Dear Neighbor,
Like I’m sure many of you are feeling, it’s hard to believe we’re nearing the end of the year. With all the chaos and confusion that the federal administration has brought to our doorsteps — including with the now-ended longest shutdown in American history — it seems like the time has flown by, and not in a good way. Throughout it all, I want you to know that I have been fighting for you every step of the way. Because despite what so-called leaders at the federal level might lead you to believe, you deserve elected officials that look out for you, protect you, and work to make your life easier.
With the holiday season around the corner, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have remained hard at work doing just that. From improving transparency in our state’s elections and budget processes to sounding the alarm on the skyrocketing costs of health care induced by Republicans in Washington, we’re doing all we can to safeguard our state and build a brighter future for all those who call it home. Learn more below, along with some tips I’ve shared to help you and yours stay safe and warm during the winter season ahead.
As always, if you need assistance of any sort, or have any questions or concerns you’d like to share, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can reach me and my team by emailing SenMCavanagh@senate.michigan.gov or calling 517-373-7748.
Sincerely,
Mary Cavanagh
State Senator
District 6
- With Republicans in Washington refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credit, Michiganders around the state are experiencing some sticker shock as they shop for health care coverage during this open enrollment period. Learn more below.
- I’m proud to share that a package of bills I’m championing to protect immigrants in our state received a hearing in the Committee on Civil Rights!
- Whether you’re excited or in denial, there’s no denying it — the winter season is around the corner. Find some tips below to help you stay safe and warm in the months ahead.
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity
It’s been a busy past couple of weeks in Lansing as my Senate Democratic colleagues and I work to advance some critical legislation for Michiganders ahead of the holiday season. Among a slew of other priorities underway, I wanted to be sure to share about how we’ve been:
- Improving the integrity of elections by passing a bill package that tackles election disinformation and improves transparency and integrity in the petition circulation process. Passed out of the Senate last week with bipartisan support, this comprehensive legislation would ensure our state’s elections are as effective and reliable as possible by implementing commonsense reforms, such as banning petition organizers from paying circulators per signature. Learn more here.
- Upholding transparency in the state budget process by recently passing legislation that requires all legislative directed spending items, including enhancement grants and earmarks, to be publicly disclosed on the Senate or House website before the passage of the state budget. Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier this week, this legislation would ensure that Michiganders around the state can see where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent.
Senate Democrats Sound the Alarm on Skyrocketing Health Care Costs
Open enrollment is well underway for 2026, and with Republicans in Washington refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credit that has long kept care affordable and accessible, millions of Americans around the country are experiencing some sticker shock this season. Here in Michigan, where nearly 500,000 people rely on this credit to afford care, insurers have increased rates more than 20% on average for next year.
Set to expire at the end of this year, the termination of the enhanced premium tax credit will have catastrophic consequences, not just for those who are enrolled in an ACA Marketplace plan, but for everyone. Health care premiums will spike, people will lose health insurance, thousands of jobs will be lost, and billions of dollars will be drained from the economy. Worst of all, when people are forced to forgo or delay the health care they need, they get sick.
For months, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have been sounding the alarm on Washington Republicans’ assault on our health care access. From holding a committee hearing to investigate the detrimental consequences to passing a resolution on the Senate Floor, we’re demanding these so-called leaders do what they were elected to do: protect their people and put a stop to this ensuing public health crisis by extending the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit immediately.
Rx Kids on the Rise in Michigan
Started as a pilot program in Flint to boost health outcomes for new moms and babies has now expanded its reach to more areas of Michigan thanks to state budget investments secured by Senate Democrats. As the nation’s first-ever prenatal and infant cash prescription program, Rx Kids provides $1,500 to moms during pregnancy and $500 for the first 6-12 months of a child’s life, no-strings-attached. After launching in Flint in January of 2024, the program has now taken root in several other communities across the state, from Kalamazoo and the eastern Upper Peninsula to various cities in Oakland and Wayne County, and now slated for Ypsilanti next month.
From helping to afford baby supplies and rent to groceries and everything in between, these extra resources provide crucial support to families at a time they need it most. And while new mom enrollees have shared firsthand about the programs’ game-changing impact, over the past few months, research has continued to roll in to prove what we already know: Rx Kids works, and it works well. Through evidence gathered from recent studies and surveys, Rx Kids has been shown to deliver measurable improvements on not only maternal and infant health, but also on local job and economic growth.
With the clear, proven benefits Rx Kids is bringing to families and communities around the state, Senate Democrats remain determined to expand it even further so that all moms-to-be can access this life-changing program, no matter what zip code they call home.
Protecting our Immigrant Communities
This month, the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety heard testimony on my package of bills designed to increase transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement here in Michigan.
Since the beginning of this administration, we have witnessed harsh and frankly inhumane immigration enforcement actions that strip our immigrant neighbors of their dignity, threaten individual rights and due process, and ultimately put the safety of all Michiganders at greater risk. This legislation establishes clear guidelines for how immigration enforcement may be conducted in our state, enhancing transparency, safeguarding civil rights, and strengthening trust in public institutions for all of our residents.
Senate Bill 508 establishes protected spaces including schools, places of worship, hospitals, courthouses, and victim-service organizations, where immigration enforcement actions cannot occur unless there’s imminent public danger or a judicial warrant. When citizens are afraid to attend school, care appointments, or court due to fear of detainment, our public health and safety decrease overall. No one benefits when the services these spaces offer are put at risk by immigration enforcement actions. This policy is modeled after the federal “sensitive locations” policy that was the precedent under both Democratic and Republican administrations, including our current President’s first administration, since 1993.
Senate Bill 509 protects personal data privacy and prohibits government entities from sharing identifying information for immigration enforcement purposes without a judicial warrant. All Michiganders should feel confident when interacting with our state government that their tax information, health information, or employment information will not be shared with law enforcement for the purposes of identifying and detaining residents.
Senate Bill 510 prohibits masked or unidentified law enforcement activity except in limited circumstances. After troubling reports of masked, unidentified agents disappearing individuals regardless of immigration status as well as criminals pretending to be law enforcement to exploit and harm people, overall trust in law enforcement has decreased. Residents should be assured that when they are interacting with law enforcement, it is in a transparent, accountable way. This policy was modeled after the federally introduced VISIBLE act, supported by Michigan Sens. Peters and Slotkin.
Pancake Breakfast
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: North Rosedale Community Center, 18445 Scarsdale St., Detroit, MI 48223
Pumpkin Pie Baking Class
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 23 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Fox Classic, 8768 N Territorial Rd., Plymouth MI 48170
Call 734-453-7272 to RSVP.
Redford Chamber Breakfast
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 a.m.
WHERE: Mercy Road Church, 2671 Five Mile Rd., Redford, MI 48239
Tickets are $10 per person. RSVP at 313-535-0960 by Dec. 4.
Grandmont Community Association Hat and Glove Drive
WHEN: Nov. 3-30
WHERE: See the flyer above for drop-off locations.
Wayne County Community College Coat Drive
WHEN: Nov. 3 – Dec. 5
WHERE: See the flyer above for drop-off locations.
Wayne County Community College is hosting a coat drive all month to provide coats to kids in our communities. Please consider donating your gently used coats or purchasing new coats and dropping them off at a location listed above.