Dear Neighbor,

2024 was a busy and productive year in our Michigan Legislature! We passed another balanced, bipartisan budget that invests in every community and passed legislation to protect women’s rights, build up our rural communities, and more.

As we enter into a new year, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, my team and I will start crafting Michigan’s next state budget. This is your budget, and your input is crucial in shaping it. I want to hear from you about what we should prioritize this year.

As always, thank you for the opportunity to represent you. If you have any questions, want to comment on pending legislation, or need help resolving issues with state government, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

In service,

Sarah Anthony

State Senate Appropriations Chair

District 21 – Lansing

SECURING MICHIGANDERS’ RIGHT TO SAFE HOUSING & CLEAN WATER

Access to safe, affordable housing and clean drinking water are two fundamental human needs that no one should ever have to go without. That’s why I have been fighting to deliver solutions to help those having a hard time accessing these basic necessities.

• Secured $15 million to address housing needs in under-resourced neighborhoods in Ingham County.
•  Introduced bills to strengthen tenants’ rights in Michigan and hold landlords accountable for providing safe housing and making prompt repairs.
• Delivered $16.4 million to repair and maintain water infrastructure across Eaton County.

ADVANCING WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE & RIGHTS IN MICHIGAN

Together, my colleagues and I are building a state where every woman has equitable access to care and the autonomy to make decisions about her own body. As the lead Senator on the state budget, I fought to deliver:

• Dedicated funding to support maternal health services.
• Investments to expand Michiganders’ access to contraceptives and family planning services — including funding for a new program to ensure Michigan families have access to free contraception and family planning resources.

Beyond the budget, my colleagues and I introduced:

• Senate Bill 1042 to improve breast cancer detection and save lives.
• The “MI Momnibus” package to improve outcomes for Black and Brown moms and babies.
• The Freedom to Plan Act to eliminate financial barriers for over-the-counter oral hormonal and emergency contraceptives.

BUILDING UP MICHIGAN RURAL COMMUNITIES & SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS

In our 2025 budget, we reimagined state funding for local governments to better distribute tax dollars to our communities for essential services like parks and public safety. Here’s how we’re making sure every village, city, and township in my district has the necessary resources to keep their residents safe, healthy, and happy:

• A boost in state funding for small townships and villages so they can provide essential services for residents.
• Addressed the shortage of paramedics that put the health of Michigan’s rural communities at risk.
• Established a new law ensuring more rural hospitals have the resources needed to best support their communities and residents.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY WITH SARAH

Throughout the year, I’ve enjoyed meeting with residents across District 21. From coffee hours and town halls to presentations and meetings with local leaders, these connections directly shape the issues my team and I work on in the Capitol. As we enter 2025, I invite you to check out my website to learn more about my upcoming events — I’d love to see you soon!