Nov. 16 – 20, 2020

Welcome to the Michigan House Democrats’ View from the Gallery! Here you will find a selection of the legislative actions our members take each week, including video highlights, photos and more. Make sure to watch for new editions each week.

SPOTLIGHT

Abraham Aiyash being sworn in as State Representative in the 4th district.

Meet Abraham Aiyash

State Representative | 4th House District

Abraham Aiyash, the seventh of eight children was born and raised in Michigan. His parents emigrated from Yemen and built a middle class family in the 4th House District. They taught him the value of hard work, giving back, and commitment to service. As the first person in his family to go away for college, Aiyash graduated from MSU and has committed his life to serving his district. Aiyash made history as the youngest member of a city commission in Hamtramck and co-founded a non-profit that promotes literacy in poor and working class communities in Detroit and Flint. His life’s work has been committed to helping people find their own agency and serving his community.

COVID-19 UPDATE

We all desperately want to see Michigan get back on track to a more familiar tomorrow in the wake of this crisis, but we will only get there by taking meaningful, targeted steps right now to bring the spread of COVID-19 under control. As the numbers of cases and hospitalizations continue to increase dramatically, it’s time for us to devote our full time and attention to fighting our shared enemy, not each other. This year has taken a tremendously personal toll on all of us; and with the holidays approaching, I know we all want to spend precious time with our families and enjoying the company of our loved ones. If all of us commit to doing our part by listening to public health experts, wearing our masks, and maintaining distance from others as much as possible, we may all get that chance — saving thousands of lives in the process.

legislative ACTION

JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE

Enough is Enough

For months the Joint Select Committee on COVID-19 has played partisan political games while thousands of Michiganders lose time, money and their lives. Enough is enough – it’s time for this committee to fulfill its duty of examining this crisis and provide solid recommendations to prevent or prepare for similar emergencies.

Rep. Ronnie Peterson testifies before the House Transportation committee on his bill to create a fund-raising registration plate for sickle cell and anemia research and treatment (HB 5920).

House Bill 5920 creates a specialty license plate to raise funds for sickle cell anemia research and awareness. Funds from the purchase of the specialty license plate created by Peterson’s bill would go toward a new Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness fund within the Department of Treasury and then distributed for research and awareness activities.

HB 6329

Rep. Sarah Anthony

HB 6329

Licensing reciprocity for certain skilled trades for veterans and military service members and their dependents who hold an out-of-state license

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HB 6321

Rep. John Cherry

HB 6321

Certain data relating to location of game; exempt from freedom of information act requests

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HB 6331

Rep. Cara Clemente

HB 6331

Level of personal injury protection coverage for commercial vehicle passengers, employer-owned vehicles, and motorcycles

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HB 6324

Rep. Christine Greig

HB 6324

Discrimination against organ transplant recipient based on physical or mental disability; prohibit

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HB 6323

Rep. Ronnie Peterson

HB 6323

Wild rice; designate as the official native grain

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BILLS INTRODUCED

Rep. Matt Koleszar

HB 6446
Food: other; representation of food items to be gluten-free; regulate. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 6447’20

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HB 6447
Crimes: other; sale of food items represented to be gluten-free that do not conform to a posted basis for that representation; prohibit.

Amends 1931 PA 328

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Rep. Matt Koleszar

HB 6446
Food: other; representation of food items to be gluten-free; regulate. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 6447’20

LEARN MORE

HB 6447
Crimes: other; sale of food items represented to be gluten-free that do not conform to a posted basis for that representation; prohibit.

Amends 1931 PA 328

LEARN MORE

MICHIGAN STRONG

A Stronger Future Starts Today

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the greatest challenges we’ve faced in a generation. It has upset the lives of Michiganders and families in ways no one could have imagined. The measure of our character as Michiganders is not the size of the challenge before us. It is our spirit and resolve in overcoming it. Our enduring determination defines all of us who call the Great Lakes State home. We’re ready to continue our work on behalf of all Michiganders, working families and for our children’s future.

Here’s a few things that we’ve been able to deliver so far:

Investing in Education and Closing the Divide

The cornerstone of a strong and healthy community is access to great education

$5.4M for statewide tools and resources to support Michigan’s students and teachers during the pandemic.
$18M in school district grants to support the health and safety of both students and teachers. Requiring equitable technology and internet access and teacher support.
$25M for devices to improve internet connectivity for low income and rural families.

Access to Clean Air and Water

Air and water quality have always has been important to the health and well-being of Michiganders

$7M to support two dozen community projects to repair, enhance and protect areas for outdoor recreation.

Safeguards to Help with Basic Needs

To be a force in the 21st Century, Michigan must have an economy that works for everyone with safeguards to support all Michiganders’ basic needs

$7M to support two dozen community projects to repair, enhance and protect areas for outdoor recreation.
$29M for increased Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) staffing and technology support to process claims quicker and more efficiently.
$125M to help with the cost of Day Care.
$10M for the food banks and the Double Up Food Bucks program.
$4M to support domestic violence shelters.
$60M for rental assistance, eviction diversion and legal aid.
$25M for water utility assistance.
$10M in Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) response grants to keep workers safe.
$5M million for multicultural social services.

Supporting and Protecting Michigan Workers

Michigan’s workers didn’t just aide the rise of the auto industry, they helped give birth to the American middle class

$120M to increase support for direct care workers.
$100M for additional hazard pay for first responders.

A Strong and Healthy Michigan

Michigan House Democrats have always believed quality and affordable health care should be available to everyone — no matter their economic status

$25M for additional personal protective equipment (PPE).
$200M to support local public health and safety workers.
$5M for hospital inpatient behavioral health grants.
$1.41M for additional nursing home inspectors to keep residents safe.

Keeping Neighborhood Businesses Strong

To slow the spread of COVID-19, independent retailers, barber shops, bakeries and restaurants who employ their neighbors closed their doors to save countless lives in the process

$3M to protect residents and businesses from flooding along the Detroit River.
$100M for Small Business Restart Grants for businesses with fewer than 50 full-time employees, and dedicated support for minority, women and veteran owned businesses.
$2.5M in grants for hospitality businesses adversely affected by COVID-19.
$15M to support Michigan farms and farmers, as well as improving housing accommodations to keep workers safe.

Strengthening Our Democracy

In uncertain times, leadership matters — and electing our leaders is everyone’s responsibility

Requiring all voters to receive an absentee voter ballot with a postage paid return envelope and counting the ballots if mailed by election day.
Making Election Day a state holiday and providing funding necessary to ensure public health at polling places.
Expanding early voting options to increase participation in elections.
Implementing Temporary Rules in the Michigan House of Representatives during a state of emergency to allow the use of virtual technology to continue critical legislative work.

MICHIGAN STRONG

A Stronger Future Starts Today

A strong, healthy, and thriving Michigan begins right here – with hard work and dedication. To learn more about how we’re creating a stronger Michigan for all, visit mistrongplan.com

A strong, healthy, and thriving Michigan begins right here – with hard work and dedication. To learn more about how we’re creating a stronger Michigan for all, visit mistrongplan.com

FUTURES FOR FRONTLINERS

Take A Step Forward

The Futures for Frontliners program serves as an important extension of the MI Reconnect Program, a bipartisan initiative spearheaded by Gov. Whitmer and Reps. Anthony and Kennedy. Rep. Anthony’s bill to establish the program was signed into law as Public Act 69 of 2020, clearing a tuition-free pathway to higher education for Michigan adults. Reps. Anthony and Kennedy also lead a group of 26 House Democratic Legislative Champions of the program.