Hello Friends,
I hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying the beautiful summer weather!
I have been hard at work in Lansing the past few weeks, working with my House and Senate colleagues to finalize the fiscal year 2023-24 budget.
I would like to take a moment to thank those individuals who have reached out to my office to share your thoughts, concerns and priorities for this year’s budget. Your opinions and experiences are such an important part of crafting this legislation and I, and my colleagues, appreciate you doing your part.
Over the past few weeks, the Legislature has been working hard on so many important policies. We have continued to pass dozens of bills that will help improve the lives of every Michigander. My office has included many of these important updates in this e-news, but there are so many things we were not able to cover. I hope you will join me at my next coffee hour this summer so that we can discuss the work we are doing for Michiganders in Lansing
As always, if our office can ever assist you, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Ranjeev Puri
State Representative, 24th District
Proudly serving Canton Township
In this Issue:
- Upcoming Time with Ranjeev
- Executive Update
- Legislative Update
UPCOMING TIME WITH RANJEEV
My office is still working to schedule our next coffee hour, but we are excited to be partnering with special guest Congresswoman Debbie Dingell to bring you updates on what is happening at the state and federal level, and answer any questions you may have. Event info is below.
Plymouth Canton Town Hall with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
June 29 at 6:30 p.m.
The Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex (PARC) in the Wilcox Theater (650 Church St., Plymouth, MI 48170)
Can’t join in person? Tune in to the livestream at facebook.com/RepDebbieDingell
EXECUTIVE UPDATE
Gov. Whitmer Signs Legislation to Reduce Gun Deaths
On May 22, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed commonsense gun violence prevention bills establishing extreme risk protection orders in Michigan — ensuring police officers, health care professionals and family members concerned that someone is at risk of harming themselves or others are able to seek a court order to temporarily confiscate their firearms.
No Michigander should fear going to school, work, the grocery store or their own home because of gun violence. Extreme risk protection orders have been proven to reduce suicides, save lives and keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and violent criminals.
My number one priority as both a father and a state representative is the health and safety of our children. I will not stop fighting for additional common sense gun reform measures that will protect our kids and communities.
Gov. Whitmer Signs Legislation to Prevent Distracted Driving
On June 7, Gov. Whitmer joined state officials and anti-distracted driving leaders in signing legislation that makes Michigan the 26th state to enact a “hands-free” distracted driving law, which bars motorists from driving while holding cell phones to talk on the phone, text, watch or record videos or look at social media.
This new law is aimed at reducing distracted driving and saving lives by ensuring that drivers have their full attention on the road with the use of hands-free technology.
Texting and driving is already illegal in Michigan, but under the new law, drivers will be barred from using social media, watching or recording videos or holding their phones to make a call while driving in addition to texting.
Passenger vehicle drivers could be fined $100 for a first offense, $250 after a prior violation and be required to complete a driver improvement course if they are cited three or more times within a three-year period.
Emergency calls, cell phone mounts and Bluetooth-connected dashboard screens for mapping trips and changing tunes are exempt, as are electronic medical devices like insulin pumps, two-way radios and CB radios.
The new law takes effect on June 30.
Too many Michiganders have lost loved ones to distracted driving, and everyone should be safe on their way to school, home or work. This important new law updates the rules of the road to reflect today’s reality and to protect drivers and passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. Other states that have enacted these policies have seen proven drops in vehicle collision fatalities. As your state representative, I am proud to see this legislation signed into law and will continue working with my colleagues on policy solutions to keep Michigan’s roads safe.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Rep. Puri Introduces Legislation to Improve Language Access for State Services
On June 8, I was joined by Rep. Fitzgerald and Sens. Chang and Cavanaugh in introducing legislation to facilitate equal access to state services for those who are English Language Learners/limited English proficient (LEP) in Michigan.
Michigan is becoming a more diverse state and includes a large and growing immigrant population. Over 944,928 Michiganders five years and over speak another language besides English at home (9.9 percent). About 38.9% of Michiganders speak English less than very well. In various regions of the state, rates of LEP individuals are higher. Every Michigander deserves to have access to services provided by state departments and agencies, in order to make sure their needs are met. In 2013, our state courts were ordered to implement language access plans, and this bill will ensure that our state departments and agencies do this important work as well.
These bills ensure that state departments and agencies will take reasonable steps to provide equal language access, which could include a variety of actions such as oral language services and translating vital documents into languages spoken by LEP populations that constitute at least 3 percent of the population in that geographic area or 500 or more people served by that local office. Maryland, California, Washington D.C., Minnesota, Hawaii, and New York already have similar laws in place requiring state agencies to develop language access plans.
These bills will go a long way in ensuring all Michiganders have access to state services, regardless of English proficiency. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to advance this vital legislation through the legislative process.
House Passes Legislation Banning Racially Based Hair Discrimination
The Michigan House recently voted 100-7 to pass Senate Bill 90, also known as the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act. This legislation will protect Michigan residents from discrimination in the workplace based on their natural hair.
Hair discrimination is a lived reality for many Michiganders of color, particularly in the Black community. It can affect individuals’ employment, education and wellbeing.
An overwhelming percentage of employees of color in the workplace feel their success or reputation is negatively impacted when they elect to style their natural hair texture or wear protective styles such as braids, locs, twists and knots. This systemic discrimination based on one’s hairstyle has no place in Michigan, which is why adopting the CROWN Act is a necessary step to take towards breaking down these invisible barriers to success.
The passage of this bill sends a clear message that Michigan is an inclusive state for all people. I am proud to have voted YES on this legislation
Religious/Cultural Holidays Legislation Passes Out of Committee
On April 20, I, alongside Reps. Abraham Aiyash and Sharon MacDonell, introduced legislation to recognize Diwali, Vaisakhi, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr and Lunar New Year as state holidays in Michigan. Reps. Noah Arbit and Samantha Steckloff also introduced legislation to recognize Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur shortly after.
When I ran for state representative, I ran to represent every member of my community and to work for all Michiganders. Establishing these holidays as state holidays is an important recognition of diversity, equity and inclusion in our state.
As our country continues to reach new levels of religious diversity, it is important that we extend recognition to allow for a more inclusive, accepting home for Michiganders.
These bills passed out of the House Committee on General Government in recent weeks and will now move to the House floor for a full vote.
Legislation to Amend Michigan’s Hate Crimes Laws Passes of Out of Committee
On April 26, I alongside Reps. Noah Arbit and Kristian Grant introduced legislation that overhauls and updates Michigan’s existing hate crime criminal statute, known as “ethnic intimidation.”
Michigan’s hate crime law makes it a felony to maliciously cause, or by word or act credibly threaten to cause, physical contact with specific intent to intimidate or harass the victim because of their race, color, religion, gender or national origin. Our state has not amended the ethnic intimidation act even one time since its passage in 1988.
Our legislation would, among other updates:
- Rename the crime of ethnic intimidation to “hate crime,” and enumerates several new protected characteristics, including: sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical or mental disability, age and ethnicity.
- Acknowledge the rising hate crimes of vandalism, destruction, defacement, desecration, etc. targeting houses of institutions associated with targeted communities. Currently, these crimes are not appropriately addressed in our criminal code. This bill names a new crime of “institutional desecration”. This approach gives the Michigan criminal code an appropriate tool with which to pursue justice and accountability for hate crimes targeting houses of worship and other communal institutions, including digital and online assets.
This package represents just the beginning of the work that is required to transform Michigan into a national leader in hate crime response. These bills are HB 4474, 4475, 4476 and 4477.
These bills were voted out of the Michigan House of Representatives just recently, with a vote of 59-50, They will now move to the Senate for further legislative review.
House Passes Legislation to Ban Conversion Therapy
Legislation banning conversion therapy for minors, House Bills 4616 and 4617, was passed by the Michigan House in recent weeks.
Conversion therapy is the practice of attempting to change an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression to align with heterosexual social norms.
As your state representative, I am committed to fighting for the rights of all Michiganders, including the LGBTQ community. Equity, inclusion and protection for every person under the law is not just humane, but essential for growing a strong economy, and building vibrant and resilient communities.We need to do more to ensure Michigan is a safe and welcoming state for the LGBTQ community, including banning harmful practices such as conversion therapy.
If signed into law, Michigan would be the 22nd state to ban conversion therapy.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Check out a list of upcoming activities in our community on the Canton Township website! I look forward to seeing you all around the district over the next few months when the Legislature goes on its summer in-district work period.
TEACHER AND SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH NOMINATIONS
Our team needs your help to recognize the amazing educators and small businesses in our community.
Each month, my team recognizes one teacher and one small business from Canton for their contributions to our community. I will be surprising the winners with a visit, certificate from our office and social media shout outs for their great work.
Use this form to nominate a teacher or small business that you love, appreciate, or believe deserves special recognition.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Our office is always here to answer any questions, concerns, or listen to any thoughts you have on any particular issue. The best way to reach us is by email at RanjeevPuri@house.mi.gov. Our team is working hard to respond to every email and voicemail left with our office in a timely manner. We appreciate your patience as we experience increased communications!