Supporting Michigan’s Workers & Growing Our Economy
Ways I’ve been
SUPPORTING WORKERS
Strengthened & Protected Workers’ Rights
As Chair of the Senate Labor Committee, one of my first tasks when my Senate Democratic colleagues and I took the Majority in 2023 was to restore workers’ rights, undoing the law previously passed to make it harder for workers to come together to negotiate salaries and other benefits. By becoming the first state in nearly 60 years to abolish our so-called right-to-work laws, we solidified workers’ seats at the bargaining table and ability to demand better wages, benefits, and treatment at their jobs.
We also passed legislation to restore prevailing wages on all state construction projects, creating good-paying jobs and ensuring hard-working people can earn a decent standard of living. I was proud to build on that progress by expanding prevailing wage protections to include wind and solar projects. Signed into law a year later, this ensures that workers on renewable energy projects receive fair wages, enhancing both safety and skill standards for Michigan’s growing clean energy workforce.
Sen. Cherry speaks on the floor of the Senate chamber in support of Senate Bill 34 of 2023 — legislation to restore workers’ rights and empower them to advocate for better working conditions and wages.
Boosted Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits have long been a critical lifeline for Michigan workers — helping them put food on the table, pay their rent, and afford other essential items in times of difficulty but unfortunately, our state’s unemployment system has too often prevented people from accessing those benefits at the time they need it most
That’s why I was proud to support legislation that revamped our unemployment system for the first time in over 20 years, and that brought us up to par with most other states. Now law, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I fought to:
- Restore the maximum number of weeks claimants could access benefits from 20 to 26;
- Raise the maximum weekly benefit from $362 to $614 over three years and ensured future increases are tied to inflation;
- Boost the maximum dollar cap for dependent benefits from $6 to $26; and
- Make numerous other technical changes and updates to Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) to streamline system processes and remove barriers for workers, such as increasing the cap on the allowable number of hardship waiver applications from two to four, providing greater flexibility for claimants facing a particularly difficult time.
Delivered Tax Relief for Hardworking Michiganders
No one should be forced to choose between putting food on the table or gas in their tank, or paying the child care bill instead of next month’s rent. That’s why my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have been laser-focused on putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking Michiganders, starting with our Lowering MI Costs plan in 2023. As the largest tax relief initiative in Michigan’s history, we quintupled the state’s match of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 6% to 30% and repealed the unpopular retirement tax, helping nearly 500,000 seniors save $1,000 each year.
And just last year, in the 2026 state budget, we focused on more ways to save you money. That’s why we eliminated taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security — so Michigan families have what they need to get ahead.
Improved Retirement Benefits for Public Safety Officers
The dedication and hard work of our law enforcement and public safety professionals are unparalleled, allowing Michiganders to live each day in safety and with peace of mind. That’s why I’ve long championed legislation to improve their retirement benefits, so they can enjoy their golden years with dignity and financial security while also helping attract and retain people in some of Michigan’s most challenging professions.
In 2024, my colleagues and I passed House Bills 4665-4667 — nearly identical to my Senate Bills — to allow new corrections and other state law enforcement officers to become members of the Michigan State Police (MSP) hybrid retirement system and allow current officers to choose to move retirement systems. Unfortunately, despite passing these and others on the Senate floor and returning them to the House for presentation to the governor, the Republican House of Representatives decided to hold them hostage and block them from getting signed into law.
While House Speaker Matt Hall and his Republican colleagues have opted for political games over delivering real solutions that Michiganders have been asking for, Senate Democrats will continue to fight to get these bills across the finish line.
Enhanced Protections for Road Construction Workers
Prioritizing highway safety is incredibly important to me, especially as our state undergoes continuous improvement to our infrastructure. That’s why I was proud to secure legislation that protects the brave men and women who repair our roads by requiring the Michigan Dept. of Transportation to use enhanced safety barriers during freeway construction projects. Signed into law in 2023, Senate Bill 43 specifically mandates the use of concrete barriers or equivalent crashworthy temporary traffic barriers to separate road workers from traffic when they are performing their critical duties. It marks a significant step towards reducing deaths and serious injuries to our road workers, providing them with the protection they rightfully deserve.
Sen. Cherry fighting for stronger protections and benefits for workers as Chair of the Senate Labor Committee
Ways I’ve been
SUPPORTING LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Secured funds critical to the redevelopment of Buick City into the Flint Commerce Center, boosting opportunities for Flint area workers and communities.
- Secured significant investments for Genesee County communities to revitalize vacant buildings for housing and mixed-use spaces through a transformational brownfield program.
- Increased funding to local communities to ensure residents can access the essential services they need by making much-needed changes to the state’s revenue sharing process.
- Reduced burdensome regulatory barriers for auto repair shops, enabling them to operate more efficiently and pass on savings to their customers.
- Helped enable car dealerships to participate in local charitable events, such as Grand Blanc’s Ally Challenge, by cutting red tape associated with vehicle loans
- Delivered critical budget resources for our community, investing in our health care and higher education institutions, boosting access to affordable housing, providing support to new moms and babies with the game-changing Rx Kids program, and so much more.
- Secured funds critical to the redevelopment of Buick City into the Flint Commerce Center, boosting opportunities for Flint area workers and communities.
- Secured significant investments for Genesee County communities to revitalize vacant buildings for housing and mixed-use spaces through a transformational brownfield program.
- Increased funding to local communities to ensure residents can access the essential services they need by making much-needed changes to the state’s revenue sharing process.
- Reduced burdensome regulatory barriers for auto repair shops, enabling them to operate more efficiently and pass on savings to their customers.
- Helped enable car dealerships to participate in local charitable events, such as Grand Blanc’s Ally Challenge, by cutting red tape associated with vehicle loans
- Delivered critical budget resources for our community, investing in our health care and higher education institutions, boosting access to affordable housing, providing support to new moms and babies with the game-changing Rx Kids program, and so much more.
Sen. Cherry joins Communities First, Inc. for a tour and update on the redevelopment of historic Marian Hall, a project he proudly supported by helping secure state budget funds to bring more housing to downtown Flint.