Dear Neighbor,
As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, our team is taking full advantage of every opportunity to get out into the community, connect with residents, and keep working on policy solutions that move our state forward.
Read all about the legislation we’re working on under our A Michigan You Can Afford agenda, which aims to make the cost of everyday life more affordable for working families. From lowering childcare and healthcare costs to cracking down on scams and protecting the services you need, we’re focused on giving you the real, immediate relief you deserve.
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 SenJCherrySenate.Michigan.gov or calling 517-373-0142.
Sincerely,
JOHN CHERRY
State Senator
District 27
- Senate Democrats are working to lower costs for Michiganders and stop corporate price gouging through so‑called “dynamic pricing.” Keep reading to learn about this legislation.
- Last week, the Michigan Senate passed legislation to tackle the childcare crisis head-on, advancing much needed support for our dedicated providers and relief for hardworking families. Read more below.
- Celebrate the Mott Foundation’s 100th anniversary next weekend, June 5–7, at the Flint Cultural Center campus. Details below.
Senate Democrats Champion Bills to Lower Costs & Protect Consumers from Deceptive Dynamic Pricing
Last week, I along with my colleague, Senator McMorrow, introduced comprehensive legislation to ban surveillance pricing for e-commerce and dynamic pricing for retail stores. Used by airlines, rideshares, online retailers, hotels, and grocery stores, these deceptive practices work to benefit businesses’ bottom line at the expense of the consumer.
Senate Bills 991–992 would ban businesses from setting custom prices for customers based on personalized algorithms or real-time information, protecting both Michigan consumers’ peace of mind and hard-earned money. Between the price of gas and rising utility bills, Michiganders are already having a hard time staying afloat, and companies’ exploitative pricing tactics are only making it worse. People shouldn’t be charged more for shopping in a certain zip code or just because they’re picking up a few groceries on their way home from work after the 5 o’clock hour. Our legislation aims to crack down on these increasingly common algorithmic pricing practices.
This legislation remains in the Senate Committee on Economic and Community Development for further consideration.
Read more here, and learn more about how these bills fit into our broader Michigan You Can Afford agenda here.
Michigan Senate Passes Legislation to Cut Childcare Costs, Support Providers
To tackle the affordability crisis facing residents statewide, last week, Senate Democrats passed a bold bill package to lower the cost of childcare for Michigan parents and increase avenues for childcare providers. Senate Bills 310–313 would make childcare more affordable for families and more sustainable for childcare professionals and entrepreneurs by:
- Codifying the innovative bipartisan program, Tri-Share, that splits the cost of childcare equally among employers, the state, and employees;
- Tying the Childcare Reimbursement Rate to inflation to provide certainty and consistency to providers; and
- Updating licensing requirements for childcare centers and removing burdensome barriers to opening and operating centers.
By passing this legislation out of the full Senate, we are one step closer to codifying this critical programming for Michigan families and childcare providers. Senate Bills 310–313 now head to the House for further consideration.
Read more here and learn more about how these bills fit our broader A Michigan You Can Afford agenda here.
Genesee County School Receives Grant to Serve Up Fresh, Locally Grown Food
As chair of the subcommittee responsible for setting the budget for the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), I’ve been proud of the investments we’ve secured in recent years to improve vital food safety and security programs and strengthen local food systems, among other priorities. While my colleagues and I work to finalize another state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, I want to take a moment to highlight how previous state budgets we’ve passed are impacting our local community in real-time.
Announced earlier this month, Genesee County’s own Bendle Public Schools has been chosen as one of the first grant recipients of the Good Food for Michigan Project. Launched just last year by MDARD’s Farm to Family Program — one of the innovative programs we’ve continued to fund in recent years — this new initiative aims to connect Michigan schools, hospitals, and other institutions with fresh, healthy food supplied by local growers and food producers. These dollars will enable the district to develop relationships with local farmers to bring fresh, sustainably grown produce right to their cafeteria for their students, teachers, and staff, as well as help them upgrade their kitchen equipment. I’m beyond thrilled to see a school in our community pilot this new program, which I know will prove to be a win for our students, Michigan farmers, and local economy alike.
Save the Date: Mott Foundation’s 100th Centennial Anniversary of Family Fun Days
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is celebrating its 100th anniversary with Centennial Family Fun Days, a free, three-day community celebration taking place June 5–7 at the Flint Cultural Center campus, located at 1310 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48503. The weekend will feature live entertainment, hands-on art and science activities, free admission to participating cultural institutions, a community lunch, scavenger hunts, games, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, tours of Applewood Estate, and activities for all ages. Community members are encouraged to bring their families and enjoy a weekend of fun, learning, and celebration in the heart of Flint. Learn more and view the full schedule here.
ICYMI: Chedrick Greene Joins the Michigan Senate Dems
The Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus is changing — in a good way! Earlier this month, the state’s 35th Senate District — which includes the Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland communities — held a special election to fill the vacant seat formerly held by now U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald-Rivet. The voters’ choice? Sen. Chedrick Greene, a Saginaw native, U.S. Marine veteran, and now-retired fire captain.
Sen. Greene’s record speaks for itself. A champion for working families, a heart for service, and a public safety mindset — all things that help Senate Dems continue advancing meaningful legislation and a people-centered budget across the finish line. I couldn’t be more thrilled with this choice, which not only strengthens our Senate Democratic majority, but will also bring valuable perspective to the chamber as we work on delivering solutions for the people of Michigan. It was a joy to be in the chamber as Sen. Greene was sworn in in the presence of his family just before the Memorial Day weekend — which was pretty fitting given his 30-year service in the Marines. Congrats, Sen. Greene, and welcome to the Michigan Legislature!
Stay Protected at the Gas Pump
Right now, Michigan drivers are paying an average of $71 for a full tank of gas, as the Iran war has disrupted global oil markets. According to the AAA, Michigan drivers are paying 70 cents more per gallon of gas than a month ago and $1.66 more per gallon of gas compared to this time last year.
Below are some consumer protection resources to ensure you are filling up with quality, more affordable gas:
- The Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is a useful resource for staying safe at the pump. If you have concerns about fuel quality or received a short/incorrect measure, you may file a complaint online or call the motor fuels quality hotline at 800-632-3835.
- If you suspect or have information about potential unfair gasoline pricing practices, please call the Attorney General’s Office at 877-765-8388 or file a gasoline price gouging complaint online.
- To find cheaper gas in their area, Michiganders can use popular tools from AAA and GasBuddy. For additional resources, call 211 or visit Michigan Association of United Ways.