Dear Neighbor,
Happy New Year! I hope you and your loved ones were able to enjoy a restful holiday season and are feeling energized for 2025.
My colleagues and I returned to the Capitol this week, kicking off the 103rd Legislature — and we’re ready to continue delivering more progress for the residents of our state this year.
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
- In the final days of 2024, the Senate tackled important legislation to improve the lives of Michiganders. We headed back to the Capitol this week to begin our work in the 103rd Legislature!
- Jan. 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, an annual observation to bring awareness to modern-day slavery and prevention efforts. Senate Democrats have worked to pass legislation that supports and protects trafficking survivors.
Reflecting on the Historic Progress of the 102nd Legislature
The Senate adjourned for the final time in 2024 on Dec. 20, wrapping up a strong conclusion to the 102nd Legislature. Over these first two years in the Senate Democratic Majority, we’ve worked hard to make Michigan a national leader in pragmatic policymaking, and we’ve delivered great wins for the residents of our state. Our long list of accomplishments includes:
- Delivering on pocketbook issues by phasing out the unfair retirement tax, quintupling the state Earned Income Tax Credit, and making child care and higher education more affordable and accessible;
- Securing transformative investments in people, schools, and communities across the state, including free school meals for all public school students;
- Passing clean, renewable energy policies to protect our air, land, water, and health;
- Protecting our communities by enacting commonsense gun violence prevention measures;
- Strengthening the rights of all Michiganders, including voters, workers, women, and the LGBTQ+ community;
- Among so many more.
My colleagues and I kicked off the beginning of the 103rd Legislature this week, introducing priority legislation that will tackle government transparency and address the high cost of prescription drugs. We’re excited for another productive year of policymaking for our constituents.
Combating Human Trafficking in Michigan
Jan. 11 is annually recognized as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, an opportunity to spread awareness about human trafficking and educate the public on prevention efforts. Over 27.6 million people globally are estimated to be subjected to this form of modern-day slavery, undermining international law and public safety across the world.
Senate Democrats championed Senate Bills 515–517 to protect trafficking survivors in Michigan by allowing statements given outside of court to be admissible as evidence, allowing them to not have to appear in court and see their perpetrator face-to-face to participate in a trial. This legislation — which was signed into law on December 30, 2024 — supports survivors, enables law enforcement to better prosecute this heinous crime, and bring more abusers to justice.
State Representatives Sworn In
I’m looking forward to another session where I have the privilege to collaborate with a strong group of State Representatives who have been elected to serve the Grand Rapids area.
Four are returning for their second term in the House — Rep. Carol Glanville (84thHouse District; Grandville, Walker, NW Grand Rapids), Rep. John Fitzgerald (83rdHouse District; Wyoming, SW Grand Rapids), Rep. Kristian Grant (82nd House District; SE Grand Rapids, Wyoming) and Rep. Phil Skaggs (80th House District; Cascade Township, East Grand Rapids, Kentwood). And we’re glad to welcome Rep. Stephen Wooden (81st House District), who will start his first term in the House and represent northeast Grand Rapids, GR township, and Ada.
Lowering the Cost of College for 56,100 Michigan Students
Here in Michigan, we believe that everyone should have equitable access to higher education. That’s why my colleagues and I secured $330 million in this year’s state budget for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, a bipartisan program establishedto lower the cost of community, private, and public college by thousands of dollars a year for most graduating seniors.
This year, 56,100 Michigan students are benefiting from no- or reduced-cost tuition thanks to our investment in the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. In total, Michigan families are saving over $131.5 million in tuition — which equals around $2,345 in savings per student. We’ll continue working to make higher education attainable and affordable for more families.
New Jobs, Investments Slated for Several Michigan Counties
Seven projects will receive funds through the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) to support the creation or expansion of six businesses and nearly 150 units of housing for communities in several counties across Michigan, as recently announced by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board. Combined, these projects will create more than 1,300 jobs, retain more than 2,000, and secure up to $1.8 billion in investment for communities in Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland, Kent, and Kalamazoo counties. That includes 147 new jobs created by a Benteler Automotive battery components factory in Kent County. Check out the full list or dive into more detail here.
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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