Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to my first e-newsletter of the 2021-2022 legislative term. I am thrilled to have your trust and to have the opportunity to represent your needs at the state Capitol.

Joining my legislative team are Taylor Darling and Aaron Martinez.

Taylor manages my legislative office after most recently working for former House Minority Leader Christine Greig of Farmington Hills. Her knowledge of the legislative process and state government has earned high praise from legislative leaders and constituents alike for being an effective advocate for the people her staff represents.

Aaron is a lifelong resident of the 38th District and joins my office as Legislative Director after most recently working as a Law Clerk for the Nichols Law Firm in East Lansing. Aaron is no stranger to the 38th District office after previously working with former Representative Hugh Crawford, where he spearheaded the passage of a bill to provide law enforcement with the tools to respond to opiate overdoses.

My staff and I are always here to help you any way that we can. You can reach me at (517) 373-0827 or KellyBreen@house.mi.gov.

Sincerely

Kelly Breen

State Representative, 38th House District

Breen

Coffee Hour

Please join me for my upcoming virtual coffee hour on Friday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. on Facebook Live. You can also follow along with me on Facebook or Twitter anytime to keep up with the latest happenings at the Capitol.

COVID-19 Updates

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated its current epidemic order to allow contact sports to resume as of Monday, Feb. 8, provided masks are worn during practices and competition. If masks cannot be worn, participants must be regularly tested for COVID-19 consistent with guidelines issued by MDHHS, which will be available online at Michigan.gov/coronavirus on Sunday, Feb. 7. Sports organizers are encouraged to administer a testing program even if it is not required. Safety protocols like wearing masks and testing will help keep kids, coaches and families safe and allow our schools to remain open for in-person instruction. The order remains in effect through Monday, March 29.

In addition to the update, MDHHS also created several helpful graphics to explain the changes in the order:

MDHHS has been closely monitoring three metrics for stabilization or declines over the past several weeks, and Michigan continues to see improvements.

Oakland County COVID Vaccine Distribution

Oakland County, it’s time to “Save your Spot” in line for the COVID-19 vaccine through the Oakland County Health Department. After you register through their website, they will contact you when you are eligible to set an appointment and vaccine doses are available by phone, text or email.

If you are over 65 years old, work in health care, in a long-term care facility, as a frontline first responder, in corrections, in a school or childcare setting, or as a frontline worker in critical infrastructure (food and agriculture, utilities, transportation, grocery stores), you’re eligible to get your COVID-19 vaccine in Oakland County. Sign up online at https://oaklandcountyvaccine.com/ or through your health care system below:

Breen Swearing In

Legislative Update

I am pleased to share I have been appointed to the House Committees on Insurance and Judiciary for the legislative term. I look forward to working with my fellow committee members to bring real change for the people of Michigan.

COVID Supplemental Budget

Last week, the Michigan House of Representatives voted on three bills to distribute federal COVID-19 relief funds. Unfortunately, the bills passed last week in the Michigan House fail to use all the federal resources to which Michigan residents are entitled. This money has already been designated for Michigan via federal legislation signed late last year.

  • Federal Supplemental (HB 4019): A Fiscal Year 2021 supplemental appropriations bill authorizing federal funding for COVID-19 response activities. The bill authorizes $868.5 million of federal funds recently made available from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSA) for COVID-related needs, including testing and vaccinations, rent and utility assistance, and supplemental food assistance benefits.
  • Business Relief Supplemental (HB 4047): A $565.5 million supplemental appropriations bill that would deposit $150 million from the General Fund into the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and provide $365.5 million in General Fund dollars for assistance grants to “afflicted businesses” to offset property taxes, unemployment taxes, liquor license fees and local health department fee obligations.
  • School Aid Supplemental (HB 4048): A school aid supplemental appropriations bill proposing to spend approximately $1.8 billion of the new federal dollars that were sent to Michigan, along with $363 million available School Aid Fund dollars. The School Aid Fund dollars would only be available to districts who return to in-person instruction five days a week for the remainder of the academic year by Feb. 15, excluding only previously scheduled days when school is not in session.

The School Aid Supplemental was tie-barred to House Bill 4049, meaning that both bills would either pass or fail together. That bill would prevent the MI Department of Health and Human Services from closing schools to in-person learning or prohibiting sporting events.

 

My House Democratic colleagues and I attempted to bring our COVID Relief Funding Plan (House Bill 4039) up for a vote, but these efforts were shot down by the majority party. I am proud to have co-sponsored HB 4039, which would provide the full $5 billion in available federal funding for vaccine distribution, education and the economy. Some of the highlights of our plan included:

  • $90 million for vaccine distribution;
  • $575 million to expand COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and lab capacity;
  • $2 billion for food assistance;
  • $661 million for rental and utility assistance;
  • $2 billion for public schools;
  • $270 million for small business relief; and
  • It would permanently extend unemployment assistance from 20 to 26 weeks.

House Democrats also attempted to make amendments to House Bills 4019, 4047 and 4048 that would utilize the full federal funding mentioned above. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues rejected these efforts and left more than $1 billion in Michigan taxpayer dollars on the table in Washington, D.C., instead of bringing them back home.