Dear Neighbor,

Hi, I’m Jason. I have the privilege to serve as your state representative for Washtenaw, Wayne and Oakland counties. Here is some information I hope you will find helpful, including updates and news from your state government.

Upcoming Coffee Hours

I want to hear about the issues that matter to you! Join me at our next coffee hour! We will also be starting regular coffee hours on the fourth Monday of each month, from 5-6 p.m., along with additional coffee hours here and there.

  • Monday, May 22 from 5-6 p.m. at Panera Bread, 3205 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

House Proposed 2023-24 Budget

House Democrats have put forward the most comprehensive budget in Michigan’s history and are putting that money directly to work in communities around our state. This is the first budget in decades that is centered around the actual needs of Michiganders.

Reinvesting in Michigan’s People

  • We are making school more affordable for every family. The School Aid budget includes a generational investment in the Great Start Readiness Program to support the transition to universal pre-K education and provide free breakfast and lunch to every student in the state, regardless of background or socioeconomic status.
  • Learning doesn’t stop at K-12! The Higher Education budget includes a funding increase of $15.3 million for community college operations, a 4.5% increase over fiscal year 2022-23.

Reinvesting in Michigan’s Communities

  • Everyone knows Michigan has two seasons: winter and construction. With this budget, expect to see road improvements and busy construction sites. Our cities, townships and villages would see a crucial increase in local road funding with investments of hundreds of millions of dollars. Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties would receive over $135 million in additional funding, with $400 million going to our local roads statewide.
  • Our budget includes nearly half a billion dollars for lead line remediation and water infrastructure upgrades. Ensuring every Michigander has access to safe drinking water is simply common sense.

Reinvesting in Michigan’s Public Safety

  • New and innovative approaches to public safety will save lives in Michigan. Our budget includes $5 million for grant distributions to Oakland County, Washtenaw County and Wayne County for programs that provide for response by trained unarmed personnel to situations where an armed police response is not necessary.
  • Michigan’s first responders are the best in the country, and they deserve our support. Our budget ensures they have the funds to continue to provide the best care and assistance to every Michigander.

State Parks Improvements — Spring/Summer

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has received $250 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to begin improvement projects at state parks this spring and summer. Temporary closures will be in place so that DNR can carry out these critical improvements. Get the most current information on closures at all DNR facilities at Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.

These projects include new and upgraded camping amenities, park roads, electrical and water distribution systems, and toilet and shower buildings, as well as visitor center enhancements and historic preservation work — contributing to a better visitor experience.

Some of the planned state park closures can be found here.

I Served, I am a Veteran Campaign

The Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency is collecting stories and photos from Michigan veterans who have been historically underserved and underrepresented. These stories will be used to help encourage others to get the help they need. Getting veterans linked to the right benefits and resources can help them thrive and prevent the issues that can lead to veteran suicide and suicidal ideation. It also allows a wide variety of veterans to tell their own stories.

This includes multicultural veterans from all ethnicities and religions, LGBTQ+ veterans, tribal veterans, houseless or previously houseless veterans, previously incarcerated veterans, veterans struggling with addiction or alcoholism, peacetime veterans, and all other veteran populations, as well as dependents of deceased veterans. Regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, era of service, socioeconomic status or other factors, a veteran is a veteran — and veterans’ stories deserve to be heard.

If you served in the U.S. armed forces, including the National Guard and reserves, you are a veteran, and the MVAA wants to help you tell your story to inspire other veterans and get all former service members connected to the benefits they earned for their service. If you’d like to submit your story, please fill out a nomination form and send it to MVAA Communications Manager Andy Henion at heniona@michigan.gov.

Yours in service,

State Representative Jason Morgan

Michigan’s 23rd House District