Dear Neighbor,

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2024!

Over the past year, I have come to be in awe of, and humbled by, the complexities of the people who live in House District 11. Your strength and dedication to our community is visible every day. I have loved getting to better know you all and to represent you at the Capitol. Ours is a diverse district — and an interesting one with common concerns and needs from good water quality and infrastructure, to affordable housing, quality education and public safety. Last year, my colleagues and I put forth and passed important legislation in record time. We are doing the work you elected us to do, and there is so much more to be done in 2024.

In the past year, I’ve met with constituents who are interested in new legislative ideas and supporting ongoing bills. As an example, one district resident came to me with a legislative idea about water quality, another resident about the cottage food law and another about professional licensing requirements. In short, I am here to listen to and work with you on issues and legislation that is important to you.

Recently, I joined the new Autism and Disability Caucuses. I’m also a member of the Detroit Caucus, Latino Legislative Caucus and others including the Local Government; Environmental; Labor, Poverty and Homelessness; and Progressive Women’s caucuses.

Near the end of this e-newsletter, you’ll find a listing of some of the meetings I’ve had, events I attended, tours I’ve been on and tributes given in 2023.

I look forward to meeting you in person or at an upcoming coffee hour or event. In the meantime, if you are in need of support or resources, or have any questions regarding legislation or state government in general, please feel free to reach out to me at my office at VeronicaPaiz@house.mi.gov or by phone at (517) 373-0849. Also, feel free to connect with me on Facebook and Threads. As the spring nears and we continue into 2024, please know that my staff and I are here for you.

Best New Year Wishes,

Veronica Paiz
State Representative
11th House District

Upcoming Coffee Hours and Community Conversations

Rep. Paiz and state Sen. Kevin Hertel speak to seniors at a senior living facility.

State Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) and I visited senior apartments at Park Place of Harper Woods. We provided lunch and gave a legislative update.

East English Village Virtual Town Hall: Saturday, Feb. 3, 10-11 a.m., held virtually on Zoom. Please RSVP here for the Zoom link to be sent on Thursday, Feb. 1.

Select Mondays and Fridays: Feb. 12 and March 1, 6-7 p.m., at the Detroit Public Library Jefferson branch (12350 E. Outer Drive; corner of East Outer Drive and East Warren Avenue).

Third Monday of every month, starting in February: 5:30-6:30 p.m., at the Harper Woods Library (19601 Harper Ave.; eastbound side of the road, next to City Hall).

First Friday of every month with a spotlight on seniors: 10-11 a.m., at the Senior Activity Center in St. Clair Shores (20100 Stephens St., next to Civic Ice Arena).

I also try to attend community group meetings and some city council meetings and give quick capitol updates. Please contact my office if you would like to have a coffee hour or meet-and-greet or arrange for an event or town hall.

Tributes and Ribbon Cuttings

I love to honor and celebrate the many people, organizations and businesses that make our community unique. My team and I present official state tributes to recognize local residents and businesses and to commemorate important milestones such as anniversaries, birthdays, grand openings, championships and more! Know someone deserving of a tribute? Visit my House website to complete a form and my staff will get back to you within the week.

Tributes of 2023

  • Mr. and Mrs. Moseley of Harper Woods, in celebration of their 75th wedding anniversary.
  • Terry Hughes, Harper Woods School Board member.
  • Lumen Pediatric Therapy of St. Clair Shores.
Rep. Paiz and St. Clair Shores Police Chief Jason Allen stand in front of a police car.

I talked with St. Clair Shores Police Chief Jason Allen at the police department’s annual open house.

Great Local News!

Congratulations Harper Woods High School varsity football team! The team won the Division 4 state championship — a first in team history! The school will celebrate with a parade later this month.

Detroit’s East Warren Development Corporation, a community and economic development organization supporting the revitalization of the East Warren business corridor, had a busy 2023 with a new bookstore and coffee roastery finding a permanent location; new mixed-development housing is being constructed with a restaurant on the main floor; and there are plans to build a farmers market.

Seniors sit peel apples at a table in a gym.

Seniors preparing apples for the St. Clair Shores Senior Activity Center annual apple pie fundraiser. Pies are baked on site!

What Am I Working On?

I’m working on several bills, consulting our research staff and meeting with stakeholders. Proposed legislation includes issues for military veterans, public library policy, professional licensing and apprenticeships, worker pay transparency and fringe benefits, and the environment. I’m also part of proposed bill packages with colleagues addressing short-term rentals and domestic violence.

Check my House of Representatives website at RepPaiz.com to find out which bills I have sponsored (written) and co-sponsored (supported). Have you ever thought “there ought to be a law about…?” If you have, let me know your ideas! My office will research it, find out if a law about it already exists and possibly work with you to start the process to “make it so.” I’m currently working with a St. Clair Shores constituent on her suggestion for legislation.

Rep. Paiz and Macomb County educational leaders pose for a photo.

I attended a Macomb Intermediate School District Appreciation Breakfast meeting, where I had the opportunity to meet St. Clair Shores school district superintendents. It was good (and informative!) to meet and hear from educators from my St. Clair Shores districts — South Lake and Lakeview. I’m pictured here with Dr. Alesia Flye, Macomb ISD Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer; Karl Paulson, Lakeview Superintendent; and Michael DeVault, Macomb ISD President. Superintendent Paulson and I will meet in January to discuss issues and programs important to the district.

2023 Legislation Signed into Law

  • Repealed the retirement tax, equalizing the exemption on both public and private pensions beginning in 2024 with a four-year phase-in.
  • Raised the working families tax credit (EITC) from 6% to 30%.
  • Restored worker freedoms for collective bargaining.
  • Expanded the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) to include LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Repealed the 1931 criminal abortion ban.
  • Passed gun safety legislation, including safe storage requirements and preventing those with domestic violence convictions from owning and purchasing guns.
  • Banned child marriage.
  • Established public financial disclosure acts for elected officials, to take effect this year.
  • Enabled research lab dogs and cats to be offered for adoption.
  • Passed the “hands-free” driving law, banning holding cell phones while driving.
  • Passed election laws, including ensuring more in-person early voting days.

Meetings

  • Detroit District Dental Society
  • Detroit firefighters and firefighter union reps from Harper Woods and St. Clair Shores, and Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs
  • Citizens for Prison Reform
  • Michigan Association for Justice
  • East Warren Development Corporation
  • Candice Miller, Macomb County Department of Public Works Commissioner
  • Michigan Nurses Association and Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners
  • Michigan Education Association
  • Michigan Sierra Club
  • Michigan Audiology Coalition
  • Michigan Library Association
  • People’s Water Board Coalition
  • University of Michigan administration
  • Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy, new president of Wayne State University
  • School board meetings, city council meetings, neighborhood meetings

Events 

St. Clair Shores: Mural Project opening reception; Blossom Heath Pier opening reception; Memorial Day parade; police department open house.

Harper Woods: K-9 program fundraiser; Memorial Day celebration; high school football team state championship game.

Detroit: Multiple Labor Day festivities, East Warren Development Corporation street festival; Yorkshire Woods MotorCity Clean-up and Halloween party; Detroit Police Youth Explorers Program graduation services.

Tours 

  • Carbon Green BioEnergy ethanol plant in Lake Odessa
  • Carpenters & Millwrights
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
  • Michigan State University AgBioResearch Center
  • Plumbing Industry Training Center
Rep. Paiz tries on a blue football helmet.

I attended the National Council of State Legislators (NCSL) conference in Austin, Texas. Here, I am trying on a football helmet by AT&T at an Innovative Technology session. This helmet is equipped with a screen which gives visual cues that will allow deaf and hard-of-hearing students to participate in football. Though this technology is still being researched, it’s a good start to making athletics fully accessible.