Dear Neighbor,
My Senate colleagues and I have been working hard to advance legislation that would deliver real relief for folks around the state, most recently passing bipartisan bills to protect hundreds of thousands of Michiganders facing the burden of medical debt. And now, auto repair businesses and farmers statewide will find some support from two of my bills signed into law by Governor Whitmer just this week. Learn more about these efforts below, including how we’ve been shining a light on ways the Trump administration’s energy policies are costing Michigan families and communities.
And, as the seasons for tax scams and severe weather are both in full swing, read on for helpful information and resources on how you can stay protected in the weeks ahead.
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 in Lansing and Flint by emailing SenJCherry@senate.michigan.gov or calling (517) 373-0142.
Sincerely,
John Cherry
State Senator
District 27
- From exploring the harmful impacts of Trump’s energy policies to advancing bills to tackle medical debt facing Michiganders, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have been working hard on your behalf in Lansing. Learn more below.
- Join me for the next event in my Community Health Care Forum series, where I will be joined by local health care leaders for an in-depth discussion on mental health. More details are coming soon, but for now, make sure to save the date: Thursday, May 21.
- Tax filing season is well underway, which unfortunately means, tax scam activity is too. Find more information below on how to stay protected from this deceptive behavior, including examples of different ways that residents are targeted by scammers.
Two of My Bills Signed Into Law
After months of hard work, sometimes legislation just needs a small touch of Irish luck to get across the finish line! I was proud to stand with Governor Whitmer on St. Patrick’s Day as she signed my bills, Senate Bill 25 and Senate Bill 688, into law.
Senate Bill 25 cuts red tape for auto repair facilities, helping local businesses avoid unnecessary costs and keeping prices for things like auto repairs lower for Michigan drivers.
Senate Bill 688 is part of a larger bipartisan package to help farmers and agricultural producers continue to use preservation tax credits. These tax incentive programs are vital to Michigan’s agricultural economy and heritage, helping keep family farms and operations affordable even during tough times.
Senate Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Tackle Medical Debt Facing Michiganders
Medical debt is a burden that can follow someone around for the rest of their lives — hurting their ability to buy a home, forcing them to forgo essential expenses like groceries and rent, and oftentimes trapping them in a cycle of poverty that is nearly impossible to get out of. With about 700,000 Michiganders across the state burdened by this reality, my colleagues and I knew we had to take action.
That’s why, last week, the Michigan Senate passed a bipartisan set of bills to tackle this issue head-on. To provide support and safeguards for those struggling with medical expenses, the legislation would establish clear guidelines for hospitals to offer financial assistance programs and regulate how and when debt can be collected, such as by capping interest and late fees at 3% annually after a 90-day grace period. Learn more about this legislation here.
Senate Dems Explore Consequences of Trump’s Harmful Energy Policies
Over the last couple of weeks, the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment has held hearings to examine the detrimental effects of the Trump administration’s actions to dismantle clean, efficient, and affordable energy plans. From dissolving clean energy projects under the so-called “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” to forcing the inefficient J.H. Campbell coal plant to stay open, the Trump administration is contributing to higher utility costs for ratepayers, environmental threats, and the loss of Michigan jobs and investments.
Senate Democrats will continue raising awareness and working hard to safeguard our state and residents from the harmful decisions coming out of Washington, D.C. Read more about this past week’s hearing here.
Senate Committee Hears Testimony on “Kids Over Clicks” Legislation
The Senate Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee recently held a hearing on Senate Bills 757–760, which would implement commonsense safety standards to better protect Michigan children from the emerging risks associated with social media and Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage. The committee heard from parents, advocates, and legal, health, and technology experts about the need to pass our Kids Over Clicks legislation and better safeguard our youth from rampant digital dangers. (To watch a recording of the hearing, click here!)
To help shape our legislation and share your experience navigating parenthood in the digital age, please take our survey here. To become a Citizen Co-Sponsor of our Kids Over Clicks package, click here.
Supporting the Health Care Needs of Genesee County
Everyone deserves to get the health care they need, when and where they need it. But from the complexities of the care system to the attacks on Medicaid at the federal level, Michiganders are facing increased challenges trying to access care and afford all the costs that come with it.
To support community members as they navigate the health care system, I’ve been putting on a series of Community Health Care Forums and Resource Fairs, with my most recent event hosted at the Hamilton Community Health Network’s Burton campus last week. Providers, partners, and residents joined me for a meaningful conversation on access to care in Genesee County, which also included an opportunity to respond to questions and concerns from those who attended. The discussion highlighted the critical role of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and the barriers many still face in getting the care they need. Thank you to our panelists, partner organizations, organizers, and everyone who joined us.
We’re already planning our next forum, focused on mental health, tentatively scheduled for May 21. Be sure to save the date and stay tuned for more details.
Standing With Our Nurses
Nurses keep our families healthy and communities strong. We owe a great deal to their tireless service on the frontlines of public health, ensuring the needs of our youngest Michiganders to our oldest are met with care and precision. That’s why, along with some of my colleagues, I was proud to welcome Teamsters Local 332 to the Capitol earlier this week as they rallied in support of nurses who have now been on strike for six months. These resilient workers have shown incredible strength and solidarity, standing up for fair wages, safe staffing, and the respect they deserve. I will continue to stand with them in their fight for a fair contract and remain committed to supporting efforts that put workers and patient care first.
Watch Out for Tax Scams This Filing Season
With tax filing season well underway, so too is scam activity. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is urging residents to be on the lookout for tax scams, such as someone claiming to be from the IRS who contacts you by phone, email, text, or social media and may demand immediate payment, threaten arrest, or ask for personal or banking information. Please note: the IRS does not contact taxpayers this way to demand payment or request sensitive information. If you receive one of these messages, do not respond or share any information.
Another common scam to be on the watch for involves dishonest tax preparers who promise unusually large refunds, charge fees based on the amount of your refund, or ask you to sign a blank or incomplete tax return. For more information on how to identify tax scams, what to do if you’re a victim, and how to report a scam, visit the IRS website.
“I Voted” Sticker Contest Returns!
The Michigan Dept. of State (MDOS) is now accepting entries from Michigan students and residents for the nationally recognized “I Voted” sticker contest for the upcoming 2026 elections. Those interested in entering the contest must select one category and may submit one design. The three categories are elementary/middle school, high school, and general entry for residents of all ages.
Submissions are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026. The official entry form and other guidelines can be found here.
Severe Weather Resources & Tips
In response to recent severe weather across the state, our first responders and officials are working hard to ensure there is a swift delivery of resources to the affected areas. We applaud this effort and our dedicated first responders who have been working tirelessly around the clock. To ensure you’re prepared for future severe weather events, please review the following safety tips:
General Storm Safety Tips:
- Prepare a kit of emergency supplies for your family and pets.
- Create a family emergency plan.
- For college students, create a campus emergency plan.
- For guides and checklists, visit Plan Ahead (michigan.gov).
Tornado Safety Tips:
- Sign up for The Emergency Alert System or your community’s warning system.
- Identify a place to take shelter.
- Look for danger signs, such as a dark or greenish sky, large hail, a dark, low-lying cloud, and a loud roar that sounds like a freight train.
- Ensure all doors and windows are shut.
- Be careful when exiting the building after the storm.
- For more information, visit Tornadoes (michigan.gov).
Thunderstorms & Lightning Safety Tips:
- To prepare, cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home.
- Consider purchasing surge protectors or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances, and electronic devices.
- When thunder roars, go indoors! Move into a building or car with a roof.
- Avoid running water and using electronic devices connected to an electrical outlet.
- Do not drive through flooded roadways. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately.
- For more information, visit Thunderstorms & Lightning (michigan.gov).
To Report Downed Power Lines:
- DTE: outage.dteenergy.com/report-down-line
- Consumers Energy: consumersenergy.com/outages-and-safety/report-an-issue
Visit the Michigan Prepares website to find a variety of resources on this topic, including guidance on How to Create Your Emergency Plan. You can also stay informed when severe weather strikes by signing up for emergency alerts from your county or city.