This Saturday, February 3 WCDP Mpnthly Meeting
Black History Month: Equity in Washtenaw County, Accomplishments, and Work Remaining
Program Speakers
- Sheriff Jerry Clayton
- State Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr. (HD32)
- State Rep. Felicia Brabec (HD33)
- Board of Commissioners Chair Justin Hodge, Vice Chair Caroline Sanders, and Commissioner Crystal Lyte
9:15 – Meet and mingle
9:45 – Party business
- What’s the WCDP doing to ensure success this year, and how can you help?
- News from Washington – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
- What’s happening with redistricting? –Heaster Wheeler, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State
- Open forum Q&A with WCDP leaders and electeds
10:30 – Program Attend in person: Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw Avenue
The Presidential Primary is February 27
It’s 2024 and you know what to do!
Think voting in the Presidential primary isn’t important? Think again. With a strong turnout in support of President Biden in the primary, we can shock the pundits and help flip the tired narrative that we’re unenthusiastic. Let’s turn the table with turnout!
Voting Absentee: If you are on the permanent absentee voting list your local clerk may have been in touch about your primary ballot party preference. Reply promptly to ensure you get the right ballot sent out!
Voting Early: If you are not set up to vote absentee, you can also vote early in person, thanks to your vote for Promote the Vote (Prop 2) in 2022 & thanks to Michigan Dems putting it into law in 2023.Voting changes things: be a voter in every election!
Early, in-person voting begins February 17th and runs for 9 days.
- All sites will be open from Saturday, February 17 through Sunday, February 25, including on the weekends.
- Voters must visit an Early Voting site assigned to the city or township you live in.
- 23 cities and townships are participating in the Washtenaw County-Coordinated Early Voting Plan.
- But the City of Ann Arbor, Milan, Bridgewater & Ypsilanti Townships are administering individual Early Voting Plans. Details on early voting for all Washtenaw County voters are at https://www.washtenaw.org/3970/Early-Voting – scroll down to “Individual Jurisdiction Early Voting Plans”
It’s not just the primary.
There are a number of municipal proposals and school millages on the ballot. Just like you did in 2020 and 2022, be a voter and take a friend. Every vote matters. On every ballot. In every election.
What Have Dems Done For You Lately?
Thank Governor Whitmer for proposing a tax credit for family caregivers.
In last week’s State of the State (SOTS) address, our Governor announced her plan for a Caring for MI Family Tax Credit, which would provide up to $5,000 in tax relief for thousands of Michigan families who are providing their family members with caregiving services. A 2021 AARP study found that unpaid family caregivers spend an average of $7,242 annually, and provide an economic value – largely overlooked and underappreciated – of some $600 billion. As Congresswoman Dingell points out, proposals like the Caring for MI Family Tax Credit might not be big headline news, but are the types of solutions that will impact the day-to-day lives of so many Michigan families. Michigan Democrats are working hard to deliver these everyday solutions which is why we need to make sure we hold our majority in the state house this November.
Thank our state legislators for quintupling the Working Families Tax Credit in 2023.
Governor Whitmer signed legislation making the credit in 5 times larger in 2023, boosting refunds to an average of $3,150—$600 more than before—for 700,000 families. Now that tax season is here, it’s time to claim the tax credits your Democratic legislature and Governor have ensured.
“Working families and retirees will save and get more money back when they file their taxes this year,” said Governor Whitmer. “Last year, we rolled back the retirement tax and quintupled the Working Families Tax Credit, saving hundreds of thousands of Michiganders money on their taxes. I am so proud our new legislative majority delivered over $1 billion in tax relief to help Michiganders care for their families, pay the bills, or save for a rainy day. Let’s keep working together to lower costs and ensure anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
Free Tax Help
Individuals with low income, disabilities or who are 60 years of age or older may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers. For information about free tax help, go to irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep or dial 2-1-1. Additional free tax help can be found at www.michiganfreetaxhelp.org.
Thank Senator Sue Shink and other Dem legislators for protecting human trafficking victims.
Legislation sponsored by Senators Sue Shink, Stephanie Chang, and Rosemary Bayer, and unanimously passed by the Senate, will better protect victims of human trafficking. “This legislative package includes long-awaited reforms that will protect human trafficking victims and provide them with the same rights in court currently provided to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel last week. “It will also provide Michigan law enforcement officers and prosecutors with additional tools to help prosecute those who engage in this heinous, criminal behavior. I applaud the Senate for passing this critical legislation.” Senate Bills 515-517 are also supported by the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission.
Michigan celebrates its rich Black history this month and always. From Sojourner Truth down to today, let’s honor the trailblazers, leaders, and cultural icons ho have shaped our state’s history and heritage. #BlackHistoryMonth
Meet your representatives ☕
State Senator Jeff Irwin (SD15) will host a coffee hour at the Clinton Township Public Library, 100 Brown St, Clinton, MI 49236, on Saturday, February 17 at 11:00 AM. For more information phone (517) 373-2406 or email SenJIrwin@senate.michigan.gov
Find Your Voting Districts
or Find your representatives by district.
