Dear Neighbor,
While the start of spring often brings more sunshine and longer days, it can also bring frequent temperature changes, and with that, severe weather. Be sure to stay well informed, prepared, and alert for extreme weather events this spring.
Also, keep in mind that taxes are due this month! Read on to learn more about how my colleagues and I have fought for lower taxes and higher returns for working families ahead of the filing deadline, Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can contact me by sending an email to SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov or calling (517) 373-2417.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
District 13
- April is tax month! Learn how my colleagues and I are fighting to put more money back into your pockets ahead of the April 15, 2025, tax filing deadline.
- Join Sen. Cavanagh, Reps. Steckloff, Breen, Hoskins, and I for an upcoming Community Conversation! This event will take place on Saturday, April 19, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at The Hawk Community Center (29995 West 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills).
- Severe weather swept across the state this past weekend, leaving thousands with property damage and power outages. Read on for helpful recovery and emergency preparedness resources in the aftermath of the recent ice and thunderstorms.
It’s Tax Month! Working to Maximize Your Return
The rising cost of living continues to make it more difficult for Michigan families to get by — that’s why my colleagues and I have fought hard to cut taxes and lower costs for our residents.
Last session, we passed the historic Lowering MI Costs Plan — the biggest tax relief initiative Michigan has seen in decades. This plan repealed the unfair retirement tax to help seniors save an average of $1,000 annually and provided the largest tax break for working families in state history, helping them save an average of $3,150.
Taxes are due this month on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. To learn how to take advantage of these expanded benefits and maximize your tax return ahead of the filing deadline, click here.
Fighting to Close the Gender Pay Gap
Every year, Equal Pay Day is recognized on the day that the earnings of women catch up to the average earnings of men — it took women an additional 84 days into 2025 to match the average earnings of men in 2024. But these pay disparities are even more significant among racial and ethnic minorities:
- Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Women’s Equal Pay Day – April 7, 2025, or 97 days into 2025
- Moms’ Equal Pay Day – May 6, 2025, or 126 days into 2025
- LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Day – June 17, 2025, or 168 days into 2025
- Black Women’s Equal Pay Day – July 10, 2025, or 191 days into 2025
- Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Women’s Equal Pay Day – August 28, 2025, or 240 days into 2025
- Latina Equal Pay Day – October 8, 2025, or 281 days into 2025
- Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day – October 23, 2025, or 296 days into 2025
- Native Women’s Equal Pay Day – November 18, 2025, or 322 days into 2025
The Michigan Senate recently adopted Senate Resolution 21 to designate March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day, raising awareness to these unjust gender pay inequities and the negative impact they have on our nation’s workers and our economy. Sponsored by Sen. Mary Cavanagh, this resolution demonstrates our continued commitment to working toward a future where every Michigander has the dignity of fair pay.
Similarly, Sen. Sarah Anthony recently introduced Senate Bill 145 to combat wage discrimination in Michigan. This bill aims to promote pay transparency by preventing employers from prohibiting employees from disclosing their wages to one another. The legislation would also bar employers from requesting an employee’s previous salary, empowering workers during pay negotiations.
Holding the Trump Administration and DOGE Accountable
Building on previous work Senate Democrats have done to expose and highlight the consequences the federal funding freeze is having on public safety as well as on Michigan children, seniors, and families, my colleagues and I came together to stand up and speak out to protect Michiganders’ health care and private data.
Protecting Health Care Access
Last month, Republicans in Washington voted for a budget resolution that paves the way for massive, indiscriminate cuts to Medicaid. And as the federal Dept. of Government Efficiency (DOGE) seeks to slash enough from the federal budget to pay for a tax break for the wealthiest 1% of Americans, Medicaid is among the critical programs on the chopping block.
To protect the 2.6 million Michiganders — including children, seniors, and veterans — who rely on Medicaid for essential health care services, my colleagues and I joined physicians, patients, and advocates for a committee hearing and press conference where we called on the Trump administration to stop these dangerous cuts.
To learn more, you can watch the committee hearing here.
Addressing DOGE’s Access to Your Private Information
The Senate Oversight Committee recently heard testimony from IT and cybersecurity experts on the impact and potential implications of DOGE’s unfettered access to Michiganders’ personal, financial, and health information. In addition to addressing the various cybersecurity issues raised by the Trump administration’s invasion of private data, experts also shared ways individuals can protect themselves from any repercussions.
To watch the committee hearing and learn more, click here.
Fighting to Safeguard Michigan Public Schools
On March 20, President Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Dept. of Education — a dangerous, unconstitutional action that could result in devastating cuts to public education across the country, including funding for at-risk students, Pell Grant recipients, and other disadvantaged communities. Similarly, Michigan House Republicans recently passed their education budget, which aims to slash about $5 billion from our state’s public schools.
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for PreK-12 schools recently heard from stakeholders on state budget funding needs for public education here in Michigan, underscoring the urgent need for continued support and stability rather than disinvestment and uncertainty. To watch the committee hearing and learn more, click here. In recent testimony before the full Senate Appropriations Committee, similar concerns about the impact of federal decisions on Michigan’s kids and schools were raised by Dr. Michael Rice, the State Superintendent, and officials from the Michigan Dept. of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.
Congresswoman Dingell’s Western Wayne Town Hall – 3/20
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Congresswoman Debbie Dingell’s Western Wayne Town Hall alongside state Representatives Koleszar, Morgan, and Puri! We had an amazing crowd of constituents who came to voice their comments and concerns. Your engagement, thoughtful questions, and commitment to our community make these conversations meaningful and productive.
Rep. Steckloff’s Community Conversation
WHEN: Saturday, April 19, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Hawk Community Center, 29995 West 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Honoring International Transgender Day of Visibility
Every year on March 31, we commemorate International Transgender Day of Visibility — celebrating the lives, histories, and accomplishments of trans people while also raising awareness to the disproportionate levels of violence, discrimination, and oppression inflicted upon the community.
Despite great progress made in recent decades, the transgender community continues to face significant disparities in legal protections, access to equitable health care, socioeconomic opportunity, among other stigmas and systemic inequalities.
Today and every day, let’s honor the joy and resilience of trans folks everywhere by taking action — whether that’s fighting against the dangerous hatred and disinformation facing the community, understanding how to be a supportive, informed ally, or learning more about trans histories and lived experiences.
Severe Weather Resources
From a dangerous ice storm knocking out power for thousands of Northern Michiganders to severe thunderstorms ripping through the lower peninsula, our state has faced significant storm damage this past weekend. Here are some resources that may be useful in the aftermath of recent severe weather:
- To report downed power lines:
- DTE: outage.dteenergy.com/report-down-line
- Consumers Energy: Call 1-800-477-5050
- Lansing BWL: Call 1-877-295-5001
- For storm recovery resources, visit michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/materials-management/storm-recovery/.
- For insurance help, visit michigan.gov/difs/consumers/disaster-prep/tornado-severe-storms.
- For additional resources and safety tips, visit Michigan.gov/miready.
Continued Support for Federal Workers Impacted by Federal Layoffs and Funding Cuts
To support federal workers who may have recently lost their jobs, the Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has compiled several resources to offer support. A new, comprehensive webpage, Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp, provides impacted federal workers with easy access to unemployment, job search, and community resources.
Workers who recently lost their jobs through no fault of their own may be eligible to apply for temporary financial assistance through the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) as well.
UIA has resources in place to help any laid off federal worker, including:
- UIA Claimant Roadmap: An easy-to-follow, six-step guide to applying for and understanding unemployment benefits.
- Online Coaching Sessions: Web-based guidance from UIA staff who walk users through the steps needed to complete an application and qualify for payments.
- UIA Community Connect: This program partners with local groups to provide guidance for workers from underserved groups who have faced barriers when filing for jobless benefits.
- Schedule an Appointment: Schedule either an in-person, phone or virtual appointment to speak with a UIA Customer Service Agent.
- Looking for Work: Tips to understanding your responsibilities when it comes to conducting and documenting your successful work searches.
- Assistance with Setting Up an Account: Workers must create a MiLogin account before setting up a MiWAM account.
For additional assistance, workers can find FAQs, videos, and other resources at Michigan.gov/UIA. To reach an agent or unlock a MiWAM or MiLogin account, you can reach a customer service representative at 866-500-0017.
In partnership with LEO’s Office of Employment and Training, Michigan Works! agencies are also available to assist affected federal workers. Services offered include:
- Basic Career Services, which are available to all workers seeking services.
- Individualized Career Services, which are designed for workers who are unable to obtain employment through basic career services alone.
- Training Services, which are necessary to equip workers with the skills needed to obtain and retain employment.
To connect with your local Michigan Works! service center, call 800-285-WORKS (9675) or visit Michigan.gov/MichiganWorks.