Capitol Update from Rep. Roberts

Dear Friend,

I hope this e-newsletter finds you well as we welcome the summer months. Memorial weekend kicked off barbeques, beach and pool season, and family vacations. I had a great time walking the Memorial Day parades in St. Clair Shores and Eastpointe, but more importantly I was so proud of our communities for their heartfelt ceremonies honoring those who gave their lives for our freedoms.

The start of summer also marks the current deadline to pass the 2013-2014 budgets. While the budgets have been completed, I think they focus on the wrong priorities. They lack adequate funding for education, public safety, protecting the Great Lakes and our local communities. This has been a disappointing setback for our children, our lakes and working families, but I continue to work on your behalf here, in Lansing and back at home.

Please contact me at any time to share your thoughts, concerns and ideas.

Best,

Representative Sarah Roberts

Town Hall Meeting with the Coalition Protecting Auto No-fault (CPAN)

On Monday, June 10, I am hosting an event with the Coalition to Protect Auto No-Fault (CPAN) to learn about our current Auto No-Fault system and proposed changes that limit healthcare for injured individuals. The event is open to all Macomb County residents.

Hope to see you there!

Town Hall Information

What: Coalition Protecting Auto No-fault (CPAN) Town Hall Meeting

Where: Bethel Lutheran Church

26400 Little Mack Ave.

St. Clair Shores

When: Monday, June 10, from 6:00 - 8 p.m.

If you have any questions about the event, please feel free to contact my office.

The Budget: Without Medicaid and Without Fully Funding our Children’s Education

On Tuesday, May 27, my colleagues and I voted on the 2013-2014 budget. I voted against the budget for two primary reasons. First, the Republican proposed budget forfeits federal grant money to expand Michigan’s Medicaid program. The federal government would fully fund the Medicaid program for the first three years, slowly decreasing funding to 90 percent of the total cost the following years. The funds would cover individuals who are at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. This coverage would provide about 400,000 uninsured Michiganders with health care at little cost. Hospitals and physicians agree that this is an extremely important change to our health care system to lower costs for all patients.

Second, the budget does not repair the damage done to our schools over the past two years. Since 2011, our schools have lost almost $2 billion in education funding. The past cuts have led to teacher layoffs, larger class sizes and supply shortages — problems that plague schools in our own districts. Even worse, the original budget cuts came at a time when already cash-strapped communities could not financially afford to cover the budget shortfalls. The consistent lack of adequate funding has snowballed, leading to some school districts without resources to fund the full school year. The minor funding restorations in the 2013-2014 budget certainly helps, but in good conscience, I could not vote for a budget that pays lip service to a larger problem, namely, our schools lack adequate funding.

Without expanding Medicaid and increasing education funding along with insufficient funds for veterans services and the Great Lakes, I could not vote “yes” on the budget.

St. Clair Shores Park Passes

Summer is right around the corner and that means sunshine, outdoor activities and family fun. Visiting the parks on Lake St. Clair’s waterfront is an excellent way to spend time right in our own backyard. To preserve the natural beauty of the waterfront, there is a small, annual fee for park access. Passes are available for purchase for only $10 per family. Minor children are included under their parents’ passes. It costs $7 for a single adult and $5 for a senior pass (62 and older) or $7 for a senior couple (husband and wife only). Each park pass allows five guests per visit.

Visit the Parks and Recreation department to obtain a park pass or City Hall at the intersection of 11 Mile and Jefferson. Please remember to bring a valid photo ID for verification of residency. For more details, please contact my office via email or phone.

Coffee with Sarah

My coffee hours are held the first Saturday and the third Monday of every month. June and July coffee hours will be held on:

Monday, June 17, from 8-9 a.m. at the Coffee Break, 19156 E. 10 Mile Road in Eastpointe

Saturday, July 6, from 9-10 a.m. at Cafe Luna, 23415 Greater Mack Ave. in St. Clair Shores

Sincerely,

State Representative Sarah Roberts
18th House District

This newsletter was provided by Rep. Sarah Roberts.