On Saturday, March 21, State Sen. Jeff Irwin, whose district includes Saline and Milan, met with residents at Brewed Awakenings in Saline for a coffee hour focused on housing, electricity costs and other local and statewide concerns.
“It might be housing. It might be electricity rates,” Irwin said when asked what issues people are bringing up most often.
One of Irwin’s top budget priorities, he said, is improving support for older residents who want to remain in their homes rather than move into assisted living or nursing facilities.
“Most people want to age in their home. They want to age in place,” Irwin said. He said the state often makes that difficult by paying in-home caregivers too little to attract enough workers.
Housing was another major topic.
“Housing costs are out of control for a lot of people,” Irwin said. He said he is focused on increasing housing supply, supporting first-time homebuyers and expanding housing options for people who need additional support.
Irwin also addressed debates over zoning changes and how much housing communities should allow, including proposals that would allow more duplexes, quadplexes and other housing types in communities that have traditionally relied on single-family zoning.
“The problem that some of us are trying to solve is that some communities use zoning as a tool of economic and racial segregation,” he said.
Electricity costs also drew extended discussion.
“Our rates in Michigan are really high,” Irwin said, arguing that residents are paying too much for electricity that is still unreliable.
He pointed to legislation he is backing to allow “virtual power plants,” which would connect batteries and other tools to help lower stress on the power grid when electricity use spikes.
Local development concerns also surfaced, including truck traffic connected to the proposed data center project in Saline Township. Irwin said he has asked the Michigan Department of Transportation for increased truck enforcement in the area to make sure traffic is following the law.
Saline Mayor Brian Marl, who was in attendance, joined that portion of the conversation and said the city has met with MDOT, downtown property owners and project representatives about traffic enforcement and road impacts tied to the project.
Other questions touched on Michigan’s lack of a statewide septic code, microplastics in the Great Lakes, prescription drug costs and proposals aimed at making health care more affordable.
The conversation also turned briefly to money in politics, utility oversight and Irwin’s political future. Asked whether he is thinking ahead to what comes next, Irwin said he tries to stay focused on the job in front of him.
“I don’t want to look too far up the road ahead, or I’ll stumble on the rocks at my feet,” he said.
Residents who want to contact Irwin’s office can call 517-373-2406 or email [email protected].
Featured image: State Sen. Jeff Irwin speaks with residents during a coffee hour. Photo by Heather Finch
