Early voting for Primary heads into final weekend
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2024 Congressional Art Competition
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| Calling all artists: now is the time to get your entries ready for the 2024 Congressional High School Art Competition!
Each spring, Congresswoman Slotkin is proud to sponsor this high school arts competition along with her colleagues in the House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and encourage artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our district. The competition is open to all high school students who either reside or attend school in Michigan’s 7th District. The first-place winner will have their artwork hung in the U.S. Capitol for one year, and will be invited to attend a ceremony with other winners from around the country in Washington, D.C. over the summer. The second-place winner will have their art hung in Congresswoman Slotkin’s Washington D.C. office for one year, and the third-place winner will have their art hung in Congresswoman Slotkin’s Lansing office.
A reception will also be held in late spring in Lansing to announce the winner and display and celebrate all of the art submissions. Submissions must adhere to the following rules:
Artwork can be:
Artwork will be collected from participating schools and homeschool families in early April by our office staff. You can take a look at the full rules and checklist for the 2024 competition by clicking here. Please send all your questions to Maria Moore in our office at [email protected]. We can’t wait to see what students create this year! – Office of Rep. Elissa Slotkin |
2023 Art Competition winner Emma Li of Okemos High School visits Washington to see her painting hanging in the U.S. Capitol with Rep. Slotkin. 
Bills to Cut Red Tape & Lower Costs for Families
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 21, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bills to Cut Red Tape & Lower Costs for Families
LANSING, Mich.— Today, Governor Whitmer signed unanimous, bipartisan legislation that cuts red tape and lowers costs for families that are transferring assets, like a vehicle or watercraft, when a family member has passed. The new law will ensure values of the title transfers are aligned with the cost of living so that families are not left on the hook for additional costs.
“We shouldn’t be placing additional burdens on Michiganders when they lose a loved one. These bills make the transfer vehicle or watercraft that you own to your own family members much simpler, and lower your loved ones’ costs,” said Governor Whitmer. “With these unanimously passed, bipartisan bills, we are raising the maximum value of such a transfer to better reflect the current cost of living. Let’s keep working together to lower costs for Michiganders with commonsense changes to save them time and money.”
Under current law, Michiganders need to go through probate court if a vehicle or watercraft that exceeds current thresholds is transferred to a new family member from a deceased relative. With the cost of goods rising, this added an additional burden for families dealing with the loss of a loved one. The new law will reduce that cost for families who inherit assets by better aligning the threshold level with current values of assets.
House Bill 4416, sponsored by Rep. Graham Filler, amends the Estates and Protected Individuals Code to update certain asset threshold amounts, creates “standby guardians”, and inserts safeguards to help protect against inappropriate gifts.
House Bill 4417, also sponsored by Rep. Graham Filler, modifies the maximum value of a transfer of ownership of a vehicle to the surviving spouse or heir after the owner’s death, adjusting for the present cost of living.
“These bills will modernize Michigan’s probate code, while making our probate laws fairer and easier to understand,” says state Representative Graham Filler (R-Duplain Township). “I am proud to work on bipartisan legislation that improves the lives of Michiganders.”
House Bill 4418, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Breen, amends the value of money, securities, and insurance transfers allowed to minors.
House Bill 4419, also sponsored by Rep. Kelly Breen, increases the maximum value for the issuance of a certificate of title for the transfer of a watercraft from a deceased owner’s interest, adjusting for the present cost of living.
“Grieving the loss of a loved one is hard enough without having to endure litigation over inherited property. That’s what these bills will help avoid,” said state Representative Kelly Breen (D-Novi), chair of the House Judiciary Committee. “I’m proud of the bipartisan work we’ve done to help Michigan families avoid Probate Court and make a difficult time just a little easier.”
The governor also signed House Bills 4325 and 4845.
House Bill 4325, sponsored by Rep. Helena Scott, increases fines and penalties for large amounts of illegal littering.
“The signage of the illegal dumping bill by Governor Whitmer is a major victory in creating a better environment for all Michiganders,” said state Representative Helena Scott (D-Detroit). “Polluters will not be able to abandon land and buildings, creating blight, without consequence. The increased fines and penalties send a clear message: We’re putting the health and safety of our ecosystem and the people of Michigan first. If you pollute, it will cost you.”
House Bill 4845, sponsored by Rep. Willaim Bruck, designates a portion of M-125 in Monroe County, as the “Captain Joseph M. Liedel Memorial Highway”.
“For 28 years CPT Joe Liedel selfishly served not only his community, but also the victims of the attack on New York City, in September 2001,” said state Representative William Bruck (R-Erie). “He loved what he did and I’m certain if he could come back from the grave would do it all over again, and he would not want to be honored. However, for the sake of his family and our communities, it is fitting he be forever honored for his enduring legacy of service.”
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Voters cast ballots on Day One of early voting
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Funding to Provide Life-changing Career Pathways
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 14, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Announces Funding to Provide Life-changing Career Pathways Through Registered Apprenticeships Organizations will assist English language learners and individuals without a high school diploma or equivalency
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) awarded more than $1 million in competitive grants to organizations that will provide underrepresented individuals with access to life-changing career pathways through Registered Apprenticeships.
The Michigan Statewide Targeted Apprenticeship Inclusion and Readiness System (MiSTAIRS) provided the funding with the goal of significantly expanding Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for English language learners and individuals without a high school diploma or its equivalency.
“By increasing access to education and training opportunities that lead to high-skill, high-wage careers, the Michigan Statewide Targeted Apprenticeship Inclusion & Readiness System supports my vision to improve the quality of life of all Michiganders,” said Governor Whitmer. “The recipients of these grants will grow Registered Apprenticeship through the lens of equity and inclusion, reflecting our commitment to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
MiSTAIRS leverages ongoing efforts in the Michigan Adult Education system, providing underrepresented populations with access to a life-changing career pathway by ensuring readiness for enrollment and completion in a Registered Apprenticeship Program. In 2022, more than 30,000 learners enrolled in an adult education program in Michigan.
“The Michigan Statewide Targeted Apprenticeship Inclusion and Readiness System is a transformative initiative that provides an onramp to career opportunities for Michiganders who are frequently left behind,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “MiSTAIRS helps us close equity gaps and remove barriers to employment by providing opportunities for adult learners to gain workforce skills and earn an industry-recognized credential while completing their high school diploma or equivalency.”
The following organizations have been awarded competitive grants to significantly expand Registered Apprenticeship Program opportunities to 200 Michigan English language learners and individuals without a high school diploma or its recognized equivalency.
“As one of the State Senators representing the City of Detroit, I am thrilled for my community with the announcement of the $300,000 award for Southwest Economic Solutions in Senate District 1,” said state Senator Erika Geiss (D-Taylor). “The goals of MiSTAIRS align with my values of promoting equity and justice and removing barriers for marginalized communities. I look forward to the positive impacts this grant will have on our community.”
“I extend my gratitude to Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) for their invaluable support in granting Mott Community College $300,000 to enhance Registered Apprenticeship opportunities,” said state Senator John Cherry (D-Flint). “This investment will create equal pathways to success for everyone, boosting economic mobility and equity in our community. I’m proud that my colleagues and I prioritized this funding, making it possible for us to make a real difference in people’s lives.”
“I am thrilled to hear that Mott Community College is receiving this sizable grant — this means the college can grow and improve more apprenticeship programs for Flint community members, including English language learners and folks who don’t have a high school diploma,” said state Rep. Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint). “These kinds of programs help open the doors of opportunity for individuals who often have doors shut on them. Funding equity-minded apprenticeship programs illustrates that in Michigan, marginalized and underrepresented residents will not get left behind. All Michiganders deserve a real chance to flourish.”
“As the grandson of a UAW member and the son of a union carpenter — neither of whom had college degrees — I know first-hand the transformative power that an apprenticeship has,” said state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), who represents portions of Allegan, Berrien and Van Buren counties. “Learning a profitable trade while attaining a diploma or GED will put more people in line for jobs with family-sustaining wages and liveable benefits.”
“This grant award will help find people who would otherwise fall through the cracks and set them up for a lifetime of success,” said state Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit). “I’m proud of the work this administration is doing to help folks who need just a hand up to get themselves on the path to self-sustainability.”
“We are making sure we have systems in place to support those least often included in the benefits from Registered Apprenticeship, including women, people of color and individuals with disabilities,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training. “These grant recipients will expand existing and develop new programs, and better prepare job seekers through Registered Apprenticeship programs.”
Registered Apprenticeships are an industry-driven, high-quality training model employers use to develop and prepare Michigan’s future workforce. Apprentices gain paid work experience, related classroom instruction and a national industry-recognized credential upon program completion.
Boosting awareness and use of Registered Apprenticeships supports LEO’s efforts to educate Michiganders and grow the middle class by removing barriers to employment. It also closes equity gaps, expanding the talent pool and matching employers with qualified employees to grow and sustain a vibrant economy.
More information about LEO’s efforts to expand the use of Registered Apprenticeships are available at Michigan.gov/Apprenticeship |
Federal assistance after last summer’s storms
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