Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are enjoying the fun of a pure Michigan winter before the snow melts — even if that means from the comfort of your home. If you haven’t had a chance already, be sure to check out the showstopping Michigan athletes representing the great state we call home in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics before they wrap up this weekend!
As the second month of the year already inches towards a close, I’m proud to share that my Senate colleagues and I have advanced several pieces of bipartisan legislation on your behalf, including recently passing bills to keep kids safe online. Read on to learn more.
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 SenJCherry@Senate.Michigan.gov or calling (517) 373-0142.
Sincerely,
John Cherry
State Senator
District 27
- Last week, we commemorated White Shirt Day, the 89th anniversary of the end of the Flint sit-down “strike heard ‘round the world” when local UAW members won the right to be recognized by General Motors. I was proud to sponsor a resolution on the Senate floor to commemorate the significance this day holds for our local and state history and for workers across the country. Learn more and watch my floor speech below.
- In response to the recent uptick in reckless immigration enforcement actions here in Michigan and around the country, Attorney General Dana Nessel has launched a new form for residents to report alleged misconduct by federal immigration agents in their communities. Learn more below.
Budget Season Begins!
Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released her FY 2027 state budget blueprint, officially kicking off the start to the budget process here in the Senate and across the chamber. With Michiganders continuing to feel the pinch from ongoing inflation, rising health care costs, and other impacts of the reckless actions of our federal administration, the governor’s plan aims to mitigate the pressures residents across the state are facing while also addressing the $1.8 billion shortfall largely caused by those same actions.
From saving Michiganders money and setting our students up for success to growing the economy and improving public safety, I am encouraged to see that her spending plan reflects many of the Senate’s own priorities. Along with continuing to invest in proven programs we have long championed — universal school meals, targeted tax relief for working families and retirees, free pre-K, and more — I’m particularly thrilled to see her budget recommendation include:
- Property tax relief for about 335,000 seniors to help them age with dignity in their own homes;
- Significant investments to combat the state’s literacy crisis;
- A $250 per student boost to our per-pupil funding, for a total of $10,300 per student;
- Additional support for at-risk and special education students, student mental health and safety needs, before- and after-school programs;
- A new “back to school” tax holiday to help families save money on clothes, school supplies, and more; and
- Expansion of the Michigan Reconnect program to include adult learners ages 21 and older.
While this new revenue landscape presents some unique challenges this year, my commitment to delivering real solutions for the people of Michigan remains stronger than ever. My Senate Democratic colleagues and I are looking forward to collaborating with our colleagues both across the aisle and across the chamber to craft a balanced state budget that is passed on time and provides meaningful relief for those who need it most.
Putting Kids Over Clicks — Protecting Michigan’s Youth Online
Safer Internet Day was recognized across the globe last week, a campaign focused on transforming our digital spaces into positive, respectful places through responsible internet use and prioritized safety for our youngest internet users.
To create safer internet spaces and put a stop to the exploitative tactics of Big Tech and AI companies, Senate Democrats introduced Senate Bills 757–760, the Kids Over Clicks package. This commonsense legislation was crafted with parents, industry experts, and advocates to grant Michigan parents with more control and transparency over their children’s online activity while holding corporations accountable for the unethical, predatory practices that put our youth at risk and keep them addicted to their devices.
Senate Democrats are calling on Michiganders to join us in the fight for a better, safer digital world for our kids and families — because we can all play a part in this fight to better protect our kids online.
If you have children, we encourage you to take our survey and let us know your thoughts on how social media is impacting our youngest generation — your input can help shape what the final package looks like to ensure we meet the needs of Michigan families! To learn more and find out other ways you can take action, click here.
Honoring Michigan’s Workers and Union Legacies on White Shirt Day
Last week on Feb. 11 marked the 89th anniversary of the end of the Flint sit-down strike, when Michigan UAW members won the right to be recognized by General Motors. As the Senator and fellow community member of the district where this historic event took place, I was proud to sponsor a resolution on the Senate floor to commemorate the significance this day holds for our history and for workers across the country.
Entire communities participated in the strike, as family members and workers alike put their bodies on the line, forming a human shield around the plants to protect strikers from violence. Families even delivered food to the plants to support the cause. This precedent has continued through today’s labor negotiations, with union families sacrificing during strikes in support of better wages and benefits for the working class.
The UAW fought, and they won big! Within a year of the 1937 strike, the UAW grew from 30,000 to 500,000 members strong, and autoworker wages increased by as much as 300%. Now, the UAW has over 600 locals across the United States, protecting laborers of all regions and a variety of industries.
Last week and always, we honor the workers and families here in our very own community whose courageous actions paved the way for progress in Michigan and nationwide. My colleagues and I continue to fight for Michigan’s workers, whether that be through quintupling Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for working families or passing legislation to restore prevailing wages and allow our unions to better negotiate.
I’ll forever be proud of the role those in my district played nearly 90 years ago in shaping the course of the labor movement in this country. And as your state Senator and Chair of the Labor Committee, I remain committed to building on that progress at the Capitol in the weeks and months ahead.
Sen. Cherry speaks on his resolution to recognize “White Shirt Day’ on the Senate floor
Save the Date! 2026 State of the State Address
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be delivering the 2026 State of the State Address next week on Wednesday, Feb. 25. In the speech, the governor will address members of the Legislature as well as Michiganders across the state as she lays out plans for the year ahead to lower costs, protect access to health care, support our students, grow jobs, and more.
Over the past few years, we’ve had a strong partner in Gov. Whitmer as we secured meaningful solutions for Michiganders, from making historic investments in our students, roads, and bridges to strengthening protections for workers and veterans. With several pieces of bipartisan legislation already advanced through the Senate over the past few weeks, I look forward to another year of delivering real progress for my constituents and Michiganders around the state.
Tune in! You can watch the governor’s address on your local TV channel, online here, on Facebook, and YouTube.
New Tool to Report Immigration Enforcement in Michigan
Attorney General Dana Nessel has recently launched a new reporting form for Michiganders to report alleged misconduct by federal immigration agents 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.
Resources to Help Make for a Smooth Tax Filing Season
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently opened the 2026 tax filing season, with the deadline to file as Wednesday, April 15, 2026!
Senate Democrats have been focused on cutting taxes and making it easier to raise families here in Michigan. That’s why we worked to deliver the biggest tax break for working families in Michigan history, which cut taxes by $1 billion. Click here for a few quick tips to help you maximize your return this year!
During the last legislative session, we quintupled Michigan’s match of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 6% to 30% to help families save an average of $3,800 when combined with the federal credit. Check if you qualify for the federal EITC here.
Remember, do not share your tax documents or earnings statements via phone or social media. The IRS will only contact you via official U.S. Postal Service mail. View the IRS’ guide to stay safe from scams, and find free tax-filing resources and preparation near you here.