Michigan Secure is available for mobile devices running iOS 11 or higher, Android 6.0 or higher, and Chromebooks with Android apps support. Michiganders can download Michigan Secure from the App Store or Google Play. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/MichiganSecureApp.
To learn more about Michigan’s cybersecurity efforts, including tips and tricks, visit the Michigan Cybersecurity website at Michigan.gov/Cybersecurity.
UIA Offers Coaching Sessions for First-Time Filers
Workers applying for unemployment benefits can now get guidance online from trained instructors with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). These online coaching sessions will walk users through the steps they need to follow to qualify for payments.
Coaching is available Tuesdays through Fridays and time will be provided for questions. Workers can sign up at Michigan.gov/UIA for the voluntary web-based orientations. Participating in an orientation session is not required to qualify for benefits.
For more background and helpful information on these best practices, click here.
Community Update
City of Detroit’s Down Payment Assistance Program
The City of Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program aims to rebuild homeownership in Detroit. The program provides qualifying families grants up to $25,000 for a down payment, prepaid including interest rate buy down, closing costs, and principal reduction in conjunction with purchasing a home using a purchase mortgage or a purchase renovation mortgage.
The grants are available to homebuyers who have not held an interest in a property for the last three years. All grant recipients must have household incomes of less than 300% of the federal poverty level issued annually by the Department of Health and Human Services. The purchased home must be the principal resident for three years after the grant is awarded, or the grant must be repaid.
For more information and to apply, please visit detroitdpa.org.
Honoring Michigan’s Workers
House Democrats were out and about with our union family to celebrate Labor Day! Michiganders have unions to thank for so much, and we’re proud to stand with them.
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 October Coffee Hour will be in Livonia at the Biggby Coffee on Seven Mile and Farmington Road (33443 West Seven Mile Road Livonia, MI 48152). You can join the livestream for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.
Virtual: Monday, Sept. 18, from 6:30-7:30pm
In-Person: Sunday, Oct. 1, 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