Online registration deadline for Primary Election is July 22
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The PACT Act and how it helps our vets
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| Hi there,
I want to talk to you about the PACT Act, a landmark piece of bipartisan legislation signed into law a couple years ago that finally addressed the serious issue of toxic exposure among our veterans. The PACT Act provides specialized treatment and benefits to veterans who are suffering from health issues due to their exposure to toxic burn pits during their service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. I’ve met too many Michigan veterans who have been fighting the VA while also fighting these health complications. The PACT Act finally delivers the care they have earned, so I was thrilled to see the law go into effect. A key component of the PACT Act is my bipartisan Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, which was incorporated into the final bill. My legislation requires the VA to acknowledge that any service member who served in Operation Desert Storm or our post-9/11 conflicts was exposed to toxic chemicals from burn pits. I talked more about this historic legislation in a video I shared last week.
It’s critical that we ensure that burn pit exposure does not become the Agent Orange of the post-9/11 generation of American veterans. An important reminder to veterans: If you submitted an Intent-to-File for a PACT Act related claim, you have 365 days to finalize your claim in order to receive backdated benefits. That means if you submitted your claim before the August 14, 2023 deadline to receive backdated benefits, you must finalize it soon, before the 365 days are up. For more information about the PACT Act and your benefits click HERE. And if you have any questions, my office has dedicated caseworkers with years of experience who can help. You can give my office a call at (517) 993-0510 or visit my website at slotkin.house.gov. – Rep. Elissa Slotkin |
AG Nessel Warns of New Government Imposter Scam
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Major Progress in Reducing Michigan’s Housing Shortage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Announces Major Progress in Reducing Michigan’s Housing Shortage by 50,000 Units, Expanding Access for Michiganders
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan is making progress to tackle the statewide housing shortage. Thanks to state investment, federal resources, and strong private development, Michigan built or rehabilitated 50,000 housing units, significantly reducing the statewide shortage from 190,000 units to 141,000 units. Work to build more housing will continue thanks to record investments from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSDHA) and resources secured in the recently passed balanced state budget.
“Our record investments to build housing have reduced our statewide shortage by 50,000 units, helping tens of thousands more Michiganders have a safe, affordable place to call home,” said Governor Whitmer. “Together, with our local and statewide partners, we are making the largest investment to build housing in Michigan history so we can expand supply and drive down costs while creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs along the way. There are more Michiganders working in construction today than any point in the last 22 years. Across the state, pipefitters, carpenters, bricklayers, and roofers are rolling up their sleeves to ‘build, baby, build’ a heck of a lot more housing and ensure every Michigander has a safe, affordable place to call home.”
Population and housing unit estimates are updated annually by the U.S. Census Bureau, most recently in May. Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) staff in its Office of Market Research uses the latest Census data to arrive at projections of supply and demand, setting the goal of a 5% vacancy rate to model the conditions of a housing market that’s healthy and balanced.
“This data shows our state is taking steps toward closing the gap and addressing the housing crisis for our neighbors,” said Amy Hovey, CEO and Executive Director of MSHDA. “That’s exactly why we raised the state’s five-year housing goal by 53% last month, in recognition of the significant progress we’ve made, yet acknowledging that we need to do more.”
Current trends indicate Michigan can expect about 20,000 additional housing units per calendar year between now and the end of 2026. However, MSHDA estimates suggest the state is likely to continue to see those trends increase, assuming the state continues to increase investment in housing production.
“The numbers support our position that the state should continue investing more in housing production, with funds that are as flexible as possible,” added Hovey. “This will allow MSHDA to continue to align our resources with the needs that local and regional leaders bring to us through the continued implementation of the Statewide Housing Plan.”
The Census Bureau’s latest revisions show increases to previous years’ data indicating that more housing was added to Michigan’s market than previously thought.
Governor Whitmer’s Work to Invest in Affordable, Attainable, and Sustainable Housing
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Stay Vigilant Against Scams During Amazon Prime Day
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Grants to Secure Future of Advanced Automotive Manufacturing
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Announces Grants to Secure Future of Advanced Automotive Manufacturing in Michigan Funding from Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act will retrofit factories, create and support good-paying jobs, bring supply chain home
LANSING, Mich.— Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Michigan has received $657 million from the Department of Energy (DOE) to retool existing factories for the transition to electric vehicles (EV), support good-paying manufacturing jobs, and help Michigan build out its EV infrastructure. The funding comes from the Biden-Harris administration’s Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grants for Electrified Vehicles program, which provides cost-shared grants for the made-in-America production of efficient hybrid, plug-in electric hybrid, plug-in electric drive, and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
“Today’s investment from the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act will build on Michigan’s economic momentum as we compete to lead the future of advanced manufacturing,” said Governor Whitmer. “These grants will help us retool our existing factories to build electric and hybrid vehicles right here in Michigan. We must be proactive if we are going to keep building the cars and trucks the people rely on in America, and I am proud that Michiganders are ready to roll up their sleeves and get it done. Let’s keep bringing manufacturing and supply chains back to America by doing what we do best—build, baby, build!”
“The next generation of vehicles should be built by American companies and American workers, which is why I’m so happy to see what’s happening today in Lansing at GM’s Grand River Assembly,” said U.S. Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. “Today’s announcement is a step towards that goal and will ensure the plant is well-equipped to build new, advanced electric vehicles. Whether or not you drive an EV today, or ever care to, there’s no denying they will be a big part of the vehicles of tomorrow. All you have to do is look at Europe and Mexico and see that China is looking to be *the* manufacturer of this next generation of cars. That’s why it’s essential to our economic and national security that electric vehicles, the batteries and components they run on, and other critical products are made in America. The funding announced today will also protect existing jobs and generate new ones while driving economic growth in the area, so it’s a clear win for Lansing.”
The program aims to support a just transition for workers and communities in the shift to electrified transportation, with particular attention to communities supporting facilities with longer histories in automotive manufacturing.
General Motors Receives $500 Million to Upgrade Lansing Grand River Plant
General Motors will receive $500 million to upgrade its Lansing Grand River Plant to allow for the production of new electrified models and enable the facility to be considered for future EV programs. The investment will preserve 650 jobs while creating 50 new jobs. The continued operation of this facility will also positively impact communities across the region by enabling GM to diversify its contract and vendor network within the state of Michigan.
ZF North America Receives $157 Million to Modernize Marysville Facility
ZF North America, based in Northville, will receive up to $157.7 million to modernize its Marysville facility to allow for the production of electric vehicle components to meet potential future customer orders, strengthening the American EV supply chain and providing robust benefits to the local community. The investment will preserve 536 jobs with the potential to add to these numbers by the end of the decade and support ZF’s commitment to working with local community groups to mitigate impacts on the local environment.
“This critical federal investment will protect jobs and support middle-class families working in the manufacturing industry,” said Susan Corbin, director of Michigan’s Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity. “This funding is not just about maintaining our current workforce; it’s about expanding it. By investing in our clean energy future, we are ensuring that our workforce grows and that Michiganders are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing economy, underscoring our commitment to a sustainable future and a robust, resilient job market for generations to come.”
Michigan has the expertise to be a national leader in the automotive industry’s transition to EVs, and this grant will ensure we can do so in a responsible, accessible and equitable manner that honors our existing business infrastructure and skillsets,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “We are grateful to the Department of Energy for its vision in creating this opportunity and congratulate the grantees on this accomplishment. While work remains, Team Michigan is excited about how these grants will help implement our ‘Make it in Michigan’ economic development strategy focused on People, Places and Projects along the grantee companies and those throughout their respective supply chains.”
ZF will also receive up to $10 million from a matching grant from the Battery and Advanced Manufacturing Challenge from the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund. Announced in February 2024, the Challenge was developed to help companies leverage unprecedented federal opportunities made available through the Biden-Harris Administration’s CHIPS Act, Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Infrastructure Office challenged companies applying to support workers with fair pay, good benefits, skill development and protect their union rights.
To date, the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund has invested $48.8 million, leveraging $276 million in federal funds, a return on investment of more than 5:1.
“Investments from the Inflation Reduction Act are creating jobs in hard-working counties across Michigan, building the future of sustainable transportation and clean energy,” said Zachary Kolodin, Michigan’s chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “That’s why we are competing to win every dollar through fiscally responsible investments like the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund and Technical Assistance Center. We are grateful to President Biden and our representatives in Washington for making these investments possible and bringing the EV supply chain right home where it belongs – in Michigan.”
A new report from Climate Power shows Michigan continues to be a national leader in clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing. The Battery and Advanced Manufacturing challenge complements Michigan’s leadership and marks an exciting step towards a cleaner future.
Bolstered by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Michigan is No. 1 in the nation for IRA projects, which have resulted in more than $25 billion in new investments across the state. This funding, in tandem with Governor Whitmer’s clean energy legislative package and bipartisan economic development tools, is growing the middle class, creating good-paying, in-demand manufacturing jobs, bringing supply chains home, and lowering energy costs for families.
For more information about the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund and how to apply for funding or technical assistance, please visit www.michigan.gov/whitmer/
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