Dear Neighbor,
Here is some information that I hope you will find helpful, including updates and news from your state government.
Michigan Reconnect Expands Enrollment for Adults Ages 21-24
Last week was the first week for adults ages 21-24 who have not yet earned a college degree to enroll in Michigan Reconnect, a tuition-free community college program that was previously limited to individuals 25 and older.
Expanding eligibility for the Michigan Reconnect program will help us reach Gov. Whitmer’s “Sixty by 30” goal — where 60% of adults earn a postsecondary education or training by 2030. If you are interested in applying for the scholarship program, visit www.michigan.gov/reconnect by Nov. 15, 2024.
Child and Family Charities Receives ‘RAP 2.0’ Grant
Child and Family Charities, located at the old McLaren Greenlawn campus in Lansing, was awarded grant funding from the Revitalization and Placemaking Program (“RAP 2.0”). RAP 2.0 is deploying $100 million in state funding to invest in projects to help revitalize Michigan communities and stimulate economic growth.
Cooley Law School and Safe and Just Michigan to Host Expungement Fair
Cooley Law School and Safe and Just Michigan are hosting an expungement fair on Friday, Oct. 27, from noon to 5 p.m., at Cooley Law School, 300 S. Capitol Ave. in Lansing. Those who want to participate in this event must fill out a screening form here.
Expungement removes arrests and convictions from a person’s public criminal record. Criminal offenses that have been expunged are no longer accessible to employers or landlords. Michigan law has always allowed for expungements, but the Clean Slate legislation enacted in 2020 made more individuals and offenses eligible for expungement.
Under Michigan’s “Clean Slate” expungement laws, individuals with up to three felonies and unlimited misdemeanors can have their records expunged. Note that on April 11, 2023, Michigan’s automatic expungement mandate went into effect, which allows for certain convictions to be expunged without an application. Find out more about Michigan’s new expungement laws here. If you are interested in pursuing expungement but are unable to attend the fair, you can fill out Legal Services of South Central Michigan’s Expungement Intake Application.
If you are an attorney or law student who would like to volunteer for this event, please fill out this sign up form.
Rep. Hope to Host Coffee Hour in October
Mark your calendar! Join me for a Coffee & Conversation event on Monday, Oct. 23, from 4-5 p.m. at the South Lansing Capital Area District Library, 3500 S. Cedar St. in Lansing. Send an email to karahope@house.mi.gov with any questions or topics you would like covered. See you then!
Sincerely,
Kara Hope
State Representative