2019 CAPITOL REPORT€¦ · AUTO INSURANCE REFORMS WILL SAVE DRIVERS REAL MONEY New reforms passed and signed this summer will allow drivers to dramatically reduce the cost of their

Neighbors and friends,

It has been my pleasure to serve as YOUR state senator this past year, and as 2019 draws to a close, I am sending this newsletter to highlight some of the work I’ve done on your behalf, as well as to share some snapshots of my activities back home in Macomb. It’s been a busy and productive time, and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

I have introduced more than 80 bills this year, with five having already been signed into law as I write this note. Thus far, I’ve focused primarily on improving our criminal justice system, putting in place stronger protections for seniors, and seeking to ensure the safety of more of our four-legged friends.

When I’m not in Lansing, I’ve also been quite engaged back home in Macomb County, attending community events, meeting with local elected and business leaders, and ensuring I am accessible to you.

It is a privilege to serve as your state senator and I try never to take it for granted. I hope you will contact me with your thoughts on 2019, and to let me know where you would like for me to concentrate my efforts in 2020!

On behalf of my family, my staff and myself, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving, a most merry Christmas, and a healthy, happy and blessed New Year!

YOUR STATE SENATOR PETER J.

LUCIDO2019 CAPITOL REPORT

— STATE SENATOR PETER J. LUCIDO Senator Peter J. Lucido welcomed Robert J. Fisher, auxiliary bishop and northeast regional moderator for the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, to the Capitol where Fisher delivered the invocation before Senate session.

855.347.8008 | [email protected]

www.senatorpetelucido.com

SENATE MAJORITY WHIP

PETER J. LUCIDOSTATE SENATOR | 8TH DISTRICT

LUCIDO GIVEN AWARDS FROM STATEWIDE ASSOCIATIONS

I was humbled to be recognized by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan as the 2019 Legislator of the Year, and to be given the Michigan Bankers Association’s 2019 Economic

Impact Award.

RAISE THE AGE I am proud to lead a bipartisan effort to raise the age of legal

adulthood within the state’s court system, establishing 17-year-olds as minors in most instances. Michigan is one of only four states that prosecute 17-year-olds as adults. Kids aren’t adults

and we need to help them rehabilitate through the juvenile justice system, which will ultimately reduce recidivism.

CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE – reforms the process to ensure innocent Michigan residents don’t lose their personal property (PA 7 of 2019)

COURT OFFICER WRIT OF RESTITUTION – provides safety for those who serve papers, and validity for those who receive papers (PA 2 of 2019)

OPIOID ANTAGONIST PACKAGE – allows trained employees of additional state and local government agencies to administer drugs that treat opioid overdoses (PA 38 of 2019)

PORCH PIRATES – cracks down on the skyrocketing problem of mail and package theft in Michigan and increases penalties for offenders (PA 49 of 2019)

ABANDONED PREMISES, EVICTION – revises the conditions under which a rental property owner may enter the property to evict a tenant to protect property owners and law enforcement officers (PA 41 of 2019)

LUCIDO: LANDMARK AUTO INSURANCE REFORMS WILL SAVE DRIVERS REAL MONEY New reforms passed and signed this summer will allow drivers to dramatically reduce the cost of their auto insurance while providing them with a selection of coverage options, which come with mandated rate reductions, to meet their individual needs. I am continuing to work to make this new law even better for drivers.

NEW LAWS SPONSORED BY LUCIDO

LUCIDO PROTECTING MICHIGAN’S PETS I am fighting to defend abused animals in Michigan and have introduced three separate bills to help protect these treasured members of our families who can’t speak for themselves. The proposals would require veterinarians in the state to report suspected animal abuse, require protective services workers to report suspected animal abuse, and would put requirements in place to weed out bad actors that are only posing as legitimate rescue organizations.

STATE SENATOR

PETER J. LUCIDO

YEAR IN REVIEW

CLASSROOMS VISITED FOR MARCH IS READING MONTH19

LUCIDO-SPONSORED BILLS WITH

COMMITTEE ACTION20

BILLS INTRODUCED

80BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW5

14 OTHER DISTRICT EVENTS HELD OR ATTENDED

This year I will have held 33 coffee and

conversation meetings throughout our

district. These are opportunities for

residents to receive a legislative update, ask me questions, and let

me know what’s on your mind, in a casual environment, close to home. I look forward

to continuing these events in the new year.

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION WITH PETE EVENTS

33MORE THAN

INTERNSHIPS WITH LUCIDO A GREAT

OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE

AND COLLEGE CREDIT Students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate-level academic programs, who are interested in the Legislature and state government, are encouraged to apply for an internship opportunity in my Lansing office. My interns are an important part of the team, who we rely on to help serve the residents in the 8th Senate District. It’s a great opportunity to gain valuable legislative experience. Contact my office if you are interested.

LUCIDO’S CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE REFORM

SIGNED INTO LAW I authored Public Act 7 of 2019 to reform the process of civil asset forfeiture to ensure innocent Michigan residents don’t lose their personal property. The law requires that an individual be convicted of, or plead guilty to, a crime before law enforcement can take ownership of personal property through the civil asset forfeiture process. Seized personal property will be returned if a person is not convicted of a crime.

OPIOID AWARENESS FOR ATHLETES I introduced legislation to educate young athletes on the dangers of opioids, which they might

be prescribed following an injury sustained through involvement in their sport or athletic activity.

For the fifth year in a row, I met with seniors to distribute free resources and supported the

Macomb Fall Senior Expo at the end of October. This free event connects Macomb County seniors

with organizations that can make their lives better. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with

representatives from many different groups on a variety of topics, including Medicare coverage, assisted living information, independent living

information, financial planning, legal advice, medical equipment and more. I truly enjoy this opportunity to meet with so many wonderful people every year.

LUCIDO’S ‘PORCH PIRATE’

BILLS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

I was proud to sponsor one of two bills the governor signed that crack down on the skyrocketing problem of mail and package theft in Michigan. The laws create state penalties for stealing mail or packages from our mailboxes, porches and decks (PAs 48 & 49).

LUCIDO ATTENDS MACOMB FALL SENIOR EXPO

DIGITAL DRIVER’S LICENSEI have introduced SB 454 that would allow Michigan drivers to have a digital driver’s license that could be conveniently and securely stored on their mobile phones. Based on legislation I previously sponsored (PA 59 of 2017), drivers already have the ability to store their vehicle registration and auto insurance policy information in a similar way, so it only makes sense that we be given the same option for our driver’s licenses.

LOOKING OUT FOR THE GREATEST GENERATION

I am working to pass several bills that would crack down on people who exploit seniors and vulnerable adults. Bruises and broken bones may heal, but the impacts of these exploits have long-lasting effects. My bills would strengthen the punishment of anyone convicted of committing assault and battery on a vulnerable adult and for those convicted of stealing, embezzling, or transferring property from a vulnerable adult; another would protect an incapacitated persons’ right to see loved ones.

STATE SENATOR

PETER J. LUCIDOMACOMB COUNTY’S HARD-WORKING SENATOR

855.347.8008 • [email protected] • www.SenatorPeteLucido.com

MORE MONEY FOR MACOMB

SCHOOLS The Legislature finalized the school budget, which invests a record level of more than $15.2 billion in K-12 education, and a foundation allowance boost of between $120 and $240 per pupil. Other funds for education included $522 million to help at-risk students, a $21.5 million increase in career and technical education funding, and a $60 million increase for special education.

SCHOOL YEAR

2019-20 SENATE PASSED

FUNDING

2018-19

2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

2014-15

2013-14

2012-13

2011-12

LUCIDO PROTECTING ELECTRONIC PRIVACY RIGHTSI introduced SB 342 to ban law enforcement from obtaining, accessing, or using real-time facial recognition technology, along with any information gathered from such technology to enforce the law. I also introduced SB 341, which would require law enforcement to obtain a warrant to access a person’s digital information or data that is stored electronically on a phone or in the cloud. These laws would help protect the privacy of innocent people in Michigan who did nothing to warrant these searches.

$14.1 BILLION$13.7 BILLION$13.6 BILLION$13.3 BILLION$12.9 BILLION

$14.7 BILLION

$12.7 BILLION

$14.8 BILLION

$15.2 BILLION