We Secured $17,156,185 for Home Repairs, Clean Water, Flood Recovery, Firefighting Resources and More

We Secured $17,156,185 for Home Repairs, Clean Water, Flood Recovery, Firefighting Resources and More

Dear Neighbor,

I’m excited to announce that we have secured $17,156,185 for 15 community projects in the 12th District! These investments will help get the lead out of our pipes, prioritize home repairs, clean water, clean air, and so much more. Thank you all for your continued advocacy and making sure our community’s needs are met. In the last three years, our office has secured more than $52 million for 40 projects across all of our communities. You can read more about this year’s projects below.

I introduced the Living Wage for Musicians Act, which aims to give artists in Motown and across our country the fair pay they deserve for their labor. Read more about this economic justice bill below.

I also had the pleasure of welcoming Mother Patricia Braxton to the People’s House for the State of the Union Address. She is an incredible community mother and mentor in our district, and it was such a pleasure to have her at the Capitol for this year’s address.

Thank you for your continued support for the work we are doing to uplift all of our communities.

Yours in Service,

Rashida Tlaib
Member of Congress

Making Connections Across Our Communities

Constituent Services Fair in Western Wayne Community

Getting you and your family through everyday challenges is as important as passing any bill in Congress. Thank you to all those who showed up and trusted us to help at our Constituent Services Fair in Western Wayne. We are grateful for our local partner organizations who provided their support.

From addressing air pollution to discussing youth homelessness, ensuring food security, and striving to lower the cost of living for working families, we were able cover many issues that matter to our community. A heartfelt thank you to all who joined us, and remember, our Neighborhood Service Centers are always here to help!

Congresswoman Tlaib at the Constituent Services Fair in Inkster.

March is Reading Month: Engaging Our Young Readers
March is Reading Month holds a special place in my heart! I vividly remember the bookmobile that used to visit my southwest Detroit neighborhood, opening up a world of possibilities through books. It was a turning point in my life, sparking a lifelong love for reading and learning. This month, I have the wonderful opportunity to share this story and the joy of reading with young people in our community. It’s moments like these that remind us of the profound impact books and literacy can have, not just on individuals, but on entire communities. As we celebrate Reading Month, let’s continue to empower the next generation with the knowledge and imagination found in books.

Congresswoman Tlaib Reading to Students at Highview Elementary.

Humane Immigration Policies: Michigan United’s Press Conference
At Michigan United’s press conference, I stood alongside migrants, clergy, and human rights advocates to call for an end to the hateful rhetoric demonizing immigrants. It’s time for real solutions, not more political games. We urgently need fair, just, and comprehensive immigration reform that upholds the dignity and humanity of all people. I will continue to demand that our migrant families stay united, and are treated with human dignity and respect. You can watch local news coverage of the press conference here.

Congresswoman Tlaib with local advocates at the Michigan United Press Conference.

Housing Crisis: Engaging LISC Detroit Breakfast
It was great to attend the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Detroit Impact Breakfast and hear about investments being made in affordable housing and home repair throughout Metro Detroit. It was inspiring to see the dedication and passion of the individuals and organizations working tirelessly to uplift our communities. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively to support the development of truly affordable housing, promote homeownership opportunities, and fund home repair grants that help keep our communities intact.

Using Data to Empower Communities: Fighting for a MENA Category

Did you know that our Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) neighbors are counted as “white” on the census? This distortion hurts our communities and limits federal investment opportunities. I was thrilled to be part of the ACCESS From Numbers to Narratives event, where we strategized with community advocates and elected officials on legislative approaches for making sure everyone in our community is represented and counted appropriately.

Congresswoman Tlaib at the ACCESS From Numbers to Narratives Event.

Bringing the District to D.C.

Living Wage for Musicians Act
Detroit is one of the music capitals of the world, and our artists here have changed the music industry and our culture in so many incredible ways. It’s only right that the people who create the music we love get their fair share, so that they can thrive, not just survive. I introduced the Living Wage for Musicians Act with Congressman Jamaal Bowman, founder of the Congressional Hip Hop Task Force and in partnership with United Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) and local and national artists who have been directly impacted by the lack of oversight in the music industry.

This bill would create a new streaming royalty, with the aim to compensate artists and musicians more fairly at a penny per stream when their music plays on streaming services. Currently, musicians make tiny fractions of a penny per stream, while streaming has grown to represent 84% of recorded music industry revenue in the U.S. Spotify, the world’s largest streaming service, pays rights-holders an average per-stream royalty of $0.003, which means it takes artists more than 800,000 monthly streams to equal a full-time $15/hour job.

You can watch my speech on the House Floor here.

You can read our full press release here.

Congresswoman Tlaib at the Motown Museum Introducing the Living Wage for Musicians Act.

State of the Union with Mother Patt
Mother Patt came to Washington! I had the honor of bringing Mother Patricia “Patt” Braxton from Detroit, an incredible leader in our community, as my guest for this year’s State of the Union Address. Mother Patt is a community mother who is a dedicated public servant and advocate, embodying a deep commitment to those in need. She is an inspiration to me and a mentor to many women of color in public service. Mother Patricia’s unwavering dedication to uplifting marginalized communities everywhere is truly inspiring. Her compassion and generosity have left a profound impact on everyone fortunate enough to know her, myself included. I am so glad I got to share this experience with her.

Congresswoman Tlaib with Mother Patt at the State of the Union.

Housing in a Human Right: Housing For All Press Conference
In the richest country in the world, we continue to grapple with an unprecedented affordable housing and homelessness crisis. It’s imperative that we prioritize federal funding and housing solutions. I joined Ranking Member Maxine Waters and my fellow Financial Services Committee Democrats at a press conference to address the urgent need to invest in fair and affordable housing.

In Metro Detroit, there are three extremely low-income renter households for each unit that is both affordable and available. Our public housing stock faces roughly $70 billion in needed repairs. The Detroit Housing Commission, for example, needs hundreds of millions of dollars in capital improvements, but they only have about $12 million annually to spend.

Last year, I introduced the Public Housing for the 21st Century Act which would provide public housing authorities, housing finance agencies, and other entities with the information and assistance they need to adopt the latest best practices in developing mixed-income public housing, from extremely low-income to moderate-income households.

Congresswoman Tlaib at the Housing For All Press Conference.

Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries Turns 115!
The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries recently celebrated their 115th anniversary of service to our residents. For over a century, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries has been a beacon of hope, providing food, shelter, and services to those in-need in our community. The Mission began as a soup kitchen with a mission to find permanent solutions for our vulnerable and disadvantaged residents in Detroit. They have worked tirelessly to rebuild hundreds of thousands of lives destroyed by addiction, homelessness, and poverty. I am so grateful for the work of the Detroit Rescue Mission for their incredible leadership in our community and I am looking forward to witnessing all they will continue to accomplish in the years to come.

You can watch my speech on the House floor here.

State of the Mama in D.C.
As the founder of the Congressional Mamas’ Caucus, meeting with Mothering Justice from Detroit at the People’s House for the State of the Union and at the African Art Museum for the State of the Mama was a powerful and inspiring experience. We discussed the urgent need for policies that support mothers and families, including access to affordable childcare, paid family leave, Black maternal health, and reproductive freedom. The stories and experiences shared by the members of Mothering Justice highlighted the challenges that many mothers face and underscored the importance of fighting for policies that prioritize the well-being of mothers and families. I am grateful for the work that Mothering Justice does to advocate for mothers and families in Detroit and across our country, and I am committed to working together to create a more just and equitable future for mothers.

Congresswoman Tlaib with Mothering Justice at the State of the Mama.

Remembering & Honoring Chef Max Hardy
Our community is deeply saddened by the loss of Chef Maxcel “Max” Hardy, a Detroit native who was a community trailblazer in his advocacy to end hunger. Chef Max was the owner of several restaurants in Metro Detroit. He founded the One Chef Can 86 Hunger Foundation, a nonprofit that fights against hunger and raises awareness about food insecurity. The New York Times named Chef Hardy one of 16 Black chefs changing food in America in 2021. He was a champion of inspiring and teaching young people the fundamentals of conscious cooking. I send my love and condolences to Chef Max Hardy’s two daughters and his family.

You can watch my floor speech honoring his life here.

Water Is A Human Right & Protecting Our Great Lakes
It was a great week meeting with numerous organizations working to protect our precious water resources and ensure that everyone has access to clean, affordable water. I met with the Healing Our Waters Coalition, Freshwater Future, Clean Water Action, and Mayors Bazzi (Dearborn Heights), Neeley (Flint), and Johnson (Muskegon) to discuss critical issues affecting our Great Lakes, water resources, and our communities. I will always fight against corporate polluters and privatization schemes, and continue our work to get the lead out of our pipes once and for all.

Congresswoman Tlaib with Freshwater Future.

Congresswoman Tlaib with Healing Our Waters Great Lakes Coalition.

Labor Caucus: Protecting the Right to Organize Unions
We had a productive meeting with the Labor Caucus and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. We discussed the critical issues facing working families, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and workers’ rights. It was inspiring to see such strong advocacy for workers, and I am committed to fighting alongside them to ensure their needs are met. Working families have an ally in me in Congress, and I will continue to prioritize the needs of working people and ensure that their voices are heard in policy making rooms.

Congresswoman Tlaib with AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.

VFW Michigan and AMVETS
My meetings with Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Michigan and AMVETS were incredibly insightful and meaningful. We discussed important topics such as support for our servicemembers as they transition to veteran status, suicide prevention, our ongoing efforts to end veteran homelessness, and much more. It was a privilege to hear directly from those who have served our country and to discuss how we can best support them as they transition back to civilian life. The VFW’s and AMVETS’ commitment to advocating for veterans’ rights and well-being is inspiring, and I look forward to working together to ensure that our veterans receive the care, support, and resources they need and deserve when they return home from war.

We also discussed the GUARD VA Benefits Act to penalize unaccredited entities for preying on veterans by charging unauthorized fees for “helping” an individual file a disability claim, Not Just A Number Act to combat high rates of suicide among veterans, and the Major Richard Star Act to allow combat-injured veterans receive their earned retirement pay and their disability compensation without offset. I am proud to support these measures in Congress.

Congresswoman Tlaib Meeting with AMVETS.

Holding Banks Accountable
Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell, came before the Committee this week. In 2010, after the 2008 financial crisis, Congress tasked regulators with banning pay packages for bankers that reward inappropriate risk-taking. Last year, The Fed’s own analysis of the Silicon Valley banking crisis stated that, “The incentive compensation arrangements and practices at Silicon Valley Bank encouraged excessive risk taking to maximize short-term financial metrics.” Unbelievably, after 13+ years, we are still waiting for the final rulemaking from regulators. I pressed Chair Powell to commit to finalizing the compensation rules this year.

You can watch my remarks in the Financial Services Committee here.

Fighting to Stop Junk Fees
H.R. 2799 is a grab-bag of giveaways to Wall Street that roll back regulations meant to protect retirees and investors. I voted against this legislation, but I attempted to introduce an amendment ensuring that benefits provided by the bill may not apply to companies that impose junk fees on consumers. Unfortunately, Republicans voted down my amendment to oppose junk fees, hold corporate greed accountable, and lower the cost of living for our residents.

You can watch my speech on the House floor here.

Tlaib Secures $17,156,185 for 15 Community Projects in Michigan’s 12th District
These Investments will Fund Home Repairs, Clean Water, Flood Recovery, Firefighting Resources and More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) announced that she is bringing home $17,156,185 in Community Project Funding for Michigan’s 12th Congressional District in the final 2024 appropriations bills, despite GOP efforts to slash funding for districts represented by Democrats.

“I am so proud to have partnered with leaders in our communities to prioritize the needs of our residents. I fought hard to secure over $17 million in federal funding for 15 community projects in the 12th District,” said Congresswoman Tlaib. “This funding will improve the lives of our residents by providing home repairs, affordable housing, lead abatement, flood recovery resources, workforce development, neighborhood revitalization, and climate action to decrease pollution in our neighborhoods. As your voice in Congress, I will continue to fight to make sure that the needs of our residents are met.”

Congresswoman Tlaib secured funding for 15 community projects that will directly benefit the residents of Michigan’s 12th Congressional District:

• $4,000,000 to Wayne County to facilitate a Multi-City Lead Service Line Replacement Project.
• $3,000,000 to the City of Detroit for the US Army Corps of Engineers to facilitate lead service replacement.
• $959,752 to Lathrup Village for the Water Main Replacement Project to improve water flow and reliability throughout the city.
• $959,752 to Beverly Hills for the construction of a new water main and facilitate lead service line removal.
• $1,000,000 to Cody Rouge Action Alliance, Inc. for home repairs in Detroit’s Aviation Sub and Far West neighborhoods.
• $1,166,279 to Alternatives for Girls to construct Dr. Maya Angelou Village that will create 45 units of affordable, integrated permanent supportive housing for at-risk families.
• $1,000,000 to After the Storm for the Metro Detroit Floor Recovery Project—an expansive clean-up effort in Southeast Michigan following a 100-year storm in June of 2021.
• $220,402 to the Warrendale Multi-Cultural Neighborhood Revitalization Project to provide workforce development, education, community engagement, and small business development for residents.
• $1,250,000 to the City of Livonia for a new Livonia Wellness Center for seniors.
• $250,000 to the City of Westland for The Annex at Nankin in Westland City Hall Park to create a new community space for events, public gatherings, and community engagement.
• $500,000 to Leaders Advancing Healthy Communities for a new Workforce Education Resource and Development Center in Dearborn to host critical services to unemployed and underemployed residents, providing culturally responsive, translation support, and critical workforce development and education.
• $500,000 to the City of Dearborn for the Dearborn Industrial Green Beltway to mitigate old industrial pollution and contain new environmental contaminants.
• $1,000,000 to the City of Inkster for the Replacement of the Fire Fighting Apparatus and the purchase of one new fire engine and one new fire ambulance.
• $500,000 to the City of Dearborn Heights for Fire Station Replacement to improve the physical condition of the fire station and the facility’s capacity to provide safe and secure work environments for firefighters.
• $850,000 to the City of Southfield for the Beechwood Parks & Wellness Trail for recreational and safer transportation routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

The $17,156,185 builds on the tireless work Congresswoman Tlaib has done in each of the previous two budget cycles to bring home resources for our communities. In 2022, Congresswoman Tlaib secured $15,362,725 in funding for 10 projects, and in 2023 she secured another $19,680,366 for 15 projects, for a total of $52,199,276 in community project funding alone in the last three years.

You can read the entire press release here.

Legislation Working for You
One of the key ways we advance good policy for our district is by cosponsoring bills and cosigning letters. Here’s an update on a few of the bills and letters we have supported recently:

Cosponsorships:

• Unpaid School Meal Debt Act: This bill led by Rep. Omar (MN) would establish a National Advisory Council tasked with addressing our school lunch debt problem. Children cannot learn if they’re hungry, but too many school districts across our country make it difficult for some families to afford the nutritious meals kids need. More than 30 million students can’t afford their school meals. This NAC would be tasked with formulating policy recommendations that Congress can implement to end this crisis.
• Protections and Transparency in the Workplace Act: This bill led by Rep. Lieu would require publicly traded companies to regularly disclose information related to claims of discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace, including any financial settlements paid out to victims. This bill would both help potential employees make informed decisions about where they work, and allow consumers to make their voices heard.
• ACP Extension Act: This bill led by Rep. Clarke (NY) would provide another $7 billion in funding to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which helps bridge the digital divide and connect rural and low-income communities to broadband internet. The bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program provides a monthly $30/month subsidy to help mitigate – or in some cases eliminate – the cost of broadband services for over 22 million low-income households. This program is hugely popular with consumers, labor, state and local governments, internet service providers, and advocacy organizations and the cost of inaction would be terrible.

Cosigned Letters:

• Letter Supporting Criminal Justice Reform: This letter led by Rep. Lee (CA) urges President Biden to expand clemency to individuals currently serving federal prison sentences for nonviolent marijuana offenses in light of the broad legalization of marijuana use in 38 U.S. states. The House of Representatives twice passed the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act to ensure that these programs work as intended and that revenue can be reinvested into communities most harmed by the prohibition. Three-quarters of Americans now live in jurisdictions where marijuana is legal. It is inconsistent for the federal government to punish individuals over an archaic marijuana prohibition that a majority of Americans oppose on a bipartisan basis.

• Lives in these zip codes: 48209, 48210, 48217
• Has children under the age of 6 living (or visiting) your home.
• Is pregnant or someone pregnant lives with you.
• Has a qualified income.

For More Information:
Call: (313) 224-6380 or (313) 498-2305 (Español)
E-mail: GetTheLeadOut
Visit: detroitmi.gov/GetTheLeadOut
Live outside the listed zip-codes? Contact the State of Michigan at (517) 335-9390 or MDHHS-LeadApps
Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE)
If you cannot pay your taxes for financial reasons, you may be able to reduce or eliminate your current year’s property tax obligation with the Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE). Residents who are approved for (HOPE) are eligible for Pay as You Stay (PAYS), which reduces delinquent property taxes owed to the Wayne County Treasurer.

The Detroit Tax Relief Fund is a new assistance program that will completely eliminate delinquent property taxes owed to the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office for Detroit homeowners who have received the Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) and the Pay As You Stay (PAYS) program. Call (313) 244-0274 or visit the website to apply for financial assistance today!

Oakland County Home Weatherization Program
Oakland County is collaborating with Michigan Saves, the first nonprofit green bank in the United States, to make at least 1,000 Oakland County homes more energy efficient, reducing energy costs for working families.

The $5 million program will have two tiers of grants: $4 million in total grants for income-qualified households and $1 million in total grants for any household. Some of the home improvements that are eligible for the grants include insulation, weather stripping, appliances, home heating and cooling, doors, windows, and more.

Applications for the Oakland SAVES grant program is OPEN.
To apply you must:

1. Familiarize yourself with the program guidelines.
2. Obtain a quote from an authorized Michigan Saves contractor for the qualifying energy efficiency or renewable energy improvement you require. This is required information for the application. Use the “Find Your Contractor” tool at michigansaves.org/oaklandsaves/ for assistance.
3. Complete the Oakland SAVES Grant program application available at this link.
4. Upon completion of the project by your contractor, sign the Michigan Saves certificate of completion that the project meets your satisfaction. Michigan Saves will directly compensate your contractor.

For more information, visit the Michigan Saves website here. Water Assistance for Oakland County Families
OLHSA’s Water Affordability Program can provide up to $3,000 in Oakland and Livingston Counties. The Water Affordability Program provides payment assistance for household accounts in arrears or disconnect status (including reconnect fees). Schedule an appointment for eligibility and assistance by contacting Tanja Lasseigne at Tanjal or 517-546-8500.

Michigan Civil Rights Commission: Virtual Fair Housing Hearings
The Michigan Civil Rights Commission is seeking public testimony about experiences with discrimination in housing. If you have experienced discrimination in buying, renting, home loans or credit rating processes, this is your chance to be heard! The Commission will use this testimony to create a list of recommendations for securing fair housing in Michigan.

Upcoming in-person hearings include:
• Saturday, March 16: Flint Fair Housing Hearing at Mott Community College Event Center
• Sunday, April 28: Grand Rapids Fair Housing Hearing at Center for Community Transformation
• Wednesday, June 12: Civil Rights Summit on Fair Housing at The Icon in Detroit

ASL Interpreters will be provided. To request other accommodations, contact Shawn Sanford at MDCR-INFO or 1-800-482-3604 at least three business days prior to the hearing.

Basement Backup Program for Detroiters
The City of Detroit’s CDBG‐DR Basement Backup Protection program is designed to reduce basement backup and flooding for eligible homeowners and property owners with qualifying
tenants, through sewer infrastructure improvements. The program will be made available via grants for homeowners and forgivable loans to property owners renting to eligible tenants.

The following services will be available:

• Clean and inspect private lateral sewer line.
• Repair or replace private lateral sewer and install cleanout.
• Install backflow water valve on private lateral sewer.
• Install backflow water valve and sump pump with overflow.
• Disconnect downspout and install extension, where possible to a proper place of disposal.

For more information and to apply for the program, visit BBPP.
Free Tax Prep Services
You can now begin filing and processing your 2023 taxes. Visit IRS.gov for more information. Income-qualified residents can also visit accountingaidsociety.org/no-cost-tax-preparation/ for no-cost tax preparation services.

You can also visit these link for more tax preparation opportunities and information:

• VITA locator link: irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/
• MilTax link: militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/taxes/miltax-military-tax-services/ (free filing software for military members)
• VITA locations at military bases: militaryonesource.mil/resources/tools/conus-oconus-volunteer-income-tax-assistance-locations/
• Sign up to be a VITA Volunteer: irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers
• MyFreeTaxes volunteers: myfreetaxes.com/volunteer-united-ways-myfreetaxes-program

Oakland Together Senior Volunteerism Grant is Now Open!
Oakland County has launched a new grant program for local organizations that offer volunteer programs for seasoned residents. The aim of the funding is to help organizations that rely on older adult volunteers expand their programming, as these programs have been slow to recover following the COVID-19 health crisis.

Eligible applicants include Oakland County nonprofits that provide senior-centered services, such as food delivery, transportation and home repairs, or have an existing senior volunteer program. Past recipients of Oakland County ARPA-funded grants are not eligible.

All information about eligibility and requirements can be found at oakgov.info/ARPAgrants. Visit the oakgov.info/ARPAgrants to apply today!

Evacuation Support: Stay up to Date on Alerts from the State Department
If you know of a family in our district that needs help, please let them know we are here to do everything possible to share resources for evacuation support and to bring your loved ones home.

For updates regarding evacuations please visit travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/situation-in-israel-2023.html

If you require emergency assistance while in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza, contact the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem by email (JerusalemACS).Individuals seeking to depart Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt should monitor the Palestinian General Authority for Crossings and Borders’ Facebook Page for a list of those approved to cross.
U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or immediate family who desire our assistance and have not already provided their information to the Department of State, please email U.S. Embassy Jerusalem at JerusalemACS with a copy of the individual’s travel document as well as an explanation or proof of relationship. My team and I are here to help, please do not hesitate to reach out if you are a resident of the 12th Congressional District. My team can also help connect anyone outside our district to their Representative for assistance.

Please also be advised of the following travel advisory for Lebanon, available at this link.

For more information visit our website here.