Hello Friend,

Happy Friday once again! I hope this newsletter finds you well. As usual, please keep reading for helpful resources and information about what’s happening in our state and our community.

Remember, you can always contact me and my staff 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.

Coffee Hours

I hope you can join me for my next coffee hour, which will take place in Dexter:

Dexter Coffee Hour

Tuesday, Aug. 1, 6-7 pm

Dexter District Library

3255 Alpine St.

Dexter

Additionally, I am hosting a listening tour stop with the Progressive Women’s Caucus on Wednesday, Aug. 16., as part of a statewide listening tour. Please join us to come together and voice your concerns about policies and challenges facing women and families here in Michigan. There will also be opportunities to take action on the issues that matter to you.

Wednesday, Aug. 16, 6-7:30 p.m.

Scio Township Hall Board Room,

827 N. Zeeb Road

Ann Arbor

As always, stay tuned for my next scheduled coffee hours!

What To Do In HD 52

Movies Under the Stars at Whitmore Lake

Be sure to take the kids to one of the free family movies offered on select Friday nights this summer at Whitmore Lake! You can take your lawn chair or blanket, or pull up your boat near the post office. Find the schedule and more info here: http://www.twp.northfield.mi.us/community_visitors/events_and_festivities.php

Manchester’s Sesquicentennial Celebration and Run Manchester Street Festival

Celebrate 150 years of the village of Manchester on Aug. 5 (10 a.m.-8 p.m.) and Run Manchester! With vintage cars, duck races, a historic home walking tour, vintage baseball events and even a facial hair competition, there’s sure to be something for everyone. More info can be found here: http://www.manchesterstreetfestival.org/

Legislative Update

Line 5 Public Comments Welcome

I’ve heard from many of you about your concerns regarding Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. I, too, have concerns about the threats that Line 5 would pose to our Great Lakes if there were a leak or rupture, and many of my colleagues and I are taking those threats very seriously.

As you may know, House Resolution 51 calls on Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette to exercise their authority to terminate the 1953 easement agreement and shut down Enbridge Energy Line 5 under the Straits of Mackinac. HR 51 was referred to the House Energy Policy and has not yet been passed.

In the meantime, the state of Michigan released the Line 5 Alternatives Report earlier this month to identify and compare alternatives to the currently existing pipeline with the hopes of informing decision-making about Line 5’s future.

You can access the report and submit public comments here: www.mipetroleumpipelines.com.

Whatever your thoughts on the pipeline, I encourage you to submit them at the link above, and, of course, you are always welcome to share them with my staff and me.

Helpful Resources

Preventing West Nile Virus

As you may have heard, a dead green heron found near Ypsilanti tested positive for West Nile virus in June. While no human cases have been verified in Michigan this year, there are a few precautions recommended by Washtenaw County Public Health to help protect yourself, and others, from West Nile. These include removing standing water from your yard, avoiding mosquito bites, and reporting any dead birds in your area. Find out more here: http://westnile.ewashtenaw.org.

Reducing Bullying

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights has teamed up with anti-bully advocate Anthony Ianni in a grassroots initiative to eradicate bullying. With schools out for the summer, there are some openings for “The Relentless Tour” to come to your summer camp, conference or youth program. Get more information and request a program here: http://relentlesstour.com/

I hope you’ve found this information useful. Please contact my office if we can be of any assistance.