Hello friend,

I hope everyone is staying warm and dry while the legendary Michigan weather does what it does best — change. It was wonderful seeing students from Heritage School in Saline this week and sharing the Capitol with them.

As always, you can contact my staff and me at (517) 373-0828, by email at DonnaLasinski@house.mi.gov, or by visiting my website at RepLasinski.com, with any questions, thoughts or suggestions.

 

Legislative Update

Fixing our Roads

This week I voted yes on House Bill 4321, which would increase road funding by $175 million using supplemental funds. Our roads are deteriorating at a rapid rate and the funding for the last decade has been inadequate. Our counties, cities and villages will begin receiving additional road dollars as soon as this bill is passed by the Senate and signed into law by the governor. In 2013, Michigan ranked 49th out of the 50 states on per-capita road spending.  This supplemental budget approval will help the worst of our potholes, but not make the long term impact we need to truly repair and improve our roads.

I committed to you that I would improve our roads, and I will continue to work towards a meaningful long-term solution.

 

2019 Budget Proposals and Recommendations

By now, many of you may have heard about the executive budget recommendations and proposals outlined by Gov. Rick Snyder. The total budget includes $56.8 billion, an increase of 0.6 percent from the previous year. The general fund stands at $10 billion. There were some positive proposals in the governor’s budget, but I want to be sure that as we go into budget talks, that we continue to prioritize our infrastructure, our education, and our residents.

The budget needs to build opportunity for all. We know that improving our local roads, protecting our water quality, and expanding access to broadband gives us the freedom to choose where — and how — we want to live.

 

Upcoming Time with Donna

 

Education Town Hall

Join me and a panel of educators from around the district to talk about education in our community. We’ll cover the state education budget, the potential of universal pre-K, and the importance of vocational options for our students. We’ll also have time for questions from the audience.

When: Monday, Feb. 26, 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Dexter District Library-3255 Alpine St. in Dexter

Whitmore Lake Coffee Hour with State Rep. Donna Lasinski

Join me for coffee and conversation. I’ll take the time to talk legislation, and take any questions you may have about what concerns you.

When: Saturday, March 17, 11:15 a.m. to noon
Where: Northfield Township Area Library, 125 Barker Road in Whitmore Lake

What To Do In HD 52

Pastels by Carolyn Weins

It’s always nice to support our Michigan artists and creators. Primarily pastel landscapes, artwork by Carolyn Weins will be on display in the Saline District Library through the end of February. Feel free to drop in for a visit, view the art, and check out a good book.

When: Saturday, Feb. 24, All Day
Where: Saline District Library, 555 N. Maple Road in, Saline.

 

Helpful Resources

In Danger of Losing Your Home?

All it takes is an unexpected expense or a few months of unemployment to get behind on your mortgage or tax payments. I understand that this can be frightening, and I’m here to connect you with the help you need. If you’re in danger of losing your home to foreclosure, there are resources available to you. Step Forward Michigan is a federally funded loan program designed to help eligible homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage, condo association fees and/or property taxes retain ownership of their primary residence.  You can also contact a MSHDA approved agency for other free assistance. Find a Housing Education Counselor here.

 

I hope you’ve found this information useful. As I’ve said before, please feel free to reach out to my office with any comments or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you!

 

Sincerely,

State Representative Donna Lasinski

52nd House District