- Legislative Update: While the Senate passed a state budget months ago that would lower costs for working families, provide stable funding for schools and students, improve government efficiency, and ensure access to the vital services and programs that Michiganders rely on, the irresponsible plan finally proposed by the House GOP instead guts funding for these critical priorities. As the clock continues to tick, Sen. McMorrow and her Senate Democratic colleagues remain at the negotiating table ready to deliver a budget that doesn’t shortchange Michigan students or their families.
- Legislative Update: Earlier this week, Sen. McMorrow shared testimony in the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety on two pieces of legislation she is sponsoring to protect vulnerable Michiganders. One bill would establish a statewide public notification system for missing seniors; another would allow grieving Michiganders to claim exemption from jury duty participation. Learn more below.
- District Update: In honor of Suicide Prevention Month this September, find resources and information below to learn what you can do to help prevent suicide in your community.
- Good News from the District: Sen. McMorrow, State Rep. Natalie Price, Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg, and the Berkley Deputy Treasurer Gina Harold recently co-hosted a Property Tax Town Hall, with Treasurer Wittenberg presenting valuable information about the foreclosure process and ways that it might be avoided.
- Good News from the District: Oak Park city leaders recognized Public Safety Dispatcher Mary Ann Page who has served the city for 26 years and is now retiring. And former City Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Burns was awarded the Juneteenth Trailblazer Award in recognition of her years of service and leadership.
- Good News from the District: The Oakland Community College Royal Oak campus completed a new 78,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, which houses the award-winning Culinary Studies Institute. Attend the open house on Oct. 17 for a tour and to sample dishes from students and instructors!
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity: Strengthening Michigan’s People & Places
Alongside working to pass a state budget before the Oct. 1 deadline, Senate Democrats have continued to get things done for Michiganders across the state, recently advancing legislation to:
- Protect missing and vulnerable seniors through the establishment of a statewide Silver Alert public notification system. Spearheaded by Sen. McMorrow, this bipartisan legislation would require local police to notify Michigan State Police when a senior goes missing. The State Police would then activate alerts through the federal Wireless Emergency Alert system, ensuring immediate public notification — much like an Amber Alert, but for missing elderly individuals. This bill awaits a vote in the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety, where it was taken up for testimony earlier this week.
- Support Michiganders who are grieving. Also sponsored by Sen. McMorrow and heard in committee this past week, Senate Bill 330 would allow individuals who have a family member in hospice care, or who are grieving after the death of a loved one, to claim exemption from jury duty participation.
- Address the state’s housing crisis by breaking barriers faced by renters. Passed out of committee this past week, Senate Bills 372–375 would lower costs for Michigan renters, hold landlords accountable, and allow for the expungement of eviction records.
- Strengthen protections for Michigan consumers. Recently 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 — tiny plastic particles found just about everywhere, from drinking water and foods to cosmetics and cleaning supplies. Heard in committee this past week, newly introduced 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.
Senate Democrats Continue Holding the Line for a Responsible State Budget
Long after the statutory July 1 deadline, House Republicans passed a state budget — finally. However, their half-baked proposal makes dangerous, catastrophic cuts to vital services and programs that Michigan residents rely on and fund with their hard-earned tax dollars. In fact, Speaker Matt Hall and House Republicans are actively working to defund critical state agencies and programs, including the Michigan State Police, Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services, Dept. of Corrections, Dept. of Natural Resources, and Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, among others. Watch Sen. McMorrow’s recent floor speech on their reckless proposal below.
With weeks until the new fiscal year, the House Republican budget proposal guts funding for schools, first responders, working families, and more. While the budget plan that Sen. McMorrow and her Senate Democratic colleagues passed back in May makes continued, bold investments in our students and classrooms, bolsters support for veterans and first responders who keep us safe, and lowers costs for families statewide, the Republican-led House proposal instead actively seeks to defund critical supports for Michiganders by:
- Cutting over 400 State Police jobs;
- Defunding school meals;
- Slashing billions from health care and programs supporting moms and babies;
- Eliminating resources to protect Michigan’s air, forests, and water;
- Cutting support for crime victims; and
- Drawing back dollars for local communities to provide essential services, such as public safety, their residents rely on.
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 the two budget proposals here.
And, to see how the House GOP budget would impact communities in the 8th Senate District, check out the graphic below.
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 Senate Democrats taking them to court earlier this year, where the judge ruled in their 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.
So, as of Tuesday this past week, this case is now pending before the Court of Appeals. As we await a decision, Senate Democrats remain committed to doing what they were elected by the people of Michigan to do — deliver solutions.
Passed by the Senate and returned to the House for presentation to the governor in Dec. 2024, House Bills 4177 and 4665–4667 of 2023 and House Bills 4900–4901, 5817–5818, and 6058 of 2024 would lower health care costs for teachers and first responders and improve retirement benefits for corrections officers.
Standing Up for Michigan Workers This Labor Day and Always
Following the Labor Day holiday this week, we honor the hardworking labor force that builds up our state every day, from our educators to our homecare workers, our skilled tradespeople to our first responders, and everyone else in between.
Since the onset of the Senate Democratic Majority, Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues have worked hard to strengthen workers’ rights, from repealing the state’s harmful anti-union law to reinstating prevailing wages, and:
- Investing in the creation of the Community and Worker Economic Transition Office, which develops proactive strategies to help companies and Michiganders take full advantage of the high-tech, high-paying jobs coming to the state in the auto and energy sectors.
- Enabling workers to go back to school to pursue a degree or skilled trade certification through investing in the Michigan Reconnect scholarship.
- Passing legislation to strengthen Michigan’s child labor laws and protect youth from unsafe working conditions.
- Restoring collective bargaining rights for 35,000 independent home care workers, giving them the choice to form a union, create access to training for caregivers, and more.
- Extending prevailing wage protections to statewide wind and solar projects, ensuring fair compensation and protecting the skills and safety of our workforce.
- Advocating for workforce development investments that support everyone, from graduating seniors to veterans.
Senate Democrats will continue doing everything in their power to ensure Michigan workers have access to the support and resources they need to thrive.
Honoring September as Suicide Prevention Month
The devastation of suicide is far-reaching, impacting families and communities across our state and beyond. But suicide is preventable — and September, National Suicide Prevention Month, serves as a great opportunity to spread awareness and resources to connect residents with the help they may need.
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, toll-free, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
- The Veterans Crisis Line provides free 24/7, confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their loved ones. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Call 988 and press “1” to speak with a qualified responder, or text 838255.
- Find a suicide prevention coalition, support group, or crisis line near you by scrolling down this page and finding a listing in your county.
- Get help for yourself or a loved one, learn the facts and warning signs, locate advocacy resources, and much more through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Reminders for Michigan Motorists with School Buses Back on the Road
Recently released data from the Michigan State Police shows that overall traffic crashes and fatalities on state roadways rose slightly in 2024 — distressing statistics that underscore how important it is to remain alert and vigilant on the roads. Especially now, with the new school season underway and school buses back on the roads, Michigan motorists must exercise caution and follow the below rules to ensure everyone is safe as they’re out and about.
When you see a school bus stopping for students to board, remember: yellow lights on school buses activate when the bus is preparing to stop. Red lights and the long stop arm are activated when the bus is completely stopped and accepting or discharging passengers.
Here’s a reminder on what to do when a school bus stops on different road types:
- Two-lane roadway
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Multi-lane roadway with a center turning lane
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Four-lane roadway without a median separation
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation
- When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.
Property Tax Town Hall
Thank you to everyone who attended the recent Property Tax Town Hall at the Berkley Library! For those of you that couldn’t make it, Sen. McMorrow, State Rep. Natalie Price, Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg, and the Berkley Deputy Treasurer Gina Harold co-hosted this town hall, with Treasurer Wittenberg presenting valuable information about the foreclosure process and ways that it might be avoided.
Here are three takeaways:
- To prepare for any rising taxes after purchasing a home, contact the local assessor’s office before buying to get an idea of how your property taxes may go up so you can budget ahead of time!
- There are community resources for those facing foreclosure, including the Financial Empowerment Center.
- The Oakland County Treasurer’s Office has programming to provide buyers with information needed to be successful in purchasing a new home and avoiding foreclosure.
Visit oakgov.com/treasurer to learn more!
Oak Park Recognitions
Oak Park city leaders held a special retirement recognition for longtime Oak Park Public Safety Dispatcher Mary Ann Page. Dispatcher Page served the city for 26 years and played an essential role in supporting police and fire operations. Thank you, Dispatcher Page, for your outstanding service and congratulations on a well-earned retirement!
Former City Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Burns was awarded the Juneteenth Trailblazer Award in recognition of her years of service and leadership. She established the Juneteenth Committee, organized the Oak Park Celebration, and led fundraising efforts.
We applaud her dedication and commitment to diversity, culture, and community.
OCC Culinary Studies Institute
The Oakland Community College Royal Oak campus has completed their new 78,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, which houses the award-winning Culinary Studies Institute. Attend the open house on October 17th for a tour and to sample dishes from students and instructors! To RSVP, click here.
Thank you for staying connected with Sen. McMorrow’s office through our biweekly e-newsletter. We’re committed to keeping you informed on our work in Lansing and the progress we’re making in the district. Whether it’s legislative updates or community initiatives, we want to ensure you’re engaged and aware of the ways we’re advocating for you.
Reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas that you may have. Our office is here to assist you with any state-related matters, and we value your feedback. Feel free to contact us at (517) 373-2523 or by email at SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.gov. You can also fill out a contact form on our website and we’ll get back to you as soon as we’re able.