Early March Capitol and Community Updates

In this newsletter, you will learn about:

• Upcoming community event – March 14
• My reaction to the governor’s State of the State address
• Recently introduced legislation regulating hyperbaric oxygen facilities

Photo: From left to right: Troy City Councilmember Annalisa Bluhm and Troy Athens Principal Vernon Burden, and me at the annual Charity Week Prep Assembly.

Troy Athens High School’s annual Charity Week Pep Assembly is always one of my favorite events of the year. This year, Athens students and families raised $102,103.33 for the New Day Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance and emotional support for families facing cancer. Our students are capable of amazing things!

The following are highlights from my recent work in the Legislature. All the sponsored and cosponsored legislation I work on this term is linked here. All my legislation from my first term is still available online. Additionally, you can see my press releases for additional updates.

Photo: From left to right: state Reps. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit), Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit) and me with our legislation regulating freestanding hyperbaric oxygen facilities.

Last week, my colleagues and I introduced legislation that would license and regulate freestanding providers of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Unlike hyperbaric medicine departments in hospitals, freestanding providers are not currently required to meet industry standards for staff training, patient safety or informed consent. My legislation, which has bipartisan support, would change this.

I have worked with doctors, hyperbaric professionals, hospitals and researchers to craft legislation that improves oversight of these facilities while preserving patient access. More than a year has passed since the tragic death of a young boy in a hyperbaric chamber in Troy. As more Michiganders seek out this therapy, we must do everything we can to ensure patient safety in these facilities.

Photo: I was honored to bring Troy City Council Member Hirak Chanda to last week’s State of the State address as my official guest. Council Member Chanda: thank you for your years of service to the residents of Troy!

The governor gave her final State of the State address last week, in which she laid out her legislative proposals for her final year in office. Below are some of the proposals from her speech that I’m the most excited about.

• Literacy investments: The governor proposed an investment of $50 million over five years in the science-based LETRS training for teachers and $135 million for before-school, after-school and summer school learning programs. Literacy is the foundation of later success in school and life, and these investments would improve Michigan reading scores and help more students succeed academically.
• Housing affordability measures: The price of housing is rising even faster than the price of other goods, thanks in part to federal tariffs on construction materials. This has left homeownership out of reach for many younger Michiganders. To combat this, the governor proposed a tax credit to incentivize developers to build more affordable housing. I support this proposal to help more Michiganders buy their first home and build wealth.
• Sales tax holiday for school supplies: As the cost of essential goods and services continues to rise, helping Michigan families save money remains my top priority. That is why I support the governor’s proposed sales tax holiday for school supplies, back-to-school clothes and computers used for school.

Wishing a happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate in our community!

Each month, I recognize a small business in the community as our Small Business of the Month. To nominate your favorite business for this recognition, please fill click on the button below:

Know a nonprofit in our community that’s doing great work? Nominate them to be my office’s Nonprofit of the Month! Click the button below to get started:

I am also excited to recognize a Teacher of the Month! Teachers are the backbone of this nation, and our district has the BEST! Please fill out the following form to recognize a Teacher of the Month:

Do you know someone in the district who is retiring and would like a legislative tribute to celebrate their years of service? Has a local team or group reached a milestone that they would like to be acknowledged with an official certificate for each member? Our office can provide legislative tributes, letters and certificates on a wide range of recognitions for constituents.

If you would like to request any of these materials for yourself or others, please email my office at [email protected] with as much information as possible on the requested recognition, and we will work with you to arrange delivery or presentation of the recognition!