Undergraduate Student Experience at 5th Annual Lead Education Day

"This year I joined the Michigan Alliance for Lead Safe Home’s annual Lead Education Day. This was an amazing opportunity to advocate for the families impacted by lead poisoning and civically engage on an important issue. This was my first time speaking to legislators and I must say that this was an experience to remember. A few weeks prior to the event volunteers participated in an online webinar to prepare them for the big day at the capitol so they felt comfortable speaking to policy makers. I built my knowledge on lead poisoning and policy information as well as learning about the influence that certain legislators have based on what committee they are apart of. People came from diverse fields and geographical regions to volunteer at  this event and as a result I was also able to network with other professionals who are passionate about this public health issue.When Lead Education Day arrived we broke into small groups and met with 4-5 legislators and informed them on what important steps they could take to help the families impacted by lead poisoning. Being an undergraduate student, this is an opportunity that I am very fortunate to have. This was an invaluable experience and I look forward to continuing my work with MIALSH!"

Michigan Legislature Approves $1.75 Million for Lead Abatement

We have much to celebrate today!  Yesterday afternoon, the Michigan Legislature approved $1.75 million for lead abatement in the upcoming year.  This is a continuation of the monies our coalition fought for last year.

It was a very tough budget year with roads/infrastructure, school funding, burgeoning healthcare costs and business tax breaks putting pressure on an already tight budget.  Despite these factors and many others, our lawmakers believe in the work we are doing and want to make more Michigan families lead safe.  Our message got through!

Thank you to those who came to testify at the budget hearing in support of these dollars.  Thank you to those who came to Lead Education Day to talk to policy makers about the dangers of lead poisoning and how it is impacting health, academics and lifelong earnings in Michigan.  Finally, a big thanks to our coalition members at large for participating in monthly calls, following us on social media,  and for working hard in your community to prevent children from becoming lead poisoned and helping families who have lead exposures.

The $1.75 million dollars awarded were hard won and will be well spent!  Please take a minute to reflect in how far we have come and let us all enjoy this victory today!  Please also take a minute to call or e-mail your legislators and thank them for this appropriation.

Join Us for Lead Education Day on March 4, 2015

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Lead poisoning prevention education and outreach; meeting with key House and Senate members; networking and helping to identify future legislative champions on our issue.

• Carpools available, so bring a friend or two!
• Free bagels and coffee for breakfast and lunch as well
• Everyone is welcome

Come tell your story!

Click here to RSVP online 

Questions?

Contact Tina Reynolds, Health Policy Director
Michigan Environmental Council
tina@environmentalcouncil.org

Staging area and agenda will be available soon to those who RSVP!

MIALSH Bids Farewell to Retiring Senator and Lead Champion Senator Bruce Caswell

Senator Bruce Caswell

I got to sit down this week with Senator Bruce Caswell. For those of us in the lead paint poison prevention business here in Michigan, he is a Rock Star. Senator Caswell was instrumental in getting state dollars targeted to make Michigan homes lead safe. The first state investment in over two decades and in lean budget times to boot! We are now up to $1.75 million dollars from the state to help families clean up a home that poisoned their child.

Aside from a heartfelt thank you, I wanted to know why the good senator from a rural district with few lead poisoned kids cared about this issue. Why was he so passionate that he pushed, reminded and cajoled his colleagues to ensure money was included? There are lots of out stretched hands in Lansing after all.

True to his personality, Senator Caswell was pragmatic and direct with me. “It’s a no brainer,” he said. You can pay $10,000 to clean up their house now, or you can pay over the child’s life time for medical care, special education, and other supports. Plus “you have a kid who is messed up their whole life,” and that’s just not right.

In the end that’s really what it comes down to. Lead paint poisoning is low hanging fruit. We know what causes it and how to prevent it. Prevention is cost effective and the return on investment both in dollars and quality of life is unprecedented.

As we move into 2015 and greet new Senators and Representatives, it is my hope other members can pick up where Senator Caswell left off and that they believe finding monies for lead paint poisoning is a “no brainer” too.

Thanks again Senator Caswell and best of luck in retirement.

We Did It! Governor Rick Snyder Signs FY 2013-2014 Budget With $1.28 Million New Dollars For Lead Abatement Efforts

Governor Snyder signed into law HB 4328 (now Public Act 59 of 2013), the general budget bill for FY 13-14, which includes $1,280,300 new dollars for lead abatement!

Congratulations to all of you for your hard work! This is a great first step in MIALSH’S efforts to keep all children lead-free!

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO THANK OUR HARDWORKING CHAMPIONS. TOGETHER WE WILL CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR LEAD-FREE FUTURES FOR MICHIGAN KIDS.

Many legislators and legislative staff supported efforts to increase funding, and should be thanked. But first, the following individuals deserve special thanks! As soon as possible, please send an email, letter, handwritten note or card to each of our biggest champions:

Senator Bruce Caswell, The Honorable Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Matt Lori, Rep. Thomas Stallworth, Rep. Robert VerHuelen, The Honorable Vincent Gregory, The Honorable John Moolenaar , The Honorable Roger Kahn, The Honorable David Hildenbrand, Mrs. Karla Ruest (formerly Garcia), Legislative Liaison, MI Department of Community Health, AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST: The Honorable Rick Snyder.