Government Worker Freebies And Voter Incentives Available In Michigan

Introduction

Michigan offers various freebies and discounts to specific groups, including federal government workers and voters. While the state's system for tracking freebies given to lawmakers has significant flaws, many businesses and organizations provide complimentary services, meals, and entertainment to government employees and those who participate in elections. This article examines the types of freebies available to different groups in Michigan, based on verified information from local sources.

Freebies for Federal Government Workers

During government shutdowns or furlough periods, several Michigan businesses and organizations extend complimentary services and products to federal employees. These offers provide relief to workers who may be experiencing financial difficulties due to delayed paychecks.

Restaurant and Food Establishments

Blue Nile Ethiopian restaurant in Michigan offers free meals to 14 furloughed federal government workers per day on a first-come, first-served basis. To make a reservation, interested individuals must send a private message with their name and phone number to the Blue Nile on their Facebook page. Upon receiving the message, the restaurant contacts the person with a discreet message to ensure privacy when they arrive.

Planet Sub in Clarkston provides one complimentary half sub to furloughed federal employees, with a limit of one per customer. To receive this offer, employees must present a valid government photo ID at the time of redemption.

Entertainment and Recreation

Eastern Michigan University offers free athletics tickets to furloughed government workers. Tickets can be claimed at the EMU Athletics Ticket Office. The university specifically promoted free tickets for men's basketball games, noting the opportunity to attend games at the Convocation Center.

The Harlem Globetrotters extend a special offer to all U.S. government employees who are not being paid due to government shutdowns. Furloughed workers can receive two complimentary tickets to any game in North America by showing their valid government ID at the box office. This offer remains valid throughout the duration of government shutdowns.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park provides free entertainment to federal employees affected by government shutdowns. The offer includes one free 60-minute jump per day for furloughed federal workers and up to three family members at their Canton and Shelby Township locations. The offer is valid every Tuesday through Thursday until January 31, and employees must present valid government identification to participate.

Healthcare Services

Beaumont Health has announced that it will waive emergency center and urgent care co-pays and deductibles for federal workers who have been furloughed or are working without pay. This benefit also extends to insured family members during partial government shutdowns and remains in effect until the government reopens. The policy is retroactive to midnight on December 22, providing relief for those who may have already incurred medical expenses during the shutdown.

Freebies for Voters with "I Voted" Stickers

Several Michigan businesses offer complimentary items to voters who display their "I Voted" stickers, providing small incentives for civic participation.

Food and Beverage Establishments

Shake Shack offers a free milkshake with any purchase on Election Day when customers show their "I Voted" sticker in-store or use the code "ivoted" on the Shack App.

Potbelly provides a free cookie with any purchase to customers wearing an "I Voted" sticker on their shirt.

Brooklyn Street Local, a brunch spot in Corktown, offers free vegan cupcakes to voters on Election Day.

Anthology, a coffee shop in Corktown, provides 8-ounce cups of coffee free of charge to those wearing their "I Voted" stickers.

Cultural Institutions

The Henry Ford Museum offers free admission to visitors on Election Day, providing an opportunity for citizens to celebrate their participation in the democratic process while exploring historical exhibits.

Transportation and Childcare Services

In addition to business-specific freebies, some organizations provide essential services to facilitate voting:

Uber and Lyft offer free or discounted rides for people who need transportation to polling places on Election Day. These services aim to remove barriers to voting by providing affordable transportation options.

Some YMCA locations offer free childcare services for parents who need to vote. Interested individuals should check with their local YMCA for specific details about availability and any registration requirements.

Transparency Issues with Government Freebies

The system for tracking freebies given to Michigan lawmakers by lobbyists has significant flaws, according to an investigation by Eye On Michigan. Between 2001 and 2023, lobbyists spent more than $6.3 million on free meals and trips for state lawmakers and officials. However, the tracking system is described as defective, rife with loopholes, and reliant on an honor system, making it difficult to determine the full extent of gifts received by public officials.

Public records show that each of the Top 25 recipients accepted more than $16,000 in freebies during their time in office. Despite this substantial amount, many lawmakers who received the most freebies declined to discuss why they accepted hundreds of meals and trips worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

When approached for comment, former state Sen. Richardville, who received the most freebies, explained that he viewed these interactions primarily as opportunities for information exchange rather than attempts to influence votes. "Rarely was there a lot of arm-twisting or 'You owe me this' kind of thing," Richardville told reporters. "It's more about the information on the issue."

Former lawmaker Barb Farrah, who ranked 12th on the list of top recipients, suggested that the meals were often informal rather than luxurious. "The easiest time to get with somebody is lunch," Farrah said. "If you know what downtown Lansing is like, it's a lot of Jimmy John's in the office."

Conclusion

Michigan offers various freebies to different groups, including federal workers during shutdowns and voters who participate in elections. These range from complimentary meals and entertainment to healthcare services and transportation assistance. While these offers provide valuable benefits to recipients, the system for tracking freebies given to lawmakers lacks transparency, making it difficult for the public to fully understand the extent of these exchanges. As consumers navigate available freebies, they should be aware of the eligibility requirements and documentation needed to access these offers.

Sources

1. Michigan Freebies and Lobbyist Spending
2. Federal Worker Freebies in Metro Detroit
3. I Voted Sticker Freebies in Michigan