Rep. Winnie Brinkss' Site Feed

Legislation Improving Access to Women's Health Care Backed by Rep. Brinks

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:58:59 -0400

LANSING - State Representative Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) announced her support for a package of four bills and three resolutions that would improve access to women’s health care, educate women about health care options, support rape survivors and address health care inequities women face.

“As a mother to three girls, I want to know that my daughters will have access to the health care they need once they grow up,” Brinks said. “I’m proud to sponsor a resolution that would urge our state to end the inequality that exists in women’s health care and make it possible for all women to prevent and get treatment for diseases such as breast cancer and osteoporosis.”

The package of legislation includes:

House Resolution 140, naming May 12-18 “National Women’s Health Week” in Michigan (introduced by Rep. Gretchen Driskell)
House Resolution 138, urging the Department of Community Health (DCH) to promote programs that identify and address inequities in the prevention, treatment and research of diseases threatening women (Rep. Winnie Brinks)
House Resolution 139, recommending that the state intensify efforts to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies (Rep. Collene Lamonte)
House Bill 4067, requiring all health facilities and agencies to offer emergency contraception to rape survivors (Rep. Charles Smiley)
House Bill 4722, directing the DCH to develop and disseminate information about emergency contraception, including a description, explanation of use, safety efficacy and availability of emergency contraception (Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright)
House Bill 4721, requiring age-appropriate, medically accurate and objective sexuality education to be taught in public schools (Rep. Jeff Irwin)
House Bill 4260, requiring doctors to give women information on breast density and encourage those who have dense breast tissue to consult with their doctors about other screening options (Rep. Brinks)

“Women need accurate information about health so they can make the best decisions about their own care,” Brinks said. “What we’re proposing are common-sense ideas that will put women in the driver’s seat when it comes to their own health. I urge all legislators, Democrats and Republicans alike, to support these measures.”

Rep. Brinks Takes Part in 'Comcast Cares' Day of Service

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:59:26 -0400

GRAND RAPIDS - State Representative Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) helped distribute food and personal care items Saturday to families in the Grand Rapids area who rely on food banks and other charities to meet their basic needs. The distribution event was part of the annual “Comcast Cares Day,” in which thousands of Comcast employees and volunteers around the country come together to benefit their communities.

“I’m grateful that so many people in Grand Rapids donated their time and effort to neighbors who need a helping hand,” Brinks said. “Times have been tough for the past few years, and many families are struggling just to get by. The recent flood also harmed many of our neighbors. It’s good to know that so many people in our area are so giving, and I was glad to be able to do my part to help out.”

The day’s service projects included gathering and distributing food for the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan and Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank as well as other projects, such as painting and doing outdoor clean up. Since 2001, Comcast employees have donated more than 2.6 million hours of service at 4,200 project sites around the country, and the Comcast Foundation has given grants totaling $12 million to community partner organizations.

“I thank Comcast and its employees for the good they’re doing for the people of Grand Rapids and West Michigan,” Brinks said. “Their giving spirit and willingness to pitch in makes a world of difference for families who struggle just to put food on their tables and feed their children. By donating their time, labor and money, Comcast and its workers have done a lot of good for a lot of people.”

Rep. Brinks Speaks on Veterans Homes Complaint Reporting

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:37:00 -0400

Rep. Winnie Brinks offers an amendment to require reporting abuse and neglect in State Veterans Homes.

Rep. Brinks Disappointed with Legislative Inaction to Protect Veterans

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:36:00 -0400

LANSING — State Representative Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) said she is very disappointed that House Republicans failed to act to protect veterans receiving care at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and the D. J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. During discussion of the state omnibus budget Tuesday, Brinks offered an amendment that would require allegations of abuse and neglect at veterans’ homes to be reported to the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and its ombudsman within 10 days.

“The men and women who served this country put their lives on the line to protect us,” Brinks said. “But when veterans are in need of our protection, a majority of legislators said ‘no.’ It’s hard not to see it as a slap in the face to the patriots who served our country.”

Brinks said her amendment is needed because the private companies that contract with the state to provide workers at the veterans’ homes have dragged their feet in responding to allegations of neglect and abuse. In one case, a nurse’s aide allegedly broke a veteran’s fingers and then bragged to her co-workers about it. In another, a veteran whose bed alarm had been activated was found dead more than two hours later — no one had responded to the call for help. Brinks’ amendment would have required private companies to report abuse and neglect allegations to the state within 10 days.

“The men and women who served our country deserve our respect and gratitude,” Brinks said. “I had hoped that other legislators would have supported protections for vulnerable veterans, and I was disappointed to see they did not. I will continue to push for protections and programs that help those who served our country because it’s the right thing to do.”

In the Community

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:11:43 -0400

Brinks, Dillon and Lamonte Introduce Plan for Middle-Class Tax Relief

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:31:00 -0400

GRAND RAPIDS — State Representatives Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) and Collene Lamonte (D-Montague) today announced the House Democrats’ plan for middle-class tax relief. The bills, based on Michigan’s Middle Class Plan, are focused on restoring tax credits and deductions to middle-class families and repealing taxes on retirees. Legislation included in the plan will relieve the tax burden on Michigan families when next year’s tax season rolls around.

“Tax day is always stressful, but this year is more stressful than most. That’s because tax increases Republicans put in effect over the past two years are being noticed for the first time,” Brinks said. “Credits and deductions families relied upon, such as the Homestead Property Tax Credit and $600 per-child deduction, are reduced or gone completely. Seniors pay a new tax on retirement income. Many families and seniors who used to receive refunds now receive none, and many taxpayers are finding that they now owe taxes because of what Republicans did.”

Last session, the Republican-led Legislature made severe changes to the Michigan tax code punishing middle-class families and seniors, including imposing a tax on retirement income, eliminating the Homestead Property Tax Credit for many families, a drastic cut to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the elimination of the $600 per-child tax deduction and tax credits for charitable donations. These changes were made to fund nearly $2 billion in tax breaks for big corporations, effectively making Michigan’s low-income and middle-class families pay for a handout to big corporations. The new taxes took effect in 2012, and many taxpayers became aware of them for the first time as they filed their state income taxes this year.

“When I talk with citizens, they tell me they weren’t expecting to see taxes increase like they did this year,” Dillon said. “People feel betrayed. They’re paying more in taxes and getting little for it Ã¢?? school funding has been slashed by almost $2 billion, and funding for local police and fire departments has been devastated. People are clamoring for leaders to share their priorities, and we’ve heard them.”

Over the past two months, Democratic state representatives heard the concerns of struggling Michiganders during their Real State of Our State Listening Tour. After the tour’s completion, legislators used this feedback to construct Michigan’s Middle Class Plan, including the following tax initiatives:

Repeal the new tax on senior retirement income
Require employers to inform employees about the Earned Income Tax Credit
Restore the Earned Income Tax Credit to 11 percent in the first year
Restore the Homestead Property Tax Credit
Restore the child deduction

Along with these initiatives, the House Democrats pledge to continue fighting against tax increases on the middle class and seniors every time a new, harmful tax is introduced to the Legislature, and to keep Michigan taxpayers aware of the changes through a series of town halls held across the state.

“Constituents calling my office are outraged; real people are experiencing real financial problems,” Lamonte said. “Common sense tells you that it was just plain wrong for the Republicans in Lansing to raise taxes on the elderly and families the way they did. I have listened to my constituents. I will fight for them to end these irresponsible tax increases now.”

Rep. Winnie Brinks Speaks Out Against EAA

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:16:00 -0400

State Representative Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) spoke in opposition to legislation that would expand the Educational Achievement Authority (EAA) in Michigan on the House floor March 21. House Bill 4369, narrowly passed, 57-53.

Rep. Brinks: Lack of Transparency in EAA Expansion Bill Led to 'No' Vote

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:37:08 -0400

LANSING - State Representative Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) voted against the expansion of the Education Achievement Authority (EAA) today because she said the bill lacks measures that would hold the EAA accountable to students, parents and voters and offers no real solutions that would improve education in Michigan’s most troubled schools.

“Everyone wants to see a better education for students in our state’s most challenged schools, but we need to do this the right way,” Brinks said. “Rushing to expand an untested and unproven model across the state isn’t the way to do it. Keeping the EAA from being held to the same standards of accountability and transparency as every other school district isn’t the way to do it, either. I support education reform, but I want reforms that will work.”

House Democrats, including Brinks, offered several amendments that would have brought the EAA under the oversight of the state’s elected Board of Education and ensured that the workings of the EAA remain transparent. All of the amendments were rejected by House Republicans. The amendments also included proposals to:

Limit the terms of EAA members to four years
Subject EAA schools to the same testing and reporting standards of all other public schools
Require the State Reform Officer, with oversight from the state Board of Education, to determine which schools enter the EAA system
Ensure that EAA schools aren’t converted into for-profit charter academies
Subject the EAA to the Freedom of Information Act
Require the formation of parent groups in EAA schools
Require monthly meetings for EAA schools akin to the monthly board meetings held in every school district across the state

“Like every other responsible parent, I want to be involved in my children’s education,” Brinks said. “Expanding the EAA statewide when it prevents parental and community involvement is irresponsible. I can’t support a bill that limits school accountability and takes an unproven experiment in school reform statewide.”