Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are staying warm in this cold Michigan weather! Be sure to take extra care when going outside or traveling. Bundle up and stay warm (click here for a list of warming centers in our area), watch out for ice and snow, and pay attention to the changing conditions. Below you will also find updates on how to keep yourself safe from another dangerous counterpart of our notorious Michigan winters — influenza.
I also know that the overreach and dangerous tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is on many of our minds. Please know that I will continue to push solutions forward that would prohibit some of their dangerous practices and continue to work with impacted residents to help immigrants and refugees who deserve to stay with their families and in our communities.
You’ll also find updates on how I’m continuing to advocate for the needs of our residents in the Michigan Senate. I’m excited about the road ahead and remain committed to serving our community by working on the issues that matter most to you. Stay tuned for more updates as we begin advancing our legislative priorities for 2026!
As always, if you need assistance 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 SenSChang@senate.michigan.gov or calling 313-922-6949.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 3
- From preventing students from being distracted in the classroom to tackling rising utility costs, Senate Democrats have started 2026 off strong by advancing legislation in recent weeks to protect Michigan kids and consumers. Learn more below.
- Join me for my upcoming Coffee and Conversation event at Awafi Cafe in Hamtramck, on Jan. 30 at 3:00 p.m. ASL interpretation will be available.
- Flu season is officially here, so it’s important for you and your loved ones to take the proper precautions to stay healthy and safe. Read on for more information.
Protecting Michigan Kids & Consumers
Senate Democrats have hit the ground running this year, uplifting and advancing several pieces of legislation to safeguard Michigan kids and consumers, including bills to:
- Keep kids safe online — As we rapidly accelerate into the age of digital and AI advancements, our youth are bearing the brunt of the harmful consequences of Big Tech’s exploitive algorithms. That’s why I joined Sens. Hertel, Polehanki and Camilleri to introduce “Kids Over Clicks” legislation that would implement stronger safety measures to prevent social media companies and AI platforms from targeting and exploiting minors. Introduced last month and highlighted in a press conference this past week, this “Kids Over Clicks” package would protect kids from the dangers of unfettered online activity by holding Big Tech accountable.
- Ban cell phones in schools — To address the growing issue of cell phone use in schools, the Michigan Senate advanced bipartisan legislation this week to ban cell phones during instruction in every grade in Michigan’s K-12 public schools. I was proud to vote yes on these bills, which will help teachers to teach and students to learn.
- Tackle rising energy costs — While the costs of everything from gas and groceries continue to put a squeeze on Michiganders, utility costs are only adding to the burden. To combat outrageous energy rates — which have gone up 11% since Jan. 2025 — legislation introduced by Senate Democrats last week would establish a multiyear rate plan to set utility prices for multiple years, preventing surprise spikes in monthly bills and improving financial planning and stability for families in the state.
Rx Kids Launching in Detroit
During her first days in office, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced the highly effective Rx Kids program will launch within the first 100 days of her administration, offering medical cash prescriptions for Detroit’s new moms and babies!
Originally tailored to uplift the city of Flint, Rx Kids supports expectant and new mothers during the most critical time in an infant’s life. Created in partnership with Dr. Mona Hanna and Michigan State University, Rx Kids provides life-changing financial security that is universal and unconditional. Moms receive $1,500 during pregnancy, and babies receive $500 a month for six to 12 months after birth. Having championed Rx Kids since its inception, Senate Democrats further expanded Rx Kids in the 2026 budget and are helping ensure the game-changing program can reach more communities across the state.
With an estimated 8,000 babies born in Detroit every year, this historic expansion will set a standard for how cities and states show up for families when it matters most — and help support the newest Detroiters to have safe and healthy futures. Rx Kids is also now underway in Lake County and certain communities in Saginaw and Berrien counties.
I am so thrilled that Rx Kids will soon be available in Detroit, and I am grateful to Mayor Sheffield and Dr. Hanna’s leadership. To learn more about Rx Kids’ initiatives and when enrollment opens near you, click here.
Uplifting Legislation to Improve Public Safety and Increase Transparency in Immigration Enforcement
This past week, Sens. Cavanagh, Moss, and I uplifted our legislation to protect the safety of Michiganders, immigrant and non-immigrant alike, from the dangerous immigration enforcement tactics used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) that are endorsed by Washington Republicans.
Unethical, terrorizing immigration enforcement tactics have been increasing across the nation under the second Trump administration. Most alarmingly, the killing of Renee Nicole Good and continued violence by ICE agents in Minneapolis have exemplified the malicious nature of ICE operations and is only one of the latest on a growing list of incidents that have happened during ICE and CBP operations.
Everyone, regardless of immigration status, deserves to feel safe and welcome in their own homes, dropping their kids off at school, at courthouses, and getting help as a victim of a crime. We must do better to protect the safety and rights of every Michigander. No one deserves to have their privacy rights violated or to be ripped away from their family because of out-of-control ICE and CBP tactics. More and more Americans and Michiganders are calling on leaders to put a stop to these actions as soon as possible, and I will continue to make this commonsense legislation a top priority in 2026.
More specifically, Senate Bills 508–510 and Senate Resolution 86 would:
- Ensure the safety and dignity of Michigan residents by designating schools, places of worship, hospitals, courthouses, and organizations providing services to pregnant women, victims of crime, or disabled individuals as protected spaces from immigration enforcement, unless there is imminent public danger or a judicial warrant;
- Protect the privacy of personal information by prohibiting government entities from giving personal identifying information to others for the purposes of immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant;
- Prevent law enforcement officers from wearing masks to conceal their identity unless they are conducting an undercover operation or other permittable instances; and
- Urge Congress to pass legislation at the federal level regarding the wearing of face covering masks by ICE agents and protect sensitive locations.
Wayne County Dept. of Public Services Offers Vouchers for Recycling Household Hazards
Wayne County residents have the opportunity to obtain a voucher to dispose of hazardous waste material they may have in their home. The county will properly dispose of these items in a way that is safe for the environment. Hazardous waste materials include old cell phones or computers, paint, certain cleaning products, glue, pesticides, and more. See the flyer below for more details and contact information. There are a limited number of vouchers available and will be given on a first come, first serve basis and limited to one voucher per household.
Friends of the Detroit River Hold Annual Eco Fair
Friends of the Detroit River is holding their annual eco-fair on Belle Isle on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Events and activities will be held at the Nature Center from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and in the Dossin Great Lakes Museum from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The event is free and open to all ages, with activities ranging from face painting, ice carving displays, a magic show, and educational fun activities — both indoors and outdoors. The Dossin Museum has waived their admission fee for the event. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more information, click here.
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Belle Isle State Park, 100 The Strand, Detroit, MI, 48207
Community Conversation
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 30 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Awafi Cafe, 9000 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck, MI 48212
ASL Interpretation will be available.
Community Conversation
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 9 from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Farwell Community Center, 2711 Outer Dr. E, Detroit, MI 48234
Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Life & Legacy
As your state Senator, I am determined to ensure Michigan is a place where everyone is guaranteed a safe, successful, and just future, no matter your matter race, gender, sexual orientation, income, or any other identity that may shape us. As elected officials, our actions — not only our words, but the policies we put in place and the programs that impact our citizens — should emphasize and expand equity for all Michiganders.
This week and throughout the month of January and beyond, we recognize the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. — whose unwavering leadership, bravery, and persistence instilled a more just future for the United States. His inspiring work and collaboration with other civil rights activists helped create a progressive foundation for our nation that we aspire to expand upon today.
From introducing policy that tackles racial and ethnic health disparities, expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, investing in our youngest Michiganders, strengthening voting rights and access, and more, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I are dedicated to Dr. King’s work towards justice for all. We remain focused on sponsoring purposeful legislation and investments to uplift Michigan residents and communities, especially for those who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented. This past Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I joined the students, staff, and community members for a morning celebration at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School full of student performances and community leader remarks. In the afternoon, I took my daughters to the Charles H. Wright Museum to enjoy MLK, Jr. Day activities. Dr. King’s legacy lives on in all of us — and it’s up to us to keep bending the arc toward justice.
Protecting Yourself During Flu Season
As you may have noticed in your community or experienced yourself, flu season has hit Michigan at full force. The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services recommends these steps in order to protect you and your loved ones from this serious illness:
- Take time to get the flu vaccine — the most effective way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated every year!
- Take everyday preventative actions, such as:
- Avoiding close contact with other people who are sick;
- Staying home when you are sick;
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth;
- And practicing other good health habits, like getting plenty of sleep, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and eating nutritious foods.
- Take flu antiviral drugs to combat illness if your doctor recommends them.
For more information and resources about flu season, click here.