District 29 Updates

Dear Neighbor,

Happy holidays! It’s the season of gratitude, so I’m taking this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to serve you in the state Senate. Getting to advocate on behalf of the needs and desires of our neighbors is an honor that I don’t take lightly, and I’m grateful our community has entrusted me to be a voice for change.

We are in the midst of the “lame duck” period — the time between the election and the end of the term. As we close out the 102nd Legislature, there’s a lot left to accomplish, and I’m committed to continuing to push for the priorities that make the lives of everyday Michiganders better.

If you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing, or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can contact me by sending an email to senwbrinks@senate.michigan.gov or calling (517) 373-1801.      

Sincerely,  

Winnie Brinks
Senate Majority Leader  
District 29 

Senate Democrats honor International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, enacting bipartisan legislation and delivering budget investments that support and protect survivors of violence.
The holidays are a perfect time to give back and invest in our local communities. That’s why my colleagues and I are working hard to tackle food insecurity in Michigan and bolster support for our local small businesses.

Recognizing International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

According to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, about 41% of women have experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) during their lifetime. In 2021, 70,564 incidents of domestic violence were reported to Michigan police, underscoring the serious public health concern plaguing our state, nation, and globe.

Nov. 25 is annually recognized as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Senate Democrats have passed bipartisan legislation and delivered budget investments that protect survivors of violence, ranging from:

Allocating $1 million in the 2025 budget to support programs that serve survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking;
Enacting Senate Bills 471 and 528, along with House Bill 4945, to prevent those convicted of domestic violence crimes from possessing, using, or purchasing a firearm in Michigan for eight years, protecting survivors of violence from further abuse;
And championing an extensive, bipartisan bill package to bolster state laws regarding sexual assault and provide better, trauma-informed support for survivors.

This Past Month, Senate Democrats Introduced Bills to:

Expand Healthcare Supports for Expectant Parents: Introduced by Sen. Stephanie Chang, Senate Bills 1127 and 1128 would enable more individuals to receive prenatal care in a group-based setting, such as the childbirth classes offered through the CenteringPregnancy programs. Building on a slew of other legislation championed by Senate Democrats earlier this year to improve equity and accountability in the maternal healthcare system and expand Michiganders’ reproductive rights, this legislation would require private insurers and Medicaid to provide coverage for group-based pregnancy support programs, which are shown to result in improved health outcomes for both the birthing parent and baby.
Enhance Public Safety: A large-scale bipartisan bill package to improve public safety and build community trust has been introduced in the Senate. Incorporating extensive feedback from stakeholders, law enforcement professionals, and legislators on both sides of the aisle, Senate Bills 1091–1101 seek to reform how police officers handle interactions with community members to strengthen the profession and prevent the use of excessive force and abuse of power by bad actors. Some of the proposed reforms include issuing a verbal warning before using physical force, exhausting other alternatives before using deadly force, and limiting use of no-knock warrants.
Protect Michigan Consumers: Sen. Mary Cavanagh introduced a comprehensive bill package to ensure greater accountability and transparency in the insurance industry and better serve millions of Michigan consumers. Cosponsored by Sens. Rosemary Bayer, Veronica Klinefelt, and Stephanie Chang, Senate Bills 1087–1090 work to bolster the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services’ (DIFS) enforcement of insurance code regulations and expand the department’s ability to discipline offenders.

Thanksgiving Festivities

Team Brinks spent Thanksgiving morning up–and–at-em early, joining more than 6,000 others to run in the Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation’s annual Turkey Trot in downtown Grand Rapids. What fun to celebrate the great work the foundation is doing for GRPS scholars, supporting athletics and arts programming, and join with neighbors in moving our feet before we sit down to feast.

I also had the pleasure of joining other community leaders like Rep. Kristian Grant and Commissioner Kelsey Perdue in distributing turkeys at Gerald R. Ford Academic Center — a generous donation from McDonalds.

Encuentro de Dos Culturas

For the tenth year in a row, the Puerto Rican Cultural Committee of West Michigan has invited our community to enjoy the Encuentro de dos Culturas — a celebration of Puerto Rican culture and the contributions that Puerto Ricans make to our local community. It’s always a great time — food, friends (like Rep. Hillary Scholten), and this year something special: alongside Rep. John Fitzgerald, I had the pleasure of awarding the committee with a legislative tribute to honor their decade of service.

Shining a Spotlight on Small Businesses Last Saturday

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, spurring job creation and growth, revenue, innovation, and community engagement. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses make up over 98% of Michigan businesses and employ half of all Michigan workers.

Small Business Saturday has been observed since 2010, encouraging consumers to support our invaluable local brick-and-mortar stores during the busiest shopping season of the year. Nov. 30 is Small Business Saturday, and I hope you’ll join me in shopping small right here in our community this holiday season!

Honoring Michigan’s Native American Communities

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native American communities here in Michigan and across the country. As home to 12 federally recognized tribes that operate on sovereign land, Michigan’s Indigenous communities are vast and diverse.

From raising awareness about the history of Indian boarding schools in our state to protecting tribal fishing areas, Senate Democrats have been working hard to tackle issues important to our state’s Native American communities.

Earlier this year, legislation to ensure that Michigan’s Foster Care Review Boards work effectively with tribal governments to serve Native American children was signed into law by Gov. Whitmer. Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin, Michigan’s only Native American State Senator, Senate Bill 498 takes a critical step towards repairing the harm done to tribal communities by the child welfare system and will keep children better connected to their communities and cultures.

And, just last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee favorably passed House Bill 5600 on to the Senate floor, legislation that would establish the Office of Tribal Legislative Liaison to strengthen partnerships and communication between Michigan’s tribal communities and the state legislature.

Whether by cracking open a new book written by a local Native American author or making plans to visit any of the four must-see Native American cultural sites in our state, I hope you’ll join me in honoring and uplifting Michigan’s resilient Indigenous communities who’ve been here for millennia and are here to stay.

Tips to Stay Safe on the Roads this Winter

Michiganders know all too well — wintertime driving in this state is no joke. To encourage safe-driving habits while traveling on Michigan roadways during the winter months, the Michigan State Police’s Office of Highway and Safety Planning (OHSP) reminds motorists to keep these safety tips in mind:

Drive slow on ice and snow. It can take up to ten times longer to stop your vehicle on snowy and/or icy roads. Slow down and allow more room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.
Be prepared by taking time to winterize your vehicle and stock it with emergency supplies. Refer to this packet for a complete list of supplies to keep in your vehicle.
During the winter months, check your tire pressure weekly. Additionally, examine the tread on your tires for wear when you check tire pressure, when rotating your tires, and before you take long trips. Use the penny test to check your tread.
A new Michigan law (led by my colleague Sen. Sam Singh) requires drivers following a snowplow to stay at least 200 feet away from snowplows. It also states that motorists cannot stop within 20 feet of a snowplow at an intersection.
Know how to handle winter-driving emergencies should you find yourself stopped or stalled on the road. Stay with your vehicle and call 911 or a roadside service like AAA. Make yourself visible to other motorists by turning on your hazard lights.

Visit the OHSP’s Winter-Driving web page for more safety tips and information.

Contact Us   
The Office of Senate Majority Leader Brinks values input from all Michiganders but prioritizes District 29 constituent concerns. If you have questions or concerns but are not a resident of District 29, contact your local State Senator. Click here to find who represents you in the Senate.   

Comment on Legislation: You can stay updated on legislative advancements through my e-newsletters or by clicking here. Given the high volume of messages my office receives daily, please note that it may take time for your inquiry to receive a response.   

If You Need Help: If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, my office is available to help resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to help direct you to the appropriate person or organization for help.   

You may always feel free to call my office at (517) 373-1801 or email me at SenWBrinks@senate.michigan.gov.   

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