Dear Neighbor,
With Labor Day now behind us, we say goodbye to another beautiful Michigan summer. As we approach the beginning of autumn, I encourage you to take advantage of everything our great state has to offer as the leaves begin to change. From cider mills and pumpkin patches to scenic hiking trails and state parks, there’s no shortage of fall fun to be had here in the Mitten State!
My legislative colleagues and I are heading back to the Senate chamber this month after a busy summer spent connecting with our constituents and communities. I’m eager to continue advocating on your behalf in Lansing and moving practical solutions across the finish line to deliver on the issues that matter most to you.
If you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing, or if you need assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can contact me by sending an email to SenSAnthony@senate.michigan.gov or by calling (517) 373-6960.
In Service,
Sarah Anthony
State Senator
District 21
Featured in This Newsletter
- The Fight for Better Housing
- Updates and Events from Around District 21
- Back to School Buzz
The Fight for Better Housing
Growing up, I moved every other year. It was hard growing up, knowing that we would likely move to another rental property and it made it hard to put down any real roots. We never owned a home, and that created a lot of instability, even leading into my adulthood. I carry these experiences with me into our state Capitol, and I have remained committed to uplifting the voices and issues that have often been overlooked in the halls of power.
I’m committed to finding real solutions to the challenges I faced both growing up and as an adult —the same challenges many in our community continue to experience. That’s why I introduced the Tenant Empowerment Package. This legislation protects renters’ rights and bolsters Michigan’s tenant laws, giving renters the tools they need to advocate for themselves.
Your experiences as a tenant matter. By sharing them and becoming a citizen co-sponsor of this legislation, you are not just shaping the narrative, but are also advocating for stronger tenant protections. Your voice is a powerful force for change.
Blueprint for Better Housing Event Recap
Last month, I hosted a community conversation about building a blueprint for better housing in the Lansing area and across Michigan. Housing challenges impact so many in our community, and it’s important that my team and I hear directly from you — those who live these experiences firsthand.
Your feedback, ideas, and perspectives are essential to tackle these challenges. This is your community, and your voice matters. Together, we can create the long-overdue change we all seek. Thank you to everyone who attended the event and shared your stories. Your input is incredibly valuable to my team and me as we move forward with this important work.
Diana Bartlett, Project Coordinator of the Ingham County Housing Trust Fund, a key partner of ours in this work, joined our conversation focused on the intentional investments we have made to uplift local developers from underrepresented communities, begin tackling corruption and mismanagement in local government, and advocate for the Tenant Empowerment Package to protect tenant rights.
Community members shared eye-opening stories about wrongful evictions, red tagging resulting in residents being displaced, and the devastating impact of losing generational homes due to bureaucratic failures. We also heard powerful testimonies about the inhumane conditions people are forced to endure, from battling black mold to struggling to get even basic repairs done. These first-hand experiences really highlighted the issues that still need to be addressed, and they’ll be invaluable as we work together to find better solutions for Michigan residents.
Thank you again to those who were able to attend. Be on the lookout for more videos highlighting housing projects we funded in the state budget on my Facebook page.
Updates and Events from Around District 21
Celebrating Labor Day with a Lansing-Based Business – Smaller Scale LLC
Labor Day offers an opportunity to recognize the dedication of our workers across all industries — like Johanna Schuster-Craig from Smaller Scale LLC. Check out their Labor Day shoutout on my Facebook page.
Johanna shared with my team that her company was made possible by the MSHDA Contractor Development Program, a program largely funded by the housing investments we secured during my first 100 days as Senate Appropriations Chair.
Smaller Scale LLC is a handyman service providing custom builds for small spaces. Owned and operated by Johanna, this Lansing-based business provides a variety of handyman services with an emphasis on making the process easy and comfortable for those they serve.
Smaller Scale assists individuals who may feel uncomfortable inviting someone into their home for repairs. This includes those who are queer, transgender, single, elderly, or otherwise hesitant about having repair professionals come in.
I’m honored to know that the work I’ve done alongside my Democratic colleagues makes a real difference in our community — opening doors to new opportunities and providing the tools and skills needed for residents to thrive and businesses to succeed.
Learn more about Smaller Scale LLC and the services offered on it’s Facebook page or website, smallerscalelansing.com.
Building up Michigan with Strategic Investments — Community Conversation
I’m inviting you to another special edition of my Community Conversations where we’ll dive into the recently passed 2025 State Budget and its impact on our community.
Join me on Monday, September 23, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Mason Area Historical Museum (200 E Oak St, Mason, MI 48854) to discuss key aspects of the budget, including how it addresses housing, education, and essential services.
This is your opportunity to provide your thoughts and feedback as we break down what the new budget means for you, your family, and the future of our state.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Back to School Buzz
Welcome Back, Students!
As summer winds down and a new school year begins, I want to send my best wishes to students, families, and educators across Michigan. The start of a new school year is exciting — full of fresh opportunities, new challenges, and countless possibilities.
I’m inspired by our teachers’ dedication, our students’ curiosity, and the commitment of parents and guardians who make it all possible.
I’m wishing everyone a successful, safe, and inspiring year ahead!
2025 State Education Budget
One of my top priorities in shaping the 2025 budget was making meaningful investments in our students and schools!
This budget represents a reinvestment in Michigan’s communities and programs that have been neglected and underfunded for far too long. You can hear more about my thoughts on what this means for our state and students by clicking the video below.
Senate Democrats are laying the foundation for Michigan’s future by making bold investments in kids and families. From maternal and infant health to child care, and innovative, equitable funding for students, schools, and teachers, we are driving real change. Here are some of the key projects and initiatives in the 2025 Education Budget that I’m especially proud of:
- Building on the historic investments from last year in Michigan’s students, schools, and teachers, on average, our 2025 budget increases per-pupil funding by approximately $400 per student statewide.
- Continuing our universal free school meals program.
- Providing more funding and resources for the students and schools that need it the most, including:
- $65 million increase in weighted funding for Small, Isolated Districts, At-Risk students, Bilingual Education, Early On and Career and Technical Education;
- $25 million additional increase for At-Risk, marking the first time the state has invested more than $1 billion in at-risk funding; and
- $10.4 million total in Bilingual Education.
- Recognizing the important role of teachers in our kids’ education and supporting them accordingly, with an additional $25 million investment in the student loan stipend program for our teachers that we established last year, helping more of them stay in the classroom and attracting new teachers to the profession.
- Investing nearly $15 million more for Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, including:
- $7.5 million for maternal health services;
- $3.9 million for doula training and continuing education; and
- $918,000 for maternal and infant health Medicaid rates.
- Continuing to lower child care costs and support child care workers:
- $65 million to increase hourly child care provider reimbursement rates by 15%;
- $24 million for child care stabilization grants to assist providers and ensure availability for parents; and
- Additional investments to improve the administration of the Tri-Share Child Care Program, support for home-based care providers, child care facility inspections, and more.
- $85 million ongoing investment to the Great Start Readiness Program to expand free preschool for four-year-olds, increasing the eligibility threshold to 400% of the federal poverty level (under $120,000 annually for a family of four).
Safe Driving Tips as New School Year Set to Begin
Soon, we’ll be sharing the road with school buses again. Here are some quick tips to remember when you see a school bus stopping for students to board.
Remember, yellow lights on school buses activate when the bus is preparing to stop. Red lights and the long stop arm are activated when the bus is completely stopped and accepting or discharging passengers.
Here’s a reminder on what to do when a school bus stops on different road types.
- Two-lane roadway
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Multi-lane roadway with a center turning lane
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Four-lane roadway without a median separation
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation
- When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop