Dear Neighbor,
Warmer weather is finally here! The seasonal changes are not only welcome but also energizing, as my Senate colleagues and I returned to the Capitol this week to advance critical budget bills and legislation on behalf of our constituents and Michiganders statewide.
Read on to learn more, including how we’re supporting our nurses and working to address human trafficking in the state. And, whether you’ve got the itch to fish or start some projects around the yard, be sure to find some resources below to support you with these springtime activities.
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
- From fighting to improve working conditions for nurses to taking on the heinous crime of human trafficking, Michigan Senate Dems have advanced several pieces of critical legislation this past week. Learn more below.
- Please save the date for my next community conversation in Plymouth on Monday, April 27, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Learn more below.
- During Black Maternal Health Week this April 11-17, Senate Dems are shining a light on the glaring systemic injustices in our maternal care system, along with our bipartisan solutions underway that seek to tackle them.
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity
Along with working to craft a balanced state budget on time that delivers meaningful relief for Michiganders, my Senate Dem colleagues and I have also been busy driving forward legislation to address critical issues facing residents and communities across the state. This past week, I’m proud to report that we’ve made some progress advancing bills to:
Support Michigan nurses — Despite already working long shifts, nurses are often forced to stay overtime, which could mean staying for shifts of 16 or more hours. Unable to say no, mandatory overtime isn’t only grueling for nurses, contributing to high burnout rates, but it also poses risks to patients and the care they are provided. To improve working conditions for our nurses and protect Michiganders seeking care, the Michigan Senate passed bipartisan legislation this past week that would end this dangerous practice while also implementing additional safeguards to ensure nurses can get the rest they need.
Combat human trafficking — Building on our previous efforts to address human trafficking in Michigan, Senate Dems are ushering forward a new bill that would help tackle the issue by requiring every hotel and motel in the state to prominently display the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline number. With Michigan positioned at the intersection of many highway corridors and crossing points, this legislation would help victims connect with critical support while also signaling a warning sign to traffickers. Passed out of the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services this week, this life-saving legislation now heads to the full Senate floor for consideration.
Celebrating National Public Health Week with Action
Public health — the science of preventing disease and illness, protecting the health of entire populations, and promoting a better quality of life — is foundational for the safety and well-being of everyone across the globe. Last week was National Public Health Week, an invitation to reflect on the progress made and the steps needed for an even stronger, healthier future.
Here in Michigan, Senate Democrats have taken bold action to bolster public health and improve our quality of life, from:
- Protecting the Affordable Care Act, ensuring access to affordable, comprehensive health care;
- Saving Medicaid in Michigan by securing a $2.7 billion investment to counteract sweeping federal cuts;
- Expanding the widely successful Rx Kids cash prescription program to communities throughout the state, reducing childhood poverty and improving maternal and infant health;
- Tackling the gun violence epidemic by championing evidence-based gun safety legislation;
- Safeguarding reproductive freedom by repealing the state’s 1931 abortion ban, legalizing surrogacy, and protecting access to abortion care;
- Improving environmental protections and fighting for cleaner air and water; to
- Fighting food insecurity through the universal free school meals program and intentional budget investments.
And although we’ve made real progress, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I will continue fighting to further protect public health in Michigan and ensure our state is the healthiest place to work, live, and play.
Community Conversation in Plymouth
WHEN: Monday, April 27, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex, 650 Church St., Plymouth, MI 48170
Data Centers Town Hall in Northville
Last month, dozens of advocates and local leaders joined Attorney General Dana Nessel, MEC Chief Policy Officer Charlotte Jameson, Assistant Attorney General Michael Moody, and I for a special Town Hall. We discussed Data Centers — their effects on our grid, the impacts they have on our water, and of course, the important work that needs to be done to ensure that they do not negatively impact our communities and ratepayers. I’d like to thank everyone who came out to learn more and discuss this highly nuanced issue. Conversations like these power the work that we do in Lansing.
Celebrating Reading Month at Isbister Elementary School in Plymouth
I had an AMAZING time at Isbister Elementary School when I visited to celebrate Reading Month in March! It was so rewarding to spend some time with 5th graders to chat about my role as a State Senator and read a few passages to them. Reading recreationally has so many benefits for individuals of all ages. For example, it is known to reduce stress and develop our ability to concentrate!
Community College Day at the Capitol
Some days, this job is so fun! Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to grab a picture with Oakland Community College’s mascot Talon the Owl and Schoolcraft College’s Ozzy the Ocelot Thursday during the Michigan Community College Association’s Advocacy Day. Community colleges are critical to making higher education more accessible. They serve the needs of a diverse student body, and they are key to building a strong workforce in our state.
Boosting Health Outcomes for Michigan Moms of Color
For too long, women of color have systematically faced disproportionate outcomes in their birthing experiences due to maternal care systems that fail to truly listen and understand their needs, leading to preventable complications and high mortality rates for both them and their babies. This April 11-17 is Black Maternal Health Week, and once again, Senate Dems are joining the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to shine a light on the glaring systemic injustices in our maternal care system, along with solutions underway that seek to tackle them.
To ensure Black and Brown moms are treated with the care they deserve, the Michigan Senate passed a comprehensive slate of legislation last year that would improve maternal health outcomes in Michigan through equitable data requirements, anti-discrimination measures, patient protections, and more. Despite being passed out of the Senate with bipartisan — and some, even unanimous — support last April, these commonsense bills remain stalled in the Republican-controlled House. My Senate colleagues and I will continue to demand better for moms across Michigan, including by passing a Resolution this week that highlights the need for these critical bills. I want to extend a special note of gratitude to my colleague, Sen. Erika Geiss, for championing this particular resolution in the Michigan Legislature over the last decade.
Planning Spring Yard Projects? Call Before You Dig
Whether you want to install a fence or plant a tree, if spring fever has you itching to do some landscaping projects around the yard that involve digging, remember to first reach out to MISS DIG 811 beforehand so that underground utility lines can be marked for safety.
April is Safe Digging Month, an annual reminder for Michiganders’ legal responsibility to call 811 or head to MISSDIG811.org at least three days before they start a project that involves putting a shovel in the ground. Contacting MISS DIG 811 is free and allows crews to mark buried utility lines in advance to prevent costly damage, service disruptions, and risks of serious injury or death. Learn more here, and happy Spring!
MI Dept. Of Education: Helping Michigan Leaders Build Confidence in AI and Media Literacy
This summer, Michigan educational leaders have an exciting opportunity to join a professional learning experience focused on strengthening responsible AI and media literacy use. AI & Media Literacy Leadership Collaborative is designed to empower Michigan leaders with the tools, support, and resources needed to guide meaningful AI and media literacy learning in their buildings, schools, and communities. This professional learning will build knowledge, confidence, and practical next steps to take back and prepare for fall.
Participants will experience a powerful combination of a two-day, in-person workshop followed by virtual personalized coaching. It is a chance to build practical skills, gain ready-to-use resources, and bring fresh ideas back to your school or district. Those who fully participate in the experience will receive a $100 stipend.
With 12 workshop locations scheduled across Michigan this summer, there are plenty of opportunities to join this impactful experience close to home.
Dates and Locations:
- Macomb ISD: June 1 & 2
- Calhoun ISD: June 15 & 16
- Marquette-Alger RESA: June 23 & 24
- Copper Country ISD: June 25 & 26
- Dickinson-Iron ISD: June 29 & 30
- Gratiot-Isabella RESD: July 6 & 7
- Washtenaw ISD: July 13 & 14
- COP ESD: July 20 & 21
- Eastern U.P. ISD: July 22 & 23
- Kent ISD: July 27 & 28
- Saginaw ISD: July 29 & 30
- Northwest Educational Center: August 11 & 12
The project is supported by a strong group of partners, including Michigan Association of Computer Users (MACUL), Michigan Association of School Librarians (MASL), the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Virtual and the REMC Association of Michigan. Together, these organizations are helping create statewide learning opportunities that support educators as they respond to the fast-changing role of AI in teaching and learning while also advancing media literacy instruction.
Register now and be a part of the movement helping shape the future of teaching and learning in Michigan.