Dear Neighbor,
As I imagine many of you are feeling, it’s hard to believe 2024 is almost over. For all the ups and downs this year has held and the uncertainty that remains ahead, I want you to know that my commitment to you and to the people of Michigan has been and continues to remain, unwavering.
As always, please feel free to reach out to my office if I may ever be of assistance to you. You can email us at senmcavanagh@senate.michigan.gov or by calling 517-373-7748.
In service,
Mary Cavanagh
State Senator
District 6
2025 College Expo
Fourth Annual Charity Hockey Game
Rosedale Fun Litter Pick-Up Club
Join the fun! The Rosedale Fun Litter Pickup Club is dedicated to beautifying our neighborhood through once-monthly litter pickups (on second Saturdays), fun, and fellowship. ALL ARE WELCOME! For more information, email funlitterpickupclub@gmail.com or call/text Mary Madigan at (313) 980-8850.
WHEN: Saturday, January 11, from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Rosa Coffee Shop, 19180 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48223
Continuing to Fight for Change in the Final Days of the 102nd Michigan Legislature
The 102nd legislative session came to a contentious and chaotic end, with Michigan House Republicans and one Democratic member walking away from their jobs and refusing to attend session. This political ploy left the House shy of the number of members necessary to pass any legislation, stranding hundreds of bills to improve the lives of Michigan residents.
Since our first day in office, my colleagues and I have been determined to get things done for Michiganders. Almost 250 bills were passed by the Senate this term, including legislation protecting Michigan families and consumers, improving public safety, supporting expectant parents, and more.
I personally was proud to co-sponsor and help secure Senate passage of bills to reenvision economic development and long-term planning in the state, continue lifesaving gun violence prevention efforts with legislation to close loopholes on untraceable ghost guns and eliminate deadly bump stocks and rapid-fire modifications, protect Michiganders’ private reproductive health data, and more.
Here’s just a few of the Senate-passed priorities this session:
- Giving Michiganders the Freedom to Plan for their own families and futures by expanding access to over the counter and emergency contraceptives. Read more here.
- Strengthening protections for Michigan consumers by preventing the price-gouging of hotels, essential goods and services during times of crisis, as well as safeguarding their personal data.
- Improving Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency system to boost the maximum number of weeks and benefit amount workers could qualify for. Read more here.
- Protecting Michigan families who are struggling with debt from being pushed into poverty or homelessness at the hands of debt collectors by modernizing the state’s outdated consumer debt garnishment law and bankruptcy exemptions. Read more here.
- Keeping first responders and communities safe by allowing firefighters to bring their concerns on staffing levels to the negotiation table. Read more here.
- Improving health outcomes for moms and babies by requiring Medicaid and private insurers to provide coverage for group-based pregnancy support programs. Read more here.
- Bolstering state environmental standards by requiring polluters to clean up more thoroughly, improve transparency about polluted sites, and ensure those harmed by pollution can seek justice. Read more here.
- Expanding access to higher education and skilled trades for more than 350,000 Michiganders by permanently lowering the eligibility age for Michigan Reconnect from 25 to 21.
- Empowering and providing justice for survivors of sexual assault by fixing Michigan’s broken statute of limitations for criminal and civil sexual abuse cases, ensuring abusers are held accountable. Read more here.
- Enhancing public safety and community trust with police by ensuring police agencies statewide adopt better use of force standards; requiring officers to receive training in de-escalation techniques, implicit bias, and crisis response; and limiting use of no-knock warrants. Read more here.
Unfortunately, these bills died on the House floor without further action by the lower chamber. Although the House’s unexpected inaction was a devastating curveball to many of our — and your — priorities, my Senate colleagues and I continued to be a steady and productive force until the very end. In our final day of the term, we were able to pass countless bills intended to improve the lives of all Michiganders and sending them on to the governor for her signature into law. This included legislation to enable schools to notify parents regarding the state’s new safe storage gun laws, significant improvements to maternal and infant health, and insurance coverage for certain contraception to support reproductive freedom and family planning.
Looking Ahead to 2025 and a Continued Senate Majority
While the legislative session ended on a tumultuous note, I take tremendous pride in the historic work that the Michigan Legislature accomplished over these past two years. It’s important to reflect on the results we’ve delivered for the people of Michigan. From expanding voting rights and making critical investments in our communities to tackling hunger and uplifting our state’s workers, I’m proud of the work my colleagues and I have done over the past two years.
Ahead of a power switch in the Michigan House of Representatives, it will be more important than ever to find common ground. I’m looking forward to the start of the 103rd Michigan Legislature and the shared opportunity to work across the aisle and deliver real solutions for our communities and our state.
We participated in numerous community events in December, including holiday events for District 6 community groups, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Brian Galdes Innovation Center with South Redford Schools, and the new Farmington mural dedication ceremony. We also provided legislative updates at community clubs, neighborhood organizations, and more! These events were reminders of how caring, active, and engaged the residents of District 6 truly are.
Celebrating the Holidays with District 6 Residents
Team Cavanagh felt so much joy connecting with community members at the various holiday events hosted in our district this month! It was a truly beautiful thing to see the different block clubs, city officials, and communities coming together to celebrate the holiday season. Thank you to North Rosedale Park Community House, DARTS Block Club, Wayne County Commissioner McCormick, and many more for having us. Happy Holidays!
Ribbon Cutting at the New Brian Galdes Innovation Center
I was proud to speak at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for South Redford School District’s new Brian Galdes Innovation Center! It was amazing to be a part of honoring Mr. Galdes, who was and is a major positive force in our district, and to celebrate a new resource for District 6 students. The center will provide career development and additional education opportunities for the next generation of Redford innovators! Thank you for letting us attend this momentous occasion and for all that you do.
Farmington Mural Dedication Ceremony
Team Cavanagh and other Farmington leaders participated in an inspiring ceremony to dedicate the new mural, Through Seasons, by local artist Rick Malt, featured at the Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion at Riley Park! It was a moment that celebrated a beautiful addition to our community and recognized the creativity and talent that Farmington has produced. We were proud to be a part of this important event, and we thank all of those that invited us to be there.
Wayne County Warming & Cooling Centers | Homeland Security & Emergency Management
Michigan Achievement Scholarship Unlocks Opportunities in Higher Education for Michiganders
Colleges and universities play a vital role in shaping the future of our state. Recognizing this, Senate Democrats have expanded the Michigan Achievement Scholarship program to create the “Community College Guarantee.” The scholarship is available to most graduating high school seniors and incoming college freshmen this year.
Under the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, students can receive:
- Up to $2,750 annually if they enroll in a Michigan community college, for up to three years.
- Up to $4,000 annually if they enroll in a Michigan private college or university, for up to five years.
- Up to $5,500 annually if they enroll in a Michigan public university or a baccalaureate degree program at a Michigan community college, for up to five years.
If you’re interested in learning more about how you or your student can take advantage of the scholarship, the Michigan Dept. of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential is hosting a series of informational webinars. Participants will be able to gather the following information:
- Information about the NEW Community College Guarantee
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts
- Important action items for students and families
- Additional resources and program information
You can find a date that works with your schedule and register here.
Opening Doors to Opportunity: Explore CBCF 2025 Scholarships
For more than 40 years, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation has proudly supported talented and deserving students in their pursuit of higher education. As we continue to build on the legacy of empowering the next generation of Black leadership, we are excited to announce that our 2025 scholarship applications are now open!
These scholarships offer nine diverse opportunities for incoming freshmen, current undergraduate students, and master/doctoral candidates to achieve their academic dreams.
Scholarships Now Open:
- Ally Financial Law Scholars
- CBC Spouses Performing Arts
- CBC Spouses Visual Arts
- HBCU NREI
- The Tracking Foundation Multi-Year
- The Tracking Foundation Scholars
- CBCF Reducing the Financial Barrier (need-based)
- CBC Spouses Education
- CBC Spouses Essay Contest
All CBCF Scholarship applications close in March 2025. Visit their website to learn more about each scholarship opportunity including eligibility, application requirements, and deadline information. To apply, click here.
Substance Use Disorder Provider Map
The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services recently launched a new substance use disorder (SUD) mapping tool to identify licensed SUD treatment and recovery locations through a geographic search. Additional information can be found via this press release, and attached you will find a graphic and flyer which can be shared with community partners.
Here is the link to the map: Michigan.gov/opioids/find-help/misud-locator.
Redford Lead Service Lines Information and Resources
