Dear Neighbor,
With Thanksgiving right around the corner and holiday lights appearing all around us, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that we’re nearing the end of the year! I’m from a large family, and we are all looking forward to this opportunity to connect, share a meal, and watch the Lions beat the Packers on national television! So, whether you are celebrating with family, friends, or neighbors at home, or are traveling to visit loved ones, I’d like to wish everyone the warmest of holidays.
As we head into winter, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have continued to work on important issues here in Lansing. Most notably, we passed legislation out of the Senate to increase our election transparency and protect citizens from fraudulent ballot initiative practices. Learn more below, along with some tips I’ve shared to help you and yours stay safe and warm during the winter season ahead.
As always, if you need assistance of any sort, or have any questions or concerns you’d like to share, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can reach me and my team by calling (517) 373-2417 or emailing SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
District 13
- With Republicans in Washington refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credit, Michiganders around the state are experiencing some sticker shock as they shop for health care coverage during this open enrollment period. Learn more below.
- Join me for my upcoming community conversation event at the Northville Community Center on Monday, Dec. 1, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Whether you’re excited or in denial, there’s no denying it — the winter season is around the corner. Find some tips below to help you stay safe and warm in the months ahead.
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity
It’s been a busy past couple of weeks in Lansing as my Senate Democratic colleagues and I work to advance some critical legislation for Michiganders ahead of the holiday season. Among a slew of other priorities underway, I wanted to be sure to share about how we’ve been:
- Improving the integrity of elections by passing a bill package that tackles election disinformation and improves transparency and integrity in the petition circulation process. Passed out of the Senate last week with bipartisan support, this comprehensive legislation would ensure our state’s elections are as effective and reliable as possible by implementing commonsense reforms, such as banning petition organizers from paying circulators per signature. Learn more here.
- Upholding transparency in the state budget process by recently passing legislation that requires all legislative directed spending items, including enhancement grants and earmarks, to be publicly disclosed on the Senate or House website before the passage of the state budget. Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier this week, this legislation would ensure that Michiganders around the state can see where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent.
- Highlighting how the federal government shutdown impacted the air travel system. At a committee hearing last week, we explored how the now-ended shutdown triggered chaos in high-volume airports across the nation, causing longer wait times, delays, cancellations, and uncertainty for travelers. While this didn’t involve the consideration of specific legislation, it continued Senate Democrats’ commitment and nearly year-long efforts to shine a light on how the reckless, chaotic actions of our federal government are impacting Michiganders.
Senate Democrats Sound the Alarm on Skyrocketing Health Care Costs
Open enrollment is well underway for 2026, and with Republicans in Washington refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credit that has long kept care affordable and accessible, millions of Americans around the country are experiencing some sticker shock this season. Here in Michigan, where nearly 500,000 people rely on this credit to afford care, insurers have increased rates more than 20% on average for next year.
Set to expire at the end of this year, the termination of the enhanced premium tax credit will have catastrophic consequences, not just for those who are enrolled in an ACA Marketplace plan, but for everyone. Health care premiums will spike, people will lose health insurance, thousands of jobs will be lost, and billions of dollars will be drained from the economy. Worst of all, when people are forced to forgo or delay the health care they need, they get sick. Lives will be lost.
For months, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have been sounding the alarm on Washington Republicans’ assault on our health care access. From holding a committee hearing to investigate the detrimental consequences to passing a resolution on the Senate floor, we’re demanding these so-called leaders do what they were elected to do: protect their people and put a stop to this ensuing public health crisis by extending the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit immediately.
Rx Kids on the Rise in Michigan
What once started as a pilot program in Flint to boost health outcomes for new moms and babies has now expanded its reach to more areas of Michigan thanks to state budget investments secured by Senate Democrats. As the nation’s first-ever prenatal and infant cash prescription program, Rx Kids provides $1,500 to moms during pregnancy and $500 for the first 6-12 months of a child’s life, no-strings-attached. After launching in Flint in January of 2024, the program has now taken root in several other communities across the state, from Kalamazoo and the eastern Upper Peninsula to various cities in Oakland and Wayne County and now slated for Ypsilanti next month.
From helping to afford baby supplies and rent to groceries and everything in between, these extra resources provide crucial support to families at a time they need it most. And while new mom enrollees have shared firsthand about the programs’ game-changing impact, over the past few months, research has continued to roll in to prove what we already know: Rx Kids works, and it works well. Through evidence gathered from recent studies and surveys, Rx Kids has been shown to deliver measurable improvements on not only maternal and infant health, but also on local job and economic growth.
With the clear, proven benefits Rx Kids is bringing to families and communities around the state, Senate Democrats remain determined to expand it even further so that all moms-to-be can access this life-changing program, no matter what zip code they call home.
Preventing Youth Tobacco Use
As one of 10 states that does not require the licensure of tobacco retailers, it’s clear Michigan needs stronger enforcement and accountability measures to keep tobacco out of the hands of our youth. That’s why Senate Democrats are leading a bipartisan bill package requiring tobacco retailers to be licensed and repealing the penalties against minors for tobacco use, purchase, or possession — which have shown to be ineffective. Passed out of committee last week, Senate Bills 462–466 would also direct the Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to conduct undercover operations to ensure compliance at establishments that sell tobacco products.
Senate Democrats remain committed to protecting Michigan’s youth from the serious health risks associated with nicotine and tobacco products. This bill package now heads to the full Senate floor for consideration.
Community Conversation in Northville
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 1, from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Northville Community Center, 303 W. Main St., Northville, MI 48167
Greer Road Bridge Completion — Zox-Cass Lakeside Neighborhood
I was honored to join the Zox-Cass Lakeside neighborhood in northern West Bloomfield for a pancake breakfast to celebrate the completion of the Greer Road bridge! It was great to also celebrate the community’s recent elections for their charter commission. John and I had an amazing time together – we helped work the pancake topping station! With Greer Bridge re-opened, school busses, trash pickup trucks, and (most critically!) emergency service vehicles such as firetrucks will be able to access the neighborhood safely.
State Budget Briefing with State Representative Noah Arbit
State Representative Noah Arbit and I really appreciated seeing everyone at our recent State Budget Briefing. While going through the numbers may be dry, they represent significant investments toward necessary infrastructure, programs, and services and that improve the quality of life of Michigan residents. Thanks for joining us!
Pardoned Turkeys – Northville Natives!
Photo from Governor Whitmer’s office
Governor Whitmer carried out her fourth annual turkey pardon this year, and she added a heartwarming twist! She pardoned not one, but two turkeys – sisters, in fact! Faygo and Vernors, both Northville natives from Maybury Farm, were chosen as a symbol of the importance of family and friendship during the holiday season. Here’s to a long, happy life for Faygo and Vernors as they return to their beautiful home in Northville!
Tips to Help You Prepare for Winter
Whether you’re a snow and winter season enthusiast or prefer to hibernate from the cold, there’s no getting around the variety of nature’s elements that will be delivered to our doorstep over these next few months. To help you stay safe, warm, and ready for all things ahead, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is encouraging Michiganders to prepare for their home for the winter with the following tips:
- Insulate water lines along exterior walls to reduce the risk of frozen pipes.
- Lock in a propane rate now and have a backup heating plan, such as a generator, wood stove, or fireplace.
- Have a professional inspect your gas or oil furnaces and replace the air filter.
- Schedule a fireplace and chimney inspection; contact your local fire department for a referral or look for a local inspector online.
- Install battery-operated carbon monoxide (CO) detectors near all sleeping areas. CO poisoning risks increase when furnaces are in use and during power outages, when people often use portable generators.
- Clean gutters to prevent ice dams that can lead to interior damage, and clear storm drains to avoid basement flooding.
- Keep an emergency kit in your home with water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a hand-crank or battery-powered radio, emergency lighting, flashlights, blankets, and warm clothing.
To learn more, including how to prepare your vehicle for the winter, click here.
Deer Hunting Begins Nov. 15
The opening day of Michigan’s 2025 firearm deer hunting season began on Saturday, Nov. 15. The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources has created a page to help hunters have a successful season — find licenses, regulations, maps, and more here. You can also find hunting safety tips here. And to learn how Senate Democrats have been working to secure vital resources to conserve Michigan’s Great Outdoors and preserve our longstanding hunting heritage, click here.
Affordable Care Act and Open Enrollment
To help you stay healthy and avoid big medical bills, all Michiganders should take the time to evaluate their health insurance options during the Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period, which runs through Jan. 15, 2026 on HealthCare.gov. This enrollment period is an important opportunity for Michiganders to obtain health insurance for 2026. Free, local enrollment help is available at HealthCare.gov/LocalHelp.
Now is the time to sign up. If you sign up by Dec. 15, 2025, coverage will begin Jan. 1, 2026. If you sign up between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15, your coverage will begin Feb. 1, 2026. Please note: after the Jan. 15 deadline, you will not be able to enroll until the next open enrollment period next year or in the case of a qualifying life event such as birth, adoption, marriage, etc. For Medicare, the open enrollment period is from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7.
Get started at HealthCare.gov. today! Michiganders can learn more by visiting Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance, which features an on-demand webinar, “10 Things You Need to Know About Health Insurance – Open Enrollment for 2026.” You can also call the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services’ call center at 877-999-6442, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.