Dear Friends,
Hello and welcome to my February e-newsletter!
I hope you and your family have taken the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve had recently. These warmer than normal temperatures provided wonderful opportunities to get outside for a long walk or a relaxing bike ride in our community.
I’d like to spend a few minutes providing you with a brief update from our state capital. I hope you find this information helpful as you seek to stay informed about the various policy issues being discussed in Lansing.
Please keep in mind that this e-newsletter is not exhaustive and is only meant to be a summary. For more information, please do not hesitate to call the office toll-free at 1-877-238-0001 or email MartinHowrylak@house.mi.gov.
Rep. Howrylak joins bipartisan effort to increase government accountability
This month, I joined a bipartisan group of representatives as a co-sponsor of landmark legislation that will expand government transparency in the state of Michigan.
If enacted, the bill package (HB 4148 – 4157) will make the executive branch subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and create a similar records disclosure system for the state House and Senate called the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA). The package is similar to legislation that was put forth by House members in 2016 that did not have the opportunity to reach the Governor’s desk before the conclusion of the 2015-16 legislative session.
I am honored to once again be part of this important reform. Our government works best when it is held accountable by the people. For this reason, the Governor and the Legislature should be held to the same level of public scrutiny as other government entities that are subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FIOA).
The legislation has been referred to the House Michigan Competitiveness Committee for consideration.
Rep. Howrylak introduces bill to reduce tax burden for retirees, seniors
I recently introduced legislation that would significantly lower the tax burden for retirees.
In 2011, Michigan made several changes to the tax code, including eliminating the pension and retirement exemption. If enacted, my proposal will increase the retirement income subtractions for both single and joint filers. As a result, this legislation will reduce the portion of one’s retirement income that is subject to state tax and lower the tax obligation for Michigan retirees and seniors.
Most senior citizens are dependent on a fixed income and this policy change had a significant impact on their pocketbooks. My bill will greatly reduce the tax burden placed on these hard-working citizens and allow them to keep more of their income during their retirement years.
HB 4159 was referred to the Tax Policy Committee for consideration.
House committee meetings now underway
As you may know, my legislative responsibilities include serving on a variety of committees. Committee assignments are determined by House leadership. House committees are responsible for reviewing legislation before the bills proceed to the House floor for consideration by the entire chamber. This deliberative process involves discussing the potential impact of a proposal and hearing testimony from state agencies, outside groups and concerned citizens.
During this session I serve as the Vice Chair of the Oversight Committee and as a member of the Judiciary, Law and Justice, and Tax Policy committees. I am pleased that my committee assignments will once again provide valuable opportunities to increase government transparency, reform Michigan’s criminal justice system, and improve our Tax Code.
Committees began meeting in early February. Some of our initial meetings included presentations from relevant state agencies and subject matter experts to help enhance our knowledge on the topics that will be discussed by the committee. Many House committees are now deliberating legislative proposals to determine if they should proceed to the House floor.
Did you know you can get involved in the committee process right from the comfort of your home? I encourage you to click here to visit the House Committee webpage where you can sign up for email alerts that will let you know which bills are being debated in the policy committees that interest you. In addition, you can also view a live web-stream of House Session and select committee meetings online by clicking here.
Rep. Howrylak bill that reforms school discipline signed into law
On February 15th I participated in Governor Rick Snyder’s ceremonial bill signing in recognition of Public Act 364 of 2016. For this special occasion, I was joined by Rep. Peter Lucido, Rep. Andy Schor, Rep. Adam Zemke, and Rep. David LaGrand.
This legislation was part of a bill package that will provide schools with greater discretion regarding the decision to suspend or expel a student to ensure more children have the opportunity to remain in school and participate in restorative practices. As a result, schools will now consider a variety of factors before choosing to expel or suspend a student such as a student’s age, previous disciplinary history and seriousness of the offense.
I was honored to sponsor House Bill 5693 in this bill package, which is now PA 364.
Consumer Education Event
Once again I am partnering with the Michigan Attorney General’s office to host a Consumer Education (formerly Senior Brigade) event on Friday, March 3rd. This month’s presentation will cover investment fraud warning signs, how to recognize affinity fraud, Ponzi and pyramid schemes. A light lunch will be provided.
The event will start at 11 a.m. at Clawson’s Hunter Community Center, located at 509 Fisher Court. Individuals looking for more information may contact my office toll-free at (877) 248-0001 or by emailing martinhowrylak@house.mi.gov. Additionally, more information is available on my office website www.RepHowrylak.com.
Rep. Howrylak introduces legislation in honor of Troy police officer
On February 10th, I introduced legislation in honor of Troy Police Officer Martin “Marty” Chivas.
If enacted, this legislation would name the portion of I-75, located at the Rochester Road exit, as the “Officer Martin ‘Marty’ Chivas Memorial Highway.” Our community is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family thanks to the hard-working men and women of the Troy Police Department. Officer Chivas gave the ultimate sacrifice protecting our community on April 22, 1974. If my bill is enacted, this portion of I-75 will serve as a solemn reminder of the unwavering commitment to public safety possessed by every member of the Troy Police Department.
Officer Chivas was killed in the line of duty while investigating a burglary in progress at a service station on Rochester Road at I-75. During the incident, Officer Chivas was killed by the intruders. The individuals were two prison escapees who were later recaptured and are now serving life sentences. Officer Chivas was only 24 years old.
HB 4191 was referred to the House Transportation Committee for consideration.
Troy Union Elementary Visits House Floor
On February 23rd, I had the pleasure of visiting with two groups of students and adults from Troy Union Elementary School. During their visit to the Capitol, I had the opportunity to take the students on the House floor for a closer look at the chamber and take a few questions from students. It is always exciting to see children taking an interest in our democratic process and the inner workings of state government.
FY 2018 Budget Process Begins
On February 8th, Governor Snyder released his FY 2018 budget proposal. The House and Senate have begun working on separate budget proposals that will be heavily debated in each chamber before an agreement on the FY 2018 budget is made. Over the last six years, the Legislature has passed a budget months ahead of schedule to allow ample time for state departments and local governments to plan accordingly. Therefore, you can plan for the budget to be finalized by May or June of this year.
After reviewing the Governor’s proposed budget, I was pleased to see he seeks to invest an additional $128 million to provide schools with a per-pupil foundation allowance increase between $50 and $100. Similarly, I was encouraged to see transportation funding was also prioritized in the proposed budget. Under the Governor’s plan, the Michigan Transportation Fund would receive a $130 million increase to support local roads and $84.3 million in additional funding for state roads. Lastly, the proposal includes $48.8 million in additional funding for the City of Flint, which will be used for water filter and cartridge replacement, the lead poison prevention program, nutritional services, and early childhood and health services.
As the legislature continues to debate the FY 2018 budget, I encourage you to contact me regarding the state budget priorities that are most important to you. Throughout the budget process, program and department funding can change. Although I am not a member of the Appropriations Committee, you can rest assured that I will be following the budget process closely and discussing any concerns I may have with my colleagues on the committee.
District office hours
As an elected representative, it is important for me to be accessible to the public and to be available to listen to the ideas, concerns and suggestions of our neighbors. This is why I place such a large emphasis on office hours, community outreach and events.
I believe talking to friends and neighbors face to face is the best way to gather ideas, answer questions and listen to suggestions. I rely on the perspective of people like you to guide me as I work to make state government more responsive, responsible and effective. I encourage citizens of the 41st District to attend the events below.
My upcoming office hours are as follows (No appointment necessary):
Saturday, March 25th from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Troy Library, 510 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48084
Monday, March 27th from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Blair Memorial Library, 416 N Main St, Clawson, MI 48017
Rep. Howrylak’s Lansing Office
Mailing Address: N-890 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Website: http://www.RepHowrylak.com
Phone: (517) 373-1783
Toll Free: (877) 248-0001
Email: MartinHowrylak@house.mi.gov
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions or concerns. I will continue to work on removing barriers to job creation, retaining our valuable businesses, growing our economy, and getting Michigan back to work again. If you have any suggestions, comments, or questions please let me know.
Warm regards,
Martin Howrylak
State Representative
District 41
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