Recent News from Rep. Matt Lori

UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENSION AVAILABLE IN ONE TO TWO WEEKS
July 23 :: State Rep. Matt Lori today released information regarding the extension of unemployment benefits recently approved by Congress.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS UNVEIL DETAILED PLAN TO STRENGTHEN AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY
July 15 :: Even though nearly 1 million Michigan residents work in the agriculture industry, the focus of state government remains largely fixed on automobile manufacturing.

HOUSE APPROVES K-12 BUDGET
July 1 :: In a stark contrast to the bitter fighting over the state budget that led to a brief government shutdown last October, lawmakers today approved the K-12 Education Budget months before it is officially due.

LORI: CHANGING LAW WILL HELP YOUNG DRIVERS CONCENTRATE ON THE ROAD
June 24 :: State Rep. Matt Lori is working to limit the number of young passengers that can ride in a car with a new driver, a move he says will save lives.

LORI INVITES RESIDENTS TO OFFICE HOURS
June 21 ::  State Rep. Matt Lori today invited residents to his district office hours in order to give them a convenient opportunity to meet with him locally.

TYLER, LORI INVITE RESIDENTS TO OFFICE HOURS
June 21 ::  State Reps. Matt Lori and Sharon Tyler are holding joint district office hours in order to give residents a convenient opportunity to meet with them locally.

LORI ANNOUNCES FREE FISHING WEEKEND
June 10 :: During the weekend of June 12-13 all fishing license fees will be temporarily waived as a way to promote fishing in Michigan, state Rep. Matt Lori announced today.

LORI WORKING TO SHIELD CHILD VICTIMS OF SEX CRIMES FROM HAVING IDENTITY REVEALED
May 27 :: Although protecting the identities of sexually abused children is a standard practice in the news industry, no law actually prevents the names of victims from being released; any member of the public can simply file a Freedom of Information Act request. This failure to properly shield child victims from having their names revealed has resulted in parents being unwilling to prosecute and sex offenders going free, a situation state Rep. Matt Lori is working to end.

LORI FIGHTING TO SAVE MAEAP PROGRAM
March 25 :: Program to ensure farms are environmentally sound spared, for now

LORI ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
March 10 :: Village of Colon to receive $200,000 from state

LAWMAKERS RESTORE FUNDING FOR COUNTY JAIL PROGRAM
March 4 :: Following a veto by the governor that crippled funding for local county services, several southwest Michigan lawmakers today voted to restore funding to the County Jail Reimbursement Program after a long-fought battle.

TAX CREDITS HELP BRING TIRE RECYCLING COMPANY TO STURGIS
February 25 :: State Rep. Matt Lori today announced the state has awarded tax credits worth more than $350,000 to bring a tire recycling company to Sturgis.

LORI INVITES RESIDENTS TO OFFICE HOURS
February 25 :: State Rep. Matt Lori is holding district office hours in order to give residents a convenient opportunity to meet with him locally.

LORI OPPOSES PLAN TO REPEAL TRUTH IN SENTENCING LAWS
February 24 :: To save money in the state budget, Gov. Granholm has proposed repealing the state's three decade old truth-in-sentencing laws and implementing a "good-time" parole policy that rewards prisoners for good behavior by giving them credit toward early release.

LORI OFFERS FREE TAXPAYER GUIDE
February 23 :: Need help filling out your 2009 Michigan tax return? State Rep. Matt Lori is offering residents a free taxpayer guide, which may be downloaded by visiting his website at www.gophouse.com/lori.htm and clicking the "Publications" link on the left.

LORI VOTES TO END LIFETIME HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR LAWMAKERS
February 2 :: State Rep. Matt Lori today voted to end lifetime health care for future lawmakers, but said he was disappointed the legislation allows those already serving to keep the benefit.

FARMERS CAN APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT
January 25 :: Farmers in Cass and St. Joseph counties have until Feb. 19 to apply for financial assistance to make land improvements that will help the environment and increase wildlife habitat, state Rep. Matt Lori announced today.

TAKE AWAY OUR BENEFITS, PLEASE
January 19 :: State cannot afford to give lawmakers lifetime health care benefits, southwest Michigan Republicans say

LORI INVITES RESIDENTS TO OFFICE HOURS
January 19 :: State Rep. Matt Lori is holding district office hours in order to give residents a convenient opportunity to meet with him locally.

SMOKING BAN HEADS TO GOVERNOR
December 10 :: Ban includes all workplaces, exempts casinos, cigar bars

HOUSE VOTES TO BAN TEXT MESSAGING WHILE DRIVING
December 8 :: The Michigan House of Representatives today voted on a key public safety measure to ban texting while driving, announced state Reps. Matt Lori and John Proos.

LORI INVITES RESIDENTS TO OFFICE HOURS
November 19 :: State Rep. Matt Lori is holding district office hours in order to give residents a convenient opportunity to meet with him locally.

HEALTH CARE TAX DIES IN SENATE
October 29 :: A Democrat plan to tax doctors in order to help balance the state budget died in the Senate on Wednesday, with only four senators voting in favor of the plan and 32 voting against.

LORI WORKING ON NEW STRATEGY TO GET SMOKING BAN SIGNED INTO LAW
October 26 :: State Rep. Matt Lori is working with a bipartisan group of House lawmakers to figure out a new strategy for getting a smoking ban signed into law.

TYLER, LORI WARN GOVERNOR NOT TO VETO MSU AGRICULTURE EXTENSION PROGRAM
October 23 :: Treasury department withholds October payment, signaling likely veto

GOP LAWMAKERS CALL FOR OVERRIDE OF COUNTY JAIL REIMBURSEMENT VETO
October 16 :: Gov. Granholm on Wednesday used her line-item veto authority to eliminate the county jail reimbursement program.

GOP BLASTS DEMOCRATS' PROPOSED HEALTH CARE TAX SURCHARGE
September 28 :: Tax on doctors will make medical treatment more expensive, push deficit on backs of patients, health care

LORI ID THEFT BILL APPROVED BY HOUSE
September 9 :: Identity theft victims will be able to seek compensation for the time and effort it takes to clean up damaged credit history under legislation approved today by lawmakers, state Rep. Matt Lori announced.

HOUSE VOTES TO PROTECT SENIORS
August 26 :: Package of legislation protects seniors from financial harm

LORI TO STUDY PUBLIC EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE REFORM PLAN
August 24 :: State Rep. Matt Lori will serve on a bipartisan House committee to study a proposal to consolidate public employee health care plans.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS UNVEIL BUDGET PLAN
July 22 :: Blueprint balances budget without raising taxes, stimulates economy

LORI'S FIRST BILL APPROVED BY COMMITTEE
July 16 :: Bill increases penalties for ID theft, helps victims recover

LORI: RECOGNITION OF TRIBE BY STATE UNLIKELY
June 30 :: State Rep. Matt Lori today announced that after looking into the possibility of changing state gaming laws to allow the Burt Lake Band to establish an Indian casino in Sturgis, he believes the chances are slim.

SMOKING BAN APPROVED BY HOUSE
May 27 :: Michigan today moved one step closer to joining 37 other states that have gone smoke-free. On a 73 to 31 vote, lawmakers approved a plan to ban smoking in most public places, including bars and restaurants.

LAWMAKERS WORKING TO LOWER BOATERS' BLOOD ALCOHOL LIMIT
May 21 :: Change will affect snowmobiles, off-road vehicles too

LEGISLATURE'S FUNDING CUT 4 PERCENT
May 13 :: Southwest Michigan lawmakers promise to maintain constituent services

STATE BUDGET CUT MIDYEAR
May 6 :: Lori: Budget cuts a start but do not address the real issue

FRESHMAN LAWMAKERS FORM BIPARTISAN CAUCUS
April 21 :: 'Pack of 46' poised to reshape House

LORI VOTES TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR SCHOOL FACILITIES
March 24 :: Local schools will have greater ability to improve busing, update computer technology and make infrastructure improvements under legislation approved today by the Michigan House.

LORI SHARES MARCH IS READING MONTH SLOGAN
March 5 :: State Rep. Matt Lori's motto to students for Reading Month is, "Life is full of choices - make reading number one!"

GRANHOLM UNVEILS BUDGET RECOMMENDATION
February 13 :: Lori concerned about impact on southwest Michigan

LORI, TYLER RESPOND TO GRANHOLM'S STATE OF THE STATE
February 4 :: State Reps. Matt Lori and Sharon Tyler today responded to the governor's 2009 State of the State address, in which Granholm laid out her legislative agenda for the year.

LORI REQUESTING IDEAS TO JUMP-START LOCAL ECONOMY
January 29 :: In anticipation of the state receiving federal funds as part of the stimulus package proposed by President Obama, Gov. Granholm is accepting proposals for projects that will create jobs and spur growth in the local economy.

AREA REPUBLICANS SWORN IN AT CAPITOL
January 14 :: Five local Republican lawmakers today took the oath of office as they were ceremonially sworn in at the Capitol. As Michigan's 95th Legislature met for the first time, the group of lawmakers - four newly-elected freshmen and one returning incumbent - announced their readiness to get to work and called for change to the status quo.

LORI OFFERS HELP FILING UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS
January 14 :: Lawmaker working to make sure residents able to receive benefits

LORI'S LANSING OFFICE NOW OPEN
January 14 :: State Rep. Matt Lori today officially opened his Lansing office, where he will work to serve the people of Cass and St. Joseph counties. He also announced key contact information.

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