Dear Neighbor,
Welcome to my Capitol & Community Update! I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to represent you in Lansing. I hope everyone is having a great spring and continuing to stay healthy. My staff and I are here to serve you and help however we can.
Also, if you have any concerns that you’d like to voice to my office, please email us at RachelHood@house.mi.gov or give us a call at (517) 373-1790. My constituent correspondent, Alex Zygmunt, will be happy to assist you with whatever you need.
Legislative Updates
It’s budget season!
As chair of the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Appropriations Subcommittee, I was happy to help report out our budget (HB 4249) to the House Floor.
Some of the highlights are:
- $50 million in one-time funding for the remediation and redevelopment of contaminated sites and for expanded air pollution control in historically disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.
- $200 million for lead service line removal and replacement across Michigan.
- $40 million in funding for grants to local communities looking to create renewable energy facilities.
- $20 million in one-time funding to remove unnecessary dams and help restore Michigan’s aquatic ecosystems.
- $15 million in funding for Michigan universities to research opportunities of ways to invest in a circular economy for the metals and minerals contained in electric vehicle batteries.
- $8.5 million dollars to support economic development by investing in additional propane supply for the U.P.
You can check out the speech I gave on this budget on my Facebook page.
Other important pieces of legislation that I have introduced this month:
On April 26, state Rep. John Roth and I introduced House Bills 4464 and 4465, a community solar package that would remove existing policy restrictions in Michigan to allow for the development of small-scale community solar projects that would enable greater access to solar, lower utility bills, and create jobs and economic development across the state. Under the legislation, residents could subscribe to a portion of a community solar project and receive credit on their electricity bill for the power produced, just as if the panels were on their own roof!
On April 13, I introduced House Bill 4413, which would allow a candidate running for office to pay for caregiver expenses with campaign funds. In 2018, the FEC ruled that campaign funds raised by federal candidates could be used for dependent care. This bill will allow for dependent care, including child care as well as those caring for a disabled adult child or an elderly family member.
We also introduced House Bills 4468–4471, which is a bill package that will provide for an official personal identification card and driver’s license to all residents of Michigan, despite their documented status in the United States. This package would impact a wide variety of residents, such as the elderly who may have lost records throughout their lives, individuals on visas, undocumented people and their families and the children of U.S. service members who are born on foreign bases. These cards would alleviate difficulties for law enforcement that may arise out of routine traffic stops, provide stability to the workforce in industries such as agriculture and improve roadway safety by increasing drivers’ training participation.
Upcoming Events
- May 15: Coffee Hour
- Switchback Coffee Shop: 2166 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
- May 13: Vintage Baseball Game: Ada vs. Cascade
- Come experience America’s national pastime! Hosted by Ada Township Parks and Recreation and the Ada Historical Society, come to Ada Township Park to get the full experience of a vintage ball game. This vintage game will utilize turn of the century rules, era uniforms, lemon peel balls, smacker bats & classic concessions. This is a free event for all ages!
Resources
Michigan Work Share Program
Michigan’s Work Share program allows employers to restart their business and bring employees back from unemployment. Employers can bring employees back with reduced hours while employees collect partial unemployment benefits to make up a portion of the lost wages. Click here for more information.
Home Repairs with State Emergency Relief
State Emergency Relief assists with home repairs to correct unsafe conditions and restore essential services. Eligible home repairs may include repair or replacement of a non-functioning furnace, water heaters or septic systems. This program can be found through MI Bridges, and the link is included here.
Michigan Homeowners Assistance Fund
This fund will help prevent foreclosure and displacements of homeowners due to the coronavirus pandemic. Applicants will be able to apply and submit required documentation through the web-based application or may be assisted by a third-party counseling agency or legal aid office. MSHDA also is partnering with Michigan 2-1-1, a nonprofit organization, to serve as a statewide call center to answer questions, provide program details and help homeowners with application submissions. Additional program details and updates can be found here.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Strengthening the Safety Net Program
BCBSM Strengthening the Safety Net program is now accepting applications from free clinics statewide for funding opportunities. Grants of $15,000 will be awarded for clinic operations and $25,000 for clinics that serve as medical or dental homes; awards at this level require a $10,000 match. Eligible clinics can now apply for grants through Friday, June 3. Final award amounts will be based on the number of applications received, the scope of applications submitted and the amount of funding available. All materials must be submitted via the online application form, which is accessible at Healthy Safety Net | bcbsm.com. Any questions can be directed to safetynet@bcbsm.com.
Double Up Food Bucks
Buying food is expensive right now, especially for our neighbors struggling to put food on the table. Double Up Food Bucks is here to help. For those who shop for groceries with a SNAP/Michigan Bridge Card, they can double their benefits to purchase fresh, Michigan-grown fruits and veggies using Double Up Food Bucks. The program is available at 260+ participating farmers markets and grocery stores across Michigan. With farmers market season around the corner, it’s a great time to use the program! Learn how it works and find a participating location near you at DoubleUpFoodBuck.org.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to read up on my activities in Lansing. I encourage you to stay up to date on any legislation at Michigan Legislature – Home. You can also follow me on Facebook. If you need help with anything, please reach out to my office. I hope everyone is having a fantastic 2023, and look out for our next e-news!