Senate Democrats extend our warmest wishes to the families of Michigan this holiday season, and we hope you enjoy a restful, joyous Thanksgiving full of good food and gratitude.
The holidays are a perfect time to give back and serve our local communities that contribute so much to our lives. Senate Democrats recognize the importance of investing in Michigan families, and we have worked hard to proactively address the needs and desires of our state’s diverse communities.
Here are five ways Senate Democrats have been giving back and investing in Michigan families and local communities:
1. Tackling food insecurity
With about one in eight Michigan households dealing with the devastating effects of food insecurity, it goes without saying — hunger is a grave problem in our state, and it comes with serious consequences, impacting health, financial stability, and overall well-being.
From delivering two years of free breakfast and lunch for all public school students to ensuring our senior citizens have access to food assistance programs, Senate Democrats have made significant groundwork in combating food insecurity in Michigan.
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) serves a free school lunch to Kentwood Public School students alongside Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
2. Lowering costs for families
We know that times are tough for Michiganders — many families are struggling to keep up with rent or putting food on the table. That’s why Senate Democrats have been dedicated to lowering costs for Michigan households.
From the very onset of the Democratic Majority in the Michigan Legislature, Senate Democrats made it a top priority to pass the most significant increase to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in state history. This unprecedented expansion helps working families who have the hardest time affording the necessities save an average of $750 more per year, resulting in $3,150 in total savings with the federal and state EITCs combined.
Senate Democrats also promptly repealed the unfair, unpopular tax on retirees, putting an average of $1,000 back into the pockets of approximately 500,000 senior households.
“I was proud to vote in favor of Lowering MI Costs. Making sure that our seniors are taken care of is a top priority of mine, and repealing the retirement tax is a step in the right direction,” said Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe). “Along with increasing the Working Families Tax Credit to 30 percent, this law will go far in making sure we are putting money back in the pockets of hardworking Michiganders.”
We have also delivered on lowering education and child care costs for Michigan families. In the 2025 state budget, Senate Democrats invested $330 million in the bipartisan Michigan Achievement Scholarship program, reducing the cost of community, private, or public college by thousands of dollars per year for most graduating seniors. We also delivered investments to reduce child care costs and secured $85 million for the Great Start Readiness Program, expanding access to free preschool for more four-year-olds.
3. Fighting the housing crisis
As our state continues to face high interest rates, rising rent, and low housing stock, Senate Democrats have been working hard to combat the housing crisis so that every Michigander has a safe place to call home.
Sen. Sue Shink joins a groundbreaking celebration where historic investment will soon bring 94 new homes to Jackson’s Health District neighborhood.
From investing state budget dollars into programs that work to reduce homelessness, crafting policy to prevent housing discrimination based on source of income, and passing bipartisan legislation to increase the state’s housing supply, Senate Democrats are leveraging all available tools to expand access to affordable housing here in Michigan.
4. Supporting Michigan veterans
Our veterans, who have honored our country through the highest form of service, deserve our utmost respect and support. That’s why Senate Democrats have passed impactful bipartisan legislation and secured budget investments to uplift Michigan’s veteran community. Here are just a few of the wins we’ve proudly delivered for the veterans who call Michigan home:
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- Senate Bill 389, which protects the homes of active-duty military members by reducing the likelihood of their properties going unclaimed and reverting to state ownership as they’re serving our nation;
- Senate Bill 176, which ensures surviving spouses of disabled veterans can access property tax exemptions;
- Financial support for suicide prevention programs that help veterans and their families address trauma related to military service;
- Funding for Michigan’s three veterans homes, including the Chesterfield Veteran Homes — the first and only location servicing the Metro-Detroit area;
- And grants for nonprofits who provide housing for veterans experiencing homelessness.
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Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) at the Chesterfield Township Michigan Veteran Homes.
5. Bolstering local community programs and services
Our local communities bring so much to our great state, which is why Senate Democrats are committed to uplifting the very people and programs that make up their districts.
In this year’s state budget, Senate Democrats continued to ensure that the needs and desires of their constituents are adequately met. Ranging from road safety improvements, downtown revitalization projects, support for local nonprofit organizations, and targeted housing investments, each Senator placed the priorities of their districts first and foremost to help address the unique needs of their own communities.
In total, Senate Democrats delivered $75 million in state funding to support the local needs of the Michigan communities we call home, from the smallest villages and townships to the largest cities and counties. This transformative funding enables local governments to provide residents with responsive, reliable police and fire services, quality parks and recreation opportunities, dependable water and sewer services, and much more.
Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) helps secure a $1 million grant for the East Side Soup Kitchen, allowing them to better serve local residents with safer, more efficient operations.
From fighting to lower costs for Michigan households to addressing hunger in Michigan, Senate Democrats are dedicated to supporting the hardworking families and diverse local communities of our great state, underscoring the importance of the season of giving.
We hope you and your loved ones enjoy a wonderful holiday season filled with warmth, cheer, and gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks volunteers at a local turkey drive-through giveaway.