Dear Neighbor,
We continue to be hard at work in Lansing — protecting your rights, advancing priorities that uplift Michigan’s most pressing needs, and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of these uncertain political times. Please find details of what I’ve been doing in Lansing in this newsletter.
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
- Michigan Senate Democrats announce a record education budget proposal that prioritizes Michigan students, invests in safe and healthy learning environments, and strengthens public schools.
- Not On Our Watch! We are standing against federal cuts and chaos — in committee, in the chamber, and out in the community. Michigan Senate Democrats are working to uplift the critical impact that the chaos in Washington is creating in our neighborhoods.
- The Senate passed our legislation to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) with bipartisan support. These bills work to lower the high cost of medications, protect Michigan consumers, and increase accountability and transparency in the prescription drug industry.
- With gun violence devastating schools, families, and communities across the state and country, Senate Democrats took action to pass gun safety legislation and prevent further tragedy. Now over a year since these changes went into effect, and during Mental Health Awareness Month, I’m grateful to highlight that recent data demonstrates this legislation is fulfilling its intended purpose — saving lives.
Michigan Senate Advances Bold New Education Budget Proposal Focused on Putting Students and Teachers First
The Senate committee that oversees the PreK-12 education budget has passed a record education budget proposal that prioritizes Michigan students, invests in safe and healthy learning environments, and strengthens public schools.
With federal funding for education facing unprecedented uncertainty, Senate Democrats stepped up to deliver a bold, future-focused plan for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. In addition to raising per-pupil funding to $10,008, the proposal includes $2.5 billion in investments for student mental health, critical upgrades to school infrastructure — including clean and functional HVAC systems — and a continued commitment to free breakfast and lunch for every Michigan public school student.
The budget proposal is part of Senate Democrats’ ongoing commitment to ensuring every child, regardless of zip code, has access to a safe school, a strong support system, and the opportunities they need to thrive.
The Appropriations Subcommittee voted to report the proposal to the full Senate for further consideration.
Standing Against Federal Chaos
From abruptly freezing trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans for essential programming to haphazardly decimating entire federal agencies, Trump has proven to be consistent in one thing during his first 100 days in office — his ability to stoke unprecedented chaos, fear, and uncertainty among the American people. While his administration continues to show who they prioritize by seeking to give large tax cuts to the nation’s wealthiest at the expense of critical food and health care programs, Senate Democrats here in Michigan will continue fighting for those who matter most — and that’s you.
Whether in committee, in the chamber, or out in the community, Michigan Senate Democrats have been working to cut through the chaos caused by the Trump administration and investigate how people and communities across Michigan are being impacted by their rash and reckless decisions. Here are some ways we’ve been taking a stand for you.
Michigan Senate Advances Bills to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Michiganders
While the pharmaceutical industry raked in over $29 billion in net profits during a recent three-month period, nearly a third of Michigan residents stopped taking their prescriptions because of cost and 60% of older adults reported concerns over not being able to afford their essential medications. This is unacceptable.
To ensure all Michiganders, no matter their age, income, or background, have access to affordable, life-saving medication, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I recently passed legislation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Michigan (PDAB) — an independent body designed to lower prescription drug costs and hold Big Pharma accountable. Comprised of experts in health care, economics, and supply chain management, the PDAB would be able to analyze and recommend ways to lower drug costs in Michigan. The PDAB could also set upper payment limits — maximum amounts that can be charged for prescription drugs — on prescription drugs sold in the state.
This legislative package now heads to the House for consideration.
Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month with Action
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote understanding and compassion for folks struggling with their mental health. My Senate colleagues and I have worked hard to help address the mental health crisis here in Michigan by:
- Expanding access to mental health care coverage — Last spring, Senate Bill 27, championed by Sen. Sarah Anthony, was signed into law, requiring insurance companies to cover treatments for mental health and substance use disorders at the same level as physical health services.
- Preventing suicide through commonsense gun safety legislation — Firearms account for over half of all suicide deaths, and 90% of suicide attempts with firearms are successful. That’s why my colleagues and I passed an 11-bill gun violence prevention package in 2023, including a “red flag” law that helps temporarily remove firearms from the homes of people who pose an immediate threat to themselves or others. In the first year since this law took effect, 30% of the Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) filed mentioned threats of self-harm or suicide.
- Investing in mental health care and suicide prevention — The state budget is an impactful tool us lawmakers use to uplift and support the mental health needs of our communities. In the 2025 budget, we secured:
- $48.2 million to support substance use disorder treatment and prevention efforts;
- $30 million to increase access to 24-hour crisis services, outpatient behavioral health care, and psychiatric rehabilitation;
- $9.4 million to provide statewide coverage for 988, the suicide and mental health crisis line;
- $1.2 million to support suicide prevention programs for veterans and their families;
- $750,000 to provide resources for community-based suicide prevention efforts to meet the needs of veterans, service members, and their families; and
- $250,000 to support Six Feet Over’s suicide loss survivor program, a nonprofit that provides mental health education and support to individuals with lived experiences of suicide.
West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Groundbreaking
On Friday, we broke ground on the new Center for Latino Economic and Talent Advancement, which will support workforce development and help prepare the next generation of Hispanic leaders for strong careers and futures right here in West Michigan. I was proud to champion this project in our state budget, and together with Rep. John Fitzgerald, we were able to secure $5 million for this project.
Thanks to everyone who came together to help bring this important project to fruition.
GRPS Citywide Art Show
There is so much talent in this community! The Citywide Art Show is an annual event where an array of GRPS student art is on display — and I was so impressed. Thanks, as always, to our hardworking educators who ensure that our community’s kids are finding expression, beauty, and creative skills that will last a lifetime.
Arbor Day Celebration
April 25 was a beautiful day to gather with so many neighbors and make a lasting investment in our future… by planting trees! I joined Friends of Grand Rapids Parks for an Arbor Day celebration that day, and not only got to speak to an amazing crowd of people (who doesn’t love trees?!), but I also got to plant a tree on the grounds of River City Scholars Academy in Grand Rapids’ southeast side.
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Michiganders take a stand against gun violence on Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 22.
From our schools to our stores and even within our homes, gun violence has devastated far too many lives across our state and country. Here in Michigan, death due to gun violence has increased by 25% from 2014, leaving behind an irrevocable toll on families and communities.
That’s why my Senate Democratic colleagues and I acted quickly to secure budget investments and pass commonsense gun safety legislation to address this growing crisis. In effect since February of last year, we passed new laws to strengthen background checks for firearm purchases, require the safe storage of firearms around kids, and allow courts to issue ERPOs to temporarily intervene and suspend a person’s access to firearms if they show clear warning signs of violence.
In recognition of Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day (April 22), I want to highlight that data released earlier this year points not only to the need for the ERPO law here in Michigan, but also its effectiveness in intervening before tragedy occurs. In the first year since the law went into effect, 391 ERPO complaints were filed. Among those ERPOs filed, 30% mentioned current or past threats of self-harm or suicide. What this report demonstrates is that Michigan’s new gun safety legislation is fulfilling its intended purpose — saving lives.
- For more information on Michigan’s safe storage law, click here.
- For information about the ERPO petition process in Michigan, click here.
- To obtain a free gun lock, visit a Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services office to request one, or you can check with your local health department or Project ChildSafe police partner.
What You Need to Know About Measles: Symptoms and Vaccination Information
With recent reports of rising measles cases across the U.S., it’s important for you and your families to stay informed about the ongoing outbreak. Find more information below regarding measles, vaccinations, and updates on the outbreak.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads via direct person-to-person contact and through the air. It’s also preventable through vaccination.
Measles Symptoms
Symptoms usually appear 7–14 days after exposure but may take up to 21 days. Symptoms can include:
- High fever (can exceed 104°F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
- Red, blotchy rash starting on the face and spreading to the body
Measles can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Awareness and timely vaccination are key to preventing further spread. If you have not received a second dose or if you are unsure of your vaccination status, we encourage you to contact your health care provider. If you or someone you know may have been exposed or is experiencing symptoms like a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash, please contact your health care provider right away.
For more information about measles, visit the state’s webpage.
Prepare for Upcoming Road Closures
Over 55 road projects across the state have recently kicked off, requiring closures on several major roadways, according to the Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT).
In our area, MDOT is spending $3 million to rebuild a section of I-96. The project will involve asphalt resurfacing and joint repairs on the 3-mile stretch of I-96 between E. Beltline Avenue and Cascade Road – this begins Monday, May 12.
MDOT encourages drivers to remain vigilant, minimize distractions, slow down, and follow posted signage in work zones. For more information on work zone safety, click here. To view an online map of ongoing road projects, click here.