TL/DR –
Saline Mayor Brian Marl recently hosted a public meeting with local and regional elected officials, including State Rep Felicia Brabec and County Commissioner Shannon Beeman. Rep Brabec highlighted her legislative work, including a law banning “conversion therapy” and one allowing Michigan taxpayers to register as organ donors via their tax forms. Commissioner Beeman discussed the county’s upcoming budget and the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds, including projects for a new rec center and expanded broadband access.
Saline Mayor and Local Elected Officials Discuss Key Updates at Public Q&A
Saline Mayor Brian Marl held a Q&A session at Carrigan’s Cafe on November 18th, welcoming State Rep Felicia Brabec of the 33rd State House District and County Commissioner Shannon Beeman of Washtenaw County’s 3rd District. The interactive event aimed to engage residents, property owners, and business operators.
Each official shared updates on their recent efforts and future plans. Brabec mentioned a busy year at the State House, with her involvement in 32 bills and co-sponsoring 146 more, four of which were signed into law by Governor Whitmer.
One significant accomplishment for Brabec, a trained psychologist and social worker, was her contribution to legislation that banned “conversion therapy” in Michigan, a measure deemed a huge win. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) describes conversion therapy as a set of interventions aiming to alter same-sex attractions or an individual’s gender expression to promote heterosexuality as a preferable outcome, a practice that has been proven to exacerbate mental health issues in youth.
Another significant bill passed this year in Michigan, thanks to Brabec’s efforts, was related to organ donation. The new bill allows Michigan taxpayers to register as organ donors via their tax forms, making Michigan the first state to implement such an initiative. “We’re very excited about this, and other states have been reaching out to replicate it,” said Brabec.
Washtenaw County Commissioner on County Budget and ARPA Funds Allocation
County Commissioner Shannon Beeman, focused on developing the next four-year budget of around $125 million. Beeman discussed the allocation of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, with one project in District 3’s eastern region receiving $18 million in ARPA funds on top of the initial $7 million from the county.
Beeman also noted the ongoing efforts to extend broadband internet connectivity throughout Washtenaw County, funded by the ARPA, which will benefit residents in areas surrounding Saline. She expressed excitement about the progress being made in this area.
Saline Mayor Shares City Updates
Mayor Brian Marl shared municipal updates, including an in-depth update on Saline’s water quality project timeline. He also provided a link to a recent town hall meeting recording on the project. Discussing the near-completion Maple Road construction project, Marl reminded residents that the project was more than a resurfacing job, but an essential upgrade to the city’s eastern sewer infrastructure. Marl stated that despite the temporary inconvenience during the construction season, it would have been far worse had the problem been allowed to exacerbate.
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