Dear Neighbor,
October has arrived, and with that, the leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and autumn is fully underway! We hope you’ll take advantage of everything the Mitten State has to offer this month, whether that be trick-or-treating with the kids, visiting a local pumpkin patch or cider mill with some friends, or exploring our scenic state parks brimming with peak fall foliage.
My legislative colleagues and I have been hard at work in the Capitol advocating on your behalf and implementing more practical solutions to support both our local communities and the entire state. And just last week, the historic state budget that we passed over the summer took effect, delivering record investments that build up Michigan’s schools, families, infrastructure, and so much more.
If you or someone you know would like to provide feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or needs assistance, feel free to contact my office. You can contact me by sending an email to SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or calling 517-373-7800.
Sincerely,
Erika Geiss
State Senator
District 1
Featured in This Newsletter
Legislative Updates
- Senate Democrats Push for Stronger Consumer Protections in Michigan
- Historic State Budget Now In Effect with New Fiscal Year Underway
- Bipartisan Bills to Implement Dyslexia Screening, Improve Literacy Signed into Law
- Michigan Senate Democrats Pass Budget Supplemental and Other Legislation to Bring More Dollars Back to Classrooms and Teachers
Community Connections
- Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
- Taylor Hallowpalooza
News and Resources
- Michigan College Month — Free College Applications!
- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Breast Cancer Awareness & Preventative Resources
- Honoring National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
Legislative Updates
Senate Democrats Push for Stronger Consumer Protections in Michigan
Michigan Senate Democrats are taking action to protect consumers and build a safer, fairer state. This week, the Senate Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee heard testimony on a series of bills aimed at strengthening consumer protections — from cracking down on price gouging to securing your personal data to better protecting our seniors.
Led by Senators Rosemary Bayer, Sam Singh, Jeremy Moss, and Mary Cavanagh, the bills hold businesses accountable for unfair and predatory practices. These efforts are part of a larger push by Senate Democrats to ensure Michigan families are protected and businesses play by the rules.
Learn more about what Senate Democrats are doing to protect Michigan consumers here.
Historic State Budget Now In Effect with New Fiscal Year Underway
October 1 marked the beginning of a new fiscal year for the state of Michigan, meaning our Democratic Majority’s transformative 2025 state budget has officially taken effect! From continuing the universal free school meals program to investing in affordable housing initiatives, this budget was intentionally crafted to support the needs and desires of Michiganders in every corner of the state.
To learn more about the new budget now in effect, click here.
Bipartisan Bills to Implement Dyslexia Screening, Improve Literacy Signed into Law
Affecting up to one in five children in each classroom, dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that can impact the ability to read, write, spell, and pronounce words. Data suggests that students with dyslexia who receive high-quality, phonics-based instruction early on can go on to become successful readers.
That’s why Sens. Jeff Irwin and Dayna Polehanki have fought for the better part of a decade to implement comprehensive dyslexia screening for Michigan students. Senate Bills 567 and 568, which passed out of the Michigan Senate in September with nearly unanimous support, will require schools to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and provide evidence-based interventions to help students achieve literacy. This bipartisan legislation was signed into law by Gov. Whitmer on Oct. 10, 2024.
Learn more about these bills here.
Michigan Senate Democrats Pass Budget Supplemental and Other Legislation to Bring More Dollars Back to Classrooms and Teachers
Since assuming the majority, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have remained committed to strengthening Michigan’s public education system. While our new 2025 state budget included a one-time decrease in the rates school districts pay into the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System (MPSERS), we recently took action to make that change permanent by passing Senate Bill 911. This redirects over $600 million from MPSERS — which is currently funded at 140% — back to our schools every year, which is equivalent to about a $400 per student increase statewide.
This legislation also eliminates the 3% payroll deduction that some employees contribute toward their retiree health care costs, putting more money back into the pockets of more than 100,000 hardworking educators and support staff. This bill has been returned to the House of Representatives for their consideration before it heads to the governor’s desk for her signature.
Similarly, the Legislature passed a school budget supplemental bill in September, investing millions of extra state dollars into school safety and mental health supports. This gives school districts the flexibility to determine where those funds are needed most — whether it be more school resource officers, counselors, therapists, or infrastructure upgrades. We’re proud to have put even more funding toward one of the most important causes we can: the safety and well-being of Michigan students.
Community Connections
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
WHEN: Saturday, October 19 from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Wayne County Community College, 21000 Northline Rd., Taylor, MI 48180
Taylor Hallowpalooza
WHEN: Friday, October 25 at 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Heritage Park, 12111 Pardee Rd, Taylor, MI 48180
News and Resources
Michigan College Month — Free College Applications!
As part of the American College Application Campaign, October is Michigan College Month! During this month, many Michigan colleges and universities waive their application fee in an effort to provide every graduating high school senior the opportunity to apply to college and for financial aid. The Michigan College Access Network created a list of participating colleges.
Find more information, additional institutions waiving their fee for Michigan College Month 2024, and downloadable fee waivers here.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence is a crisis facing women and families across Michigan and the United States. On a typical day, more than 20,000 phone calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide. Here in Michigan, an average of one in three families are impacted by domestic violence every year.
The issue of domestic violence is also deeply interconnected with gun violence, as more abusers are choosing firearms as their weapon of choice. That’s why my colleagues and I voted last year to advance legislation to keep weapons out of the hands of convicted abusers. Click here to read more about how Senate Bills 471 and 528 are helping to enhance protections for survivors of domestic violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please visit the Michigan State Police webpage on domestic violence here for more information or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Additional resources can be found here.
Breast Cancer Awareness & Preventative Resources
Approximately 13% of American women — or one in eight — will develop breast cancer over the course of their life. To spread awareness and honor those impacted by breast cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed every October.
Early detection saves lives, which is why knowing your family history and getting screened annually starting at age 40 is imperative. The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages residents to take advantage of the following free health screening programs to put their health into their own hands:
- The Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BC3NP), available statewide, provides free breast and cervical cancer screening services to low-income women.
- The WISEWOMAN Program helps participants understand their chronic disease risk factors and make healthy lifestyle choices. Every participant receives a free health screening.
- To learn more about the BC3NP and WISEWOMAN Programs, call 844-446-8727 or visit Michigan.gov/cancer. For Spanish resources, call 800-379-1057.
Honoring National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
The tragedy of losing a baby takes an enormous, unthinkable toll on women, families, and communities across the world. And although miscarriage and stillbirth can be a common experience for women of childbearing age, pregnancy and infant loss still remains a taboo topic linked to harmful stigma and shame.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time to recognize those impacted by bereavement and share resources to spread awareness, support, and understanding. Here are a few resources to recognize this important month and help reduce the stigma associated with pregnancy and infant loss:
- Connect with a trained, caring volunteer by calling 1-800-944-4773, the Postpartum Support International helpline. You may also text the helpline at 800-944-4773 for English, or 971-203-7773 for Spanish.
- Find pregnancy and infant loss support resources, including financial assistance for funeral expenses and a list of behavioral health providers by county, from MDHHS here.
- Locate bereavement resources from Michigan Medicine here, which include loss support groups, podcasts on grief, and much more.
- Join an online community to share your story, post a tribute on the Wall of Remembrance, submit a note of gratitude for your health care providers, and explore the March of Dimes website for additional ways to commemorate Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.