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February 16, 2024
In This Issue:
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Hello Michigan!
I am truly excited for the coming year. If you signed up for our newsletter you have already received updates about opportunities in January and early February. I am here to tell you we have much more in store.
There has never been a better time to take a stand for the civil rights of our fellow Michiganders and out of state visitors.
Budget
We are pleased to announce that Governor Whitmer has recommended a $5 million increase for MDCR in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). The enhancement would affect our ongoing General Fund appropriation and allow us to hire 29 full-time employees. This would be another incredible boost to our enforcement operations.
If approved by the legislature, the increase will result in a total FY25 ongoing General Fund appropriation of approximately $29.3 million per year. This would be a 100.2% increase in funding compared to the FY22 allocation of $14.5 million. We thank Governor Whitmer for sharing our vision of a better funded MDCR, and hope the legislature agrees with her proposal.
As always, you have the right to contact your legislators and let them know your priorities.
Find Your MI Senator by Address
Find your MI Representative by Address
John E. Johnson, Jr, Executive Director
Michigan Department of Civil Rights
(Image is a portrait of Executive Director Johnson wearing a suit and smiling.)
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Fair housing public policy should start with the voice of the people. That is why over the next few months, MCRC and MDCR will continue our Fair Housing Initiative with two more hearings. On March 16, we are hosting a public hearing at the Mott Community College Event Center. On April 28, we will hold the last hearing at the Center for Community Transformations building in Grand Rapids. Both hearings will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
As with previous hearings, our Commission wants public testimony about experiences with discrimination in housing. MDCR will use these stories about bias in buying, renting, home loans, or credit rating processes to create a list of recommendations for securing fair housing in Michigan.
Now is also the time to SAVE THE DATE for the 2024 Civil Rights Summit on Fair Housing to be held on June 12, 2024, at The Icon in Detroit. The facility is located at 200 Walker Street on the Detroit riverfront. The all-day conference will last from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Follow us on Facebook, subscribe to our Newsletter, and watch our 2024 Fair Housing Initiative page at https://www.michigan.gov/mdcr/fair-housing-initiative-2024 for updates.
Accommodations:
ASL Interpreters will be provided at both hearings. To request other accommodations, contact Shawn Sanford at MDCR-INFO@michigan.gov or 1-800-482-3604 at least 3 business days prior to the hearing.
 MDCR and MIR2H logos in upper right corner. Text: "MDCR presents: Michigan's Historic Battle for Housing Integration. February 22, 2024. Macomb Community College, South Campus. 14500 E. 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48088-3896. John Lewis Student Community Ctr- Bldg K. Lake Erie Room (324). Reception begins at 5:30 PM. Program begins at 6:00 PM. Register Here."
What:
Roundtable discussion focused on the history of housing discrimination.
Where:
Macomb Community College South Campus, 14500 E. 12 Mile Road, Warren Michigan, 48088-3896
When:
February 22, from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
The Michigan Civil Rights Commission and Michigan Department of Civil Rights have been working hard to secure your rights!
Download the 2023 Annual Report
Highlights:
- Commission passed several resolutions on issues like Conversion Therapy and Hate Crimes and Acts of Desecration.
- 2023 Civil Rights Summit and Hate Crime Conferences
- In FY 2023, the MDCR Enforcement Division completed 1,368 complaints of
discrimination and secured $395,722.71 in settlements for claimants.
- More than 250 workshops, trainings, and presentations reaching 10,500 individuals.
(Image is a diverse collection of people with the words "MCRC Protects All Of Us. 2023 Annual Report.")
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By Jerome Reide, J.D., Ph.D.,
MDCR Legislative Liaison
Each month, Jerome Reide, J.D., Ph.D., Legislative Liaison for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, will bring you updates and analysis of what's happening in the Michigan legislature -- news of legislation, executive orders and ballot initiatives that relate directly to the MDCR mission and impact the people we serve.
(Image is the Michigan Capitol)
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2024 Michigan Election Dates and Deadlines
Put these dates in your calendar now!
- Tuesday, Feb. 27: Michigan presidential primary
- Tuesday, Aug. 6: Michigan primary election
- Tuesday, Nov. 5: Michigan general election
Special and Local Election Dates
- Tuesday, April 16: General election for 13th and 25th House Districts
- Tuesday, May 7: May local election day, jurisdictions TBD
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Friday, Feb. 23: Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail for 2/27 election
- Monday, Feb. 26: Deadline to request an absentee ballot in-person for 2/27 election
- Tuesday, Feb. 27: All ballots must be received or postmarked by midnight
- Friday, Aug. 2 at 5:00 PM: Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail for the August primary
- Monday, Aug. 5 at 4:00 PM: Deadline to request an absentee ballot in person at the local clerk’s office
- Friday, Nov. 1 at 5:00 PM: Deadline to request an absentee ballot online or by mail for the general election
- Monday, Nov. 4 at 4:00 PM: Deadline to request an absentee ballot in person at a local clerk’s office
Michigan Election 2024 Key Dates and Deadlines (Bridge)
Secretary of State Voting Deadlines Links
(Image is a pile of campaign buttons with the word "VOTE.")
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Redistricting Commission Update
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Committee (MICRC) met its February 2, 2024, deadline set by the United States District Court, Western District of Michigan to propose new maps for Michigan House of Representatives districts. The public can comment on the ten new maps until Feb. 23, 2024.
2024 MICRC Draft Proposed House of Representatives Maps
Opportunities for Public Comment Include:
Public Hearing at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit
February 21, 2024
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Public Hearing at Second Ebenezer Baptist Church in Detroit
February 22, 2024
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The districts in contention include Detroit, Downriver, parts of Oakland and Macomb counties, and suburban Grosse Pointe and St. Clair Shores.
The seven state house districts and six state senate maps were struck down by the federal court for the Western District of Michigan as they diluted minority votes by drawing spokelike districts from Detroit that extended into the suburbs. The number of majority-minority districts was reduced compared to the maps drawn in 2011.
The four state senate districts that were majority Black were eliminated in the 2021 redistricting. MICRC has not been ordered by the US District Court of the Western District of Michigan to draw new maps for the Senate districts at this time.
(Image is a photo of a room full of people in chairs attending a Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission public hearing on October 20, 2021. Photo Credit: Russ McNamara, WDET)
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Several Elected Officials Respond to Online Comments by Rep. Schriver
In the last week, several elected officials have issued statements admonishing state Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) for his allegedly offensive comments on social media.
Speaker Tate Statement
“I will not allow the Michigan House of Representatives to be a forum for the proliferation of racist, hateful and bigoted speech,” Tate said. “Representative Schriver has a history of promoting debunked theories and dangerous rhetoric that jeopardizes the safety of Michigan residents and contributes to a hostile and uncomfortable environment for others. The House of Representatives is the people’s house, and all Michiganders should look upon this body and take pride in how we conduct ourselves. It is also a workplace, and I have a responsibility to make sure the employees of the House feel safe and secure.”
Speaker Tate Takes Action Against Schriver
Governor Whitmer Statement
“Michigan’s story is defined by generations of families from around the world who made this beautiful place their home. Black Americans who fled segregation in the South for a fair shot at a good life. Finns who settled the Upper Peninsula. Arab Americans who built Dearborn into a beacon of culture and an economic powerhouse. Deep-rooted Dutch communities along the shores of Lake Michigan. Every Michigander is defined by their love for their families, communities, and shared dreams for their children. That’s what makes us strong.”
Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist Statement
"Racism is dark, dangerous, and disgraceful. Rep. Schriver's pedaling of the racist 'replacement theory' is a deplorable demonstration of his fear of a dynamic and diverse Michigan future where all of our people in every community can succeed."
Gov. Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Statements on Rep. Schriver's Racist Social Media Posts
(Image is photo of Speaker Tate standing behind the podium)
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