Dear Neighbor,
With the official start of autumn right around the corner, we are not only quickly approaching a season full of fall foliage and apple cider, but we are also unfortunately speeding towards a government shutdown. Come Oct. 1, if the Legislature is unable to send a full budget to the governor for signature, many of the programs and services Michiganders rely on — and pay for with their hard-earned tax dollars — will come to a halt. Schools have already been forced to begin a new academic year without knowing what their budgets will look like, and soon, our local cities, our police and fire departments, and more will be faced with the same fate.
At the Capitol, my Senate colleagues and I have been working to negotiate a responsible state budget, as we have been ever since we passed our budget proposal back in May. With only days before the start of the new fiscal year, the contrast between our proposal and the House’s could not be more stark. Senate Democrats are committed to delivering a balanced budget that uplifts Michiganders and delivers on your priorities. Meanwhile, House Speaker Matt Hall remains hellbent on intentionally sowing dysfunction, threatening to upend vital services, and destabilize the state — all in the name of scoring political points.
Read more about the status of negotiations below, as well hear more about the legislative work my colleagues and I are continuing to do on behalf of you, our community, and our state.
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
- As we inch alarmingly closer to the start of a new fiscal year and potential GOP-initiated government shutdown, Senate Democrats are continuing to fight for a fiscally responsible state budget that invests in Michiganders.
- Senate Democrats continue to pass bills that matter to Michiganders: addressing the state’s housing crisis, strengthening safeguards for Michigan consumers, and protecting public health and the environment.
- Sept. 15 is the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich culture and histories of Latino Americans across the United States and here in Michigan. Read more below.
The Clock is Ticking: Senate Democrats Continue Fight for a Responsible State Budget
As the clock ticks and the start of the new fiscal year looms, the Senate is still missing a serious partner in the Michigan House to negotiate a state budget with. Since the start of this legislative term, Speaker Matt Hall has failed to step up, instead choosing to manufacture a crisis in attempts to push through an extreme agenda and score political points.
Months after the statutory July 1 deadline, House Republicans finally introduced a full 800-page proposal recently…and then passed it in less than half an hour later with no public input. The House Republicans’ proposal is a far cry from a fiscally responsible budget. Instead of investing in education, public safety, and economic development, it would:
- Exacerbate dangerous cuts to critical safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
- Undermine the health and safety of Michiganders’ food by slashing millions for food and milk safety programs.
- Make our communities less safe by defunding 400 Michigan State Police positions.
- Threaten the futures of Michigan students by ripping resources away from schools.
- Harm Michigan workers and stall economic growth by slashing resources for job creation services.
- Roll back environmental protections by gutting funding for air and water quality programs and cutting key regulatory oversight programs.
- Force communities to slash vital, everyday services such as public safety, local road maintenance, and trash collection.
Our state budget should reflect our values — not betray them. As the deadline to secure a deal inches alarmingly closer, Senate Democrats will continue returning to the table, ready to negotiate a budget that truly puts people first. Learn more about the differences in our budget proposals here.
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity: Strengthening Michigan’s People & Places
In addition to our work to move budget negotiations forward ahead of the Oct. 1 fiscal year deadline, my Senate colleagues and I have continued to deliver solutions for Michiganders across the state, recently advancing legislation to:
- Address the state’s housing crisis by breaking barriers faced by renters. Recently passed out of committee, Senate Bills 372–375 would lower costs for Michigan renters, hold landlords accountable, and allow for the expungement of eviction records.
- Strengthen safeguards for Michigan consumers. Passed in bipartisan fashion, Senate Bills 360–364 would bring Michigan up to speed with 37 other states by empowering the Attorney General’s office to investigate security breaches and hold violators accountable.
- Safeguard public health and the environment from the impact of microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles found just about everywhere, from drinking water and foods to cosmetics and cleaning supplies. Heard in committee earlier this month, this legislation would create a statewide strategy to help assess and address the impact of microplastics on public health and the environment — including the Great Lakes, where they are more prevalent than in other large bodies of water throughout the world.
9 Bills 9 Months Later — Update on the “Hall Holdup” Lawsuit
For nine months, the Republican House of Representatives has continued to deliberately and illegally block nine bills passed by both legislative chambers last year from being sent to the governor. This is despite us taking them to court earlier this year, where the judge ruled in our favor, making it abundantly clear that the Michigan Constitution says every bill passed by the legislature is required to be presented to the governor — and no one, especially an elected public servant in legislative leadership, is above the law. Still, Speaker Matt Hall has done what he does best, drag his feet and play games with peoples’ livelihoods.
Because of him, legislation passed by both chambers back in Dec. 2024 to lower health care costs for teachers and first responders and improve retirement benefits for corrections officers is just sitting on his desk, collecting dust.
Senate Democrats will continue to do everything we can to force his hand to comply with the Michigan Constitution and rule of law. As of last week, our case was brought before the Court of Appeals. As we await a decision, my colleagues and I remain committed to delivering solutions for you.
New GRPS Houseman Field
We’re celebrating with GRPS athletes, who cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Houseman Field. This space is so rich with history and pride — and we are excited to see athletes compete on its new track, new turf, new lights, and with a new energy in this beautiful space.
Affordable Housing Ribbon Cutting
ICCF Community Homes cut the ribbon at The Seymour, an affordable housing project at the former Seymour Christian School in Alger Heights. This project was made possible in part because of our 2023 legislation that expanded the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act — which helps support projects that are bringing blighted properties back into vibrant, usable spaces — to include housing projects.
New St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Community Center
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (which is the oldest public building in the city!) has been an important part of the support network for people experiencing homelessness — the only resource for a free breakfast on Saturday mornings. For the last 20 years, they have served 7,500 hot breakfasts a year. They also host MSU College of Human Medicine students to offer exams, vaccines, and health care. And the number of folks who need these services is growing.
They broke ground this week on their Community Center — a space that will allow them to expand their outreach to downtown neighbors. Supported by $1.5 million of state funding from last year’s budget, this Center will be able to feed more people, offer accessibility to people with wheelchairs and mobility challenges, offer showers, and more.
MDHHS Issues ‘Do Not Eat’ Fish Advisories
The Dept. of Health and Human Services has issued “Do Not Eat” fish advisories for Hopewell Indian Mounds Pond, Luvis Lake, Porter Lake, and Spelman Lake at the Wyoming Clean Water Plant. Learn more here.
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich culture and histories of Latino Americans across the United States and here in Michigan. The month-long observance, from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, commemorates the independence days of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
In Michigan’s history, only 14 Hispanic individuals have been elected to serve in the state legislature, including my colleagues, Sens. Mary Cavanagh, Erika Geiss, and Darrin Camilleri. Their backgrounds and lived experiences make our caucus and our state stronger. Learn more about them and Hispanic Heritage Month here.
Mental Health Resources and Educational Opportunities Mosaic Counseling has several support groups and educational opportunities that are open to the public:
- Suicide Prevention Training on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 12:00–1:00 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Please register here.
- Community support groups, all held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Forest View Hospital’s Community Room, 1055 Medical Park Dr., SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546
- After Loss Support Group: 3rd Wednesday of every month
- Suicide Attempt Survivor Group: 1st Tuesday of every month
- Men’s Support Group: 2nd Monday of every month