Dear Neighbor,
The official start of summer kicked off last week, bringing extreme temperatures and severe weather with it. Be sure to take care of yourself, your loved ones, and your community during this heatwave and take note of various cooling centers in our district.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance. You can email me at SenSChang@Senate.Michigan.Gov or call 313-922-6949.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 3
- Just Air expands its air quality monitoring program: Wayne County residents, ages 13-90 with asthma, can receive a free mobile air quality monitor and participate in a year-long initiative to manage their respiratory health. The Mobile Air Quality Monitoring Program provides participants with real-time air quality insights to help them understand how air quality might be impacting their health. This program is led by Wayne County Health, Human & Veterans Services (HHVS), and JustAir
- Join me for my upcoming events:
- Saturday, June 27, from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Community Baby Shower at Horatio Williams Foundation in Detroit
- Monday, July 7, at 6:30 p.m.: I’m a special guest at a Federal Cuts Town Hall with Rep. MacDonell at the Troy Community Center
- Friday, July 11, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: Community Conversation at Veteran Park Pavillion in Hamtramck
- As summer begins, our state is currently experiencing record high temperatures and a dangerous heatwave. To prevent heat-related illness, read on for safety tips to keep in mind.
TOMORROW: Community Baby Shower
I’m excited to host a Community Baby Shower again this summer! Please spread the word to neighbors, friends, and family who have children under the age of 18 months or those who are pregnant. We’ll have educational resources, giveaways, and refreshments.
WHEN: Tomorrow, Saturday, June 28, from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Horatio Williams Foundation, 1010 Antietam Ave., Detroit, MI 48207
Federal Cuts Town Hall with Rep. MacDonell, Rep. Price, Sen. McMorrow, & Sen. Chang
If you are concerned about how the Trump budget bill could affect you and your loved ones, this event is for you. I’m honored to join as a special guest at this town hall, which will feature testimony from organizations that provide mental health and addiction treatment, services to adults with developmental disabilities, assisted living services, and more. These groups will share on the devastating impact that the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” would have on their ability to continue serving their community.
WHEN: Monday, July 7, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Troy Community Center – Room 303, 3179 Livernois Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Community Conversation in Hamtramck
WHEN: Friday, July 11, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Veterans Park Pavillion, 8648 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck, MI 48212
To stay up to date on all of my upcoming events, check out my website.
Teach MI History
This week, we held a town hall with Stacey Abrams and the Michigan Asian Pacific American Legislative Caucus, Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, and Michigan Latino Legislative Caucus to kick off the introduction of the Teach MI History bill package, Senate Bills 453-455 and House Bills 4687-4689. This legislation would establish a more complete story of our collective history as Michiganders by:
- Ensuring that each school district requires one unit of age- and grade-appropriate instruction covering communities from the following cultural and ethnic backgrounds are incorporated in the district’s yearly history curriculum: Black; Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI); Latino Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Caribbean Americans; Indigenous People; Middle Eastern, Chaldean Americans, and North Africans; Jewish Americans; and European Americans.
- Creating a cultural history advisory board within the Michigan Dept. of Education (MDE) that would include members from several ethnic backgrounds as well as K-12 educators, a member from an organization that represents either school boards or superintendents, representatives of labor organizations serving teachers, and members representing higher education. The advisory board will provide recommendations to the department regarding the toolkit for educators.
- Directing MDE to adopt and provide schools with professional development resources related to the units of instruction and implicit bias training.
All Michigan children deserve to see themselves reflected in the history taught in their classrooms. By teaching the triumphs and struggles of all communities, including communities of color, we strengthen the knowledge and critical thinking skills of our students. We can build greater cultural understanding and lessen the hate and intolerance in our communities — starting with our young people. For more information, click here.
Property Tax Assistance
I recently introduced legislation to help more residents who have fallen behind on their property taxes. Senate Bill 423 would extend authorization for county treasurers to work with residents to avoid foreclosure of their homes and to set up payment plans to get them back on track. In Wayne County, these are the Pay As You Stay (PAYS) program and a stipulated payment agreement program. Unfortunately, Michigan law “sunsets” the ability to enroll more people in these programs this year and next. My bill would extend one sunset and remove the other. More information on these programs in Wayne County is available here. If you are not in Wayne County, contact your county treasurer for more information.
A Snapshot of Legislative Activity at the Capitol
Along with recently passing a bold budget plan for 2026, Senate Democrats have been working hard to advance important legislation that protects access to reproductive health care and improves public safety here in Michigan:
Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act: This week, Senate Democrats passed Senate Bills 154-155 to protect both those seeking reproductive health care (including fertility care, abortion care, and more) and the medical professionals who provide it. The state-level FACE Act works to ensure patients can access the care they need, when they need it — without intimidation or fear of harm. These bills now head to the House for further consideration.
Improving Public Safety: Senate Democrats also advanced bipartisan legislation to enhance public safety and community trust. Senate Bills 216-217 would improve roadway safety by strengthening penalties for drivers who injure or kill cyclists, pedestrians, wheelchair users, and other vulnerable roadway users. These bills passed the Senate floor this week and now head to the House for consideration.
We also passed legislation to ban bump stocks (Senate Bill 224), codify the Capitol weapons ban (Senate Bills 225-226), and serialize ghost guns (Senate Bills 331-332). Banning the sale, manufacture, and possession of bump stocks — dangerous weapon modifications that can make firearms more deadly — is important gun violence prevention policy. Requiring the serialization of all firearms and firearm parts will help address the problem of ghost guns that can easily be purchased, assembled, and evade background checks.
In the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety, we heard testimony on the Police Practices Standardization, Transparency, and Trust (S.T.A.T.) package to improve law enforcement practices and transparency, making our communities safer for everyone. These bills require use of force policies, limit no knock warrants, require training on behavioral health and implicit bias, address the issue of bad cops hopping from agency to agency, and more. I’ve been proud to work with many stakeholders and colleagues on these bills for several years. Crafted through extensive work with community stakeholders and law enforcement leaders, these commonsense reforms would ensure Michigan remains a leader in advancing policies that enhance public safety and uphold justice for all. The bills have had strong public support as evidenced by YouGov polling. You can read more about the bills here.
Standing Against Federal Cuts & Chaos
From rash federal cuts to essential programs that serve the American people to haphazardly gutting entire federal agencies — it’s clear that the Trump administration has stoked unprecedented chaos, fear, and uncertainty across our nation. While this administration continues to disregard law and order and advance the priorities of America’s wealthiest, Senate Democrats remain steadfast in our commitment to serving you — the hardworking residents of Michigan.
This past week, we passed Senate Resolution 64, which urges Congress to reject the Medicaid, SNAP benefit cuts, and other damaging policies in the “Big Beautiful Bill Act.” I was proud to vote yes. Over the past few months, my colleagues and I have chaired Senate committee hearings to explore the devastating impacts of federal funding cuts on Michigan families, workers, consumers, seniors, and farmers. We’ve utilized the Senate floor as a platform to speak out against Trump’s pardoning of violent Jan. 6 criminals, his reckless tariffs, and his administration’s slew of other dangerous actions. And we’ve hosted community events across our districts to hear directly from folks impacted by the chaos coming out of Washington.
This fight is far from over, but we’ll continue standing strong during these challenging times, no matter what we’re up against. Read more about our efforts to protect Michiganders from the effects of Trump’s federal mayhem and misconduct here — and read about how our proposed state budget works to further stand up for Michigan residents here.
Just Air: Mobile Air Quality Monitoring Program Expands
Wayne County residents, now ages 13 – 90, with asthma, can receive a free mobile air quality monitor and participate in a year-long initiative to manage their respiratory health. The Mobile Air Quality Monitoring Program provides participants with real-time air quality insights to help them understand how air quality might be impacting their health. This program is led by Wayne County Health, Human & Veterans Services (HHVS) and JustAir.
Who is eligible for the mobile monitor program?
- Wayne County residents
- Ages 13-90 (new, expanded ages!)
- Have asthma and use an inhaler
- Have a smartphone capable of downloading mobile apps
Program Onboarding
Onboarding takes about 45 minutes and participants will receive:
- A mobile air quality monitor to track air conditions where they live, work, and play;
- A bluetooth-enabled inhaler case that logs inhaler use;
- Access to the JustAir Asthma Journal to review personal air quality data.
Learn more about the program here.
Protect Yourself from Heat-Related Illness
When it’s very hot, like the recent 90-degree temperatures we’ve been experiencing, there’s an increased risk of heat-related illness, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can worsen and cause heat stroke or even death.
To stay healthy during these record high temperatures, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Drink more fluids and avoid liquids with large amounts of sugar or alcohol.
- Limit outdoor activities to when it’s coolest in the morning and evening.
- Spend time indoors with air conditioning.
- Check to make sure your air conditioner filters are clean, and the unit is working properly.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Wear sunscreen, as sunburn affects the body’s ability to cool down.
- Check on your neighbors and relatives.
- Never leave children or pets unattended in cars, even with the windows cracked.
There are various cooling centers in and around our district:
- Warren Community Center, 5460 Arden Ave., 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (586-268-8400)
- Hazel Park Recreation Department, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd., Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval, Detroit, Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Coleman A Young Recreation Center, 2751 Robert Bradby, Detroit, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Community Center at A.B. Ford, 100 Lenox, Detroit, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Farwell Recreation Center, 2781 E. Outer Drive, Detroit, Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Lasky Recreation Center, 13200 Fenelon, Detroit, Monday-Friday, 1:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Various Detroit Public Libraries (detroitpubliclibrary.org/locations)
- Madison Heights Public Library, 240 W. Thirteen Mile, Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Senior Plaza Housing, 2620 Holbrook, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Safe Firearm Storage Reminder
Each year in the United States, hundreds of children are accidentally injured or killed by firearms that are not properly secured.
With June being National Gun Violence Prevention Month, the Michigan State Police is reminding residents that Michigan gun owners are legally responsible for ensuring their firearms are stored in a safe manner. The state’s Secure Storage Law requires individuals to keep unattended firearms unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises.
Safe storage can reduce the risk of both intentional and unintentional injuries and deaths, as well as lower the rates of firearm theft. Next time you store your firearm, ensure it’s unloaded, locked, and kept separate from ammunition. If you don’t have a gun lock but need one, free locks can be obtained through Project ChildSafe police partners across the state. To find one near you, click here.
Recognizing Juneteenth
Happy Juneteenth! Observed on June 19 every year, Juneteenth commemorates the day that the last people who were enslaved in the U.S. learned of their freedom — June 19, 1865, over two years after President Abraham Lincoln presented the Emancipation Proclamation. I was honored to participate in the Juneteenth celebration at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History as well as the City of Warren’s third annual Juneteenth event.
The significance of Juneteenth extends beyond its historical roots. It symbolizes triumph over the injustices of slavery and stands as a testament to the progress made and the work still needed to achieve true freedom and equality for all. I remain committed to fighting for equity and justice so that all people are not only free but can have access to opportunity here in Michigan.