Dear Neighbor,
With the official start of autumn right around the corner, we are not only quickly approaching a season full of fall foliage and cider mills, but we are also unfortunately speeding towards a government shutdown. Come Oct. 1, if the Legislature is unable to send a full budget to the governor for signature, many of the programs and services Michiganders rely on — and pay for with their hard-earned tax dollars — will come to a halt. Schools have already been forced to begin a new academic year without knowing what their budgets will look like, and soon, our local cities, our police and fire departments, and more will be faced with the same fate.
At the Capitol, my Senate colleagues and I have been working to negotiate a responsible state budget, as we have been ever since we passed our budget proposal back in May. With only days before the start of the new fiscal year, the contrast between our proposal and the House’s could not be more stark. Senate Democrats are committed to delivering a balanced budget that uplifts Michiganders and delivers on your priorities. Meanwhile, House Speaker Matt Hall remains hellbent on intentionally sowing dysfunction, threatening to upend vital services, and destabilize the state — all in the name of scoring political points.
Read more about the status of negotiations below, as well hear more about the legislative work my colleagues and I are continuing to do on behalf of you, our community, and our state.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can email me at senmcavanagh@senate.michigan.gov or call 517-373-7748.
Sincerely,
Mary Cavanagh
State Senator
District 6
- As we inch alarmingly closer to the start of a new fiscal year and potential GOP-initiated government shutdown, Senate Democrats are continuing to fight for a fiscally responsible state budget that invests in Michiganders.
- Join me at my Youth Summit on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Global Empowerment Ministries on Seven Mile.
- Sept. 15 is the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich culture and histories of Latino Americans across the United States and here in Michigan. Read more below.
The Clock is Ticking: Senate Democrats Continue Fight for a Responsible State Budget
As the clock ticks and the start of the new fiscal year looms, the Senate is still missing a serious partner in the Michigan House to negotiate a state budget with. Since the start of this legislative term, Speaker Matt Hall has failed to step up, instead choosing to manufacture a crisis in attempts to push through an extreme agenda and score political points.
Months after the statutory July 1 deadline, House Republicans finally introduced a full 800-page proposal recently…and then passed it in less than half an hour later with no public input. The House Republicans’ proposal is a far cry from a fiscally responsible budget. Instead of investing in education, public safety, and economic development, it would:
- Exacerbate dangerous cuts to critical safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
- Undermine the health and safety of Michiganders’ food by slashing millions for food and milk safety programs.
- Make our communities less safe by defunding 400 Michigan State Police positions.
- Threaten the futures of Michigan students by ripping resources away from schools.
- Harm Michigan workers and stall economic growth by slashing resources for job creation services.
- Roll back environmental protections by gutting funding for air and water quality programs and cutting key regulatory oversight programs.
- Force communities to slash vital, everyday services such as public safety, local road maintenance, and trash collection. More details about this can be found in the graphic below.
Our state budget should reflect our values — not betray them. As the deadline to secure a deal inches alarmingly closer, Senate Democrats will continue returning to the table alongside Governor Whitmer, ready to negotiate a budget that truly puts people first. Learn more about the differences in our budget proposals here.
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity: Protecting Consumers and our Elections
In addition to our work to move budget negotiations forward ahead of the Oct. 1 fiscal year deadline, my Senate colleagues and I have continued to deliver solutions for Michiganders across the state. The Senate has recently passed my legislation to:
- Strengthen safeguards for Michigan consumers. Passed in bipartisan fashion, Senate Bills (SBs) 360–364 would bring Michigan up to speed with 37 other states by empowering the Attorney General’s office to investigate security breaches and hold violators accountable.
- Ensure our state’s elections are as effective, transparent, and reliable as possible by tackling election disinformation. These commonsense reforms were voted out of the Senate this week and now head to the House for their consideration.
In addition to passing these important bills, this week, I led the introduction of a bill package to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the insurance industry. Senate Bills 543-550 would equip the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) with the tools needed to better enforce insurance code regulations and violations. For too many families, the cost of insurance is not only unaffordable, but also unsustainable — leaving families to decide between paying their insurance premiums or putting food on the table. Together, the legislation would implement commonsense reforms to improve insurance accountability and transparency, protecting Michigan consumers from unfair, deceptive industry practices. More specifically:
- SB 543 would increase fines for violations of the Insurance Code, ensuring bad actors are held accountable;
- SB 544 would ban post-claim underwriting, requiring insurers to complete all underwriting before issuing a policy;
- SB 545 would improve underwriting transparency by requiring insurers to provide consumers with written notice if a material change is made to their auto or homeowners policies;
- SB 546 would expand penalties for insurers that pay claims late;
- SB 547 would strengthen utilization review compliance;
- SB 548 would establish a market conduct examination framework to ensure insurer compliance with the rules of the marketplace;
- SB 549 would enhance cybersecurity safety for consumers; and
- SB 550 would improve transparency in auto insurer manuals.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection, I will continue to fight to ensure you have access to a more transparent and equitable insurance system that serves every Michigan consumer with accountability and integrity. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues with your insurance company, please do not hesitate to contact my office for assistance.
Detroit Institute of Arts – Partners in Public Art Mural Program
“The Dotte” Painted by Fel3000ft in Wyandotte in 2023
Do you want to brighten up your community with a one-of-a-kind mural created by a local artist? Apply today for the chance to be part of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Partners in Public Art program!
Since 2018, the program has brought residents together to explore their sense of community through a collaborative design and creation process, resulting in works of art that reflect the unique stories and interests of their neighborhoods.
We want to help you share the joy and beauty of new art with your residents. Applications are now open for the 2026 Partners in Public Art season and beyond. To apply and see examples of recently completed murals, visit DIA.org/PIPA.
Grandmont Picnic “En Blanc”
Community Yard Sale
After School Program & Workforce Development
Youth Summit
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 11 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Global Empowerment Ministries, 21630 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit, MI 48219
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich culture and histories of Latino Americans across the United States and here in Michigan. The month-long observance, from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, commemorates the independence days of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
In Michigan’s history, only 14 Hispanic individuals have been elected to serve in the state legislature, including myself and my colleagues, Sens. Erika Geiss, and Darrin Camilleri. Our backgrounds and lived experiences make our caucus and our state stronger. Learn more about them and Hispanic Heritage Month here.
Reminders for Michigan Motorists with School Buses Back on the Roads
Recently released data from the Michigan State Police shows that overall traffic crashes and fatalities on state roadways rose slightly in 2024 — distressing statistics that underscore how important it is to remain alert and vigilant on the roads. Especially now, with the new school season underway and school buses back on the roads, Michigan motorists must exercise caution and follow the below rules to ensure everyone is safe as they’re out and about.
When you see a school bus stopping for students to board, remember: yellow lights on school buses activate when the bus is preparing to stop. Red lights and the long stop arm are activated when the bus is completely stopped and accepting or discharging passengers.
Here’s a reminder on what to do when a school bus stops on different road types:
- Two-lane roadway
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Multi-lane roadway with a center turning lane
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Four-lane roadway without a median separation
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation
- When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.
Honoring September as Suicide Prevention Month
The devastation of suicide is far-reaching, impacting families and communities across our state and beyond. But suicide is preventable — and September, National Suicide Prevention Month, serves as a great opportunity to spread awareness and resources to connect residents with the help they may need.
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, toll-free, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
- The Veterans Crisis Line provides free 24/7, confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their loved ones. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Call 988 and press “1” to speak with a qualified responder, or text 838255.
- Find a suicide prevention coalition, support group, or crisis line near you by scrolling down this page and finding a listing in your county.
- Get help for yourself or a loved one, learn the facts and warning signs, locate advocacy resources, and much more through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.