Dear Neighbor,
Earlier this week we held our first day of session for the year, and I’m excited to continue fighting for our shared priorities, including expanding access to housing, affordable health care, and making sure a family can afford to live and thrive. Stay tuned for more updates as we get back to work and begin advancing our legislative priorities for 2026!
I hope you are staying warm in this cold Michigan weather! Be sure to take extra care when going outside or traveling this month. Bundle up and stay warm, watch out for ice, and pay attention to the changing conditions.
As always, if you need assistance of any sort, or have any questions or concerns you’d like to share, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can reach me and my team by calling (517) 373-2417 or emailing SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
District 13
- In the final days of 2025, the governor signed 36 bills into law, including Senate Democrats’ legislation to lower costs, cut red tape, better protect Michigan kids, help address the housing crisis, support family farms, and much more.
- Join me for my upcoming community conversation event at the Farmington Community Library on Monday, Jan. 26, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Rx Kids is coming to Detroit! Read more to learn about how we brought this proven-effective public health programming to Detroit’s moms and babies.
Reflecting on 2025 Wins & Looking Ahead to More Progress in the New Year
Senate Democrats spent 2025 hard at work propelling our state toward a better, brighter future for everyone. Together, my colleagues and I successfully:
✅ Passed another bipartisan state budget that boosts public education, protects access to health care, mitigates the worst effects of federal budget cuts, invests in our aging roads, and lowers costs;
✅ Fought back against federal cuts and chaos;
✅ Improved government transparency and reliability; and
✅ Supported Michigan families, workers, seniors, veterans, first responders, and local communities.
Read more about the wins Senate Democrats delivered for Michigan in 2025 here.
In the new year, my Democratic colleagues and I are eager to build on the progress we made in 2025, and we’re already continuing our efforts to lower everyday costs, support our kids, foster economic opportunity, safeguard access to health care, and improve the quality of life here in Michigan. Stay tuned to learn more about our ongoing work on these priorities, and feel free to track bills moving through the legislative process here.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered! — Slew of Legislation Championed by Senate Democrats Signed into Law
On Dec. 23, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed 36 bills into state law, including:
- Senate Bill 158 (Sen. Cavanagh), which lowers the cost of online event tickets by prohibiting bot scammers from purchasing tickets in bulk and inflating the price in unfair resale markets;
- Senate Bills 96 (Sen. Moss), 97 (Sen. Hauck), and 98 (Sen. McMorrow), which help keep Michigan students and child care workers safe by allowing these facilities to install automatic door locks;
- Senate Bill 25 (Sen. Cherry), which cuts red tape for auto repair businesses;
- Senate Bill 93 (Sen. Singh), which enables honey and maple syrup producers to better grow their businesses and boost our agricultural economy;
- Senate Bill 269 (Sen. Camilleri), which speeds up funding for improvements at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and helps the airport better access federal funds;
- Senate Bills 685 (Sen. Shink), 686 (Sen. Daley), 687 (Sen. Singh), 688 (Sen. Cherry), 689 (Sen. Lauwers), 690 (Sen. Victory), and 699 (Sen. Shink), which improve Michigan’s farmland preservation program and protect family farms;
- Senate Bill 23 (Sen. Hertel), which helps tackle the state’s housing shortage;
- Senate Bill 136 (Sen. Anthony), which improves breast cancer detection standards;
- Senate Bills 512 (Sen. Singh) and 513 (Sen. Hauck), which ensure more equitable representation for Michigan breweries and taprooms; and
- Senate Bill 349 (Sen. Polehanki), which allows eleventh-graders to opt out of the work skills standardized test, giving parents and students more flexibility in their educational journey.
We were proud to work across the aisle to get these bills passed and signed into law in 2025, and we’ll continue fighting to craft and advance more meaningful legislation in 2026.
Update: Attorney General Nessel Issues Statement on Legality of Work Project Cuts
I want to give you an update on the heinous budget cuts made by Speaker Matt Hall and Michigan House Republicans back in December — more specifically, the $645 million in bipartisan, already agreed upon funding that was ripped away from Michigan kids, families, small businesses, and more.
Before the end of the year, Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony submitted a letter to Attorney General Dana Nessel requesting that she issue an opinion on the legality of the House Republicans’ actions. Last week, AG Nessel, the state’s top attorney and legal expert, officially stated what we already knew: a law allowing one committee of one legislative chamber to tamper with previously promised, approved, and enacted funding is unconstitutional.
In response, Speaker Matt Hall filed a lawsuit with the Court of Claims, attempting to further block critical funding from reaching Michiganders.
My Senate colleagues and I have been focused on supporting programs that improve the lives of all Michiganders, especially during a time when more and more folks are having difficulty making ends meet. We will continue to fight for the communities harmed by this betrayal of public trust and provide updates surrounding the ongoing hearing and status of these funds.
Community Conversation in Farmington
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 26, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Farmington Community Library, 32737 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington, MI 48334
Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Ends This Week
The Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is encouraging residents to take advantage of all the benefits and savings you may qualify for before the 2026 open enrollment period on the Health Insurance Marketplace closes on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.
Marketplace consumers who missed the Dec. 18 deadline for coverage to begin on Jan. 1 may qualify for a special enrollment period if they have experienced a qualifying life event, such as birth, job loss, or divorce.
If you have questions or need assistance, contact DIFS by calling (877) 999-6442 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For a list of other state and federal agencies that may be able to help with your health coverage questions, click here.
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Influence
As your state Senator, I am determined to ensure Michigan is a place where everyone is guaranteed a safe and successful future. As elected officials, our actions — not only our words, but the policies we put in place and the programs that reach our citizens — should emphasize and expand equity for all Michiganders. Everyone is entitled to justice, no matter race, gender, sexual orientation, income, or any other identity that may shape us.
Next week and throughout the month of January, we recognize the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. — whose unwavering leadership, bravery, and persistence instilled a more just future for the United States. His inspiring work and collaboration with other civil rights activists helped create a progressive foundation for our nation that we aspire to expand upon today.
From introducing policy that tackles racial and ethnic health disparities, expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, investing in our youngest Michiganders, strengthening voting rights and access, and more, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I are dedicated to Dr. King’s work towards justice for all. We remain focused on sponsoring purposeful legislation and investments to uplift Michigan residents and communities, especially for those who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented.
Michigan Arts & Culture Council (MACC) Grant Applications Are Now Open
Michigan arts and culture nonprofits, municipalities, tribal entities, PreK-12 schools, colleges, universities, and others are encouraged to begin preparing to apply for a 2026 MACC grant. These grant programs help fund professional development, equipment and facility upgrades, arts education, and more.
The deadline to apply is Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Learn more and start your application here.
Protecting Yourself During Flu Season
As you may have noticed in your community, flu season has hit Michigan at full force. The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDDHS) recommends these steps in order to protect you and your loved ones from this serious illness:
- Take time to get the flu vaccine — the most effective way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated every year!
- Take everyday preventative actions, such as:
- Avoiding close contact with other people who are sick;
- Staying home when you are sick;
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth;
- And practicing other good health habits, like getting plenty of sleep, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and eating nutritious foods.
- Take flu antiviral drugs to combat illness if your doctor recommends them.
For more information and resources about flu season, click here.