Dear Neighbor,
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family well. It’s been a busy time in the Michigan Senate as we work to pass meaningful policy and finalize the state budget. I am excited to share some of the most pertinent legislative and community updates from District 21.
As always, if you or someone you know would like to provide feedback about what’s happening in Lansing, or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. You can email me at SenSAnthony@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-6960.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
CROWN Act
Since 2019, I have re-introduced and continued to advocate for passage of the CROWN Act, which stands for, “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” Senate Bill 90 would prohibit race-based hair discrimination, or the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including (but not limited to) braids, locs or twists.
I have heard countless stories from individuals who have been disciplined at their place of employment or were held back from promotions; I have learned of heartbreaking instances involving children who were reprimanded at school — simply because of how their natural hair grows, or was styled. This legislation is long overdue.
On May 23, Senate Bill 90 passed the full Senate. The bill now awaits a hearing in the House Criminal Justice committee. I look forward to this bill becoming law and moving one step closer toward making Michigan a more welcoming state for all.
Ban Child Marriage
On May 18, I was joined by Senator Rosemary Bayer to testify in support of Senate Bills 209-217 and 246, a package of bills to end child marriage in Michigan. The Michigan House of Representatives has an identical bill package, House Bills 4293-4302, which unanimously passed the House Judiciary Committee on May 17.
Current Michigan law allows 16- and 17-year-old children to marry with permission from only one parent or guardian, and children younger than 16 can marry with both parental and judicial approval. The bills in both chambers would set 18 as a minimum age for marriage with no exceptions.
Representative Kara Hope and I have been working to put an end to this archaic practice for years. I first introduced this legislation in 2018, and again partnered with Rep. Hope in the following legislative sessions. While each of the bill packages await further legislative review, we look forward to these bills reaching Gov. Whitmer’s desk.
Juneteenth State Holiday
Last month, the Michigan Senate also passed Senate Bill 50, introduced by Senator Sylvia Santana. This legislation would add Juneteenth to the list of official state holidays in an effort to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. on June 19 each year.
Juneteenth marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Establishing Juneteenth as an official state holiday supports an ongoing effort to expand racial justice and equity in Michigan and further promotes the commemoration of when all slaves heard the news that they were freed. With the celebrations of the holiday comes a stark reminder that there is much more work to be done to ensure every Michigander, and all Americans, have equal rights.
The bill is currently in the hands of the House Committee on Government Operations and we are hopeful for swift passage.
STATE BUDGET
Earlier this month, the Michigan Senate Democrats marked another major milestone in our new majority, passing a sound state budget full of transformative, innovative and equitable investments. This includes:
- Support for our kids and families as the future of our state, and the programs, services, teachers and schools they need to thrive.
- An increase per-pupil funding to the highest level in history.
- Improvements to accessibility and affordability for childcare to assist working parents and improve development for kids around the state.
- Improvements for higher education opportunities and affordability.
- Protections for our air, land and water.
- Support for small businesses, entrepreneurs and farmers, and encouragement of greater diversity and representation in all our state’s important industries.
- Expansion of proven, bipartisan programs to create jobs and support workers, to offer better wages and educational training opportunities.
- Help to meet the needs of our veterans and public safety professionals.
- Systems to ensure our justice system is more efficient and equitable and offers greater opportunities for justice-involved individuals while they are incarcerated and when they return to our communities.
The budget agreement process is ongoing at this time. The next steps are to work closely with our colleagues in the Michigan House of Representatives and Governor Gretchen Whitmer to refine a comprehensive, responsible and thoughtful budget that reflects the needs and values of our state.
- On May 26, I was joined by Eaton County Treasurer Bob Robinson for our monthly coffee hour in Eaton Rapids. Residents learned about exciting developments in their area and across Eaton County both at the state and local level.
- June 1 marks the beginning of Pride Month. We celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and recognize their courage and resilience to live as their authentic selves. To learn more about Pride events happening in the Greater Lansing area, you can visit LansingPride.org.
- On May 25, the Michigan Senate held a special Memorial Day Ceremony to commemorate those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. I had the privilege of honoring 92-year-old Private George Howard, a veteran of the United States Air Force. For his military service during World War II, Private Howard received several awards, including the European-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with a Bronze Star and the World War II Victory Medal. We are forever grateful for Private Howard’s service to Michigan and our country.
- I was proud to recognize Wednesday, May 17, as 517 Day on the Senate floor. Acknowledging our great city as the heart of our state to all of my colleagues was a truly special moment for me. You can view my speech here.
- On May 16, I presided over the Michigan Senate. It was a privilege to hold the gavel to ensure all business before the Senate that day was handled properly and efficiently.