Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It is and 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
Banning the LGBTQ+ Panic Defense
This week, my legislation to ban the use of the so-called “LGBTQ+ panic defense” passed the House Criminal Justice Committee. This defense only serves to dehumanize our community and indicate that violence against us is less impactful, and it’s time to eliminate it.
Michigan is in the top 10 states for the frequency of the panic defense. With anti-LGBTQ violence on the rise, particularly against our transgender family, it’s more important than ever that we no longer allow prejudice to discount violence towards the LGBTQ community.
Vote Post
Follow this link to see what we have been voting on over the past couple of weeks. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.
Constituent Resources
Department of the Attorney General Issues Warning on USPS Scam
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning residents about fraudulent smishing text messages with an alleged delivery notification and tracking link, purporting to be from the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Smishing is when the scammer entices the victim by claiming a victim must provide them with a password, account number or even Social Security number to stop an alleged fraudulent transaction. Once this information is provided, the scammer can gain access to the device and any personal information stored on it, including email, bank, credit card or other types of accounts, including social media.
Protect your number and information with the following tips:
- Don’t share your phone number unless you know the person or organization well.
- Don’t assume a text is legitimate because it comes from a familiar phone number or area code. Spammers use caller ID spoofing to make it appear the text is from a trusted or local source.
- Don’t provide personal or financial information in response to the unsolicited text or at a website linked to the message.
- Don’t click on links in a suspicious text; they could install malware on your device or take you to a site that does the same.
- Don’t reply, even if the message says you can “text STOP” to avoid more messages. That tells the scammer or spammer your number is active and can be sold to other bad actors.
- Never follow a text’s instructions to push a designated key to opt out of future messages.
This smishing scam is common. In addition to the sender’s email coming from a public domain instead of the organization’s, the suggested link does not match the public facing website for the USPS.
A library of consumer alerts created by the Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team is available online and organized by a number of categories. You can file a complaint with the Department of Attorney General, contact: (877) 765-8388 or at online complaint form.
Community Update
DTE Natural Gas Meter Safety Inspection
DTE is requesting that Redford Township residents to schedule a gas safety meter inspection by calling (877) 853-9434 or by emailing gfo-meterassemblycheck@dteenergy.com.
DTE has made several attempts to set up a date/time to enter properties and inspect the natural gas meter per the request of the Michigan Public Service Commission. This inspection is not optional and is for your safety.
Free inspections are available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. any day that’s convenient for you. Inspections take about 15 minutes to complete. DTE needs your assistance in guaranteeing that they can access your meter.
If you fail to schedule this inspection, your natural gas service may be shut off, and you will be responsible for the cost to restore your service as required under C5.8 of DTE Gas Company’s rate book.
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 November Coffee Hour will be in Detroit at the Motor City Java House (17336 Lahser Road, Detroit, MI 48219). You can join the livestream for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.
Virtual: Monday, Oct. 16, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
In-Person: Saturday, Nov. 11, 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