Dear Neighbor,
With the 102nd Legislature concluded, I’m proud to share the progress we’ve made for Michigan in 2024. The Senate #MajorityForThePeople has passed transformative legislation to lower costs for you, deliver universal free school meals for students, protect the health and safety of our communities, and grant parole for medically frail prisoners.
Building on the budget investments in 2023, we addressed key issues like maternal health, child care, education, housing costs, and infrastructure in 2024. As we begin the 103rd Legislature, we’ll continue advancing policies that uplift Michigan communities. For help navigating state changes or to share feedback, contact my office at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or (517) 373-7800. You can also stay updated at legislature.mi.gov.
Sincerely,
Erika Geiss
State Senator
District 1
LOWERING COSTS WITH FREE SCHOOL MEALS
Last year, my colleagues and I began the popular free breakfast and lunch program for Michigan students, saving families an estimated $850 per child every year. In this year’s budget, we continued funding this program so that Michigan’s 1.4 million public school students are fed and focused at school.
ENSURING ASBESTOS ABATEMENT TRANSPARENCY
To protect the safety and well-being of our communities, I was proud to champion legislation that ensures Michigan has the necessary resources and workforce to effectively identify and address asbestos hazards. Senate Bills 225-226 require background checks for remediation inspectors and increase transparency within the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s asbestos program. This legislation was signed into law on June 20, 2024.
DIGNITY FOR MEDICALLY FRAIL PAROLEES
On July 23, 2024, my bipartisan legislation that allows parole for certain medically frail prisoners was signed into law. Senate Bill 599 not only allows the justice system to focus its resources where they are most needed, but it also gives terminal patients the dignity to live out the end of their lives in a more suitable, ethical environment surrounded by loved ones.
AROUND THE COMMUNITY WITH ERIKA
Throughout the year, I’ve had the pleasure of engaging with residents across District 1. From community forums to policy conferences, these connections directly shape the legislation my team and I work on in Lansing.
I was a panelist at the 2024 Maternal Infant Health Summit along with members of the State of Birth Justice to advocate for the Momnibus legislation that improves equity and accountability in our state’s prenatal and maternal health care systems.
A few colleagues and I held a community forum on the proposed Michigan Voting Rights Act bill package to engage the community in this vital legislation that works to improve voting procedures and enhance voter access.
