Dear Neighbor,
I hope you had a great holiday season, and you are enjoying the new year! In 2023, the Senate Majority intentionally developed and passed policies and investments that reflect your needs and priorities. As 2024 begins and our state legislature returns to session, I am looking forward to another year of progress and positive change for the people of Michigan, especially within District 21.
As always, if you, or someone you know, wants to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to us at any time. You can email us at SenSAnthony@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-6960.
In Service,
Sarah Anthony
State Senator
Featured in this Newsletter
- Legislative Updates
- Community Updates and Resources
On Monday we celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On this holiday, as well as every day, it is important to reflect on the ongoing struggle for civil rights, equality, and justice that far too many Michigan men and women face. This will remain at the forefront of my mind as we make key decisions in the legislature, whether it’s policy or appropriations related, throughout the new year.
Last week, on Wednesday, I proudly recited one of Dr. King’s prayers for invocation on the Senate floor. You can watch here:
Legislative Updates
Budget Supplemental
To help close the books on the 2023 fiscal year and position Michigan for future success, the Legislature passed a budget supplemental — House Bill 4292 and Senate Bill 174. This fiscally responsible supplemental will help communities across Michigan invest in students — to ensure students have access to clean drinking water at school; put more money into classrooms; and fund critical projects at public universities and community colleges to build a pipeline for more high-skilled talent, among other priorities.
The budget also makes vital investments in clean water, Michigan’s roads and more. To read more about the investments being made throughout the state, click here.
2024 Laws Going into Effect
After a historic year with the Democrats in the majority, we passed transformational pieces of legislation that have been years in the making. Here are some of the laws taking effect early in 2024:
Restoring Workers’ Rights. Legislation repealing Michigan’s anti-worker law (House Bills 4004 and 4007 and Senate Bill 34) — which allowed union workers to opt out of paying union dues and fees — is set to go into effect.
Gun Safety. This year, gun safety-related legislation (Senate Bills 79, 80, 81 and 82and House Bills 4138 and 4142) will take effect, including the following: expansion of background checks, safe gun storage requirements and laws permitting courts to temporarily remove guns from those a judge deems pose an imminent threat to themselves or others, as well as temporarily banning those with domestic violence convictions from possessing and purchasing firearms and ammunition in Michigan.
Reproductive Health Act. The Reproductive Health Act (Senate Bills 474, 476 and 477 and House Bills 4949, 4951, 4953–4956) will remove restrictive regulations for clinics, repeal a state law requiring the purchase of a special insurance rider for private health plans to cover abortion and remove a law banning higher education institutions’ pregnant and parenting services offices from providing referrals for abortion services.
I was proud to have sponsored SB 474 — legislation removing politically motivated restrictions on the right to an abortion and putting power back in the hands of individuals to make their own healthcare decisions.
Looking Back at a Productive 2023
This year was a productive year in the Michigan State Legislature. My democratic colleagues and I worked hard to craft legislation that serves Michiganders across the state. On top of championing the passing of long-fought for legislation like the CROWN Act — which protects Michigan residents from discrimination in the workplace based on wearing their natural hair — as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I ensured we passed a balanced and transparent state budget that makes historic investments in our infrastructure, communities, education and more.
The graphic below shows a by-the-numbers breakdown of some of the great work I helped accomplish this year.
Community Updates and Resources
Upcoming Community Conversation for District 21
I will be hosting a Community Conversation for District 21 on Friday, January 26 from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. at the Alfreda Schmidt Southside Community Center. There will be a presentation of the budget process and the state of our balance sheet and I want to hear your feedback about the past year and what your priorities are for 2024.
I hope to see you there!
WHEN: Friday, January 26 from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Alfreda Schmidt Southside Community Center – 5825 Wise Rd. Lansing, MI 48911
Martin Luther King Luncheon and Celebration
I attended the 2024 MLK Luncheon on Monday, January 15, at the Lansing Center. At the luncheon, I had the pleasure of having a meaningful conversation with American civil rights activist Ruby Bridges. Ms. Bridges is most known for being the first Black student to integrate into an all-white school in the South in 1960 amid racism.
The luncheon, hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, focused on civil rights and race-related issues and provided an insightful platform for a candid exchange of perspectives. During our talk, we discussed various aspects and challenges of the civil rights movement, emphasizing the importance of understanding historical truths.
Talking with Ruby Bridges was truly enlightening and empowering. She is a civil rights icon and someone who I have looked up to since I was a young girl. Conversations like these are instrumental in bridging gaps and working towards a society where every voice is heard, and every community is seen.
Retirement Tax Repeal
I proudly joined Gov. Whitmer, State Rep. Angela Witwer, State Director of AARP Michigan Paula Cunningham, retired teacher Carrie Foster, and my fellow mid-Michigan colleagues to celebrate the repeal of the retirement tax.
This was a top priority for the new Majority in the House and Senate at the beginning of this term. We knew it was long overdue that we prioritized our retirees and senior citizens who expect and deserve to maintain a safe, secure retirement. I’m so proud of this legislation and all who contributed to its development and implementation.
You can learn more about the repeal of the retirement tax at https://www.michigan.gov/ors or by contacting my office.