November Legislative and Community Updates

Dear Neighbor,

Even in uncertain times, your state government can and should be a steady hand. I’m working to safeguard critical programs, strengthen local support and keep you updated every step of the way.

In service,

In this issue . . .

• SNAP Benefits and Federal Decisions Update
• Menopause Experience Survey
• Vulnerable Roadway User Package Update
• Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Bills Introduced
• Get Your Flu Shot!
• Next Coffee Hour
• Intern Spotlight

PHOTO: Rep. Rogers (right) and state Rep. Matt Longjohn (D-Portage) (left) help collect groceries at a Nov. 1 food drive in response to the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits.

SNAP benefits were paused on November 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. In Michigan, nearly 1.4 million people rely on SNAP, including 492,000 children, 38,500 veterans, and hundreds of thousands of seniors and people with disabilities. In our district, there are roughly 15,000 residents who rely on SNAP.

However, recent federal actions and announcements have changed multiple times, creating confusion about November benefits. Because this situation remains fluid, please monitor the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website for the most current information. I am calling on our federal partners to come to the negotiating table and end this shutdown.

Grocery prices are rising, and families are already stretched thin. Most SNAP households are working adults, but their wages simply aren’t enough to cover basic needs without assistance. On average, SNAP provides $335 per month per household — totaling nearly $300 million each month flowing into Michigan’s grocery stores, farmers markets and local businesses. Without it, families will likely face the impossible choice between food, medicine, rent or utilities.

Last week, I was able to team up with Representative Longjohn to shop for groceries and provide them to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes and Twelve Baskets Food Pantry. If you or someone you know is facing hunger, please call 2-1-1 for information on the nearest food pantry. A federal government shutdown can still cause ripple effects across our economy, and many residents in our district may be directly laid off or required to work without pay. Let’s keep looking out for one another and share these resources.

In August, I introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure Michiganders can access medically necessary treatment for menopause and perimenopause symptoms.

Now I want to hear from you! To move this legislation forward, we need to uplift personal stories. If you or someone you know has faced barrier to getting menopause or perimenopause treatment, please consider sharing your experience with us here:

PHOTO: Rep. Rogers (left) and state Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet) (right) testify before the House Judiciary Committee.

This week, I testified before the House Judiciary Committee on our bipartisan bills, HBs 4334–4335, to better protect vulnerable roadway users. These include pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, equestrians and rural postal workers and strengthen penalties when a driver causes injury or death. Michigan continues to see an increase in serious crashes, and this package clarifies who is protected and provides appropriate penalties when a crash leads to serious injury or death. This approach supports safer driving behavior and a culture of shared responsibility on our roads so everyone can get home safely whether you walk, roll, ride or drive.

I am thankful to the individuals who testified alongside me and told their personal stories of being hit by reckless drivers. We are determined to honor those affected by making our roads safer and our laws clearer.

PHOTO: Rep. Rogers (left) and Associate Speaker Pro Temp Curt Vanderwall (R-Ludington) (right) pose after introducing their bipartisan package to establish the PPEC.

This week, I introduced a bipartisan bill package with state Rep. Curt Vanderwall to establish Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) facilities in Michigan and ensure its Medicaid coverage for eligible children with medically complex conditions. These bills, which are reintroductions, would create a framework for daytime, non-residential care centers where children can receive skilled nursing, therapies, and developmental support while learning and playing alongside peers. In a time when Michigan is facing workforce shortages,

PPECs provide a safe, cost-effective alternative: more children served by fewer nurses at a central location, giving families peace of mind during the workday.

Flu season is here! Staying up to date on vaccines helps keep our families, coworkers and neighbors safe. Let’s all do our part to stay healthy this fall.

The Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services is offering both Covid-19 and Flu vaccinations to all ages above 6 months without needing a referral.

The clinic is located at 311 E Alcott St., Kalamazoo, MI 49006 and has walk-in hours available Monday-Thursday from 8-11:30 a.m., and 1-4 p.m. They are open on Fridays from 8-noon. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (269) 373-5200.

I’m hosting my next legislative coffee hour on Nov. 14, from 9 to 10 a.m. at La Familia Café (224 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo).

These coffee hours are a great opportunity to connect informally, ask questions and share what’s on your mind. I look forward to seeing you there! While registration is not required, if you have a specific question in mind, you can email it to us in advance at [email protected].

PHOTO: Rep. Rogers with office intern Sydney, an MSU international relations student, on the House floor of the Michigan State Capitol.

Sydney is our fall legislative intern. She is a senior at James Madison College at Michigan State University, studying International Relations with a minor in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. She graduates in December and hopes to go to Law School. Sydney is from Waterford, Michigan.

Sydney is excited to learn more about the inner workings of the state government and how to effectively pass legislation. She is interested in environmental protection, voting access, and energy. At MSU, she has been in the Human Rights Lab student organization for the past three years, learning more about international politics and events by doing research.

In her free time, Sydney enjoys riding four-wheelers, skiing, running and crocheting.