Dear Neighbor,
Happy March is Reading Month! This month, I hope both you and your family take time to visit your local library or local bookstore and enjoy a few books together. I’ll be visiting a number of schools to read to students and hear their ideas! To check out some of our talented Michigan authors, visit the Great Michigan Read program and find a list of yearly selections here.
The governor recently delivered her final State of the State address and unveiled her recommendations for the 2027 state budget, officially setting the stage for the months ahead. In both presentations, she emphasized priorities I share including making life more affordable for Michiganders, investing in our students and schools, and lowering the cost of housing so more folks can choose to build and raise their family here in Michigan.
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 SenSChang@senate.michigan.gov or calling 313-922-6949.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 3
- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address last week, outlining priorities for her last year in office, while also reflecting on the great progress we’ve made together over the last several years. Read more about this below.
- Join me for my upcoming Community Conversation event at Play House Laboratories in Detroit on Friday, March 13 at 2:30 p.m.
- Get ready to set your clocks forward and lose a bit of sleep! Daylight Saving Time starts this Sunday, March 8.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Legislation Introduced
A little more than a year ago, 5-year-old Thomas Cooper perished in an outdated hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chamber that was poorly maintained and supervised while attempting to seek professional health care. This should have never happened, and now we are moving to ensure that it will never happen again.
Last week, Rep. Sharon MacDonell and I, along with several Democratic and Republican colleagues, introduced a bicameral and bipartisan package of bills that would establish a licensure and inspection process for freestanding HBOT chamber facilities. In short, it would establish safety standards for these facilities, including meeting nationally recognized engineering and fire safety standards, having a Medical Director and at least one Safety Coordinator, and ensuring that all staff operating hyperbaric chambers are supervised by a Safety Coordinator and meet certain training requirements.
No one should ever experience the tragedy that the Cooper family faced last January when their son was ripped from their lives due to the negligence of others. Hyperbaric medicine is like any other branch of medicine: helpful for people when administered by trained professionals who know what they’re doing, but potentially harmful in the hands of those who aren’t properly trained or don’t follow established safety standards.
Kids Over Clicks Committee Hearing
This week, the Senate Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee held a hearing on the “Kids Over Clicks” (Senate Bills 757–760) bill package to increase internet safety and safeguard Michigan children. I am proud to sponsor one of the bills in this package, which would hold Big Tech companies accountable for unethical practices that prey on vulnerable users in the name of profit, address emerging risks associated with AI and social media usage, and empower Michigan parents with more autonomy and transparency over their kids’ digital activity. My bill, Senate Bill 759, or the “Kids Code Act,” would mandate stricter data privacy and safety settings for minors on digital platforms while also giving parents more control over their children’s online accounts.
Learn more about the Kids Over Clicks bills here.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Delivers Her Final State of the State Address
Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address, where she outlined priorities for her last year in office, while also reflecting on the great progress we’ve made together over the last several years. From delivering a historic $1 billion tax cut for working families, guaranteeing all Michiganders a no-cost path towards a college degree or skills certificate, and making transformational investments in housing to lower the cost of purchasing a new home — we’ve been busy delivering results for Michigan communities.
We have worked tirelessly over the years to make Michigan a great place for all to live, work, learn and play, and I’m grateful to Governor Whitmer for her leadership. From making medical debt relief available to more Michiganders and more homes attainable for first time homebuyers, to addressing the rising cost of water bills and energy bills, there is much good work ahead that we can do to lower costs for our residents struggling to make ends meet here in the Great Lakes state.
As the legislative session continues, I look forward to working with the governor and my colleagues in the legislature to pass policies that advance these goals.
If you missed the address, you can watch the full recording here
Community Conversation
WHEN: Friday, March 13 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Play House Laboratories, 12657 Moran St., Detroit, MI 48212
Community Conversation with Rep. Tonya Myers Phillips
WHEN: Monday, March 23 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Avalon Village, 24 Avalon St., Unit 24, Highland Park, MI 48203
March is Reading Month! Ensuring Literacy for Michigan Students
The governor has called for additional steps and strategic investments to boost literacy rates and offer a quality education statewide. Senate Democrats have been long been leaders on this effort, prioritizing Michigan futures through investing in our kids and fighting for proven-effective educational programs and support. As we recognize March is Reading Month, I want to highlight some actions my colleagues and I have taken to help more young Michiganders learn to read, including:
- Spearheading Science of Reading literacy programming;
- Bringing phonics back to Michigan curriculum;
- Banning the use of cell phones in the classroom to keep kids engaged; and
- Passing legislation that will soon screen every student for dyslexia.
My colleagues and I are laser-focused on supporting public education and continuing critical investments in Michigan’s kids, both in and out of the classroom. Read more about some of our recent education wins here.
Happy Women’s History Month!
March has been nationally recognized as Women’s History Month since 1987, celebrating the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of women who have paved the way for progress and continue to inspire generations. I was proud to become the first Asian American woman elected to the Michigan Legislature and am proud to be a part of Michigan’s first woman-majority legislative caucus, where we’re not just breaking barriers from within, but working hard to ensure all women across the state have the resources and opportunities they need to shatter glass ceilings and secure successful futures. Whether it be safeguarding reproductive rights and freedoms or expanding the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect against discrimination, we will continue to do the work to stand up for Michigan women.
Celebrate 313 Day around the City of Detroit!
March 13, more commonly known as 313 Day, is an unofficial holiday celebration of all-things-Detroit! The holiday is inspired by the date written numerically, 3/13, which is the area code for the city. Learn where to celebrate here in Detroit below!
Belle Isle Conservancy
To commemorate 313 Day 2026, Belle Isle is hosting an array of activities for all. Facilities, such as the aquarium and nature center, will have extended hours.
All events are family- and kid-friendly, and open to the public. Events include:
- A National Reading Month event that is ideal for preschool and elementary school aged children;
- A “Name the Sturgeon” contest at the aquarium where patrons that donate can enter a contest to name a brand-new baby sturgeon;
- A lesson on biomimicry, with an art and design challenge at the aquarium;
- And a party at the newly renovated Belle Isle casino later in the evening, with a DJ turning techno beats — which Detroit is famous for. The casino event is also kid-friendly, but all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Although all events are free, a recreation pass or daily pass is required to get into Belle Isle. Passes can be purchased at the gate upon entry at 99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit, MI 48207.
For more details and exact times and locations of each event, see the Facebook event page here.
Detroit Riverfront
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is also celebrating 313 Day with a variety of all-ages events! Starting at 3:13 p.m., the Riverfront will have attractions until 8:00 p.m. Activities include children’s puppet shows, comedy shows, interactive activities, a fashion show, live music, art, food, games, and more. InsideOut Literary Arts will have a table for guests to write love letters to our great city, and there will be a station where guests can make their own Detroit-themed coloring book!
Refreshments, available for purchase, are also Detroit-themed. The event will feature BBQ, seafood, Italian options, as well as some Detroit staples. Local beer will also be available at the Valde Bar.
Valde Park, where most of the activities are taking place, is located at 2670 Atwater St., Detroit, MI 48207. For more information, see the Facebook event page here.
Don’t Forget to Change Your Clocks!
We’re one step closer to spring! Here’s your reminder that starting this weekend, we will lose an hour of sleep and gain an extra hour of daylight. This Sunday, March 8, clocks will spring forward one hour at 2:00 a.m. and reset to 3:00 a.m. While cell phones will automatically reset themselves, make sure to change any manually controlled clocks or devices ahead of time before heading to bed on Sunday night, to avoid any confusion or a last-minute morning scramble to get to work on time.
New Tool to Report Immigration Enforcement Problems in Michigan
Attorney General Dana Nessel has recently launched a new reporting form for Michiganders to report alleged misconduct by federal immigration agents or local law enforcement agents improperly involving themselves in immigration enforcement in their communities. Crafted in response to concerns from residents across the state on the uptick of harmful enforcement tactics happening in Michigan and nationwide, this new tool provides Michiganders an avenue to document any concerning behavior they are witnessing at the hands of federal officers. The form allows residents to submit specific incident details, including descriptions of the actions witnessed, the number of individuals involved and their group or agency affiliations, tools and weapons observed, and the time and location of the incident. Learn more here, and click here to access the form.
You can also report misconduct by calling the ACLU of Michigan hotline at 313-208-7048.
Utilize Michigan 211 to Get Connected with the Resources You Need
Michigan 211 is a toll-free service that provides residents with information. Specialists trained to assist community members will connect you with the proper resources. From utility payment assistance to household needs, 211 is a great tool for you and your loved ones to use.
You can text, email, or call for help. For more information, click here.