Chop Wood, Carry Michigan 12/13

Hey, Team Michigan.

Quick, super important ask for those of you who live (or know someone who lives) in one of the following areas:

• West Bloomfield

• Bloomfield Township

• Novi

• Farmington Hills

• Troy

• Clawson

• Birmingham

Next week, the State House will be voting on an incredibly important and long overdue piece of debt reform legislation (HB 4900).

Currently, over half of Michiganders have a debt in collections (the highest rate in the country). People who fall behind on payments sometimes need time to get back on their feet, but Michigan has the worst debt collection protections in the country. If someone falls behind, debt buyers are allowed to empty their bank account, take 25% of their paycheck, and take their EITC. This leaves people without money for rent, groceries, gas, etc. and pushes them further into debt. It's bad for the economy and bad for the community.

The State Senate just passed a bipartisan bill that would update these 1970s-era consumer protections to be in line with other states. Read more about it here. Now all of you need to help push it through the State House.

If you (or any friends) live in the following areas, we need people to email and encourage these Reps to support the debt collection reform bill (HB 4900):

• Rep. Noah Arbit - West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Township - NoahArbit@house.mi.gov

• Rep. Brenda Carter - Pontiac - brendacarter@house.mi.gov

• Rep. Kelly Breen - Novi, Farmington Hills - kellybreen@house.mi.gov

• Rep. Sharon MacDonnell - Troy, Clawson, Birmingham - SharonMacDonell@house.mi.gov

Below is a draft email you can use— please customize it a bit, as Reps are less likely to respond if they receive a bunch of identical, copy-paste messages. The vote is next week, so we need emails ASAP.

Subject: Please Support HB 4900

Dear Representative [Your Rep],

My name is [XX] and I am one of your constituents from [XX]. [If you like, you can insert some details that help establish your roots in the area. Maybe where you went to school, parents' jobs, how many years you lived there, etc. This isn't critical, but it helps!].

I am reaching out to request that you vote in favor of House Bill 4900. Michigan has the highest rate of financial insecurity in the country and the worst consumer debt protection laws. Pushing people further into debt is bad for our community and our economy. This bill would put our protections in line with other states and stop debt buyers from taking advantage of our vulnerable families.

As one of your constituents, I'm hoping that you will support HB 4900.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

OK, that’s all. Thanks so, so much, and please share this with anyone you know who might be willing to help out.

More soon.

Jess