Dear Neighbor,\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
I spent time over the holiday weekend reflecting on the 2025 State Budget my Senate Democratic colleagues and I worked with the governor to recently pass. While compromises must be made in the budget process, I am proud of the work we did to design a budget that builds up our vibrant communities and supports our residents of all backgrounds. Find more information about the 2025 state budget in this eNews below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As always, if you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what\u2019s happening in Lansing, or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can email us at senschang@senate.michigan.gov<\/a>. \u202f\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sincerely,\u202f\u202f<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/Chang_Stephanie_Signature.png” alt=”Chang Stephanie Signature” title_text=”Chang_Stephanie_Signature” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-13px|auto||auto||” 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_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] Stephanie Chang<\/b> <\/b><\/p>\n Featured in This Newsletter:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Community Conversation: Bubble Tea with Stephanie\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-15px|auto||auto||” 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\/chang\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/06\/Chang-commconversation7.15_7.15.jpg” alt=”Senator Chang Coffee & Conversation graphic” title_text=”Chang-coffeeconversation7.15″ _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_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-14px|auto||auto||” 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_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] WHEN:<\/b> Monday, July 15, from 12:00 \u2013 1:00 p.m.\u00a0 WHEN:<\/b> Monday, July 26, from 12:00 \u2013 1:00 p.m.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Recent News\u202f<\/b>\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Vision OPEN Challenge to Help Small Businesses and Start-ups Unlock $150 Million in Federal Funding\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The Michigan Infrastructure Office has announced $10 million for the Vision OPEN Challenge, funded through the Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund, to help start-ups and small businesses secure funding from the federal Dept. of Energy\u2019s (DOE) ARPA-E Vision OPEN 2024 grant. This challenge will provide matching grants to bring advanced clean energy and innovative technologies from the lab to the market. The DOE is offering up to $150 million in federal grants, with the Vision OPEN Challenge covering half of the required 10% match.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These grants support the implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan and position Michigan as a leader in clean energy innovation and research. The investments will not only grow Michigan’s clean energy job sector, which added over 5,400 jobs in 2022 and now employs 123,983 people, but also have the potential to significantly boost the state’s economy. The World Resource Institute projects that by 2040, Michigan could create 41,000 new jobs in electric vehicle manufacturing and renewable energy, offering a promising future for the state’s workforce.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For more information, visit the Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund website<\/a>.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) is committed to providing Michigan residents with the opportunity to share input and ideas on policy decisions, programs and other aspects of natural resource management and outdoor recreation opportunities.\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One important avenue for this input is at meetings of the public bodies that advise the DNR and, in some cases, also set policies for natural and cultural resource management. Frequently check the DNR boards, commissions, committees and councils webpage<\/a> for updates.\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The links below will take you to the webpage for each group, where you will find meeting details such as location and agenda (when finalized). Please check these pages often, as meeting details may change and sometimes meetings are canceled.\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n July Meetings\u202f<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Senate Democrats Pass State Budget Dedicated to Building Up Michigan\u202f\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/Building-Up-Michigan-Budget.jpg” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”Building-Up-Michigan-Budget” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Last year marked a significant milestone for Michigan Democrats as we capitalized on their first trifecta in 40 years to spearhead a transformative budget<\/a> \u2014 directing vital resources into historically neglected sectors like infrastructure, education, and local communities.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n A couple of weeks ago, Senate Democrats successfully finished negotiations with the House on the state budget. The Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget builds on last year\u2019s transformative budget by continuing to invest in children and families, students and workers, public safety, community development, and more.\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This Democratic majority views the state budget as both a values statement and a financial plan. Our cornerstones for the 2025 budget \u2014 transformational, innovative, equitable, and intentional \u2014 reflect the priorities established last year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Read more here<\/a>.\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Senate took a historic vote in support of bipartisan legislation to expand the application of the Freedom of Information Act<\/a> (FOIA) to the Michigan Legislature and the governor\u2019s office, a significant step forward to increase transparency within state government. Senate Bills 669<\/a> and 670<\/a> each passed with a 36-2 vote.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
State Senator
<\/span>District 3\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Upcoming Events\u00a0<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n
<\/span>WHERE:<\/b> Ding Tea Detroit, 30569 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Softserve with the Senator\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-18px|auto||auto||” 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\/chang\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/Chang-7.26.24CoffeeConvo-01-scaled.jpg” alt=”Maternal Health Package” title_text=”Chang-7.26.24CoffeeConvo-01″ _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_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-14px|auto||auto||” 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_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]
<\/span>WHERE:<\/b> 8130 Kercheval Ave., Detroit, MI 48214\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Initial applications to the Competitiveness Fund are due by July 15, 2024, to meet the DOE\u2019s concept paper deadline of July 16, 2024.\u202f\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
Share your thoughts with the DNR at upcoming meetings\u202f\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Legislative Updates\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Senate Passes Legislation to Expand Freedom of Information Act to Include Governor, Legislature\u202f\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n