Dear Neighbor,
Happy Fourth! Summer is officially underway, but we have not slowed down in the Capitol. We are still hard at work attempting to reach a compromise with the Republican-led House of Representatives on the state budget for next year.
I’m always fighting to protect our community from cuts to critical services, to fully fund our schools and medical system, and to safeguard Michigan in whatever way we can from the dangerous chaos happening in Washington, D.C.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can email me at senwbrinks@senate.michigan.gov.
Sincerely,
Winnie Brinks
Senate Majority Leader
State Senator, District 29
- I am leading my caucus in negotiating with the Speaker of the House to pass the state budget. My priority will continue to be fully funding schools, investing in our communities, and ensuring that those who are most vulnerable are not left behind.
- The Senate has been working hard to strengthen Michiganders’ public safety, recently advancing legislation to enhance roadway safety, improve police practices, and build a future free from gun violence.
- With the high temperatures we’ve been experiencing and more on the way, the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) offers seven helpful tips for pet owners to keep their furry friends safe and cool over the warm summer months. Learn more below.
Budget Update and K-12 Funding
One of the main responsibilities of the legislature is to pass a state budget — and it is especially important for our educators that this budget is passed by July 1. In the Senate, we did our part to craft a thorough, thoughtful budget in a timely manner that meets the needs of our residents, students, and educators. And while it was entirely avoidable, Speaker Matt Hall and House Republicans stalled the budget process, only putting forth ploys, delays, and half-measures, and they missed that critical deadline. This creates a huge challenge for our public schools, who must set their own budgets for the year without knowing what funding they can count on from the state.
While the Senate’s goal was to never put our schools in this situation, we refuse to concede to House Republicans’ budget that guts funding for public education by cutting money for special education, free school meals, at-risk students, mental health services, school safety, technical education, among so much more. And these are not priorities that Senate Democrats are willing to sacrifice, so we are holding the line. If that means staying and fighting so that our kids can eat, are safe, and our teachers get paid, we’re going to do it.
We continue to come to the table in good faith, with serious proposals that invest in our schools and support our students — even as we consider all the other essential priorities that a state budget needs to fund. Stay tuned for more news on budget negotiations and developments.
What Medicaid Means to Michigan
Medicaid is a lifeline for people in every corner of this state and country, allowing folks to get the health care they need, when they need it — no matter their income. The $535 billion that Trump and Congressional Republicans have been working to slash from the program would devastate Michigan families, hospitals, and our economy all while pumping more money into the pockets of our nation’s wealthiest individuals and corporations.
In response to the administration’s threats to dismantle this essential safety net, the Senate Health Policy Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on the Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) convened a joint meeting where they reviewed, accepted and adopted a new report developed by Senate Democrats that outlines the impact federal cuts to Medicaid would have on Michiganders. In underscoring what Medicaid means to Michigan, the report highlights that:
- One in four Michiganders relies on Medicaid, including two in five children and three in five nursing home residents.
- Medicaid patients make up 22% of hospital volume statewide, and 40% in rural hospitals. Without this funding, hospitals would be forced to significantly downsize or close altogether — forcing everyone to travel farther and wait longer to receive care.
- Nearly 500,000 Michiganders could lose coverage due to new bureaucratic hurdles and red tape.
- Proposed cuts jeopardize 300,000 health care jobs across Michigan sparked by Medicaid’s expansion and would deliver a projected $2.9 billion blow to Michigan’s economy.
To view the full report, click here.
A Snapshot of Legislative Activity at the Capitol
Along with recently passing a bold budget plan for 2026, Senate Democrats have been working hard to advance important legislation that protects access to reproductive health care and improves public safety here in Michigan:
Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act: Last week, Senate Democrats passed Senate Bills 154-155 to protect both those seeking reproductive health care and the medical professionals who provide it. The state-level FACE Act works to ensure patients can access the care they need, when they need it — without intimidation or fear of harm. These bills now head to the House for further consideration.
Improving Public Safety: Senate Democrats also recently advanced legislation to enhance public safety and community trust. Bipartisan Senate Bills 216-217 would improve roadway safety by strengthening penalties for drivers who injure or kill cyclists, pedestrians, wheelchair users, and other vulnerable roadway users. These bills passed the Senate floor last week and now head to the House for consideration.
We also heard testimony on the Police Practices Standardization, Transparency, and Trust (S.T.A.T.) package to improve law enforcement practices and transparency, making our communities safer for everyone. Crafted through extensive work with community stakeholders and law enforcement, these commonsense reforms would ensure Michigan remains a leader in advancing policies that enhance public safety and uphold justice for all.
And, we passed more commonsense gun safety measures out of the Senate last week. Now on their way to the House, these bills would prohibit bump stocks, serialize ghost guns, and prohibit firearms in the Capitol and certain surrounding government buildings.
Division Ave. Fire Station Groundbreaking
It was a great day in Grand Rapids when we broke ground on the new Division Avenue Fire Station. Rep. Kristian Grant and I were proud to champion $35 million in the state budget a few years back to renovate and upgrade the aging fire services that Grand Rapids had been struggling with. This beautiful new facility — alongside another on Kalamazoo, and a training and operations facility — will transform GRFD’s ability to respond to emergencies swiftly and safely.
Credit Unions Conversation
I recently joined fellow lawmakers at a gathering of our area credit unions to discuss their legislative concerns. Credit unions do such important work in our communities, offering financial education and resources that help to maximize the economic success of people of all incomes. From payday lending to financial literacy, we were happy to hear about the issues that matter to these important institutions.
And More!
A milestone moment in Grand Rapids, when Vicinity Energy hosted a “wrench-turning ceremony” to kick off the city’s first carbon-free electric boiler — replacing aging infrastructure with clean, electric technology. A gathering with the hardworking men and women of LiUNA MI. A tour of Catherine’s Health Center’s mobile van, which will help bring healthcare to unhoused people throughout our community. There’s a lot of important work that we are pleased to celebrate in District 29!
Protect Yourself from Heat-Related Illness
This week, temperatures are expected to reach the 90s with heat index values near and above 100 degrees. When it’s very hot, there’s an increased risk of heat-related illness, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can worsen and cause heat stroke or even death.
To stay healthy during these record high temperatures, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Drink more fluids and avoid liquids with large amounts of sugar or alcohol.
- Limit outdoor activities to when it’s coolest in the morning and evening.
- Spend time indoors with air conditioning.
- Check to make sure your air conditioner filters are clean, and the unit is working properly.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Wear sunscreen, as sunburn affects the body’s ability to cool down.
- Check on your neighbors and relatives.
- Never leave children or pets unattended in cars, even with the windows cracked.
Safe Firearm Storage Reminder
Each year in the United States, hundreds of children are accidentally injured or killed by firearms that are not properly secured.
With last month recognized as National Gun Violence Prevention Month, the Michigan State Police is reminding residents that Michigan gun owners are legally responsible for ensuring their firearms are stored in a safe manner. The state’s Secure Storage Law requires individuals to keep unattended firearms unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises.
Safe storage can reduce the risk of both intentional and unintentional injuries and deaths, as well as lower the rates of firearm theft. Next time you store your firearm, ensure it’s unloaded, locked, and kept separate from ammunition. If you don’t have a gun lock but need one, free locks can be obtained through Project ChildSafe police partners across the state. To find one near you, click here.