- Legislative Update: From protecting Michigan’s seniors and vulnerable adults to supporting victims of domestic violence, Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues have been working hard to advance critical, bipartisan legislation to safeguard our state’s most vulnerable. Learn more below.
- District Update: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, help and resources are available — you can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or access additional resources below.
- Federal shutdown & SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Update: If the shutdown continues, USDA has warned that there won’t be funds for SNAP benefits for Nov, potentially pausing assistance for millions. Find more information from MDHHS on this update here.
Good News from the District:
- Desoto Ellsworth Block Association Meeting
Recently, Senator McMorrow attended a meeting of the Desoto Ellsworth Block Association (DEBA) in Detroit. Discussion included the recently passed state budget, as well as how our office can best serve constituent needs. DEBA is a very active block association, and their goal is to revitalize their neighborhood by focusing on resources and projects that enhance the quality of life for all its neighbors. They are currently working hard to turn vacant lots into a neighborhood park. - Toss and Sauce Grand Opening
Toss and Sauce is a new fast casual pizzeria on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion, owned by Ashley Patton and Cher Slater. They recently had the official opening, and Team McMorrow was there! Toss and Sauce serves up the flavor of the city, designing custom pizzas with uniquely Detroit names like “What Up Dough.” Ingredients are organic and non-GMO, and the recipe for the dough alone took Ashley five years to perfect. - OCC Culinary Institute Open House
As Oakland Community College (OCC) commemorates its 60th year, they just completed the new 78,000 square-foot facility that is home to the award-winning Culinary Studies Institute. The $74 million, three-story expansion on the Royal Oak campus features three classrooms, two demonstration kitchens and five teaching kitchens, giving students access to the most state-of-the-art culinary learning facility in Southeast Michigan.
Senate Democrats Call on Congress to Protect Health Care Access
No matter your zip code, line of work, or amount of money in your wallet — everyone deserves to access the health care they need, when they need it. Yet, at this very moment, millions of Americans and nearly 500,000 Michiganders who buy their health insurance on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace are at risk of losing their coverage if Congress doesn’tact now to extend vital tax credits from expiring at the end of 2025.
These premium tax credits are a lifeline for Michigan workers, families, farmers, and small business owners who don’t get coverage through their workplaces or through Medicaid or Medicare. Without these, millions of people across the country will be slapped with insurance bills double or even triple the normal amount — forcing many to forego care altogether. This will only result in the health insurance marketplace being destabilized, leading to the loss of 4,400 health care-related jobs here in Michigan and higher health care costs for all of us.
This week, Sen. McMorrow was proud to join her Senate Democratic colleagues in passing a resolution to call on Congress to act before it’s too late and extend these ACA premium tax credits from expiring. They also held a hearing in the Senate Health Policy Committee to shine a light on the devastating consequences Congress’s inaction would have on Michiganders around the state who rely on these credits to afford their care. Learn more here.
Enhancing Transparency in the State Budget
Upon securing the Majority in 2023, Senate Democrats required lawmakers to clearly put their name next to any funding they secured on behalf of their community — an important step to building a state budget process that is both transparent and accountable to those they work with and serve. But they didn’t stop there.
Before passing the 2026 state budget earlier this month, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing to review each of the individual enhancement grants Senate Democrats fought to include in the final budget agreement.
And, earlier this week, Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues passed Senate Bill 596 with nearly unanimous bipartisan support — legislation that requires all legislative directed spending items, including enhancement grants and earmarks, to be publicly disclosed on the Senate or House website before the passage of the state budget. Championed by Appropriations Chair Sen. Sarah Anthony, this bill continues their commitment to Michiganders around the state, ensuring they can see where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent.
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity
Along with securing game-changing investments for kids and communities in the recently signed state budget, Sen. McMorrow and her Senate colleagues are continuing to advance legislation for Michiganders across the state, including bills to:
- Safeguard missing seniors and vulnerable adults by establishing a statewide Silver Alert public notification system that functions much like an Amber Alert. Championed by Sen. McMorrow and passed with unanimous bipartisan support earlier this week, this legislation would help bring more Michiganders back to the safety of their homes and families. Learn more here.
- Support those who are grieving by allowing exemptions from jury duty participation for individuals who have a family member in hospice care or who are mourning after the death of a loved one. Also led by Sen. McMorrow, this legislation passed the Senate earlier this week with near-unanimous support.
- Combat human trafficking in Michigan by strengthening penalties for those who commit this heinous crime while bolstering support for survivors.
- Ensure greater transparency and accountability in the insurance industry and better safeguard Michigan consumers from unfair, deceptive practices. Learn more here.
- Protect people fleeing situations of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, or assault by reforming the Personal Protection Order (PPO) process — requiring that PPOs are served immediately and at no cost to the victim by a law enforcement agency. Learn more here.
- Expand access to health and dental care coverage for Michigan’s National Guard members to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts, improve troops’ readiness, and protect those who protect our state. Learn more here.
Celebrating Free School Meals Week in Michigan
No child should have to learn on an empty stomach. That’s why, during budget negotiations, Sen. McMorrow and her Senate Democratic colleagues fought hard to ensure the widely popular free school meals program could continue — and they were successful.
Recently signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Democrats’ historic education budget secured over $248 million so that Michigan’s 1.4 million public school students can continue accessing free breakfast and lunch, helping them stay focused in the classroom, while saving families across the state nearly $1,000 per year. In recognition of Free School Lunch Week this past Oct. 13-17, we celebrate the power that bold investments like these have on our kids, families, and communities. Along with ensuring the continuation of the universal meals program, other budget wins Senate Democrats helped secure for Michigan’s schools and students include:
- Record per-pupil funding of $10,050.
- Boosted funding for at-risk students, English-language learners, special education programs, and rural and isolated districts.
- Additional resources for literacy supports, building on Senate Democrats’ legislative efforts to strengthen learning based on the science of reading; and
- Expanded access to free pre-K and community college to save Michiganders money.
To learn more about the investments Senate Democrats delivered for Michiganders around the state, click here.
MDHHS instructed by USDA to temporarily pause issuance of November SNAP benefits
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) received communication from the federal government’s Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) indicating that due to the ongoing federal government funding lapse, there may be limited availability of funds to pay full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the nation. FNS has unfortunately directed MDHHS to hold November SNAP issuance and ongoing benefits until further notice.
The federal government’s delay of SNAP benefits will place Michiganders at risk of food insecurity and poverty. SNAP, a critical program for families and individuals across Michigan to access food, is the nation’s largest food assistance program and one of the most effective tools to reduce food insecurity. If you or your family rely on SNAP benefits, please be aware that the USDA has directed a pause in benefits starting November 1st. Find more information from MDHHS on this update here.
Gleaners has created an interactive map (https://www.gcfb.org), which shows food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile food delivery units throughout SE Michigan.
We encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns that you may have. You can 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.
Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence is a serious crisis facing women and families across Michigan and the United States. On a typical day, more than 20,000 phone calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.
To help protect those feeling domestic violence, abuse, harassment, or stalking, Senate Democrats introduced bipartisan legislation this past week that would make much-needed reforms to our state’s Personal Protection Order process (PPO). Currently, it can cost up to $100 to serve a PPO in Michigan — an amount that could be especially tough for someone fleeing domestic violence to afford. To eliminate this financial burden and other barriers, these bills would require a PPO to be immediately served and at no cost to the victim by a law enforcement agency.
Understanding that domestic violence is also deeply interconnected with gun violence, Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues delivered long-awaited legislation to keep weapons out of the hands of convicted abusers within mere months of securing the Majority. Now law, her legislation helps prevent tragedies from occurring by allowing courts to issue Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) to temporarily intervene and suspend a person’s access to firearms if they show clear warning signs of violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please visit the Michigan State Police webpage on domestic violence here for more information or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. You can find information about the ERPO petition process in Michigan at this link. Additional resources can be found here.
Desoto Ellsworth Block Association Meeting
Recently, Senator McMorrow attended a meeting of the Desoto Ellsworth Block Association (DEBA) at Mt. Sion Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit. Discussion included the recently passed state budget as well as how the office can serve constituent needs.
DEBA is a very active block association, and their goal is to revitalize the neighborhood by focusing on resources and projects that enhance the quality of life for all its neighbors. They are currently working hard to turn vacant lots into a neighborhood park. They are looking for funding; recently, they have applied for a neighborhood beautification grant and also held a Jazz in the Park fundraiser. Thank you to Betty Varner and DEBA for all the incredible work you do for the community!
Toss and Sauce Grand Opening
Toss and Sauce is a new fast, casual pizzeria on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion, owned by Ashley Patton and Cher Slater. They recently had the official opening, and Team McMorrow was there!
Toss and Sauce serves up the flavor of the city, designing custom pizzas with uniquely Detroit names like “What Up Dough.” Ingredients are organic and non-GMO, and the recipe for the dough alone took Ashley five years to perfect.
When she decided that she wanted to open the business, Ashley’s first call was to Invest Detroit, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), which bridges funding gaps and provides access for historically underserved communities. She expressed her appreciation for Invest Detroit being a partner since that first day in 2019. As chair of the Senate Economic and Community Development Committee, Senator McMorrow works hard to uplift the benefits of community investment through CDFIs. Additionally, Toss and Sauce received a $60,000 grant through the Motor City Match program.
Welcome to the neighborhood, Ashley and Cher!
OCC Culinary Institute Open House
As Oakland Community College (OCC) commemorates its 60th year, they just completed the new 78,000 square-foot facility that is home to the award-winning Culinary Studies Institute. The $74 million, three-story expansion on the Royal Oak campus features three classrooms, two demonstration kitchens, and five teaching kitchens, giving students access to the most state-of-the-art culinary learning facility in Southeast Michigan. It includes a 2,372-square-foot restaurant on the third floor with a sloping ceiling and glass windows with a 360-degree view of downtown Royal Oak. The restaurant offers the community an opportunity to enjoy fine-dining recipes that culinary students prepare and serve as part of their training.
Team McMorrow was there for the grand opening and tour. Most openings have a ribbon cutting, but appropriately, this celebration had a ceremonial cake cutting! (The cake was a model of the new building.) One dynamic guest speaker was OCC Culinary student Aaron Brown, who took first place in a national Restaurant Service competition and earned a full-tuition scholarship to the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York City. He earned his Baking and Pastry certificate in 2017 from OCC and completed a Culinary Arts degree in 2022. He will complete the Hospitality Management curriculum in 2026, all while working full-time as an engineer and attending classes at night.
What an inspiring asset to the OCC and Royal Oak communities!
Thank you for staying connected with Sen. McMorrow’s office through the 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.