State Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton

Thank you, President Obama! The 27th House District of Michigan is relieved to be able to move to the next phase of recovery from this devastating disaster.

White House Approves Michigan's Federal Disaster Declaration President Barack Obama has cleared the way for assistance in hard-hit Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

House Democrats Announce Legislation Calling for Charter School Moratorium

House Democrats Announce Legislation Calling for Charter School Moratorium Representatives Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores) and Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods), announced legislation to enact a moratorium on opening any mo...

MDOT to host public meeting to discuss worked planned for I-696 plazas in Southfield and Oak Park

WHAT:
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will hold a public meeting regarding extensive work planned for three I-696 plazas in Southfield and Oak Park in 2016. MDOT staff at the meeting will help explain why repairs are necessary and how restrictions and temporary closures will affect motorists and pedestrians.

WHO:
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials
Southfield and Oak Park residents and business representatives
Members of the general public

WHEN:
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014
4 - 7 p.m.
Stop by anytime, no formal presentation scheduled.

WHERE:
Oak Park City Hall
14000 Oak Park Blvd.
Oak Park

Special accommodations: 517-373-9534
With a seven-day advance notice, accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and/or limited English speaking ability, and those needing auxiliary aids or services, including interpreters, signers, readers or large-print format. Please call 517-373-9534 with any questions or to arrange accommodations.

BACKGROUND:
MDOT is planning to make significant repairs to the three pedestrian plazas over I-696 in Oak Park and Southfield during the 2016 construction season. Proposed work includes new drainage, substructure and superstructure repairs, sidewalks, pavement and landscaping. The project is expected to primarily affect pedestrians, with necessary minor sidewalk closures on the Southfield plaza to the temporary closures of the entire east plaza in Oak Park. MDOT will stage the work to limit the impact on pedestrians and maintain pedestrian access between homes, houses of worship and schools. The project team will review project details including staging, detour routes and anticipated impacts to pedestrians and motorists.

I share this video to express heartfelt gratitude to all of our first responders on a day in American history that will forever remind us of the role they play in protecting our lives, our communities and our freedoms. Thank you for your unwavering public service.

Thank You First Responders The Michigan House Democrats would like to thank our first responders and honor those fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives to save ours. Thank you.

Southeast MI Flood Disaster Update
***
Flood victims in the following areas may call the following for local flood recovery information:

•Macomb County – (586) 493-6767 – 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
•Oakland County – (248) 858-1843 – 24/7
•Wayne County – (734) 942-5289 – 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
•City of Detroit – (313) 224-6000 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
•City of Warren – (586) 574-4526 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
•Flood recovery and assistance and guidance information is available by calling 2-1-1.

Statement from State Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods) on the resignation of Education Achievement Authority Chancellor John Covington:

"No one should be surprised to hear that Education Achievement Authority Chancellor John Covington has resigned, but that doesn’t resolve many problems with the failed EAA experiment. Covington’s three years in the EAA have been punctuated by a lack of leadership, mismanaged finances and poor educational outcomes. Under his direction, the EAA failed its students and their families, leaving the schools taken over by EAA in worse shape now than they were three years ago.

"It was clear that Covington had to step down, but that doesn’t mean the nightmare is over for kids in the 15 schools the EAA still operates. There is still no effective plan to improve those schools, and those kids still deserve a world-class education. Worse, Republicans in the Legislature are still considering expanding the disastrous EAA by putting more schools across the state under its control.

"While Covington displayed a severe lack of leadership, the problem with the EAA wasn’t Covington alone. The entire model is flawed, replacing community-run schools with a top-down Lansing bureaucracy, and replacing skilled and qualified teachers with ineffective computer software that didn’t challenge the students. Replacing Covington won’t fix those problems, and that is why we still must fight to end the EAA and bring real reform to Michigan schools."

Please join me for my next Coffee Hour to discuss state and community issues, including the state budget. This time in Hazel Park!

THANK YOU to ALL who are part of the amazing FernCare Free Clinic in Ferndale @ Sixth Annual Dinner

I am so proud to recognize this year awardees of GOOD NEIGHBORS = STRONG COMMUNITY in Ferndale

Thank you . Kate Segal for spearheading a comprehensive insurance package of legislation that would offer REAL reform to consumers. I am proud to be sponsoring a bill in this package.

Thank you to Dr. David Arsen and his class of PhD students for inviting me to guest lecture on what we're doing legislatively to help Michigan's financially struggling schools. What thoughtful discussion and questions you all asked!