{"id":7365,"date":"2024-01-25T12:56:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-25T17:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/mcmorrow\/?p=7365"},"modified":"2024-10-03T13:10:39","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T17:10:39","slug":"2023-legislative-year-in-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/mcmorrow\/2024\/01\/25\/2023-legislative-year-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Legislative Year in Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/mcmorrow\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2024\/04\/mcmorrowbanner.jpeg” title_text=”mcmorrowbanner” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

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

It\u2019s hard to believe we\u2019re nearing the end of 2023, and my first full year serving as your Senator in the new eighth state Senate district. We\u2019ve been busy! For some historical perspective, we passed more bills into law in the first six months of this term than the past six legislatures combined, a major feat for the first Democratic trifecta \u2014 with the state House, state Senate and Governorship all led by Democrats \u2014 since 1984.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of our most significant reforms: Sweeping gun violence prevention bills, expansion of our state civil rights act to explicitly protect LGBTQ residents and prevent discrimination based on natural hairstyles, putting our state on track to achieve 100% clean energy, repealing the \u201cretirement tax\u201d for seniors on a fixed income, quintupling the working families tax credit to lift hundreds of thousands of families out of poverty, expanding voting rights and access to the ballot, expanding childcare access, making historic investments in our education system and so much more.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you ever need assistance navigating these changes, issues with various state departments or would like to share your feedback or suggestions, please contact my office via email at <\/span>SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.gov<\/span><\/b> or phone at <\/span>(517) 373-2523<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/mcmorrow\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2024\/02\/mcmorrow2.png” title_text=”mcmorrow2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

Mallory McMorrow<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>
<\/span>State Senator\u00a0<\/span> <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
<\/span>District 8<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/mcmorrow\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2024\/10\/McMorrow-betterMichigan.png” title_text=”McMorrow-betterMichigan” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/mcmorrow\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2024\/10\/McMorrow-GunViolence.png” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”McMorrow-GunViolence” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Sweeping Gun Violence Prevention Reforms <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2020, firearms surpassed auto accidents as the leading cause of child deaths. Despite years of effort by myself and Democratic colleagues, gun violence prevention legislation was consistently blocked by the previous Republican majority.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, the new Democratic majority delivered \u2014 passing the most sweeping gun violence prevention reforms in a generation into law, including universal background checks, safe firearm storage mandates, “red flag” laws and restrictions for individuals convicted of domestic violence.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I led the extreme risk protection order legislation, which I first introduced back in 2019. These \u201cred flag\u201d laws create a preventative tool for loved ones, judges and law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from those who are an immediate risk to themselves or others. <\/span>This legislation took years of work to finally be signed into law, and I am grateful for the tireless advocates in our communities who helped make it happen.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Protecting Children from Lead Contaminated Water<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Studies have shown that <\/span>Michigan has some of the highest rates in the U.S. of children whose blood has shown elevated lead levels<\/span>. <\/span>E<\/span>ven low levels of lead can negatively affect children\u2019s brains, impacting their intellectual development and academic achievement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After bipartisan support in the House and Senate, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the “Filter First” bills into law on October 19, implementing the Clean Drinking Water Act. This requires Michigan schools and childcare centers to install bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets, develop a drinking water management plan and conduct routine sampling and testing. This legislation will help keep our children protected by ensuring on-tap filters where water is used for human consumption.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act Expanded<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Senate Bill 4 expanded the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes from discrimination. This effort has been 50 years in the making and protects our LGBTQ+ family, friends, coworkers and neighbors against discrimination in employment, public accommodations and public services. It also provides protection in educational facilities, housing and real estate.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, we passed the CROWN Act into law. Led by Senator Sarah Anthony, this legislation protects residents from discrimination in the workplace based on wearing their natural hair. Such discrimination has disproportionately impacted Michiganders of color and the Black community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Protecting Access to Reproductive Healthcare and Abortion Services <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2022, a decisive majority of Michiganders voted to enshrine reproductive rights and access to abortion services as a constitutional right via Proposal 3. However, Michigan still had many laws on the books contradicting this new constitutional amendment. This year, we finally repealed our barbaric 1931 abortion ban \u2014 the \u201czombie law\u201d \u2014that had been on our books for nearly a century that was triggered when the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, we passed the Reproductive Health Act (RHA), which removed several arbitrary and medically unnecessary hurdles that made it significantly harder for women to access reproductive healthcare and abortion services. The RHA now requires that all private insurance providers cover all pregnancy-related health care, including abortion. It also repealed the law requiring patients to receive politically driven and medically unnecessary documentation to receive abortion services and repealed arduous requirements on clinics that had previously forced many to close.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Together, these reforms ensure the will of the voters is upheld, and Michiganders will be able to access their constitutional right to reproductive healthcare without arbitrary hurdles.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Unique-in-the-Nation Drug Industry Immunity Eliminated<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For decades, Michigan’s unique laws granted sweeping immunity to pharmaceutical companies, making it the sole state with blanket immunity, even for harm or death caused by their products. This not only harmed individuals but also barred the state from participating in class action lawsuits, resulting in the loss of millions in settlement funds.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, this term, a bipartisan vote repealed this immunity, aligning Michigan with the rest of the country, granting people the right to sue companies for harm caused by their products.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/mcmorrow\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2024\/10\/McMorrow-BuildingMichigan.png” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”McMorrow-BuildingMichigan” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

Community-Based Approach to Economic Development <\/span><\/b> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recent headlines highlight the use of the SOAR Fund \u2014 Michigan’s largest incentive-based economic development tool \u2014 being used to secure businesses like Ford’s new battery plant in Marshall, GM’s Ultium battery plant in Lansing and a $7 billion investment in overhauling GM\u2019s Orion Township assembly facility.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite successes, concerns persist about the program’s size, tensions between companies and communities and whether taxpayer dollars could yield a higher return elsewhere.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Economic and Community Development, I spearheaded efforts to reevaluate Michigan’s economic development strategy. Advocating for a more holistic approach, I proposed legislation to transform the SOAR Fund into the Make It In Michigan Fund. This reform mandates that large economic development deals allocate a minimum of 20% directly into the communities where companies choose to locate, fostering a more balanced investment in people and places, not solely in companies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shifting from simply providing cash to companies, this initiative aims to foster partnerships between companies and communities. These focused community investments could enhance childcare, housing, broadband access, transit options, workforce training programs and more. Michigan should capitalize on its economic momentum by adopting a holistic approach to attract and retain talent, emphasizing investment in our state’s greatest assets: its people and communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clean Energy Future Package Puts Michigan on Path to 100% Clean Energy <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Michiganders endure expensive, unreliable and environmentally harmful electricity. Metro Detroit witnesses these issues firsthand, exacerbated by more frequent extreme weather due to climate change.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Clean Energy Future Package aims to address this by diversifying our energy portfolio with wind, solar and energy storage. We\u2019ve also strengthened the Michigan Public Service Commission for better utility regulation and established the Just Transition Office, ensuring a smooth shift to a clean energy economy with a strong, unionized workforce.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Collectively, the Clean Energy Future Package will:<\/span><\/b> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n