Focusing on Agriculture in August

Focusing on Agriculture in August

by | Aug 16, 2023 | Regional News

Image
Hi there,

This August, I’ve really focused on Michigan agriculture and ways to support our farmers. A big reason is because this fall Congress will consider the Farm Bill, which is legislation passed every five years that sets national agriculture policy.

As the only Michigander on the House Agriculture Committee, it’s important that I hear from Michigan farmers about how we can make the 2023 Farm Bill work for them. And by introducing agriculture bills now, we can set them up to be included in the larger package of legislation.

There’s much to report on that front, so I wanted to give you an update:

At the beginning of the month, I introduced the bipartisan FARMLAND Act, which would ensure that purchases of American farmland by foreign countries are more closely scrutinized. Food security is national security, which means we cannot allow strategic competitors like China to gain control of the land that feeds us.

Next, I introduced the bipartisan Specialty Crop Security Act, which was endorsed by 11 Michigan agriculture organizations from all across the state. The bill would increase federal assistance to farmers that grow specialty crops – a class of crop that includes fruits and vegetables, and is critical to our state’s economy. That’s why it earned enthusiastic support from organizations like the Michigan Agri-Business Association and Michigan Farm Bureau.

And soon after, I traveled to Grand Rapids, where I joined Michigan Director of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring and agriculture leaders for a roundtable on strengthening crop resiliency and Michigan’s priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill. It was invaluable to hear directly from the farmers and leaders who put food on our tables, and I plan to participate in more conversations like this around the state ahead of negotiations.

Image
Finally, following up those discussions on crop resiliency, I introduced this week the Specialty Crop Research Act, which would support research into how we can better protect crops from things like weather and pests.

When we invest in agriculture, make crops more resilient, and increase yields, everybody wins – from farmers to consumers.

– Rep. Elissa Slotkin
nvestment to Address Early Learning Workforce Shortage

nvestment to Address Early Learning Workforce Shortage

by | Aug 16, 2023 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 16, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Announces Investment to Address Early Learning Workforce Shortage and Expand Access to Child Care for Working Families

$2 million investment is part of Caring for Mi Future, a statewide effort to open 1,000 new and expanding child care businesses by the end of 2024

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced 12 recipients of Early Care and Education (ECE) Registered Apprenticeships from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s (ECIC) Child Care Innovation Fund. All 12 recipients will help finance, provide educational support, and increase compensation for Michiganders who want to become early childhood educators in 65 counties across Michigan.

 

“Access to quality, affordable early learning opportunities sets kids up for long-term success,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today’s investment in apprenticeships will create more paths for Michiganders to become skilled, qualified early education professionals and help us meet our statewide goal of opening or expanding 1,000 child care programs by the end of 2024. We are already well on track, with nearly 800 programs opened, and with today’s investment we will continue taking action to help aspiring education professionals and our kids ‘make it’ in Michigan.”

 

The investment for ECE Registered Apprenticeship grantees is part of the $12.9 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding awarded by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) as part of the Caring for MI Future initiative, a $100 million investment to open 1,000 new, or expanded, child care programs by the end of 2024.

 

The recipients of the ECE Registered Apprenticeships are as follows:

  • Capital Area Michigan Works! – $120,000
  • Child Care Network – $230,000
  • Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! – $120,000
  • GST Michigan Works! – $229,000
  • Macomb St. Clair Michigan Works! – $120,000
  • Michigan Works! Region 7B – $230,000
  • Michigan Works! Northwest Consortium – $120,000
  • Michigan Works! West Central – $230,000
  • Networks Northeast – $230,000
  • Oakland County Michigan Works! – $120,000
  • West Michigan Works! – $120,000
  • Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! – $230,000

 

“We recognize the vital role that highly skilled child care providers play in supporting working families across the state, “said Michigan Works! Association CEO, Ryan Hundt. “This dynamic partnership between the Early Childhood Investment Corporation and Michigan Works! underscores our commitment to fostering high quality child care and driving economic growth hand-in-hand.”

 

“Child care programs across Michigan have had to close classrooms and place families on waitlists due to the workforce shortage of early educators,” said Dawne Bell, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. “Apprenticeships are a key workforce solution for many industries, and now, thanks to this partnership with the MI Dept. of Education, the MI Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and MI Works!, apprenticeships will help build a new workforce pipeline to educate Michigan’s youngest learners.”

 

Michigan’s early childhood educators are facing several barriers to becoming highly skilled, making it difficult for child care employers to recruit and retain staff, contributing to a cycle of workforce shortages in the early childhood field, essential to Michigan’s economy. The formula is simple; without sufficient child care available, Michigan’s families simply cannot get to work. ECIC and MI Works! have partnered to launch and expand 12 Registered ECE Apprenticeships throughout Michigan. This partnership highlights the needs for sustainable funding for credentialing/degrees and to raise the wages for those newly acquired skills to incentivize more educators to become highly skilled. Recipients of the ECE Registered Apprenticeship investment will lift the burden off child care employers by assessing the needs and resources of the business, designing a program, and working with the employer to identify employees for additional support and training.

 

Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC)

Created in 2005 to serve as a statewide leader in early childhood, ECIC collaborates to increase public and private investment in the earliest years, elevate issues affecting young children and their families, and continuously improve Michigan’s comprehensive early childhood system. Our aim is to create a future where all young children in Michigan and their families thrive. To learn more about ECIC and the Child Care Innovation Fund, please visit ecic4kids.org.

 

About Caring for MI Future: 

Caring for MI Future is a statewide effort to help child care entrepreneurs open new or expand existing child care programs. In May 2022, Governor Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist set a bold goal to open 1,000 new child care providers by the end of 2024. At the same time, they announced Caring for MI Future—statewide effort to help child care entrepreneurs open new or expand existing child care programs.

 

With the Michigan Departments of Education and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the state invested $100M million in federal Child Care Development Block Grant funds, managed and overseen by the Michigan Department of Education, to improve access to affordable child care options and create sustainable systems to support the current and next generation of child care business owners.

 

Through Caring for MI Future, entrepreneurs have access to resources to launch and expand their businesses. Entrepreneurs can learn more at Michigan.gov/caringformifuture and contact an Our Strong Start Navigator to learn which resources are the right fit for their goals. To date, providers in nearly every county of the state have participated in Caring for MI Future, including:

 

  • Our Strong Start (OSS): LARA’s team of navigators continue to support entrepreneurs as they establish or expand their business. LARA’s team has helped all 796 new facilities and 1,927 expanded facilities with a variety of assistance including developing business plans, accessing grant funding, and navigating the licensing process. Our Strong Start has received 11,432 unique visitors to our website and have worked with 2,944 child care entrepreneurs.
  • Facility improvement grants: The state has awarded $21.4 million towards 1,719 facility improvement grants in 67 counties. An additional, 1,780 applications are submitted and being reviewed. These funds are available to help entrepreneurs renovate facilities.
  • Startup funding: The state is supporting entrepreneurs before and after receiving their child care license, including:
  • 1,301 pre-licensure grants
  • 285 start-up grants (available after receiving their license)
  • Business development tools: Since May 2022, over 2,500 child care entrepreneurs have participated in professional development to strengthen their business plan and set their program up for success, including 1:1 consultations, trainings, webinars, workshops, and communities of practice.
  • Support recruiting and developing staff: Forty-two counties are engaging in workforce efforts to recruit, train, and retain talented early educators to live and work in their communities with grant funding from Caring for MI Future.
Perfect Time to Buy Tomorrow’s College Tuition at Today’s Prices

Perfect Time to Buy Tomorrow’s College Tuition at Today’s Prices

by | Aug 15, 2023 | Regional News

Treasury Logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2023

Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167

Michigan Education Trust Pitches ‘Back to the Future’ Message as Students Prepare to Return to School

It’s the Perfect Time to Buy Tomorrow’s
College Tuition at Today’s Prices

LANSING — As parents begin to fill back-to-school shopping lists, Michigan Education Trust (MET) is encouraging them to consider buying college tuition at today’s prices to prepare for their children’s future education.

“Back-to-school season is the perfect time to think back to the future when it comes to educational planning,” said Diane Brewer, executive director of MET, the prepaid education savings program administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury. “We’re asking parents to look beyond pencils and notebooks needed now and look to the future by purchasing tomorrow’s college credits at today’s prices through MET.”

MET, the nation’s first 529 prepaid education plan, has helped tens of thousands of families since 1988 with an affordable way to save for their education by prepurchasing tomorrow’s tuition at today’s rates. Signed into law in December 1986, it was the first prepaid education program in the nation. More than 96% of high school graduates participating in MET have attended a college, university or technical school.

MET alumna Lisa Ingall of Ann Arbor understands firsthand the value of MET and the life-changing impact it has on working families.

“Thanks to my mom’s foresight, I was a member of the original MET class,” said Ingall, a 1998 University of Michigan engineering graduate. “My mom was divorced and didn’t have a lot of extra money, but she valued education. She wasn’t going to let money stand in the way of her daughter going to college.”

Her mother’s investment has made a generational difference for Ingall and her sister, Casey Parrotte, and it will for Ingall’s 12-year-old son, Devin Saha, and Parrotte’s two daughters, ages 3 and 5.

“My mother knew that while you can’t predict the future, you can prepare for it,” Ingall said. “As a mom now myself, I can attest to the fact that there is no better cornerstone than MET for building the foundation for your child’s educational future.”

Among the many motivations for opening a MET account, Brewer pointed to the increasing number of young adults facing significant debt after completing their college education. By getting an early start in offsetting the often-overwhelming financial burden associated with higher education, MET enables more people to attend college or pursue other post-secondary education and join the workforce without being saddled with massive debt.

Brewer noted that anyone can contribute to a child’s education savings plan, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and others. With a Pay-As-You-Go plan, once the plan is opened, contributions can be as low as $25.

“The beauty of MET lies in its flexibility,” Brewer said. “There is a MET plan for everyone and everyone should consider opening a MET plan as part of their savings portfolio..”

The 529 plan also has tax advantages. For instance, distributions from MET are not taxed by the state or federal government when it comes time to pay for qualified higher education expenses. Michigan residents who are MET contract holders can also claim a state tax deduction on the total contributions they make during a calendar year.

Contributions to an existing account can be made at any time during the year through MET’s secure online pay site. The MET gift declarations also allow contributors to print out certificates of their contributions designed for holidays, birthdays, graduations and more that can be put in a card or gift wrapped.

More information about MET can be found at SETwithMET.com or by calling 800-MET-4-KID.
Increased Funding for Parents Fostering Children

Increased Funding for Parents Fostering Children

by | Aug 15, 2023 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 15, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Announces Increased Funding for Parents Fostering Children 

New funding supports administration’s commitment to helping families at each stage of their life

 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the new state budget will help the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) improve and increase support for foster parents.

 

“The bipartisan budget I signed a few weeks ago will put more money in the pockets of foster parents so they can pay the bills and put food on the table while caring for their foster kids,” said Governor Whitmer. “Foster families work hard to care for their children and we must have their backs. The budget boosts the resources they receive so we can keep children safe and healthy.”

 

The funding is part of MDHHS’ overall effort to address the shortage of foster parents in Michigan and provide additional support for foster youth with higher behavioral health needs.

 

“Right now, about two-thirds of foster parents quit fostering within one to two years, a fact that places new stress on a system that already badly needs more loving, caring foster parents,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Through providing more money to foster parents while also giving them a break, we continue to do everything in our power to make Michigan the safest place in America to raise kids and nurture families.”

 

Respite care services can vary depending on the unique needs of the foster parent and child and are used to provide short-term relief to primary caregivers of children while they are cared for by respite care families. Instead of foster parents needing to use their daily board and care rate per diem to go toward the cost of respite care, this new program will have an annual budget allocation of $10 million annually to go directly to respite care providers and gives foster families additional support.

 

“Unfortunately, money and time are, too often, the biggest barriers to loving and caring families welcoming children into their homes. This funding increase and respite care program address both of those issues,” said Lara Bouse, executive director of Fostering Forward Michigan, a coalition that represents foster, kinship and adoptive parents in Michigan. “Foster parents are heroic, and right now, we simply don’t have enough people willing to change lives with this commitment. We are so grateful to the state legislature and governor for supporting the MDHHS’s goals of keeping kids safe and keeping families together.”

 

Foster parent Sarah Bacheller of Livingston County said the additional financial support will help her make sure the boys in her care can have the same experiences as other children – whether it’s trips to Detroit, West Michigan or up north, or buying school pictures or yearbooks.

 

“Any increase helps go toward providing a similar level of normalcy that their peers get on a normal basis,” said Bacheller, who has fostered more than 30 boys. “You don’t do it for the money. You do it to help these kids out. But any increase helps take the financial burden of all the extras – beyond food and clothing – off of the foster parents. I think if the burden is reduced and eliminated, you might get more people willing to get licensed and open their homes for these amazing kids.”

 

As one of the most requested forms of support from foster families, the department will focus on contracting and building agencies that recruit and fill the need for respite care providers across the state, offering a half-day rate for providing care for 12 hours or less and a full-day rate with an overnight option.

 

  • As part of the department’s work to address the shortage of foster parents by decreasing stress and increasing support, the budget allocation for daily payments to foster parents was raised for the second consecutive year, this time by 8% bringing the rate for caregivers of youth up to age 12, approximately $670.00 a month, for youth age 13 and older, $800.00 a month and for youth living independently (age 18 or older who still receive foster care assistance), $825.00 a month. This expanded allocation is in addition to the 20% increase in rates paid to foster parents, independent living providers, relatives, and adoptive parents and guardians in 2022.

 

Marquette County Probate Court Judge Cheryl L. Hill played a critical role in advocating for MDHHS’ request for additional funding to keep Michigan competitive with other states’ budget allocations.

 

“The additional funds in the fiscal year 2024 budget along with increases approved last year help our foster families continue to provide loving homes to our most vulnerable and precious resource – the children of Michigan,” Judge Hill said. “We still have a critical need for loving foster homes in Michigan. Being a foster parent is rewarding, but it is hard work. Any support we can provide to these special families who give so much of themselves should be encouraged. The money allocated in the budget is truly an investment in the future success of the children of the State of Michigan.”

 

Both process and policy updates are a part of MDHHS’ larger actions to keep kids safe and promote foster parent recruitment and retention. To view the latest on how the department is supporting foster families, visit the MDHHS foster care website or call 855-MICHKIDS to learn more.
ICYMI New Report: Michigan #1 for Automotive Industry

ICYMI New Report: Michigan #1 for Automotive Industry

by | Aug 9, 2023 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

 

ICYMI New Report: Michigan #1 for Automotive Industry, EV Investment, Top 10 in Key Areas

The report also ranks Michigan as a top 10 state for tech talent pipelines, workforce training, and foreign direct investment

 

LANSING, Mich.— A new report from Business Facilities shows Michigan continues to lead the race for jobs and investment as the top state for automotive industry and electric vehicle investments, holding its number one spot from 2022. According to Business Facilities, Michigan also ranks as a top 10 state among key areas like foreign direct investment, customized workforce training, tech talent pipelines, and health care jobs. This ranking follows multiple reports showing Michigan as a leader in business, clean energy and battery investments and a piece from Newsweek recognizing Michigan as a leading hub for high-tech mobility development.

 

“As the state that put the world on wheels, we’re proud to be recognized as an ongoing leader in the automotive industry and EV investment by Business Facilities,” said Governor Whitmer. “We will continue to work together to attract additional projects, invest in Michiganders, and build on the momentum we’ve created over the past two years. This national recognition of our key industries and initiatives supports our commitment that anyone can make it in Michigan.”

 

“We are proud that Business Facilities has recognized Team Michigan’s work of building on our state’s heritage in manufacturing and evolving our strengths as we move toward an electric future,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). “Our strong showing across workforce development and manufacturing is also encouraging as we continue to work with Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature to secure Michigan’s leadership across industries as we ‘Make It in Michigan.’”

 

Business Industries: Washington, Michigan, Massachusetts, California, Texas Are #1 In Key Industries

 

In the Automotive industry, both traditional and the burgeoning electric vehicle space, the state of Michigan tops the list. This is a repeat performance from the state in this category with new investments bolstering its existing ecosystem. As the industry as a whole undergoes its current transformation, the ones to watch include the other top ranked states — Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky, respectively. Also included in this ranking: Alabama, California, South Carolina, Missouri, and Georgia.

 

[…]

 

Rounding out the Life Sciences ranking are Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, and Michigan. And, rounding out the top 5 for MedTech/Medical Devices: Minnesota, Massachusetts, Indiana, Connecticut, respectively, and followed by Ohio, Indiana, Florida, and Wisconsin.

 

Growing Michigan’s Economy and Make it in Michigan

In December 2021, Governor Whitmer brought Republicans, Democrats, and public and private sector leaders together to establish powerful new economic development tools that would help Michigan compete for transformational projects. Since then, the state has won $16 billion of projects and more than 16,000 good-paying jobs building electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductor chips, and clean energy—all industries of the future.

 

To keep this momentum going, the state must continue its successful economic development strategy and expand the toolkit. The governor proposed the Make it in Michigan plan, a comprehensive strategy to build on the work we are doing and help more families and businesses make it in Michigan.

 

The plan has three pillars: competing for and winning projects to bring manufacturing and supply chains home, investing in people so they can pursue their potential from Pre-K through postsecondary and have their freedoms protected, and revitalizing places to make them more attractive places to live, work, and invest. The Make it in Michigan plan proposes spurring more cutting-edge research and development in Michigan, lowering costs for businesses so they can hire more Michiganders, and working to land more transformational projects in Michigan while making parallel investments in local child care, housing, infrastructure, and workforce programs.

 

Electric Vehicle and Battery Project Wins

Over the last 18 months, the state’s powerful bipartisan economic development tools have helped bring home over $16 billion of projects and secure 16,000 jobs building electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors, and clean energy.

 

  • In January 2022, General Motors announced a historic investment of $7 billion, creating 4,000 and retaining 1,000 jobs, to convert Orion Township assembly plant to build full-size electric vehicle pickups and build Ultium’s third U.S. battery cell plant in Lansing.
  • In March 2022, LG Energy Solution announced a $1.7 billion expansion creating 1,200 jobs in Holland manufacturing batteries.
  • In June 2022, Ford Motor Company announced an investment of $2 billion, creating more than 3,200 jobs in plants across Michigan to support electric vehicle manufacturing growth and secure internal combustion engine portfolio in the state.
  • In June 2022, Canadian electric vehicle charging network operator FLO announced an investment of $3 million for the company’s first-ever U.S. manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills.
  • In October 2022, Michigan-based Our Next Energy announced a $1.6 billion investment to establish its first cell and electric vehicle battery pack gigafactory in Van Buren Township, creating up to 2,112 jobs.
  • In October 2022, Gotion announced a $2.36 billion investment for a new manufacturing facility in Big Rapids, creating up to 2,350 jobs.
  • In January 2023: Ford announced a $3.5 billion investment, creating 2,500 good-paying jobs, in a new EV battery manufacturing facility in Marshall.

 

Whitmer Administration Accomplishments

Governor Whitmer is committed to growing Michigan’s economy and investing in our talented workforce:

  • Convened the Electric Vehicle and Mobility Talent Action Team, the first focused effort on talent in the electric vehicle and future mobility sectors.
  • Led REV Midwest, a 5-state compact to rollout regional charging infrastructure.
  • Announced the Lake Michigan Circuit, a network of EV charging infrastructure on the shore of Lake Michigan.
  • Partnered with the City of Detroit, Google, and Ford on Michigan Central, a mobility innovation hub to attract and retain skilled talent and high-growth companies in Detroit.
Focusing on Agriculture in August

Surprise junk fees: I want to hear your story

by | Aug 9, 2023 | Regional News

Hi there,

You may have seen U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra was in our district last week discussing important prescription drug provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act. Before that press conference, though, we had a few meetings I want to tell you about.

I invited Secretary Becerra to our 7th Congressional District because of your calls, emails and letters surrounding high prescription prices, drug shortages and maternal health disparities. It’s important for federal officials to see firsthand the issues that affect Michiganders in their daily lives.

First, we met with local hospital leaders, so Secretary Becerra could hear directly from them about the issues they’re facing.  Our first priority was the ongoing shortage of lifesaving cancer drugs that has forced our hospitals in Michigan to ration care. This crisis has shown once again that maintaining a sufficient supply of pharmaceuticals is critical for not just patients, but for our national security.  This issue of supply-chains for critical items has become a bit of an obsession of mine since shortages upended our economy during the pandemic.  It’s why I co-founded the bipartisan Domestic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Caucus and have introduced legislation, like the Ensuring Access to Lifesaving Drugs Act, to keep vital medicines on pharmacy shelves.

In our second meeting with Secretary Becerra, we met with advocates and talked about the issue of black maternal health.  Today, Black & Native American women are three to four times more likely to die from complications surrounding pregnancy & childbirth than white women. Our meeting allowed Secretary Becerra to learn about the systemic & financial challenges faced by those who’ve been in the trenches on this issue. Thank you to the doctors, midwives, doulas, & public health & nonprofit leaders who provided ways to address this issue at the federal level.

Finally, we held a press conference on the Inflation Reduction Act.  This bill sends a really clear signal to the rest of the prescription drug world that the day where you can just charge whatever you want — where there’s no transparency on the price of medication — is an era that’s coming to an end.

I am thankful to all those who helped us have a productive day discussing federal solutions that would help Michiganders.

Rep. Slotkin

Image
Visit my website Subscribe Like my Facebook Page
Hi there,

Have you ever had to pay a junk fee? Junk fees are hidden or surprise charges often added right at the end of transactions – and they cost American consumers tens of billions of dollars each year.

Junk fees are often associated with airline tickets, surprise medical billing, event tickets, cable bills, rental applications, ATMs, hotel or resort fees, and bank overdraft charges – but they can crop up just about anywhere.

My colleagues and I in Congress are collecting Americans’ stories on dealing with junk fees to share in our efforts to crack down on this unfair and deceitful practice. In the coming weeks, we’ll be holding a press conference with constituents to take action, and I want to share your story.

Click here to share your personal stories of encountering junk fees.

It’s long past time to end these junk fees, take on corporate greed, and lower costs for hardworking Michigan families.

Thank you for your participation and for helping to lower costs, protect consumers, and foster a more competitive market.

– Rep. Elissa Slotkin