Michigan State Representative Tyrone Carter

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District 1

Monthly Update | March 2024

Dear Friends,

Thank you for subscribing to my e-news and for allowing me to serve you in the 1st House District and act as your voice in Lansing. My team and I remain committed to helping constituents with their questions and issues, while also providing useful resources.

As your representative, I am most effective at my job when acting on your input. As you know, I am the chair of the Regulatory Reform Committee, I also serve on the following committees: Judiciary; Criminal Justice; Military, Veterans and Homeland Security; and the Appropriation Subcommittee on Labor, Economic Development, and Lifelong Learning. I encourage you to reach out to me and my staff with any questions, comments or concerns you may have about issues in the district or legislation that will impact our state. You can contact me at (517) 373-0154, toll free at (888) 254-5291, by email TyroneCarter@house.mi.gov or through my website. Thank you for your commitment to the community we both call home; I look forward to hearing from you!

In Service,

Coffee Hours

I hope you can join me for my upcoming coffee hours! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about what I’ve been doing in Lansing and in the community and listen to any concerns you may have about issues facing District 1.

April 12

1-2 p.m.

River Rouge City Hall, 10600 W. Jefferson Ave., River Rouge

April 12

2:30-3:30 p.m.

Location: TBD

Women’s History Month

March is dedicated to the extraordinary achievements and contributions of women throughout history, as well as those trailblazers who continue the fight for an equitable playing field. The Michigan Legislature continues working to pass bills to balance the scales between all people. Dems are focused on eliminating harmful, abusive practices that predominantly impact women and girls. This includes banning child marriage and passing new laws to limit convicted domestic abusers from accessing firearms for a number of years after their sentences.

We also introduced legislation to combat maternal mortality, ensuring mothers and infants have the care they need to survive and thrive. These maternal deaths are the highest among people of color. Across Michigan, Black women were 2.8 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes (29.8 and 10.7 per 100,000 live births, respectively). This legislation addresses this inequality in health care as House Dems continue to address inequalities throughout the state.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s also acknowledge the work that lies ahead. By amplifying diverse voices and fighting for inclusive policies, we can build a more equitable future for all. Click here for more information on celebrating Women of Detroit.

March is Reading Month

Literacy is one of the most crucial skills we teach our children. Equipping our kids with basic and fundamental skills such as reading, writing and comprehension will have a lasting impact carrying them far beyond educational success. Early literacy improves lives, removes barriers and prevents poverty by empowering and liberating our youth and is the foundation on which all other learning is built.

I am proud to support this year’s education budget, which includes nearly $100 million to satisfy the conditions of the Detroit literacy settlement, reversing decades of underinvestment and helping Detroit children succeed.

Once again this year, I have the pleasure of participating in March is Reading Month by reading to various schools and classes. It is truly one of my favorite times of the year and I appreciate the opportunity afforded to me by each school to play an active role in the lives of our youth!

Rep. Carter reading to students at Mark Twain School for Scholars.

Rep. Carter with students and administrators at George Crockett Academy.

Income Tax Information and Resources

The 2023 tax filing deadline is Monday April 15. File for an extension on Michigan tax returns here.

If you have already filed, and have not received your return, please visit Individual Income Taxes (michigan.gov) for an update and provide the information below.

• Social Security number.
• Primary filer’s last name.
• Tax year.
• Adjusted gross income (AGI) or total household resources (THR).
• Filing status.

Learn how to spot and report scams this tax season. Tis’ the season: AG’s office warns consumers of tax-related identity theft

Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families (Michigan EITC) is a tax benefit for working individuals with income below a certain level. The Michigan tax credit is similar to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (federal EITC).

Public Act 4 of 2023 expanded the Michigan EITC from 6% of the federal EITC to 30%. This credit expansion is retroactive to the 2022 tax year.

Michigan’s 2023 Tax Returns reflect the expanded EITC, which took effect on February 13 of this year. Learn more about it here: Working Families Tax Credit (EITC).

IRS Tax Relief Information 

The Internal Revenue Service announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of Michigan affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began on Aug. 24.

These taxpayers now have until June 17, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Currently, this includes Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties. Individuals and households that reside or have a business in these localities could qualify for tax relief. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov. Click here for more information.

Legislative Update

Recently,  state Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) and I introduced House Bills 5527 and 5528, aimed at preventing deaths due to sudden cardiac arrest in schools. The bill package would improve school safety by requiring schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans and offer training and access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which are used to help those with heart issues. I am proud to be a sponsor of this legislation. The House Regulatory Reform Committee passed the legislation on March 12, and it is now awaiting a vote on the House floor.

Rep. Fitzgerald (HB 5527) and Rep. Carter (HB 5528) on the House Floor.

I am also proud to sponsor House Bill 5529, which would allow the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) to establish and operate a marijuana reference laboratory. The current fiscal year budget appropriated funding for the CRA to build a reference laboratory.  The lab will allow the CRA to test marijuana for various purposes such as investigations and method development and make Michigan a leader in cannabis science.

Currently, the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act does not explicitly allow the CRA and its employees to possess, transport or test marijuana. The various laws and executive orders that establish the CRA give the agency general authority to enforce the marijuana laws, but given the unique legal environment around marijuana, the agency would need explicit authority to fully operate the reference laboratory.

This legislation passed the House Regulatory Reform Committee on March 12 and has been referred to the House floor for a vote, where it will require a three-fourths majority to pass.

Derek Sova (CRA) and Rep. Carter testifying before the House Regulatory Reform Committee.

State Reps. Stephanie Young and Tyrone Carter, McDonald’s Owner/Operator Maurene Smith, and State Rep. Helena Scott celebrated Michigan Food and Agriculture Month at McDonalds in Detroit, along with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Rep. Tyrone Carter and McDonald’s Owner/Operator Maurene Smith.

We Want to Hear from You

Rep. Carter would like to hear from you! Use the link below to let us know your concerns about both legislation and issues within the district. Additionally, we would love to hear what you would like to see included in future monthly newsletters.

District 1 Concerns/Suggestions

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE

Tyrone Carter

 State Representative

House District 1

tyronecarter@house.mi.gov | (517) 373-0154