Dear Neighbor,
I hope you’re enjoying the warm weather as we wrap up the final weeks of spring and are planning some of the fun summer activities our great state has to offer. To the recent class of 2025 graduates, I congratulate you and wish you well and much success in your future endeavors.
As we celebrate Pride this June, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of this month. While it may not feel as festive as in previous years, remember that Michigan is a place where everyone can feel safe being themselves and loving who they love!
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can email me at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or call 517-373-7800.
Sincerely,
Erika Geiss
State Senator
District 1
- Happy Pride Month! The Michigan Senate remains committed to the protection and advancement of Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community. Learn about pride events across the state and how you can celebrate this month here.
- Join Detroit Parks Coalition this summer for various free activities including yoga, walking, sports clinics, live music, and more! Visit their website here.
- Lyme disease is on the rise in Michigan with cases increasing by 168% over the past five years. Read on for helpful tips to protect you and your loved ones from tick bites and disease this spring and summer.
- Review summer safety tips including but not limited to water safety, hot cars, and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat strokes.
Gun Violence Prevention
Every June, we recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Month to honor communities shattered by gun violence and raise awareness of this growing issue. During this month, people across the country also wear orange to commemorate the life of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot and killed on a playground in 2013 just one week after she performed with her high school marching band at former President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.
In response to ongoing public calls to address gun violence and mass shootings in Michigan, the Senate is continuing to prioritize the safety of Michiganders by advancing commonsense gun reform. Several pieces of legislation focused on reducing gun violence in our state passed out of committee this week, including bills to:
- Prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of bump stocks — Senate Bill 224, (Sen. Polehanki)
- Prohibit an individual from possessing a firearm in the Capitol, the Binsfeld Building, and the Anderson Building — Senate Bills 225 & 226 (Sens. Polehanki and Bayer)
- Ban ghost guns, or guns without serial numbers, and update state law to make it illegal to make, assemble, import, sell, possess, or transfer a ghost gun — Senate Bill 331 & 332 (Sen. McMorrow)
These bills build on previous efforts Michigan has already taken to reduce gun violence in the state, including:
- Requiring universal background checks to close the private sale loophole;
- Creating child access protection laws to keep legal firearms safely and securely stored and out of the hands of children and teens; and
- Allowing a court to issue an “Extreme Risk Protection Order” (ERPO) to temporarily intervene to suspend a person’s access to firearms if they show clear warning signs of violence and pose an immediate threat to themselves or others.
- These existing and proposed laws are about safety and gun violence prevention. We remain fully committed to advancing meaningful, life-saving policies that protect and ensure safer communities for all Michiganders.
Senate Hearing Highlights Risks of Proposed Medicaid Cuts
This week, the Senate Health Policy Committee held an important hearing to discuss the serious risks posed by proposed Medicaid cuts pushed by Washington Republicans in House Resolution 1, their most recent federal budget bill. Medical professionals, hospital leaders, and community advocates shared their concerns about how these cutbacks would harm the health and economic stability of Michigan communities. Make no mistake, House Resolution 1 and any cuts to Medicaid are a betrayal of the American people and will result in unnecessary illness, death, and financial ruin of our most vulnerable.
Medicaid is an essential program that provides health insurance to 2.6 million Michiganders. It also supports thousands of jobs and ensures that hospitals can continue to care for everyone who needs it. Despite the clear benefits Medicaid provides, President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are moving forward with plans to make significant cuts to the program to hand over trillions of dollars in tax cuts to the nation’s wealthiest individuals and corporations. If these cuts go through, more than 700,000 Michiganders could lose their health insurance. This would not only hurt individuals and families but also drain billions from Michigan’s economy and risk forcing hospitals to downsize or shut down entirely — harming those on private health care insurance as well.
This hearing is part of larger efforts by Michigan Senate Democrats to protect access to health care for our residents, including the recent adoption of Senate Resolution 50. The resolution called on President Trump and the U.S. Congress to change course and reject any proposal that would strip health care access to those in need.
You can watch a livestream of the committee hearing here.
Honoring Memorial Day with Support for Michigan Veterans & Their Families
The Senate recently hosted our annual Memorial Day ceremony to recognize the brave servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our nation and our freedoms.
Senate Democrats paired our Memorial Day commemorations with action to uplift Michigan veterans and their families — because their sacrifice and service deserve to be met with adequate support and care. Through targeted legislation and budget investments, we’ve made it a top priority to build up support for our brave veterans and active-duty service members by
- Lowering costs for families of disabled veterans by cutting red tape and ensuring spouses can maintain property tax exemptions;
- Protecting the homes of active-duty military members by reducing the likelihood of their properties going unclaimed and reverting to state ownership while they are serving our country;
- Expanding tuition assistance eligibility for spouses and dependents of National Guard members, helping more military families access higher education;
- Strengthening protections for active-duty service members’ credit union accounts during deployment;
- Creating a special registration plate for women veterans, raising recognition of their contributions to our nation;
- Expanding eligibility for the Disabled Veteran registration plate to partially disabled veterans, making it easier for veterans to receive the recognition they deserve while also providing them with free access to Michigan state parks; and
- Investing in veteran mental health services, Michigan’s three veteran homes, grants for nonprofits who provide housing for homeless veterans and their families, and suicide prevention programs for those who have served.
Creating a Welcoming, Inclusive State for All During Pride Month
Michigan Senate Democrats are committed to cultivating true inclusion and belonging in Michigan — not only during the month of June, but every day year-round. Since taking office, our Majority for the People has worked to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), reaffirming and expanding legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community. This effort has been 50 years in the making and will protect our LGBTQ+ family, friends, coworkers and neighbors against discrimination in employment, public accommodations and public services. It also will provide protection in the workplace, educational facilities, healthcare, and housing.
These legislative efforts are a big step forward for Michigan, but certainly not the last. With all the uncertainty stemming from the federal level, the Senate recognizes the continued need for education and awareness to end discrimination and prejudice and remains committed to putting forth legislation that will continue to support the rights of every Michigander to live freely and authentically without fear, threat, or trauma.
Learn about Pride events across the state and how you can celebrate this month here.
Michigan Senate Passes 2026 Budget to Support All Michiganders
The Senate recently passed our proposal for the 2026 State Budget. Crafted through months of collaboration with constituents, community leaders, and key stakeholders, this proposal invests in the people, places, and projects that make our state extraordinary. Together, our budget proposal:
- Puts students, teachers, and parents first;
- Makes government work for you;
- Builds stronger local and state infrastructures;
- Makes our communities safer and backs our first responders; and
- Lowers costs and invests in people.
Our budget bills have been sent to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Learn more here.
Motor City Pride 2025
The Motor City Pride festival and parade return to Hart Plaza on June 7 and 8, 2025. Motor City Pride is Michigan’s largest Pride celebration, with over 65,000 participants. Motor City Pride does not accept or condone hate speech, discrimination, or harassment of any kind. Visit the event website for more details or to sign up to volunteer.
Detroit Parks Coalition Summer Programs
Yoga in the Parks
In partnership with Yoganic Flow, Full Lotus Yoga, Urban Solace Yoga, and Yoga for Health, the Detroit Parks Coalition is offering free yoga classes in ten of its member parks all summer long. Classes are accessible to all ages and abilities. Take advantage of this opportunity to get active and practice yoga! To view the schedule and read more, click here.
We Walk Detroit
Explore Detroit’s parks with those who know them best! Join Detroit Parks Coalition for a free social fitness walk. All participants will receive a free t-shirt. To view the schedule and read more, click here.
Pistons Neighbors Program
From June 16 – August 15, join Detroit Parks Coalition in coordination with the Detroit Pistons Foundation and the City of Detroit Parks & Recreation Division for free drop-in activities for all ages, including sports clinics, live music, dance classes, and visual arts. To view the schedule and read more, click here.
Freedom Arts Festival: Sounds From the Park
From June 14 – September 11, join Detroit Parks Coalition for Sounds from the Park, a set of five improvisatory pieces written by Marcus Elliot, celebrating Detroit’s parks and their communities by weaving together the memories and dreams of community leaders, elders, and youth. To view the schedule and read more, click here.
Melvindale Days Festival 2025
From June 5–8 the City of Melvindale is hosting a weekend packed with fun—amusement rides, a craft and vendor show, live music, karaoke, a car show, beer tent, and more! Don’t miss Sunday’s fireworks at 10 PM
Full event schedule and details: Melvindale Days Info
Get outside for ‘Three Free’ Weekend June 7-8
The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources encourages everyone to take advantage of “Three Free” Weekend – Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8. It’s two full days when Michigan residents and out-of-state visitors can grab a fishing rod, ride the off-road trails and visit state parks, boating access sites and other outdoor locations — all free of charge
- Free Fishing Weekend. Fish for all in-season species, all weekend long, without a license. All other fishing regulations apply. Visit Michigan.gov/FreeFishing for more information.
- Free ORV Weekend. Legally ride 4,000 miles of state-designated routes and trails and the state’s six scramble areas without purchasing an ORV license or trail permit. Please note: many ORV trails remain closed following this spring’s ice storm in northern Michigan, so visit Michigan.gov/ORVinfo for the latest ORV trail, safety and closure information.
- Recreation Passport waiver. To encourage people to pursue free fishing and other outdoor fun, the DNR waives the regular Recreation Passport fee that grants vehicle access to Michigan’s 103 state parks, over 1,000 state-managed boating access sites and many other outdoor spaces. Learn more about Passport benefits at Michigan.gov/RecreationPassport
Dive into Summer, Not Danger — Summer Safety Tips
Water Safety Tips
With summer on the horizon and Michigan’s Great Lakes, rivers, and backyard pools soon ready for use, water safety is more important than ever!
Whether you’re heading to the beach or relaxing by the pool, keep these key water safety tips in mind:
- Ensure at least one adult is CPR-certified, especially in households with pools or near open water. Babysitters and caregivers should also maintain up-to-date CPR certification.
- Designate a “Water Watcher” during group gatherings, like pool parties — someone who remains alert and undistracted while friends, family, or children are swimming.
- Keep a phone nearby, ideally a landline with your physical address to quickly call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Cell phones may not automatically relay your location.
- Equip your pool with essential rescue tools, such as a reaching pole, throwable floatation device, CPR instructions, a breath mask, and a fully stocked first aid kit.
- If a child goes missing, check the water first. If you can’t locate them quickly, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and enjoy everything Michigan’s waters have to offer this summer!
Prevent Hot Car Tragedies: Never Leave Kids or Pets Behind
Every year, children and pets die in hot cars—even on days that don’t seem dangerously warm. A parked car can become a deadly oven in minutes. Always check the back seat before locking your car. Keep a stuffed animal in the front seat as a reminder, and if you see a child or pet alone in a vehicle, call 911 immediately.
Know the Signs: Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke
Hot weather can be dangerous if your body overheats. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion—heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, and weakness. If untreated, it can lead to heat stroke, a medical emergency marked by confusion, rapid pulse, and a body temperature above 103°F. Get to a cool place, hydrate, and seek help if symptoms escalate. Knowing the signs could save a life.
Take Action to Tackle Tick-Borne Disease and Illness
Lyme disease is on the rise in Michigan, increasing by 168% over the past five years. In 2024, the state recorded 1,215 cases of Lyme disease compared to only 452 cases in 2020. As summer approaches and more Michiganders begin venturing into the great outdoors, it’s imperative to take steps to avoid tick bites and prevent tick-borne diseases.
Symptoms of tick-borne disease typically start one to two weeks after a bite, often after time spent in wooded, brushy areas. Early symptoms include fevers, chills, rash, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. To protect yourself against Lyme disease, be sure to follow these tips from the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services:
- Avoid tick-infested areas, including overgrown, grassy, brushy, wooded spaces;
- Talk with your veterinarian about tick prevention products for your cats and dogs;
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin;
- Check yourself and your animals for ticks after being outdoors, even in your own yard;
- Remove any attached ticks carefully with tweezers by grasping the tick firmly and as closely to the skin as possible. With steady, even pressure, pull the tick’s body upward and away from the skin. Cleanse the area with an antiseptic; and
- Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors.