Dear Neighbor,
While it feels as if the summer just started, August is almost over, and the first day of school is here for many students across our community. As we get ready to welcome a new season and a new academic year, I hope you and your family make the most of everything the Great Lakes State has to offer this time of year.
We’ve been hard at work shaping the budget this summer — refining priorities and staying focused on what matters most to the people we serve. Being out in the community and hearing directly from constituents has been a critical part of that process. There are some very recent updates I’m eager to share, and in this edition, I’ll provide an update on where things stand, what’s changed, and what it means for our priorities moving forward.
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 connect with 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
- Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” is set to have ugly consequences for our state. To examine its impact on our state budget, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing focusing specifically on cuts being made to Medicaid and SNAP programs. Learn more below.
- Join me for my upcoming Town Hall on Monday, September 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Ingham County Fairgrounds Banquet Hall (700 E Ash St., Mason, MI 48854).
- In August, we celebrate National Black Business Month! This month-long observance is an opportunity to highlight the many contributions and achievements of Black-owned businesses in the state of Michigan.
Expanding the Homestead Tax Credit
It’s no secret that Michigan is facing a housing crisis, with countless residents struggling to find an affordable place to live while also managing essential expenses like groceries, health care and childcare.
As the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have prioritized funding commonsense solutions to address our housing crisis. Since 2024, we have successfully added 71,000 new homes through a variety of programs, grants and innovative approaches. I have also championed legislation that would give renters the tools they need to ensure safe and healthy living conditions. But while Michigan is making steady progress in expanding our housing stock and reducing costs, it’s important to recognize that building more homes is only part of the solution.
I recently sat down with Paula Cunningham, State Director of AARP Michigan, to talk about my efforts to expand the Homestead Property Tax Credit. Watch the reel here to learn more.
As we create more housing opportunities, we also need to ensure that Michiganders can afford to remain in their homes while still being able to cover the cost of food, medication and other essentials — a concern that’s only increasing as the prices of everyday goods continue to rise. For these reasons and more, I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to expand our state’s Homestead Property Tax Credit. This would provide relief for nearly half a million residents by allowing more homeowners and renters to be eligible.
Learn more from my op-ed in Bridge Michigan here.
Eliminating Medical Debt for Michiganders
Health care is a human right. No one should be forced into a cycle of debt and poverty just for seeking the medical care they need and deserve. That’s why I have remained committed to providing relief for Michiganders who have been saddled by medical debt.
Earlier this summer, I joined with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and local leaders to announce $144 million in medical debt forgiveness fueled by our investment secured in the 2024 state budget.
Announced just last month, nearly 210,000 Michiganders in communities across our state have had their medical debts forgiven thanks to the $4.5 million I secured in last year’s state budget.
And, while attacks at the federal level attempt to amplify the burden shouldered by those with medical debt, our work here at the state Capitol is far from over. Building off last year’s progress, I’ve proposed an additional $5 million for debt forgiveness in the 2026 state budget, along with introducing bipartisan legislation to continue tackling this growing issue. This new legislation would establish clear guidelines for hospitals to offer financial assistance programs and strengthen consumer protections for patients struggling with medical expenses.
Senate Hearing Uplifts Consequences of Trump’s Big “Beautiful” Bill on Michiganders
From funding freezes to massive federal layoffs and short-sighted tariffs, Michiganders and folks across the country have been feeling the impacts of the Trump administration’s reckless actions since the start of this year. More recently, Senate Democrats have been sounding the alarm on his so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that was signed into law earlier this summer.
To examine the ugly impacts of this new law on the state budget and economy, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing recently, focusing specifically on cuts being made to Medicaid and SNAP programs. From blowing a massive $1 billion hole in our state budget to stripping away resources for essential health care and food assistance programs, the effects of the OBBBA are as disastrous as they are far-reaching.
[Watch a recap of the hearing here]
While President Trump’s actions have made the job of serving Michigan’s people far more challenging — we’re not ones to give up when the going gets tough. Anticipating these cuts, my colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee and I are working to use the state budget as a tool to stand up for Michiganders across the state. From investments for farmers and small businesses facing tariffs to support for veterans affected by mass federal layoffs, our budget proposal for 2026 — passed back in May — seeks to protect Michiganders from the Trump administration’s reckless decisions.
Learn more here, and listen to what the various testifiers had to say using this link.
With the Clock Ticking, Senate Dems Call on House Republicans to Come to the Negotiating Table and Put Michigan Families First
Now more than ever, it is important that we work to complete our state budget to protect essential services and programs Michiganders depend on. The House finally passed its budget recommendations on August 26th, 56 days after the statutory July 1 deadline. House Republicans proposed major cuts to Michigan’s departments, hospitals, local governments, public safety, and schools. Their budgets came at the eleventh hour, without any of the transparency or accountability measures that are crucial for public input.
In the Senate, we passed our budgets back in May and I have been ready to negotiate every day since. We have stayed true to our values of putting Michigan residents first through smart, responsible investments. Over the summer, we have heard from schools, parents, teachers, and students about the urgent need for timely funding to ensure reliability and stability for our educators, administrators, and students. I have remained at work in the Capitol, ready to negotiate a deal that won’t leave our schools or our kids behind.
We will continue to fight for our shared priorities, including these key investments from the Senate passed school aid budget (Senate Bill 166):
- $350 million to modernize K-12 school infrastructure and make our schools safer
- Continuation of the universal school meals program
- $258 million increase for “at-risk” youth support
- Increased funding for English language learners
- 4.2% increase in per-pupil foundation allowance
It is time for House leadership to come to the table in a serious way to finalize a budget that actually supports our students, families, first responders, local governments, and all Michiganders.
Checking in on the Progress of the New Fish Ladder Music Park
I was excited to drop by the Fish Ladder Music Park in Lansing’s Old Town to check out the progress on the new amphitheater! A huge thank you to the Capital Region Community Foundation for all their hard work. I’m proud to have championed a $1.7 million investment to help make this project possible. It’s investments like this that make our communities more vibrant and welcoming.
Eaton Rapids Medical Center Tour
I toured Eaton Rapids Medical Center recently to see how the $5 million we secured in last year’s state budget is helping expand inpatient care for our community. Progress in action!
Mt. Hope School Opening
I was thrilled to join Lansing School District and local leaders earlier this month to celebrate the grand opening of the newly rebuilt Mount Hope School, a powerful investment in our community’s future!
Matrix Community Center Ribbon Cutting
Earlier this month, I joined in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Matrix Consulting Engineers at their newly expanded facility in Delta Township! It’s great to see public-private partnerships like this uplifting our community and creating opportunities through economic development in our district. Thank you to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, LEAP, State Rep. Angela Witwer, and all of our community partners who made this possible!
Woldumar Nature Center Tour
Grateful to visit Woldumar Nature Center to see Camp Discovery in action! Woldumar’s impact in Mid-Michigan shows how outdoor learning can shape young minds, and why continued state funding is essential to keep these experiences within reach for our kids.
Grand Ledge Coffee and Conversation
Thank you to everyone who joined me for our recent Conversation in Grand Ledge! It is always great hearing directly about what matters most and being able to provide updates to our community. And a special thanks to our host, Flour Child Bakery, and their team for welcoming us all.
Lansing Senior Fair
It was a pleasure to join Lansing’s 2025 Mayor’s Senior Fair recently! It’s always a wonderful event where seniors can connect with the resources they need.
Tri County Active Violence Team Drill
Honored to attend the Tri County Active Violence Team drill at Mason High School. Our first responders, school staff, and local leaders are continuously working to prepare for emergencies. Thank you to everyone involved for keeping our communities and our kids safe!
August is National Black Business Month
In August, we celebrate National Black Business Month! This month-long observance is an opportunity to highlight the many contributions and achievements of Black-owned businesses in the state of Michigan. As a caucus, we have intentionally allocated funding — in the 2025 state budget and in budget years prior — to invest in the entrepreneurial dreams of Michiganders everywhere.
Overall, small businesses have the power to create jobs, economic growth, and self-actualization for residents. Therefore, championing diversity in business only helps us achieve a more inclusive, welcoming state. If you are looking for ways to connect with, develop, and support Black-owned businesses in your area, please feel free to utilize the resources available from the MEDC
It is one of my top goals as your State Senator to have myself and my office be as accessible to you as possible. To share your thoughts on legislation or seek assistance with an issue, please join me at one of our upcoming district events:
Community Town Hall with Rep. Julie Brixie
WHEN: Monday, September 15, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Ingham County Fairgrounds Banquet Hall, 700 E Ash St., Mason, MI 48854
During the Town Hall, State Rep. Julie Brixie other local leaders will join me for an update on the state budget and a discussion on the ugly impact of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill on programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.