Dec. 19 Capitol and Community Updates

Dear Neighbor,

Here is some information that I hope you will find helpful, including news and resources from your state government.

Last week, the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee cut nearly $645 million in previously approved funding. Republicans used a 40-year-old, rarely-used statute to do this. Only Republican House members knew about yesterday’s stunt beforehand.

We do not yet know whether last week’s vote was legal. We also lack information about the specific programs, services, and capital projects that were cut. However, there is reason to believe that many people in Ingham County will be hurt.

The cuts will directly affect works in progress. In other words, money awarded in the 2024 State of Michigan budget that has not been totally dispersed by the State is in jeopardy. Republicans crow about eliminating pork and cutting “waste, fraud, and abuse,” but the money awarded in Lansing and Delhi Township went to local governments, school districts, and well respected community organizations, not to corporations or connected fat cats. These reckless cuts are actually creating waste by threatening local projects that are underway but incomplete.

Thank you to everyone who attended my Senior Scam Town Hall, which took place on Monday at the Sam Corey Senior Center. I’d especially like to thank Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth and Scott Teter, Division Chief of the Michigan Department of Attorney General’s Financial Crimes Division, for presenting at this event and sharing their expertise.

If you weren’t able to attend, the Michigan Attorney General’s Scam Protection website provides information about common warning signs of scams, tips to help Michiganders protect themselves, and a reporting link.

Last week, I co-sponsored the Fair Chance Access to Housing Act (House Bill 5355), which would increase access to housing for people with conviction histories. Access to stable housing increases the likelihood that an individual with a conviction history will maintain employment, avoid re-offending, and receive support from their family. More than 2 million Michiganders have conviction and arrest histories, and this legislation will ensure they have a fair change to secure housing.

Last week, the Senate passed legislation (Senate Bill 611 and 612) to require personal protection orders be served by law enforcement at no cost to the victim. Forty-three other states already require law enforcement to provide this free service. Because this is not currently required in Michigan, victims can be charged up to $100 to have a PPO served, creating barriers for survivors of domestic violence and stalking.

Michigan House Democrats are working on a vision for the future of Michigan that reflects the needs and aspirations of all Michiganders. Please fill out our brief Vision Project Survey to share your concerns and ideas about the future of our state.

Anyone who lives anywhere in Michigan is welcome to participate, so please forward the survey to friends and family members who you think might want to weigh in. The survey can be found here.

Complete it by the end of December to make it count!

Follow my official Facebook account for the most up-to-date information. E-news contains a lot of good information, but it takes several days – up to a week – to get it approved and sent by the House Business Office.

Sincerely,

Kara Hope
State Representative
House District 74

Due to federal changes in the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility requirements have changed in Michigan. As of Dec. 1, the majority of “able-bodied” adults ages 18-64 without dependents under age 14 are required to show proof of work to receive benefits. More information about these changes can be found here.

More than 15 per cent of Ingham County residents rely on SNAP. These changes will make it more difficult, if not impossible, for Michiganders to receive food assistance.

As new SNAP eligibility requirements are implemented, I want to make sure you are aware of some food resources in our community.

• The Greater Lansing Food Bank collects and distributes food to a network of 140 community partners. They can be reached at (517) 853-7800 or [email protected].
• The Holt Food Bank is open by appointment only on Monday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2021 Aurelius Road, Holt, MI 48842. Call (517) 694-9307 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.
• South Lansing Ministries is open by appointment only on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1905 W. Mount Hope Ave., Lansing, MI 48910. Call (517) 853-8073 to schedule a food pick-up.
• The Cristo Rey Community Kitchen serves hot breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday at 1717 N. High St., Lansing, MI 48906. Breakfast is served from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• The Cristo Rey Food Pantry (at the same location) is open by appointment only Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (517) 372-4700 to schedule an appointment.
• The Southside Community Kitchen offers hot meals Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. On Monday and Wednesday, they serve lunch at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing, 5509 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48911. On Tuesday and Thursday, lunch is served at Galilee Baptist Church, 2511 Reo Road, Lansing, MI 48911.
• The Holt United Methodist Church offers free community dinners on the third Wednesday of every month from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 2321 N. Aurelius Road, Holt, MI 48842.
• The Lansing City Rescue Mission offers daily dinner service at 415 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48933. Attendees must sign-in before 6 p.m. and bring an ID.
• The Tri-County Office on Aging’s Meals on Wheels offers home-delivered meals to residents eligible for this program in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton County.