Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to my e-newsletter! I’m honored and humbled to serve as our community’s voice at the Capitol in Lansing.

As we continue into the term, rest assured that the challenges families in our community and state are facing are at the top of my legislative priorities. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-0837 or email at [email protected] if we can help.

Sincerely,

Amos O’Neal
State Representative
House District 94

In this issue:

  • House Bill 4211 Passes Committee
  • SNAP Benefits Pause, Half Payments to Resume Saturday

⚖️ Ensuring Fair Re-Entry: My Bill Passes Committee to Help Those Getting a Second Chance

 

This week, my bill, House Bill 4211, passed out of the House Judiciary Committee. The bill would allow the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) to offer its usual re-entry services and support to a select group of individuals whose re-sentences will lead to immediate release.  These re-sentences are consequences of Michigan Supreme Court decisions in Miller v. Alabama, Montgomery v. Louisiana, People v. Parks and People v. Stovall.

Who’s Affected

 

These recent court decisions ended the use of life without parole sentences for people who were under 19 when they committed their crime. As a result, a few hundred individuals across Michigan are now eligible for new sentences and possible release.

Most of these cases will go through the normal parole process, which means they will still be under MDOC supervision and able to receive re-entry services like job training, housing support and counseling.

However, a smaller group will be released immediately because they have already served more time than their new sentence requires. Once released, they fall outside MDOC’s jurisdiction and lose access to those crucial re-entry services — even though they may need them the most.

A No-Cost Fix, And Why It Matters

 

My bill fixes this gap. It allows MDOC to continue offering re-entry support to this small group of individuals, just as the Legislature did in 2016 for people who were wrongfully convicted and later exonerated. The bill requires no new funding; it simply ensures fairness and gives these returning citizens a real chance to safely rebuild their lives.

This isn’t just about doing the right thing. It’s about doing what works. Access to stable housing, employment and counseling are proven to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. When people succeed after release, our communities do too.

🛒 SNAP Benefits Paused On Nov. 1 – What It Means for Michigan Families

 

Note: This section has been updated to reflect a Nov. 6 federal court ruling requiring the USDA to provide full SNAP benefit payments to recipients.

I want to make sure you are aware of an urgent development that will affect 1.4 million Michiganders who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

What’s Happening

SNAP benefits were initially paused on Nov. 1 because of the ongoing federal government shutdown. However, on Oct. 31, two federal courts ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to restart SNAP using contingency funds. The USDA said it would issue only 50 to 65% of normal payments.

A third court ruling on Nov. 6 ordered the USDA to issue full benefits to SNAP recipients. 

As a result, Michiganders who normally receive SNAP on the third, fifth or seventh will now receive their full SNAP payments on Saturday, Nov. 8. Future payments are expected to follow the regular schedule for now, but funding remains uncertain because the USDA relies on limited contingency dollars.

The only long-term solution is for Congress to end the shutdown and fully restore SNAP funding.

How It Impacts Families

In Michigan, nearly 1.4 million people rely on SNAP, including 492,000 children, 38,500 veterans and hundreds of thousands of seniors and people with disabilities. 

This pause comes at a time when grocery prices are rising and families are already stretched thin. Most SNAP households are working adults, but their wages simply aren’t enough to cover basic needs without assistance. On average, SNAP provides $335 per month per household — totaling nearly $300 million each month flowing into Michigan’s grocery stores, farmers markets and local businesses. Without it, families will likely face the impossible choice between food, medicine, rent or utilities.

What House Democrats are Doing to Fight for SNAP

House Democrats are moving forward with legislation to fight to protect Michigan families, including the following proposals:

  • Securing Fresh Food Access: A proposal to create a $600 million emergency supplemental fund for food assistance SNAP recipients.
  • Keeping Food Banks Stocked: A proposed additional $12.5 million to support the Food Bank Council of America.
  • Keeping Food on the Table: A proposed additional $12.5 million for local food pantries.
  • Calling for Federal Action: Resolutions urging the U.S. president, Congressional Republicans and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to end the shutdown and guarantee uninterrupted SNAP benefits.

SNAP Resources

If your household is impacted, please know that help is available:

  • Dial 2-1-1 or visit Find Help – Michigan 2-1-1 for confidential referrals to local food programs and services.
  • Visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan to locate nearby food banks and hunger relief efforts.
  • Check your MI Bridges account for the latest updates on SNAP benefits.

Michigan families work hard, play by the rules and deserve the dignity of knowing they can put food on the table. I will keep fighting to make sure Washington lives up to that promise.