Dear Neighbor,
As the Senate Appropriations Chair, my role is to oversee and lead the creation of the state budget. Last year, I ensured our Budget for the People — the first by Democrats in more than 40 years — reflected the priorities of all Michiganders, especially those historically overlooked and ignored.
This year, Senate Democrats continue to build up Michigan with the FY 2025 budget, maintaining the transformational investments in both human infrastructure — education, workforce development, and social services — and physical infrastructure, including water systems and roads. We’re fostering a safe and clean Michigan for everyone. Keep reading to discover the investments my Democratic colleagues and I have secured in the FY ‘25 state budget, along with some legislative wins from 2024.
In Service,
Sarah Anthony
State Senator
District 21
Investing in Child Care and Universal Preschool
Supporting child care providers and working toward universal preschool are key priorities in this year’s budget. Here are some of the ways we’re making it happen:
- Higher Pay for Care Providers: More funding to raise hourly rates for child and foster care providers.
- Improved Facility Inspections: Funds allocated for more staff and resources to improve inspections and ensure standards are met.
- Support for Home-Based Care: Continued funding for networks that assist home-based child care providers.
- Clean Water: Ongoing investments to test and ensure safe drinking water at child care facilities.
- New Providers and Classrooms: Dedicated startup grants for new providers and classrooms.
These investments strengthen our child care system and pave the way for a smooth transition to universal pre-K, ensuring all children have access to quality early education from the start.
Supporting Education and the Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Colleges and universities play a vital role in shaping the future. Recognizing this, Senate Democrats have expanded the Michigan Achievement Scholarship program to create the “Community College Guarantee.”
- GSRP Expansion: Dedicated funding to expand the eligibility requirements for no-cost preschool
- Increased Funding to School Districts: Additional resources to directly support students, teachers, staff and other educational initiatives.
- Tuition Coverage: Increased funding to help cover tuition for Michigan high school graduates pursuing an associate degree or skilled certificate at a community college.
- Enhanced Financial Aid: Provides funding to cover community college tuition and fees for all students who meet MAS criteria with an extra $1,000 for Pell-eligible students, increases aid for college and university students to $5,500, and bases financial awards for 4-year college students on their total cost of attendance.
Thanks to these investments, we opened a pathway to free community college for all Michiganders, preparing a brighter future for Michigan and its workforce.
Fostering a Safe and Clean Michigan
My top priorities are our community’s safety and well-being. This year, we’ve made historic investments to address critical issues mid-Michigan residents face, from gun violence prevention to housing affordability and clean water infrastructure.
Safe Communities
Gun violence has touched too many lives in our state and our Lansing community. In response to calls for action from our community, we have secured once-in-a-generation funding to tackle this issue head-on:
- Firearm Safety and Prevention: Support community-based gun violence prevention strategies and efforts aimed at reducing school violence, promoting new safe storage laws and bolstering community safety.
- Data Collection: Improve data on firearm injuries.
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Provide training and technical assistance for new laws.
Revenue Sharing Reform
The new budget also changes how state revenue is shared with local communities, restoring funding to all Michigan communities — including 1,200 previously excluded since 2002. We have a responsibility to move our state and all of its people forward — from our big cities to our smallest villages and townships. The changes we have made ensure more of our state dollars go directly into the services we rely on every day, including public safety, parks and recreation, water and sewer, and more.
Housing Affordability and Homeowner Initiatives
Lack of affordable housing continues to be a critical issue for many Michiganders. In Greater Lansing alone, more than 600 homes and apartments are red-tagged — highlighting an appalling failure to maintain basic housing standards. Our budget includes key investments to ensure everyone has access to safe and affordable homes:
- Expanding Housing Stock: Gives MSHDA funding to increase the number of homes in the state housing stock.
- Creative Responses to Homelessness: Support unhoused veterans, fund supportive housing and homeless shelters, and ensure compassionate approaches to homeless encampments
- Ingham Housing Trust Fund: Invest in affordable housing initiatives in Ingham County.
- Down Payment Assistance and Blight Elimination: Funding to MSHDA to help more people afford secure housing and improve our communities.
Clean Water & Green Infrastructure
Clean, safe drinking water is a fundamental right. Our budget includes substantial investments to modernize and improve Michigan’s water and drain infrastructure:
- Lead Service Line Replacement: Ensure safe drinking water.
- Grand Ledge Wastewater Project: Upgrade critical sewer and wastewater infrastructure.
- Potterville Iron Removal Plant: Replace failing plant for clean water.
- Vermontville Water Improvements: Support major water system upgrades.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Implement green infrastructure projects
Mental Health Parity Law
I truly believe mental health is no less important than physical health — no one should go without the care they need because they can’t afford it. That’s why I’m proud to say my bill, Senate Bill 27, requiring comprehensive insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services, was passed with bipartisan support, and signed into law by the governor earlier this year.
Tenant Empowerment Package
More than a quarter of Michiganders are renters, yet they lack basic legal protections to ensure safe and affordable living conditions. To address this critical issue, I introduced Senate Bills 900-903, the Tenant Empowerment package.
The Tenant Empowerment Package is designed to protect tenants’ rights and strengthen Michigan law, providing renters with the tools they need to advocate for their rights.
The bills are being reviewed by the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services. At this crucial stage, your help and stories are vital to maintaining momentum and pushing this legislation forward.
By visiting this link, you can become a citizen co-sponsor and share your experiences as a tenant. Your voice is essential in shaping the narrative and advocating for stronger tenant protections.
Prioritizing Child Care
I am dedicated to enhancing access to quality child care for all Michigan families. As a lead sponsor of a comprehensive plan, including SB 389, I aim to make child care more affordable and sustainable for providers and professionals.
Justice in Lending Act
I introduced Senate Bill 632 to cap payday lending interest rates at 36% APR, bringing Michigan in line with 20 other states and the District of Columbia. Rates currently average at an alarming 340%.
The payday lending industry drains millions from Michigan’s economy each year and targets low-income and marginalized communities, particularly communities of color. This important consumer protection legislation is a crucial step to ensure that hardworking Michiganders can keep more of their hard-earned money and break this abusive cycle of debt.
Momnibus
My Democratic colleagues and I were proud to introduce legislation to protect maternal health. Affectionately known as the “MI Momnibus,” Senate Bills 818–827, represent a multi-faceted approach to build on the existing community-driven programs, care solutions, improvements in prenatal care and maternal healthcare that amplifies the voices of Black birthing people, mothers, women, families, and stakeholders.
In this package, I sponsored two bills, SBs 822 and 825, to improve equity and accountability for those providing maternal healthcare services in Michigan.
- SB 822: Ensures pregnancy status does not affect the right of a designated patient advocate to make life-sustaining treatment decisions.
- SB 825: Adds licensed midwives to the state’s Essential Health Provider Repayment Program.
Protecting Michigan Seniors and Vulnerable Adults
This year, I joined colleagues in introducing a comprehensive legislative package to combat elder abuse. Senate Bills 922-925 enhance protections for vulnerable adults by strengthening penalties for abuse and financial exploitation offenses and developing programs to improve prevention efforts.
To stay informed about the latest news and events in our capitol region community, sign up for my email newsletters. SenatorAnthony.com to subscribe, and you’ll receive important legislative updates and details about events like coffee hours and town halls.
I strive to represent everyone in our mid-Michigan community, and hearing from you helps me better understand what needs to be addressed.
State of Women Town Hall
Hosting events to support and uplift residents in the district — through discussions, information or resources — is one of the many honors and privileges of serving as your state senator.
Earlier this year, more than 100 dedicated individuals came together at my State of Women Town Hall to discuss the status of women in Michigan. Laughter, shared experiences, and inspiration were abundant as mid-Michigan women highlighted the achievements and challenges facing women in business, healthcare, and education.
As we look ahead to the many exciting events we have planned for this year in and around the district, I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you.