October Legislative and Community Updates

I’m writing to share a few quick updates from Lansing and our community. Earlier this month, the Legislature passed and the governor signed a bipartisan budget. It protects health care, continues universal school meals, invests in safe roads and transit, and delivers local wins like new firefighter gear, flood mitigation, eligible support for WMU’s Cold Case Program, and funding for the Douglass Community Association. The budget also expands Rx Kids and sustains relief for families and seniors.

I’m also happy to share that the House unanimously adopted my resolution declaring October as Physical Therapy Month, and that I recently introduced a bipartisan microbridge loan package to help small nonprofits and arts organizations bridge funding gaps.

Looking ahead, I hope you’ll join me for coffee hour on Friday, Oct. 17, at Anna Whitten Hall, and take advantage of KVCC’s Foam and Electronics Recycling Day on Oct. 25. With fall here, I also encourage everyone to stay healthy by getting COVID-19 and flu shots through the county health clinic.

As always, thank you for staying engaged. It’s an honor to represent you.

Warmly,

Julie Rogers

State Representative

House District 41

In this e-newsletter, you will find:

• State Budget Update
• October PT Month Resolution passed
• Microbridge Loan Package Introduced
• Next Legislative Coffee Hour
• EV Foam/Electronics Recycling Day KVCC
• Covid-19 and Flu Shot Information

After long days on the House floor and many late-night negotiations, I am pleased to share that I got my birthday wish at 4:30 a.m. on October 3 (the morning after my birthday!). We have a bipartisan state budget for the new fiscal year. From the start, my priorities were clear: protect access to health care, keep our kids learning and fed at school, invest in safer roads and local government, and support the people and programs that make our communities stronger, including the arts. This budget reflects those values.

We protected Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan so people can continue to see their health care provider and receive behavioral health services without interruption. We safeguarded food assistance and continued universal school meals so students can focus on learning instead of hunger. The budget delivers record per-pupil funding for K-12 schools at $10,050 per student and provides a 25% increase to support “at-risk” students, $321 million for school mental health and safety, and 125 million for rural busing and school transportation, and more funding for special education. We also secured real investments in roads and local infrastructure, along with the largest transit commitment in state history – nearly $2 billion! This is because families and businesses rely on safe, reliable ways to get to work, school, and medical appointments.

We also invested in families with newborns by expanding Rx Kids. The budget makes a one-time, $270 million deposit to sustain the program over the next three years, including additional federal support. Rx Kids, which is currently available to the residents in the city of Kalamazoo, helps new parents cover essentials like diapers, car seats, childcare, and other early costs during a very expensive time. You can find out more about the program by clicking here.

There is meaningful relief for working families and seniors, including eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and continuing social security tax relief. We invested a 3% increase in funding for higher education and community colleges so students can pursue their goals, and we backed community safety with targeted public safety funding. Still, this is not a perfect budget as federal cuts have created serious headwinds that we had to account for, and we will keep pushing for improvements. But this plan keeps our state open, protects core services, and moves Michigan forward in a responsible way. My work is not done, and I will continue fighting for the priorities that matter most to our community.

Here at home, the budget delivers targeted investments that respond to what we have heard from neighbors, first responders, and community partners:

This month, the Michigan House passed my resolution, HR 182, declaring October as Physical Therapy Month in Michigan unanimously. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants help thousands of people regain strength, mobility, and independence after injury or surgery.

Their work also goes far beyond post-operative care. Physical therapists are movement specialists who help people manage chronic disease, reduce pain, prevent injuries, and maintain function as we age. This kind of care can be the difference between limping through daily life and walking confidently without a limp.

I have heard many stories from patients and colleagues about the ways physical therapy has restored their quality of life, and I am grateful for the professionals who make that possible.

Last month, I introduced a bipartisan bill package with state Rep. Greg VanWoerkom to help small nonprofits and arts organizations bridge temporary funding gaps so they can keep serving the public. House Bills 4998 and 4999 would create the Michigan Nonprofit Development Fund to offer interest-free micro bridge loans of up to $25,000 to eligible organizations with annual revenue under $1 million.

Many community groups operate on tight cash flow while waiting for approved grant funds to arrive. These short-term loans would provide a practical tool to sustain programming and retain staff in areas like health, education, arts and culture, and social services When grant funds are received, organizations repay the loan according to the program’s schedule.

We are working with partners across the state, including arts advocates and community nonprofits, to build broad support and secure state funding for the program. The legislation has been referred to the House Economic Competitiveness Committee, and I look forward to continued bipartisan collaboration to strengthen organizations that enrich communities in every corner of Michigan.

I’m hosting my next legislative coffee hour on Friday, Oct. 17, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Anna Whitten Hall (202 N Rose St., Kalamazoo) room 128.

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].

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is partnering with Green Earth Electronics Recycling to host its fall EPS foam and electronics recycling event on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Texas Township Campus in the main parking lot off O Avenue.

These biannual events make it easier to recycle items that are often difficult or costly to handle elsewhere, and they were created in response to strong community demand for more recycling options.

Most items are accepted at no cost. Please note that televisions, monitors, and freon units carry a small fee. A helpful rule of thumb for foam is this: if it bends and breaks, it is recyclable at the event; if it bends without breaking, it cannot be recycled with the rest.

The Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services is offering Covid-19 and Flu vaccinations to all ages above 6 months without 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. Fridays from 8-Noon.

If people prefer, they can schedule an appointment by calling (269) 373-5200.