District Updates

Dear Neighbor, 

As we celebrated Black History Month throughout February, we commemorated the accomplishments of African Americans as well as their pivotal contributions to the history of the United States. We have been all around the district with communities celebrating Black History Month and uplifting African Americans who have made a lasting impact in District 6. I hope this newsletter informs you of other exciting things happening in the Legislature and throughout District 6.  

As always, if you would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or need assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can email us at senmcavanagh@senate.michigan.gov or call 517-373-7748.  

In service, 

Mary Cavanagh
State Senator
District 6

Featured in This Newsletter 

• Upcoming Events 
• Legislative Update 
• District Updates 
• Other Important Updates 

Upcoming Events 

Health Care Resource Fair 

Please join me at my upcoming Community Health Fair on Saturday, March 9 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Greater Grace Temple!  

WHEN: Saturday, March 9 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 
WHERE: Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W Seven Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48219 

We hope to see you there! 

Legislative Update 

Legislation Ensuring Michigan’s Clean Energy Future Took Effect February 13 

In 2023, Michigan Senate Democrats passed the Clean Energy Future plan in response to the escalating impact of climate change and the rising frequency of severe weather events and extreme temperatures in Michigan. The Clean Energy Future plan took effect in February — establishing clean energy and renewable energy standards, elevating energy efficiency targets, establishing a new Community and Worker Economic Transition Office and broadening the responsibilities of the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). 

These laws mark significant and historic progress toward a sustainable future for Michigan and lay a solid foundation for continued work to improve Michigan’s energy industry, while protecting our air, land and water. Read more here. 

Legislation Ensuring Access to Reproductive Healthcare Goes into Effect 

Nearly 2.5 million Michigan voters showed overwhelming support for Proposal 3 in November 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In November 2023, we took another bold step forward to ensure Michigan laws reflect Michigan values when Gov. Whitmer signed the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) into law. Now, we’ve taken another step forward as the RHA went into full effect in February. 

This legislation was crafted with constituents and advocates in mind — taking into account their diverse lived experiences and perspectives. 

New Gun Violence Prevention Laws to Protect Families Took Effect February 13 

To help protect Michigan families — particularly children — from the tragedies of gun violence and unintentional firearms injuries, a law requiring secure storage of firearms took effect on Tuesday, February 13. 

Under Public Act 17 of 2023, firearms must be locked and unloaded when unattended, particularly if minors are likely to be present. Failure to comply, as outlined in Public Act 16 of 2023, results in penalties, including misdemeanors and felonies, if minors gain access to improperly stored firearms. 

These measures aim to address alarming statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, revealing that many unintentional firearm injuries among minors occur due to unlocked and loaded firearms, often stored in accessible areas like nightstands. Additionally, firearms are involved in over half of Michigan’s suicide deaths. 

 To ensure federally licensed firearms dealers communicate the new requirements to their customers, the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is working with the state Attorney General’s Office to provide dealers with safety information on the use and storage of firearms, requirements and penalties of the new laws and lethal means counseling literature. 

To help defray the cost of purchasing firearm safety devices, additional legislation made these devices exempt from sales and use taxes through December 24, 2024. Free gun safety kits can also be obtained through Project ChildSafe law enforcement partners across the state. MDHHS is also working with the Michigan State Police to make gun locks available; additional details of this partnership will be announced soon. 

Find more information on the new gun safety laws here. 

Foster Care Education 

House Bills 4676–4678 have passed the Senate. These bills will ensure that foster youth are receiving education up to state standards by setting guidelines for school enrollment and credits, ensuring kids have the tools they need to succeed. These bills return to the House for a final vote before heading to the Governor’s desk for her signature. 

In 2024, it is my goal and our Majority’s goal to keep delivering for Michiganders. The following are some of the items that I will continue to fight for in 2024: 

Elections Disinformation Legislation 

Every Michigander deserves truth in their elections. In recent years, we have witnessed an alarming increase in disinformation targeting marginalized communities with the intent to impede their vote. I introduced Senate Bill 707, the Truth in Elections Act, which creates civil fines for individuals who engage in intentional election disinformation. The bill resides in the Senate Elections and Ethics committee and awaits a hearing. 

Mobile Home Package 

I introduced Senate Bill 490 as a part of the Mobile and Manufactured Homes Protection package with my Senate colleagues. My bill modifies the Truth in Renting Act to expand the rights and protections of tenants leasing mobile homes, including: 

• Stating that a lease at a mobile home park must be compliant with the Truth and Renting Act, similarly to any other lease. 
• Requiring an owner of a park to offer a lease or rental agreement of at least one year to a tenant. This does not prohibit month to month leases, but month to month leases must be entered into at the tenant’s discretion. If a lease is less than one year, language must be present in the lease that a full year lease was offered and declined by the tenant. 
• Requiring an owner of a mobile home park to notify the tenant of the lease end date and offer to renew the lease no less than 30 days before the end of the lease term. 
• Prohibiting unlicensed owners of a mobile home park from collecting rent or taking any action for possession against residents, and requiring lease language to reflect this. 
• Providing tenants’ right to bring private action in a court of jurisdiction. 

Regulating Payday Lending 

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection, I have recently held hearings on predatory lending legislation. Senate Bill 632, sponsored by Sen. Sarah Anthony, would cap payday lending loan interest rates at 36%. There is currently no limit on what interest rates payday lenders may charge, and some loan rates are as high as 370%, compounding instead of alleviating debt for struggling residents. The testimony heard showed how financially and emotionally devastating payday loans are to Michiganders by focusing on the predatory practices that majorly impact those in rural areas and marginalized communities. 

District Updates 

I was happy to host my first coffee hour of 2024 at the Livonia Fire Department. Thank you to all who attended to hear updates on legislation in Lansing and shared their questions and concerns with me. I’d also like to thank Livonia Fire Chief Robert Jennison for welcoming us to the fire department and providing resources to the community.  

Tax Help and Resources 

It’s tax season! Remember that the deadline to file state and federal taxes is April 15. If you have questions about filing your taxes or want to check your refund status, view account information and more, click here. 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Programs Now Available 

As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on LEO/MEDC, I secured funding in the Fiscal Year ‘24 budget to support volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) programs across Michigan. These programs, led by volunteer tax professionals, are available to income-eligible residents free of charge.  

Measles Update in Wayne County 

In response to the growing number of measles cases, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging residents to make sure they and their family members are up-to-date on measles vaccinations. 

Michigan residents can contact their health care provider or visit their local health department for additional information on ways to obtain the vaccine and schedule an appointment. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program. 

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air. The three cases in Michigan are not connected, which illustrates there are multiple places where you could be exposed to measles. 

The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include: 

If symptoms develop, residents are urged to not visit their doctor or emergency room unless they have called ahead so facilities can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals. 

With the risk for community spread, parents are encouraged to make sure their children are up to date on all their childhood immunizations, including the measles vaccine. Ninety percent of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected. About one in five people who get measles will be hospitalized. In addition to Michigan’s case, 35 measles cases have been reported in 2024 in 15 other states to date. 

The measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe. A single dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles, while two doses are about 97% effective. It is also effective if used within 72 hours of a measles exposure to prevent illness. However, some individuals with weakened immune systems may not be eligible to receive this vaccine. Getting vaccinated not only protects the individual receiving the vaccine but can also protect vulnerable individuals in our communities from being exposed to this illness. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Wayne County Public Health Community Response Hotline at: 734-858-1922.