Dear Neighbor,
At last, after many long hours of collaboration and hearing from constituents, community leaders, businesses, and stakeholders, my colleagues and I have passed a monumental $82.5 billion state budget for 2025! This budget reflects our commitment to enhancing education and bolstering state services by including critical funding for local roads, housing, childcare, and economic development, ensuring a better future for all Michiganders.
Special thanks to Governor Whitmer and my Democratic colleagues for their partnership and dedication to making Michigan a more equitable and prosperous state. We look forward to the positive changes this budget will bring! If you want to check out some of the District 21 specific wins, make sure you check below!
With summer here, I can’t wait to get out into my district to meet with our local businesses, constituents, and community leaders. This budget is a huge step forward for Mid-Michigan, and I’m excited to discuss how we can work together to make the most of these new opportunities. Let’s make this summer one of progress and collaboration!
As always, if you or someone you know wants to provide feedback about what’s happening in the Capitol or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to my team at any time. You can email us at SenSAnthony@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-6960.
In Service,
Sarah Anthony
State Senator
District 21
Community News and Updates
BBC World Questions Comes to Lansing!
I was so honored to participate as a panelist at the “World Questions” debate hosted by the BBC here in Lansing. With discussions led by moderator Anu Anand, I was joined by Sen. John Damoose, Kaitlyn Buss (The Detroit News), Matt Grossmann (MSU), and Jennifer Root (SEIU) to discuss a variety of topics such as faith in our democracy, the impact of local governance, and the diverse political landscape of Michigan.
This debate and the questions asked by those who attended highlighted important concerns about the integrity of elections, bipartisan cooperation, and the influence of local issues on national politics. The energy from the audience was great, and it was refreshing to hear diverse perspectives and engage in meaningful conversations. Truly an unforgettable experience!
If you are interested in listening to this episode of World Questions and hear how the other panelists and I responded to your questions, click here.
Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom, Heritage, and Progress
I hope everyone had a fantastic Juneteenth! Observed on June 19 every year, Juneteenth commemorates the day that the last people who were enslaved in the U.S. learned of their freedom — June 19, 1865, over two years after President Abraham Lincoln presented the Emancipation Proclamation.
The significance of Juneteenth extends beyond its historical roots. It symbolizes triumph over the injustices of slavery and stands as a testament to the progress made and the work still needed to achieve true freedom and equality for all.
While we proudly celebrated Juneteenth and all it represents, please know that I remain steadfast in the fight for equity and justice so that all Michiganders are not only free but can live their lives in happiness and health.
Pride Month Comes to a Close
I am absolutely committed to cultivating true inclusion and belonging in Michigan — not only during the month of June, but every day year-round. Since taking office, our Majority for the People has worked to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), reaffirming and expanding legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community. This effort has been 50 years in the making and will protect our LGBTQ+ family, friends, coworkers and neighbors against discrimination in employment, public accommodations and public services. It also will provide protection in educational facilities, housing and real estate.
In addition to passing a resolution recognizing June as Pride Month, the Michigan Senate has passed bills — including Senate Bills 348 and 349 — to ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy by mental health professionals seeking to change the gender identity or sexual orientation of minors.
These legislative efforts are a big step forward for Michigan, but certainly not the last. Our caucus remains committed to putting forth legislation that will further advance our shared mission of equity and inclusion. Learn more about the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan and how protections we have put in place at the Capitol have lent Michigan to being ranked one of the most welcoming states for the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S.
Legislative Updates
Enhancing Protections for Vulnerable Adults
Elderly individuals and vulnerable adults are at elevated risk of being subject to abuse and exploitation at the hands of family members, friends, or other close associates. To keep Michiganders safe from harm, I, alongside my colleagues Sens. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), and Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), introduced Senate Bills 922–925 a couple of weeks ago to better protect those who are unable to protect themselves because of advanced age or a mental or physical impairment.
This comprehensive legislative package would enhance protections for vulnerable adults by strengthening penalties for abuse and financial exploitation offenses and developing programs to bolster prevention efforts. This package has been referred to the committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety.
The Tenant Empowerment Package
A few weeks ago, I was proud to introduce Senate Bills 900–903, also known as the Tenant Empowerment Package. These bills would protect tenants’ rights and tighten up Michigan law to ensure all renters have the tools they need to fight for those rights.
The bills enshrine the right to repair into law to guarantee that landlords provide safe housing and make timely repairs. If landlords fail to initiate repairs promptly, tenants would be allowed to deduct repair costs from their rent. The bills also ensure transparency and fairness in lease agreements by requiring adequate notice for rent increases and preventing landlords from using lease language to eliminate tenants’ rights to repair or their right to organize.
More than a quarter of Michiganders are renters but lack basic legal protections to ensure safe and affordable living conditions. Every Michigander deserves the right to a safe and dignified living space they can call home.
Senate Bills 900-903 have been referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services for further consideration.
If you are interested in adding your name as a supporter of this legislation, head over to my website and sign up as a citizen cosponsor!
Supporting Promise Zones
Sen. Rosemary Bayer and I introduced two bills, Senate Bills 350 and 555, to bolster Promise Zones throughout Michigan. These Zones are public-private partnerships led by Promise Zone Authorities composed of local public officials and private sector leaders in their respective areas to create community-based universal scholarship programs that raise educational attainment levels and promote economic development.
SB 350 modifies the Michigan Promise Zone Act to include expenses for on-campus room and board at educational institutions. SB 555 clarifies eligibility for membership on any given Promise Zone board to ensure that members of each Promise Zone board live in the Promise Zone area or close to the zone. By making these changes, we are helping foster educational attainment and boost student success. By making these changes, we are helping foster educational attainment and boost student success. I look forward to continuing the work with stakeholders and my colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee to move this legislation forward.
Both bills have recently passed both chambers and await the Govenor’s signature!
You can learn more here about Promise Zones and how they operate.
Building Up Michigan One Budget at a Time
Under my leadership as Senate Appropriations Chair, the Legislature successfully passed the second state budget since our historic Democratic trifecta took power. The Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget builds on last year’s transformative budget by continuing to invest in children and families, students and workers, public safety, community development, and more.
I fought hard to secure several big wins for our district in this budget, including funding for:
Ingham County
- Statutory revenue sharing increase: 13.7%
- $15 million for Ingham County Housing Trust fund
- $12.5 million for juvenile justice facility
- $10 million for Potter Park Zoo to construct a new feline/primate building
- $5 million for a new CATA station
- $5 million to BWL for steam-to-hot-water conversion
- $4 million in elections funding (GR, LAN, EL, AA) and $1.25 million to the Michigan Municipal Clerks Association for election accessibility grants
- $3 million to LEAP for Michigan Ave property redevelopment
- $2.5 million for Lansing School District
- $1.5 million for Ingham County Road Department
- $1 million for the Lugnuts stadium
- $1 million for Lansing Rescue Mission to help offset the costs of their move
- $1 million for Cristo Rey
- $500,000 for the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing
- $500,000 for the Larry Mitchell Trice Community Center
- $500,000 for Turning Point
- $320,000 for Building TwentyOne teen center
Eaton County
- Statutory revenue sharing increase: 12.1%
- $17 million for prosecutor grants with $250,000 carveout for Eaton County prosecutor
- $5 million to Michigan Medicine for improved ground emergency transportation in Eaton County, EMS partnership with LCC, and Survival Flight helicopters
- $5 million for Bank intercounty drain project
- $5 million for Eaton Rapids Medical Center’s new inpatient wing
- $1.5 million to Small Talk Child Advocacy Center PLUS $2 million to child advocacy centers in general
Eaton County Water Infrastructure
- $5 million for Grand Ledge
- $2 million for Vermontville
- $4 million Potterville
- $1 million for Dimondale
I am so excited to see money heading towards projects and businesses that will continue to benefit the citizens of our amazing district. Tune in for our next e-news to learn everything you need to know about the 2025 budget.
District Resources
Ingham County New Emergency Alert System — RAVE Alerts
Ingham County has recently completed the transition to a new emergency alert system. Previously Everbridge, the county switched to a new mass notification system called RAVE for emergency alerts.
Don’t miss out on receiving important information and emergency alerts. Sign up for the new system here!
Lansing Opens Small Business Hub
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) has opened a small business support hub to provide support for small businesses through grants, programs, and other resources.
Check out the LEAP webpage for small businesses and innovation startups to learn more information and which resources could provide the most support to your small business. Then, fill out the intake form, and a LEAP representative will contact you to discuss which resources and programs you qualify for.
At any time while exploring the benefits LEAP’s Small Business Hub has to offer, you can schedule a meeting to talk with one of LEAP’s Small Business & Innovation team members.
Information on the UIA Overpayment Lawsuit Settlement
If you believe you were wrongly asked to repay pandemic-era unemployment benefits to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA), you can find information online about joining a class action lawsuit settlement. The website allows you to file a claim for reimbursement, opt out, or find more information.
The deadline to file a claim, object, or opt out is November 4, 2024, with a final approval hearing scheduled for March 20, 2025. Details are available at bwclassactions.com or by contacting the Settlement Administrator at 1-866-499-4565 or info@bwclassactions.com.
The UIA continues to offer various resources to assist workers, including a Claimant Roadmap, community outreach, legal advocacy, and an economic dashboard. For more information or assistance, visit Michigan.gov/UIA.