Legislative Updates, Upcoming Events, and Resources

This week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the Lowering MI Costs plan, one of the biggest tax relief initiatives Michigan has seen in decades. The plan will overhaul the unfair and unpopular retirement tax, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and make significant investments in housing and community development. 

By expanding the Working Families Tax Credit to 30 percent of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, 700,000 Michiganders—those who have the hardest time affording the basics—will see an average of $3,150 dollars back in their pockets. Phasing out the unfair and unpopular retirement tax over four years will ultimately put an average of $1,000 back in the pockets of 500,000 households. The Lowering MI Costs plan also invests $50 million of surplus tax revenue in the state’s Housing and Community Development Fund, which prioritizes projects offering veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families safe, affordable places to call home. This is significant, sustainable and ongoing dedicated funding to affordable housing. 

Vote on Fred Korematsu Day 

Last week, the Senate unanimously passed my bill, Senate Bill 18, which will designate January 30th of each year as Fred Korematsu Day in Michigan. Fred Korematsu was a national civil rights hero who defied the Japanese American internment order, refused to go to an internment camp. Years later, his conviction was overturned, and he was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He continued to advocate for civil liberties and constitutional rights throughout his life. Mr. Korematsu lived in Michigan for a time and his growing legacy continues to inspire people of all backgrounds. The bill now heads on to the House for consideration.   

Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act Protections for All 

On Wednesday March 8th, the House of Representatives passed the Senate Bill 4, which had passed the Senate at the end of February. SB 4 amends Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which protects civil rights, to extend protections to members of the LGBTQ+ community by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes from discrimination. This change has been 50 years in the making, protections will be expanded to LGBT persons against discrimination in employment, public accommodations and public services. It also will provide protection in educational facilities, housing and real estate. The bill now heads to the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has expressed her support for codifying civil rights protections for LGBT+ persons.  

Introduction of National Popular Vote Bills 

Last week, I introduced a bill to enable Michigan to join the National Popular Vote Compact states, which would give each voter in every state an equal vote in the presidential election. Under these bills, the presidential candidate who gets the most votes nationwide would become president.  

Under the current system, five of the nation’s 46 presidents won the election without winning the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The presidential candidate who lost the national popular vote went on to become president in two of the last six elections – and this almost happened again twice more in 2004 and 2020. 

I believe presidential candidates should be focusing on Michigan and all 50 states. The presidential candidate who gets the most votes nationwide should be president — period. Adding Michigan to the growing list of states supporting National Popular Vote brings fairness to the system and helps safeguard our democracy.  

Protecting Michiganders from Gun Violence 

Gun violence is a leading cause of early death in this country, killing tens of thousands a year, and it is the number one cause of death for American youth. From the mass shooting at Oxford High School in 2021 to the shooting at Michigan State University, there have been 34 mass shootings in Michigan that have injured or killed at least four people. The reality is that the omnipresent danger gun violence poses to our society and our fellow Michiganders is not going to change until we change our policies. 

Michigan Democrats have introduced widely embraced common-sense gun legislation that will save lives from being lost to mass shootings, homicides, suicides, and accidents. These proposals have been developed with input from state and national experts, public safety officials, parent advocacy groups and responsible gun owners. Together, these bills will help keep our fellow Michiganders from harming themselves or others, intentionally or accidentally, while also respecting Michigan’s hunting, farming, and sporting traditions. 

This common-sense gun legislation has been proven effective at saving lives and is supported by Michiganders across the state: 

• Universal background checks save lives by ensuring people convicted of violent crimes like domestic violence cannot purchase guns and cause more harm. 
• Extreme Risk Protection Order laws, also known as “red flag” laws, will save lives by giving families and law enforcement the tools needed to temporarily remove guns from the hands of people who have threatened to hurt themselves or others. 
• Safe storage laws will save lives by ensuring responsible gun owners keep their firearms secure from children and prevent their firearms from falling into the wrong hands and being used to commit a crime.