{"id":1112,"date":"2024-05-31T09:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-31T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/cavanagh\/?p=1112"},"modified":"2024-05-30T13:09:13","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T17:09:13","slug":"legislative-news-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/cavanagh\/2024\/05\/31\/legislative-news-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"Legislative News & Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/cavanagh\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/cavtitle.png” title_text=”cavtitle” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Dear Neighbor,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, May is not only bringing warmer weather and seasonal change, but legislative wins as well! The Michigan Senate and the House have both passed their Fiscal Year 2025 state budget proposals and are now ready to work together with the governor\u2019s office to ensure that we pass a state budget that invests our dollars into our people and the places we call home.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As always, if you would like to provide any feedback about what\u2019s happening in Lansing or need assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can email us at SenMCavanagh@senate.michigan.gov or call 517-373-7748.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Best,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/cavanagh\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-11-100327.png” title_text=”Screenshot 2024-03-11 100327″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Mary Cavanagh<\/b>
State Senator<\/span>
District 6<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Upcoming Events<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coffee and Conversation<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/cavanagh\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/04\/cav1.png” title_text=”Senator Cavanagh Coffee & Conversation graphic” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” alt=”Senator Cavanagh Coffee & Conversation graphic” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Please join me for my upcoming Coffee and Conversation on Friday, June 14 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., at Apothecary Espresso and Coffee Shop (23366 Farmington Rd., Farmington, MI 48336).<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/span>When:<\/span><\/b> June 14, 2024, from 2:00 \u2013 3:00 p.m.<\/span>\u00a0
<\/span>Where<\/span><\/b>: Apothecary Espresso and Coffee, <\/span>23366 Farmington Rd., Farmington, MI 48336<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I hope to see you there!<\/span>\u00a0
<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Legislative Updates<\/span><\/b>\u00a0
<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/cavanagh\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/EdFrench.jpg” title_text=”EdFrench” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

I was honored to be joined in Lansing on May 23 by Redford Township Police Department Detective Ed French for the Michigan Senate\u2019s 29th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony!<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

Detective French joined the U.S. Army Reserves in November of 1998 as a Civil Affairs Specialist. From there, he deployed to Honduras, Bosnia, Iraq, and Qatar from 2000 to 2019. Throughout his decades-long career, Detective French has received notable awards for his service, including the following: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and NATO Medal. He retired in September 2023 after 24 years of service as a Sergeant First Class.<\/span>\u00a0
<\/span><\/p>\n

Since 1995, the Michigan Senate has held a special session to commemorate Memorial Day and recognize Michigan veterans, active military servicemembers, and their families, including our state\u2019s Blue Star Mothers. The ceremony also recognizes the Michigan soldiers who lost their lives and their Gold Star Families. The ceremony is a moment to reflect on and recognize the dignity and humanity of our military service members, honoring those whose lives were lost in service to their fellow Americans. I am honored to have been joined by Detective French as my guest this year, and I am deeply grateful for his bravery and commitment to serving our country.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Working to Deliver Innovative \u201cBuilding up Michigan\u201d State Budget<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/cavanagh\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/budget_general-Facebook.jpg” title_text=”budget-workingfile” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Last year marked a<\/span> significant milestone for Michigan Democrats as we capitalized on their first trifecta in 40 years to spearhead a transformative budget<\/span><\/a> \u2014 directing vital resources into historically neglected sectors like infrastructure, education, and local communities. This comprehensive budget, encompassing various offices, departments, initiatives, projects, and programs, follows an annual funding cycle, necessitating the State Legislature to craft a new budget each year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Crafting this state budget is a collaborative effort involving negotiations between both legislative branches and the governor, resulting in a new state budget being signed into law each year to distribute funding to residents, schools, communities, businesses, local governments, and more.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, we\u2019re in an exciting moment with our budget process, continuing the transformative investments of the previous year and taking an innovative approach to addressing the needs of all Michiganders. Some highlights of our<\/span> \u201cBuilding Up Michigan\u201d budget<\/span><\/a> proposal include record school funding, increased access to community college for students, significant funding for local communities, and efforts to lower costs for state residents.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we work to deliver a final budget by the end of June, I encourage you to learn more about the process and the investments we\u2019re looking to make to support communities across Michigan \u2014 read more<\/span> here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Senate Democrats Introduce Bills to Codify Capitol Weapons Ban<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) and Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Keego Harbor) introduced Senate Bills<\/span> 857<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> 858<\/span><\/a>, respectively, which would codify a weapons ban enacted by the Michigan State Capitol Commission in 2023 and expand it to include the state Senate and House office buildings. This legislation is vital to protecting all visitors to our State Capitol, especially children and school groups, and making sure people aren\u2019t intimidated out of participating in democracy, attending committee hearings, and visiting their lawmakers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The legislation would also maintain an exemption allowing sitting members of the\u00a0Legislature to carry concealed firearms. The bills were referred to the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Senate Democrats Fight to Expand Access to Mental Health Care<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout our state, communities are grappling with the issue of having too little access to mental health support \u2014 a crisis particularly affecting young Michiganders and our veterans. That\u2019s why Senate Democrats took action and made critical investments in the 2024 State Budget to address this gap in coverage and ensure all Michigan residents who need assistance can access it. A few highlights of the investments we have made thus far in mental health care include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n