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Friends, It has been a whirlwind of activity since my last update. The legislature recently passed a $4.8 billion supplemental funding bill that invests more than $1 billion in clean water and infrastructure and provides millions more to help folks stay in their homes. There is more about this below in the “supplemental budget” section. Several of my bills are moving forward in the legislature, and we have a number of upcoming coffee hour events. I’m also excited to begin bipartisan work in the new “Taiwan Friendship Caucus.” This is special for me as the proud daughter of Taiwanese American immigrant parents. Michigan has strong economic ties to Taiwan, as it was the state’s seventh-largest export market in Asia in 2020, with $226 million worth of Michigan goods exported to the independent nation. Read on to learn more.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Supplemental Budget On Thursday, March 24, the state House and Senate passed Senate Bill 565, a $4.8 billion supplemental budget for the current fiscal year. It has been sent on to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is expected to sign them. The bipartisan agreement includes funding for clean water and infrastructure, housing, parks and recreation, and roads and bridges. The vast majority of this funding ($3.1 billion) comes from federal COVID-related funds that were authorized through various federal acts. Another $945.4 million is from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the remaining $571.6 million is from the state General Fund. I am especially pleased about the investments in clean water and infrastructure, as well as the expansion of affordable, accessible housing. Specifically:
My Legislation Moving Forward this Spring Senate Bill 855, my bill to address the abuse of nitrous oxide, also known as whip-its, passed out of the Senate Committee on Health Policy. We will introduce a new bill when the Legislature resumes session in April. This bill will focus on prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide paraphernalia that is designed specifically for inhalation for recreational use. We have been working hard on our bipartisan bill package, Senate Bills 743-746, to give a boost to the maritime industry and address environmental concerns in Michigan. The Committee on Economic and Small Business Development had a hearing on the bills, and we hope to receive a committee vote on updated versions of the bills soon.
Fixing Auto No-Fault Law to Help Catastrophic Survivors Senate Bills 945, 946 and 947 Sens. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), and I introduced legislation to help address some of the immediate and necessary needs of Michigan residents who have survived catastrophic auto accidents. If passed and signed into law, our bills would give family units and their support systems more flexibility to provide reimbursable care, eliminate the use of standards not derived from medical professionals from being used to deny treatment, and refine the term “medical treatment” to carve out certain products, services, and accommodations from the fee cap system. One of the bills addresses the 56-hour attendant care cap which is unworkable for individuals who need around-the-clock care. These bills are identical to three bills introduced in the House of Representatives. You can read more about this on my website.
Condemning Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Ukraine and its people have been weighing heavily on my mind. This unjustified invasion has already caused needless anguish and loss of life, including the lives of children, and is a blatant violation of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. In response, Sen. Wojno (D-Warren) and I introduced a resolution to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and urged the global community to unite by issuing sanctions against the Russian government. The resolution was adopted unanimously. We must have international unity on this matter and show our support for all people of Ukraine as they defend their democracy and those that flee seeking safety. We must also support Ukrainian Americans in Michigan and their families who are affected by this crisis.
Taiwan Friendship Caucus As the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, I was proud to announce the formation of the Taiwan Friendship Caucus. The Taiwan Friendship Caucus is a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers and members of the Taiwanese American community who convene to discuss the strengthening of ties between Michigan and Taiwan. I introduced Senate Resolution 115 to signify the importance of the relationship between Taiwan and our great state of Michigan, and the importance of our bilateral trade relationship. The resolution was unanimously approved.
Helping Parents & Caregivers Run for Office Senate Bill 882 and House Bill 5840 Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) and I recently introduced legislation to allow state-level candidates to use campaign funds for childcare, and in doing so, remove a significant obstacle that many candidates — particularly those who are mothers — face when running for office. The perspective that parents, and especially mothers, of young children can bring to public policy cannot be understated, and we need more of it in the state legislature. The use of campaign funds to pay for childcare is permitted in 18 other states and at the federal level, and advocacy groups have lauded this effort. By taking this step and authorizing the use of campaign funds for childcare and dependent care, Michigan can empower more working parents and those who serve as caregivers to a disabled child or parent to run for office.
UPCOMING EVENTS Postponed: Friday, April 1 at 10:30 a.m.
Thank you for reading this update. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (517) 373-7346 or senschang@senate.michigan.gov if we can assist you in any way.
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