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Dear Neighbor, Here is some information that I hope you will find helpful, including news and resources from your state government. |
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Upcoming Event: State of Civil Rights Virtual Town Hall
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Please join me on Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., for my State of Civil Rights Virtual Town Hall. I will be joined by special guest Lily Eggers, Organizing Strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, who will present on the current state of voting rights, immigration rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. |
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Upcoming Event: Coffee & Conversation in the District
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Join me for my next Coffee & Conversation on Monday, Feb. 23, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the South Lansing Library, 3500 S. Cedar St., in Lansing. You can register for the event and share any questions or topics you would like covered here. See you then! |
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Legislation Would Ban Use of State Property for Detention Centers |
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I co-sponsored legislation last week (House Bill 5494) that would ban state property from being sold or transferred to ICE or from being used as a detention center by a private contractor. A deed restriction would be placed on the property preventing the owner from using the facility as a detention center, and if a violation occurs, the property would be returned to the state. |
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Ensure Electronic Tax Refunds Are Received, Contact MI Open Account for Assistance |
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Starting this tax season, the IRS will no longer send paper checks to taxpayers for their federal tax refunds. Refunds instead will be issued by direct deposit or other secure electronic methods. Having an account with a financial institution is necessary to receive your refund. To prepare for this, taxpayers should establish a relationship with a bank or credit union now if they have not already done so. The Michigan Open Account Coalition offers certified low or no-cost account options at nearly 40 financial institutions. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/DIFSOpenAccount. |
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State of the State Scheduled for Feb. 25, Student Art and Writing Contest Announced |
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The governor will deliver her final State of the State address at the State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 25. The State of the State program’s cover will again feature student art. Students are encouraged to submit a design on the theme, “Michigan’s Bright Future.” Visit Michigan.gov/ArtContest for more information. Students are also being asked to submit a short story or essay on the topic “What do you love most about Michigan?” The winning piece will be featured in the governor’s speech. More information can be found here. All submissions must be received by Sunday, Feb. 15. |
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Follow my official Facebook account for the most up-to-date information. E-news contains a lot of good information, but it takes several days – up to a week – to get it approved and sent. Sincerely, |
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Kara Hope |