Dear Neighbor,
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family well. My colleagues and I have had an extremely productive past few weeks at the State Capitol, including the passage of the FY 2024 budget.
Be sure to check out our upcoming e-newsletters throughout the summer that will highlight and take a deeper look at various aspects of the FY 24 budget, such as funding allocated for housing, infrastructure, education and more.
As always, if you, or someone you know, wants to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to us at any time. You can email us at SenSAnthony@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-6960.
In Service,
Sen. Sarah Anthony
State Senator
District 21
Featured in this newsletter:
- Budget Update
- Legislative Updates
Budget Update
FY ‘24 ‘Budget for the People’
I’m proud that the Michigan Legislature recently passed a transformational budget that puts our people first and reflects the needs and interests of Michiganders everywhere.
While crafting this budget, it was imperative that we spoke to those who would be directly impacted by these dollars. Conversations with community leaders, statewide organizations and residents from all walks of life helped us utilize these funds to the fullest.
We made historic increases in funding for schools, infrastructure, housing and workforce development. We reinvested in communities and programs that have been overlooked and underfunded for far too long. We remained fiscally responsible and implemented unprecedented transparency measures. Budgets are moral documents and what they include reflects the values of our state — and that’s how it always should be.
You can watch the speech I gave moments before the budget bills were passed here. Read more about the budget and how it will impact our state here.
Legislative Updates
Child Marriage Ban
Photos by Bri Luginbill via Unchained at Last
I am so proud that bills to ban the archaic practice of child marriage have been signed by Gov. Whitmer. Since 2019, I’ve partnered with State Representative Kara Hope on this legislation to establish 18 years old as the minimum age of consent for marriage and prohibit judges from issuing a marriage certificate for individuals under the updated marriageable age.
Early marriage has devastating consequences on a young person’s life. Child brides are frequently deprived of their rights to health, education, safety and participation in their community. I have heard countless stories from women across the state who were married at a young age, forced into marriages that they could not legally consent to on their own.
Between 2000 and 2021, more than 5,400 minors were married in the State of Michigan, according to state data compiled by the nonprofit Unchained at Last. The vast majority of them, 95%, were girls married to adult men. This legislation was long overdue.
Michigan Reconnect
In June, I partnered with Senator Mary Cavanagh to introduce two bills, SB 406 and SB 407, to expand and enhance the Michigan Reconnect program by temporarily increasing eligibility from 25 to 21 years of age.
The Reconnect program, launched in early 2021, currently provides scholarships to adult learners, ages 25 or older who return to school to earn their first associate degree or skilled trades certification at local community colleges. With over 122,000 applicants and counting, expanding the program to allow greater access for students is critical to continue our investment in our adult learners and keep pace with a positive economic trajectory in our state.
Michigan Reconnect has helped residents get high-demand, high-wage jobs in sectors like manufacturing, construction, information technology, healthcare and business management. We must keep this momentum going to further support our hardworking people and businesses across the state.
Learn more about the program at Michigan.gov/reconnect.
New Distracted Driving Laws are Now in Effect
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed a package of bills to reduce distracted driving and save lives by ensuring drivers have their full attention on the road with the use of hands-free technology.
The new law, which was effective June 30th, updates Michigan’s distracted driving laws, which currently prohibit texting and driving, to also include watching or recording videos and engaging in social media, among other uses. Additionally, the law provides accountability for drivers who put themselves and others in danger. It is permitted to use a cell phone to call or text 911 to report an emergency or seek help.
Learn more about this legislation and the penalties associated at Michigan.gov/DistractedDriving.