Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It is and continues to be a privilege to represent Livonia, Redford Township and Detroit, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in Lansing. I encourage you to stay up to date on what is going on in Lansing and continue to let me know about the issues that matter to you.
If there is anything I can do to help you and your family, please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-1530, or email me at [email protected]. You can also catch me on Facebook.
Legislative Update
Child Protection Legislation Passes the House
This week, the Michigan House passed House Bills 4530 and 5220, a bill package I sponsored with state Rep. Angela Rigas. These bills were introduced in response to the tragic deaths of a mother and her child. My bill, HB 4530, would require mental health providers to release pertinent mental health records to Child Protective Services workers involved in an open investigation within seven days of the calendar request for such records. HB 5220 would require all mandated reporters to receive training in child abuse and neglect detection once every three years.
We know that we can and should do better to protect our kids. Establishing clear reporting requirements and improved training requirements will ensure quick action is taken to protect children when serious or threatening situations arise. This is an issue I have long advocated for, and I am grateful to see these bills pass the House. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues on this package.
Vote Post
Follow this link to see what we have been voting on. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at (517) 373-1530.
Constituent Resources
MIWAM Scheduled Maintenance
Phase 1 of the Unemployment Insurance Agency’s (UIA) new user platform, MiUI, is set to launch Feb. 23. A downtime period of the current MiWAM system is required to transfer existing data from MiWAM to MiUI. During this downtime period, no one (claimants, employers and UIA staff) will be able to perform any functions in MiWAM. The downtime period for MiWAM started on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and continues through Sunday, Feb. 22.
Local offices, the contact center phones and chat, the MARVIN phone service, and the Office of Employer Ombudsman phones will also not be available during the downtime period.
MiUI, MiWAM and MARVIN will be available Monday, Feb. 23. MiWAM functions, however, will be limited on actions related to benefits. Tax functions will be performed in the new MiUI system.
Events
Know Your Rights Town Hall
Thank you to everyone who attended our Know Your Rights Town Hall last week. I am also immensely grateful for our special guest panelists, Yevgeniya Gazman from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and Jessica Ayoub from the ACLU of Michigan, who gave powerful, yet informative presentations.
Coffee Hours
I hope you can join me for one of my upcoming coffee hours! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about the issues families face in our community. I host two coffee hours per month, one in-person and one virtual. The location for in-person coffee hours will rotate throughout the year between Livonia, Redford Township and Detroit. March’s in-person coffee hour will be in Livonia at Biggby Coffee (33443 Seven Mile Road Livonia, MI 48152). You can join the livestream for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.
In-Person: Sunday, March 1, from 2–3 p.m.
Virtual: Monday, March 16, from 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Never hesitate to reach out to me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns!
Sincerely,
Laurie Pohutsky
State Representative
17th House District