Dear Neighbor,
After months of fighting for a fiscally responsible state budget, I’m excited to announce that we finally passed a bipartisan compromise that invests in our community and communities around Michigan! This agreement centers on people-first investments to lower costs, protect vital services, fix our roads, and expand opportunities for Michigan families. It also delivers on major priorities like free school meals and protects Michiganders from the harmful effects of the Trump Medicaid cuts. I want to acknowledge that this budget was certainly a compromise as it does not include some key priorities and includes some cuts and changes I would have preferred not to see. However, given the context we are operating in, this budget overall is a win for Michiganders.
Unfortunately, our counterparts in Washington have been unable to pass a budget, leading to a shutdown of federal departments and agencies. While we continue to navigate this challenging political environment, please know that our office remains available to help you. That includes keeping you informed of the latest developments, answering any questions you may have, or providing assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments.
You can reach me and my team by emailing SenSChang@senate.michigan.gov or calling 313-922-6949.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 3
- Please join me for my upcoming Community Conversation on Friday, Oct. 10, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at Eastside Community Network (4401 Conner St., Detroit 48215).
- The Legislature finally passed a bipartisan budget agreement that invests in you, your family, and our communities. Read on to learn more about the exciting investments we’re making to build a prosperous future.
- With Congress unable to reach a budget agreement, the federal government has entered a partial government shutdown, causing indefinite delays and interruptions to various public services and programs millions of Michiganders and Americans rely on. Find out how you and your loved ones might be affected below.
Bipartisan State Budget Signed into Law
Budget Protects Medicaid, Counters Severe Federal Cuts, Fixes the Roads, and Keeps the State Open
Since day one, I’ve been focused on this end goal: finalizing a state budget that invests in the people who call our state home. While it was a long and sometimes arduous process of getting here, I’m excited to say that the Legislature has finally passed a bipartisan budget agreement that reflects the values I have long been fighting for — strong schools, safe communities, access to health care, and opportunity for all.
Our final budget deal works to fill critical gaps caused by cuts from the Trump administration, ensures stability in the services people rely on to survive, and protects what matters most to Michigan families. More specifically, it includes investments to:
- Support Students and Schools: Secures the highest-ever per-pupil funding, $10,050, continues the widely popular free school meals program, and increases funding for at-risk students, school safety and student mental health, and more.
- Lower Costs: Continues the retirement tax repeal to save seniors $1,000 per year, makes child care more affordable through the Tri-Share program, and supports workforce training opportunities.
- Water Affordability: Includes $5 million for water affordability programs, a key priority of mine for many years.
- Protect Vital Services: Saves Medicaid in Michigan to ensure health care remains accessible and affordable, protects SNAP benefits and the Double Up Food Bucks program, and continues support for police and fire departments.
- Implement a Long-Term Road Solution: Requires that corporations pay their fair share, enabling a sustainable plan to fund road repairs without raiding our schools or other essential programs.
- Fight Federal Cuts: Mitigates the worst impacts of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” to prevent a $1 billion state budget hit and protect health care access, public safety, schools, and more.
- Support Moms and Babies: Expands the Rx Kids program with a $270 million investment over several years to support pregnant women and new moms with cash to buy necessities for their families.
- Support Domestic Violence Survivors: I was proud to secure $1 million for Michigan State Police to cover law enforcement agencies’ costs of serving personal protection orders (PPOs) for free across Michigan. I am working hard on bipartisan legislation on this important issue and am looking forward to introducing the bills soon.
To read more about what this budget means for Michigan, visit SenateDems.com/budget.
How the State Budget Invests in Our Local Community
In addition to big-picture investments to help move our state forward, our final budget agreement included $4.5 million for priority projects throughout our community.
These projects were identified through countless conversations I had with constituents, local leaders, and community organizations during the months-long budget process. In these discussions, I was focused on finding ways we could target state dollars in a meaningful way to ensure we could have the biggest impact on our local economy and residents’ everyday lives.
We were able to achieve that goal by securing funding for:
- $500,000 for Fresh! by Gleaners Community Food Bank to support the creation of a more stable food security network in southeast Michigan, including purpose-built facilities that provide fresh produce, milk, and eggs; curbside assistance for no-contact service; and climate-controlled outdoor food lockers available 24/7.
- $500,000 for Genesis Harbor of Opportunities Promoting Excellence (HOPE) to upgrade facilities providing senior wellness technology and build capacity to expand health, wellness, transportation, and supplemental food distributors.
- $500,000 for Empowerment Plan to address homelessness by elevating families from poverty through a two-year program, providing training and supportive services as well as producing innovative and lifesaving EMPWR sleeping bag coats.
- $1.5 million for Detroit Right to Counsel, a program that helps taxpayers by providing legal representation to low-income residents facing eviction.
- $1 million for Focus HOPE to support education and workforce development programming.
- $500,000 for SER Metro Samaritan Center for outdated infrastructure updates to allow the center to continue to serve as a community hub, allowing individuals to access a variety of services including health, education, housing, and other resources.
Community Conversation
WHEN: Friday, October 10 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Eastside Community Network, 4401 Conner St., Detroit, MI 48215
Immigration Know Your Rights Townhall & Citizenship Services
WHEN: Sunday, October 19 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Detroit, 48212; Address provided upon RSVP. Call 313-922-6949 or email abohn@senate.michigan.gov.
Come hear from experts on how to prepare your family, what to know about immigration enforcement, what your rights are, and how allies can help. Free citizenship legal services will be available.
Community Conversation with Rep. Myers Phillips
WHEN: Monday, October 27 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Highland Park Justice Center, 12050 Woodward Ave., Highland Park, MI 48203
International Institute of Metro Detroit to Hold Citizenship Workshop
The International Institute of Metro Detroit (IIMD) is holding a free Citizenship Workshop for people looking to become American citizens. The event is taking place Oct. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 111 E Kirby St. in Detroit. It is important to note that those seeking citizenship will need to have their paperwork submitted ahead of Oct. 20 before the new requirements come into effect. See flyer below for more details and RSVP instructions.
Federal Shutdown: How Will it Impact Me?
With a budget bill not passed by Congress to fund government operations before this new fiscal year, the federal government has entered a partial government shutdown starting just after midnight on Oct. 1, 2025, causing indefinite delays and interruptions to various public services and programs millions of Michiganders and Americans rely on. Find out how you and your loved ones might be affected below.
- Social Security & Supplemental Security Income (SSI): These benefits will continue to be distributed during the shutdown. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will stop benefit verifications and processing of overpayments. Local Social Security offices may be closed to in-person service, so you should check local office closures on the Social Security website before visiting.
- Medicare & Medicaid: These benefits will continue to be distributed during the shutdown. However, you will not be able to get a new or replacement Medicare card, and benefit verifications will stop.
- Food Assistance: Unfortunately, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) could quickly run out of funding and soon be unable to help hungry children and parents in need. Depending on how long the shutdown lasts, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could also run out of funding.
- Veterans Benefits: All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits.
- Mail Services & Post Offices: The United States Postal Service (U.S.P.S.) will continue to operate as normal.
- Airports & Traveling: The State Dept. will continue to issue passports and visas and assist Americans abroad. However, a reduced workforce could impact operations. If you have flight arrangements, plan for delays and cancellations due to disruptions in staffing of airport employees, air traffic controllers, and TSA agents — all who are deemed essential and expected to work, but without pay.
Please be aware that due to the reductions and disruptions in staffing caused by the shutdown, you may experience delays and other issues associated with these federally provided programs and services. Learn more here.
Stay Safe from COVID-19 & Other Seasonal Respiratory Viruses
The beginning of fall also marks the start of the flu season. Especially before the holidays arrive and family gatherings take place, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from seasonal respiratory viruses like the flu and COVID-19. The best protection? Stay up to date on vaccines.
I understand that the recent actions of the federal government have left many feeling anxious and uncertain about their ability to access the COVID-19 vaccine now or into the future. I want you to know that we are in contact with the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) regarding the evolving state and federal COVID-19 recommendations. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure you can access this vaccination, which overwhelming evidence has shown is safe, has saved millions of lives, and prevented tens of millions of hospitalizations in the U.S.
We encourage you to follow up with your provider or call your local pharmacy directly to check on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine and any specific guidelines.
To learn more about seasonal respiratory illnesses — including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) — and how to protect yourself, visit Michigan.gov/covidflursv. Along with getting vaccinated, you can take everyday preventative actions to stop the spread of germs, such as by practicing good hygiene and taking steps for cleaner air. If you may have a respiratory virus, use precautions to prevent spread and seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness.