Dear Neighbor,
As the summer season continues, I hope you’ve gotten the opportunity to enjoy some of the perks of summertime in beautiful Michigan, whether that’s time on a hiking trail, a Tigers baseball game at Comerica Park, or soaking up the sun on our freshwater coast.
And the benefits of living in Michigan certainly don’t stop there — we’ve also earned national recognition as one of the top 10 states for business in the country! I’m proud of the work my Senate colleagues and I have done to help make Michigan one of the best states to do business, work, live, and play.
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 us by calling (517) 373-2417 or emailing SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov. We are here to assist you!
Sincerely,
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
District 13
Here’s a picture of John and I at Comerica Park! We always have a great time watching the Tigers play.
- Thanks to a $4.5 million investment Senate Democrats secured in last year’s state budget, nearly 210,000 Michiganders in communities across our state have had their medical debts forgiven. And we’re not done yet! Learn more below.
- Join me for my upcoming Coffee and Conversation event on Monday, July 28 at 4:30 p.m. at Walled Lake City Hall!
- Nearly 48,000 Michiganders are receiving retroactive unemployment payments thanks to a new law championed by Senate Democrats that raised the maximum weekly benefit amount along with making other long overdue changes to strengthen benefits for Michigan workers.
Tax Changes for Michiganders Under Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bad Bill
Earlier this month, in the wee hours of the night, Republicans in Washington paved the way for passage of Trump’s budget mega-bill. Signed into law on July 4, this massive spending bill continues to add to the chaos and concern spurred by federal actions since January of this year. Touted as Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” — this legislation will certainly have a big impact, but that impact looks to be anything but beautiful.
Along with stripping health care and food assistance away from millions of Americans, ballooning our national debt, adding several billion dollars for unchecked deportation efforts, and restricting opportunities for student loan borrowers, this new federal budget bill notoriously marks the largest transfer of wealth from the poorest to the richest in our nation’s history.
By making the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, this new Republican-backed law hands out trillions of dollars in tax cuts to the country’s wealthiest individuals, businesses, and corporations while leaving millions of low-income and working families nationwide to foot the bill.
In recognition of Lakes Appreciation Month this July, let’s break down how Trump’s big, bad bill impacts Michiganders with different incomes and their ability to take a summertime trip to one of our state’s Great Lakes. For Michigan taxpayers, here’s what the average tax cut looks like for the…
- Bottom 20% who make up to $21,900 a year: $20 — enough to fill about one-third of a tank of gas for a trip to the beach.
- Second 20% who make up to $48,100 a year: $550 — enough to pay for weekend accommodations near one of our shorelines.
- Top 1% who make $715,800 and above: nearly $50,000 — enough to afford a yearly mortgage for a house on Lake Michigan. That’s 2,500 times the size of the average tax cut for those Michiganders who are struggling the most.
Find the full breakdown by income group here. And, keep in mind that for everyday Michiganders, these figures do not reflect resource losses from cuts to vital social safety programs or price increases linked to Trump’s tariff policies.
While Republicans in Washington have clearly shown who they’re working for, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I remain committed to putting YOU — the hard-working people of Michigan — first. From including funds to protect Michiganders from rash federal actions in our own state budget proposal to calling on Michigan’s congressional delegation to reject this dangerous federal budget bill, the Michigan Senate Democrats have done whatever we can to fight back against Trump and used every tool at our disposal to safeguard Michigan residents — and we will keep doing so every step of the way.
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 Michigan Senate Democrats have remained committed to providing economic relief for Michiganders who have been saddled by medical debt.
Announced just last week, nearly 210,000 Michiganders in communities across our state have had their medical debts forgiven thanks to the $4.5 million we secured in last year’s state budget under Sen. Sarah Anthony’s leadership.
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, Senate Democrats proposed an additional $5 million for debt forgiveness in the 2026 state budget along with reintroducing bipartisan legislation last month to continue tackling this growing issue. Championed again by Sen. Anthony, this new legislation would establish clear guidelines for hospitals to offer financial assistance programs and strengthen consumer protections for patients struggling with medical expenses.
Celebrating & Protecting Michigan’s Greatest Natural Treasure: Our Great Lakes
The Great Lakes boast more than their scenic sandy shorelines and unmatched recreational opportunities. Containing more than 20% of the world’s freshwater, the Great Lakes region is used as the primary water source for more than 40 million people. These iconic water bodies form a vital component of our state’s natural ecosystem, providing a home to a diverse range of wildlife while also serving as crucial shipping routes and energy sources. In short, they’re vital to our state and national economy, environment, and day-to-day way of life.
And, as the Great Lakes state and home to 11,000 more inland lakes and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, I can’t think of a better place to celebrate Lakes Appreciation Month than right here in Michigan. For all the reasons mentioned above and more, it’s absolutely critical that we work to protect our lakes and waterways as much as we seek to enjoy them.
Committed to safeguarding our lakes and water bodies for future generations to come, Senate Democrats have worked to:
- Prevent Michigan from serving as the nation’s dumping grounds for hazardous waste before our waterways, fields, and neighborhoods become too toxic for us to enjoy.
- Hold polluters accountable for contaminating Michigan’s land and water and harming residents’ health.
- Empower Michigan officials to strengthen environmental and public health protections that exceed federal standards.
- Improve water quality and public health outcomes through the creation of a uniform statewide septic code.
- Invest $40 million to offset increased water infrastructure project costs due to tariffs and $15 million in dam safety and management in the 2026 state budget proposal.
- Deliver tens of millions of dollars in last year’s state budget to strengthen various water infrastructure projects around the state, support research to address microplastics contamination, implement recommendations from the Water Use Advisory Council, bolster invasive species management, and more.
Some Ways to Celebrate Lakes Appreciation Month in the Great Lakes State
- Head out for a swim at one of Michigan’s beautiful state parks, many of which surround the Great Lakes coastline. (Be sure to read up on these safety tips beforehand.)
- Grab a pole and some bait and enjoy some of the best fly-fishing and bass lakes in the country right here in Michigan. Check out this map of family-friendly fishing locations around the state.
- Plan a visit to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and immerse yourself in Detroit’s role in Michigan’s maritime history. A Detroiter membership is available at no cost for residents of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park!
- Have a furry friend in tow? Bring them along to one of Michigan’s many pet-friendly beaches.
Learn more about ways to explore the Great Lakes here, and read on about further efforts my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have championed to protect Michigan’s freshwater ecosystem here.
Small Business Spotlight — Three Brothers Restaurant in Plymouth
John and I love supporting small businesses — Three Brothers Restaurant in Plymouth is one of our favorites to visit in Senate District 13. John loves their pierogi and sausage as it’s a familiar, comforting dish his mom used to make. We can’t wait until our next visit!
Walled Lake Coffee and Conversation
WHEN: Monday, July 28, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Walled Lake City Hall, 1499 E. West Maple Rd., Walled Lake, MI, 48390
Michiganders Feeling Economic Relief from New Unemployment Law
Nearly 48,000 Michiganders are receiving retroactive unemployment payments thanks to legislation my Senate Democratic colleagues and I secured last legislative session to strengthen our state’s benefits for workers trying to make ends meet. Signed into law in December, this new law raised the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $362 to $466 starting on April 1 of this year and is set to continue incremental increases up to $614 in Jan. 2027. Our comprehensive bill package also restored the maximum number of weeks claimants could access benefits from 20 to 26, among other long overdue benefit changes.
Totaling $34 million, the back payments were issued after a thorough review by the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). Claimants should check their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account for a Monetary Redetermination Letter; they will also receive a copy of the letter mailed to the address listed on their account. Learn more here.
Michigan Earns All-Time Highest Ranking as Top Six State for Business
Driven by the work my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have championed to improve our state’s economy, quality of life, and workforce — Michigan has ranked number 6 in CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business list! This is Michigan’s third year in a row in the top 10, ranking number 9 in 2024 and number 10 in 2023.
From expanding access to higher education, investing in our small businesses, and repairing our infrastructure to cutting red tape for entrepreneurs, supporting a young, talented workforce, and helping create good paying jobs — Senate Democrats have worked hard to make Michigan one of the best places to do business in the nation. And, we’re just getting started, as we’ll continue fighting for even more economic progress.