{"id":1164,"date":"2024-05-01T10:59:45","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T14:59:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/shink\/?p=1164"},"modified":"2024-05-01T10:59:47","modified_gmt":"2024-05-01T14:59:47","slug":"events-resources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/shink\/2024\/05\/01\/events-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Updates, Events and Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/shink\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2024\/03\/shink1-2.png” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” alt=”Senator Sue Shink Email Banner” title_text=”shink1″ url=”www.senatedems.com\/shink\/” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

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

Early May offers a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends and family. Whether it’s a walk in the park, going fishing, a hike on the trails, or a barbecue in your backyard, I hope you are taking time to soak up the sunshine and make the most of this spring season.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As always, this newsletter will inform you of some of the exciting things happening in the Legislature and in Senate District 14.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you or someone you know would like to provide feedback about what\u2019shappening in Lansing, or need assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can email us at <\/span>sensshink@senate.michigan.gov<\/span><\/a>or call (517) 373-2426. And don\u2019t forget to visit my <\/span>official Facebook page<\/span><\/a> for the latest updates on happenings at the Capitol and in the district.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/shink\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2024\/03\/shinksignature.png” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” alt=”Senator Shink Signature” title_text=”shinksignature” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_padding=”|264px||||”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Sue Shink\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0
<\/span>State Senator<\/span>\u00a0
<\/span>District 14<\/span><\/p>\n

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Legislative Updates<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Senate Democrats Pass the Fertility Health Care Act\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Just weeks after the shocking Alabama court ruling that declared that frozen embryos have equal legal rights as children, jeopardizing fertility treatments such as IVF, Michigan Senate Democrats voted on the final passage of House Bills <\/span>5207<\/span><\/a>–<\/span>5215,<\/span><\/a> which eliminate barriers to parentage in fertility health care and allow Michiganders more ways to grow their families. Gov. Whitmer signed those bills into law on April 1.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before this legislation, children born in Michigan through assisted reproduction, such as IVF and surrogacy, had no clear legal link to their parents. Additionally, Michigan was the only state that criminalized paid surrogacy, which left many children in Michigan born through assisted reproduction or surrogacy without clear legal protection and with uncertainty regarding their legal status. This legislation addresses these concerns to help keep families together, including same sex couples and those who choose IVF or surrogacy.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While reproductive rights face threats across the country, Michigan Senate Democrats are committed to dismantling barriers to ensure that those who want to start a family can.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Recapping Senate Democrats\u2019 Work to Safeguard Michiganders\u2019 Wellness During Public Health Week<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the new opportunity to better address Michiganders\u2019 wellness, our Majority for the People has worked to pass comprehensive, evidence-based policies to expand access to healthcare and improve the health of Michigan residents. As we observe Michigan Public Health Week, Senate Democrats recognize the invaluable contributions of those who safeguard the health of our communities and recommit to supporting their efforts as we work collectively to promote the well-being of our state.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During our first year-plus in office, we have wasted no time in enacting meaningful policies and securing investments to achieve a brighter, healthier Michigan for future generations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some legislative highlights include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Expanding access to care<\/span><\/b> by codifying the Affordable Care Act into state law and passing legislation that would establish the <\/span>Prescription Drug Affordability Board<\/span><\/a> to rein in the skyrocketing cost of medications.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Combatting our gun violence epidemic<\/span><\/b> by closing dangerous loopholes to strengthen background checks, requiring the secure storage of firearms, disarming individuals convicted of domestic violence, and allowing for the temporary removal of firearms from people who pose a significant risk to themselves or others.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Protecting Michiganders\u2019 reproductive freedom<\/span><\/b> by repealing our state\u2019s archaic 1931 abortion ban, passing the <\/span>Reproductive Health Act<\/span><\/a> to repeal medically unnecessary regulations regarding health clinics that perform abortions, and championing the <\/span>Family Protection Act<\/span><\/a> to eliminate barriers to parentage in fertility healthcare to allow Michiganders more ways to grow their families.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keeping Michigan\u2019s air and water clean<\/span><\/b> by passing the <\/span>Clean Energy Future<\/span><\/a> package which sets long-awaited clean energy and renewable energy standards and increases energy efficiency targets, in addition to passing <\/span>Filter First<\/span><\/a> legislation that will require Michigan schools and childcare centers to implement a drinking water management plan and install filtered faucets and bottle-filling stations, ensuring every student and educator can fill their water bottle or go to the water fountain knowing it is safe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to passing a slate of legislation to safeguard Michiganders\u2019 wellbeing, Senate Democrats also made transformational investments in public health in our 2024 state budget. Some highlights include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n