Rep. Wooden’s Capitol and Community Updates

Hello Friends,

I hope you are all enjoying the start of June and the sunnier weather! I encourage everyone to get outside and appreciate our beautiful Michigan summer with friends and family.

June is also Pride Month, which is a time to acknowledge all of the progress that has been made toward achieving equality for the LGBTQ+ community. As part of Pride Month this June, our West Michigan community will be celebrating the milestones made by LGBTQ+ activists and their contributions to making our world a more inclusive space. Pride Month is an important marker to show our continuing support and fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights throughout Michigan and our nation. Keep a lookout for Pride events and programs near you!

As always, my office is reachable by phone at 517-373-1790 and by email at [email protected]. Please feel free to reach out at any time with questions, concerns, or to share your thoughts on a particular issue.

Sincerely,

Stephen Wooden

State Representative, 81st District

Proudly representing parts of the City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Charter Township, Plainfield Charter Township and all of Ada Township.

In this Issue:

• Legislative Update
• State Budget Updates
• Upcoming Community Events

House Passes Rep. Wooden’s “Smart Stair” Legislation

I am so proud to share that, last week, the House voted in favor of my “Smart Stair” legislation, with overwhelming, bipartisan support. This two-bill package aims to address Michigan’s housing shortage by modernizing building codes to make smaller-scale developments possible and affordable.

House Bills 5570 (Fairbairn) and 5571 (Wooden) would implement so-called “smart-stair reform” in Michigan. The legislation would allow narrower apartment buildings between four and six stories to have one staircase instead of two, provided that local zoning authorization and a number of fire safety measures are met, including limiting the size and number of apartments per floor, maintaining a maximum distance of 125 ft to the nearest exit and meeting existing fire suppression requirements.

This legislation is just one of many necessary steps in the right direction toward addressing the housing affordability crisis in our state. This legislation will allow for more affordable, small-scale, infill multifamily housing to be built where we need it most: on the vacant lots in the hearts of our cities. These bills will help Michigan build more housing, create new options for families, close our housing gap and move us toward a Michigan where everyone can have a safe, affordable home to call their own.

I look forward to continuing this work with my Senate colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, as the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services considers this legislation. I hope to see this legislation advance through the Senate and to the Governor’s desk in the near future.

MI GOP-Led Property Tax Bills Would Cut Taxes for the Wealthy, Defund Schools and Local Governments

Last month, a MI House Republican-sponsored package of bills (HBs 5872–5879) aimed at reforming property taxes passed the House. However, my Democratic colleagues and I were greatly concerned that this plan does not benefit working Michiganders. We must work to keep hard-earned dollars in homeowners’ pockets, but I believe this proposal is not the solution Michiganders deserve.

The Republican-led proposal is projected to create a $5 billion hole in Michigan’s budget, significantly reducing the funding needed for essential public services like public safety, road maintenance and our schools and libraries. Their proposal is tie-barred to legislation (HB 5880) that would create a new 6% excise tax on covered services, presumably to fill the funding gap. However, the bill does not specify which services this new tax would apply to, threatening a pathway for the state to raise taxes on everyday expenses.

I am concerned that this plan would most benefit the wealthy and big businesses, at the expense of Michigan consumers, public services and our public schools. Democrats are open to responsible property tax reform that does not come at the cost of kids, schools and public safety. With a billion dollars already lost from federal funding, another $5 billion deficit will only increase the budget pressure Michigan is facing. I believe this Republican package lacks clarity and transparency and puts Michigan services at risk, which is why I firmly voted no.

MI July 1 Budget Deadline Quickly Approaching

Under Michigan law, the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year must be passed and presented to the governor on or before July 1. This is not an arbitrary deadline. School districts and municipalities across Michigan begin their fiscal years on July 1. Schools are determining what teachers, classroom resources and programs they can afford for the year. City councils are planning their hiring and salary budgets for police and fire stations, transportation workers and emergency response teams.

Last year, House Republicans nearly shut the state down by not beginning the negotiating process or putting their budget up for a vote until the deadline, straining school districts and creating uncertainty for local governments.

It is my hope that Michigan can once again deliver a sensible budget on time that defends critical programs and services and invests in what people care about most: lower costs, health care, education, local communities and economies and our democracy. These will be my top priorities as the House, Senate and governor’s office work through a final, bipartisan and compromised budget over the coming days and weeks.

I will continue fighting for a state budget that represents the values of our community and makes Michigan a better, more affordable home for all. Stay tuned for future updates from my office as deliberations on the state budget continue.

City of Grand Rapids

Justice 4 All Juneteenth Jam, June 19, 4-8 p.m. at the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives on 41 Sheldon Ave SE.

Features live music, art, local businesses, games and more.

Grand Rapids Pride Festival, June 20, noon to 10 p.m. and June 21, noon to 8 p.m. at Calder Plaza.

Includes entertainment, a food court and beverage tent, 200+ vendor booths, a children and family area and more.

Ada Township

Ada Farmers Market, every Tuesday until Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Community Church in Ada parking lot, 7239 Thornapple River Drive.

Our office is always here to answer any questions, concerns or listen to thoughts you have on a particular issue. The best way to reach us is by email at [email protected]. Our team is working hard to respond to every email and voicemail left with our office in a timely manner. We appreciate your patience as we experience increased communications!