Update From the State Capitol

By State Representative Ellen Cogen Lipton, 27th House District
Thursday, September 8, 2011

With summer drawing to a close I hope this update finds you well. The Legislature reconvened on Wednesday, Sept. 7 and will continue its regular voting schedule. My return to Lansing is a welcomed one as I am able to proudly represent those of you in the 27th District.

I’d like to take this opportunity to provide you with a legislative update as well as provide you with information regarding services and programs in the community that you may find beneficial.

Community Resources

The Ferncare Free Clinic is a free medical clinic for uninsured individuals between the ages of 19 and 64. The clinic offers medical care, benefits counseling, basic lab testing and also dispenses generic medications.

The clinic is open the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 459 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220. Please note, this is an APPOINTMENT ONLY clinic, so please call (248) 677-2273 if you would like to schedule an appointment.

On Thursday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Oakland County Bar Association will host a Seniors’ Law Day at the William M. Costick Activities Center, located at 28600 Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills.

This seminar will offer free legal advice as well as information on wills and trusts, reverse mortgages, Medicaid, and financial scams. Please call to register at (248) 473-1830.

National Day of Service and Remembrance

This year, on September 11, people throughout Michigan will take part in the National Day of Service and Remembrance, focusing on supporting veterans and military families.

If you are interested in participating, visit www.911day.org to find volunteer opportunities in the area. You can also create your own service project, post a tribute, or check out HandsOn Network’s 9/11 service project toolkits to coordinate your own service project.

I ask that each of you consider how you may help your communities for this day of service.

Legislative Update

The summer months consisted of legislative workgroup meetings in Lansing, several in-district events with constituents and monthly legislative sessions.

One workgroup I am serving on is taking a look at the definitions and usage of the term “gross negligence” across all compiled laws to see if any revisions or clarifications are called for. A second workgroup on Education Reform met regularly and, while I was not appointed to it, I am monitoring those meetings closely.

The legislature met monthly to take up legislation during July and August. The Republican majority rushed through their redistricting plan, HB 4780, at breakneck speed in early July, which the Governor signed into law at the end of August.

While the new maps leave the 27th State House District virtually untouched, many other districts as well as our Congressional maps were drawn with political intentions — not the citizens’ intentions.

On the positive side, we passed Senate Bill 398, to give a six month extension on the “90 day work out period” on foreclosures, which will provide additional relief to struggling homeowners. The foreclosure bill was a bright spot in what was otherwise a tumultuous legislative summer.

Save A Tree, Switch to “E-“

It was my pleasure to spend time walking door to door in the district this summer to introduce my new “Switch to e-” initiative.

This ongoing project allows for better use of resources, as less paper and ink would be used in mailings and less money would be required to create and distribute such mailings, thus making this project both environmentally and financially beneficial.

This is a better way to identify your concerns as well as inform you of district matters and keep you involved in the governmental process.

To ensure we are able to remove you from our paper mailing list, please take a moment to email me at ellenlipton@house.mi.gov and provide your updated mailing address.

I want to be sure that I am always available to hear your thoughts and concerns so I have a better understanding of what I can do in Lansing to make you, your families, and our community’s lives better.

You can contact me toll-free at (888) 347-8027 or by emailing me at the address above.

Sincerely,
Ellen