Dear Neighbor,
As we approach the beginning of autumn and the leaves begin to change, I encourage you to take advantage of everything our great state has to offer. From cider mills and pumpkin patches to scenic hiking trails and bountiful state parks, there’s no shortage of fall fun to be had here in the Mitten State!
With summer quickly coming to a close, my legislative colleagues and I have continued working around the clock to not only connect with our constituents in the district and hear their valuable insight — but to also attempt negotiating a responsible state budget that supports our schools, first responders, local governments, and everything in between. I won’t stop fighting until we reach a budget deal that delivers on the priorities that matter most to our communities.
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
- Senate Democrats have been hard at work advancing legislation to protect Michigan renters, consumers, and public health. Learn more below.
- Join DDOT on September 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for their September Virtual Community Input Meeting.
- September is Suicide Prevention Month, which serves as a great opportunity to spread awareness and resources to help reduce suicide in our communities. Read on to learn more.
Senate Resolution 67: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
On September 10, 2025, I introduced Senate Resolution 67 to designate September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Michigan.
According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, an estimated 15,780 children between the ages of zero through 19 are diagnosed with cancer each year. In 2025 alone, an estimated 9,550 new cases have been diagnosed. Our goal is to spread and increase awareness about childhood cancer, which is the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 14.
View my statements on Senate Resolution 67 and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month here.
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity: Strengthening Michigan’s People & Places
Alongside working to pass a state budget before the Oct. 1 deadline, Senate Democrats have continued to deliver solutions for Michiganders across the state, recently advancing legislation to:
- Address the state’s housing crisis by breaking barriers faced by renters. Passed out of committee this past week, Senate Bills 372–375 would lower costs for Michigan renters, hold landlords accountable, and allow for the expungement of eviction records.
- Strengthen safeguards for Michigan consumers. Recently passed in bipartisan fashion, Senate Bills 360–364 would bring Michigan up to speed with 37 other states by empowering the Attorney General’s office to investigate security breaches and hold violators accountable.
- Safeguard public health and the environment from the impact of microplastics — tiny plastic particles found just about everywhere, from drinking water and foods to cosmetics and cleaning supplies. Heard in committee this past week, newly introduced legislation would create a statewide strategy to help assess and address the impact of microplastics on public health and the environment — including the Great Lakes, where they are more prevalent than in other large bodies of water throughout the world.
9 Bills 9 Months Later — Update on the “Hall Holdup” Lawsuit
For nine months, the Republican House of Representatives has continued to deliberately and illegally block nine bills passed by both legislative chambers last year from being sent to the governor. This is despite us taking them to court earlier this year, where the judge ruled in our favor, making it abundantly clear that the Michigan Constitution says every bill passed by the legislature is required to be presented to the governor — and no one — especially an elected public servant in legislative leadership — is above the law. Still, Speaker Matt Hall has done what he does best — drag his feet and play games with peoples’ livelihoods.
So, as of Tuesday this past week, this case is now pending before the Court of Appeals. As we await a decision, Senate Democrats remain committed to doing what they were elected by the people of Michigan to do — deliver solutions.
Passed by the Senate and returned to the House for presentation to the governor in Dec. 2024, House Bills 4177 and 4665–4667 of 2023 and House Bills 4900–4901, 5817–5818, and 6058 of 2024 would lower health care costs for teachers and first responders and improve retirement benefits for corrections officers.
Standing Up for Michigan Workers on Labor Day and Always
I hope you had an enjoyable, restful Labor Day! Now and always, we honor the hardworking labor force that builds up our state every day, from our educators to our homecare workers, our skilled tradespeople to our first responders, and everyone else in between.
Since the onset of our Senate Democratic Majority, my colleagues and I have worked hard to strengthen workers’ rights, from repealing the state’s harmful anti-union law to reinstating prevailing wages, and:
- Investing in the creation of the Community and Worker Economic Transition Office, which develops proactive strategies to help companies and Michiganders take full advantage of the high-tech, high-paying jobs coming to the state in the auto and energy sectors.
- Enabling workers to go back to school to pursue a degree or skilled trade certification through investing in the Michigan Reconnect scholarship.
- Passing legislation to strengthen Michigan’s child labor laws and protect our youth from unsafe working conditions.
- Restoring collective bargaining rights for 35,000 independent home care workers, giving them the choice to form a union, create access to training for caregivers, and more.
- Extending prevailing wage protections to statewide wind and solar projects, ensuring fair compensation and protecting the skills and safety of our workforce.
- Advocating for workforce development investments that support everyone from graduating seniors to veterans.
We’ll continue doing everything in our power to ensure Michigan workers have access to the support and resources they need to thrive.
Senate Democrats Continue Holding the Line for a Responsible State Budget
Long after the statutory July 1 deadline, House Republicans passed a state budget — finally. However, their half-baked proposal makes dangerous, catastrophic cuts to vital services and programs that Michigan residents rely on and fund with their hard-earned tax dollars. In fact, Speaker Matt Hall and House Republicans are actively working to defund critical state agencies and programs, including the Michigan State Police, Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services, Dept. of Corrections, Dept. of Natural Resources, and Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, among others.
With weeks until the new fiscal year, the House Republican budget proposal guts funding for schools, first responders, working families, and more. While the budget plan my Senate Democratic colleagues and I passed back in May makes continued, bold investments in our students and classrooms, bolsters support for veterans and first responders who keep us safe, and lowers costs for families statewide, the Republican-led House proposal instead actively seeks to defund critical supports for Michiganders by:
- Cutting over 400 State Police jobs;
- Defunding school meals;
- Slashing billions from health care and programs supporting moms and babies;
- Eliminating resources to protect Michigan’s air, forests, and water;
- Cutting support for crime victims; and
- Drawing back dollars for local communities to provide essential services, such as public safety, their residents rely on.
Our state budget should reflect our values — not betray them. As the deadline to secure a deal inches alarmingly closer, Senate Democrats will continue returning to the table, ready to negotiate a budget that truly puts people first. Learn more about the differences in our budget proposals here.
Detroit Dept. of Transportation (DDOT) Virtual Community Input Meeting
Join DDOT on September 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for their September Virtual Community Input Meeting to discuss current things happening in the department, ask questions, and voice your opinions or concerns. Additional details and a Zoom link can be found on the event website.
Gordie Howe Bridge Public Information Meeting
The Gordie Howe Bridge Public Information Meeting is approaching on September 24, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. in Detroit. The meeting will provide the latest updates on Canadian and U.S. construction, planned operations, and the implementation of the Community Benefits Plan.
Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Save Our Babies Webinar
On September 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., MDDHS is hosting a Save our Babies Webinar Focused on insights and solutions to infant safe sleep. Sleep-related infant death is a leading cause of death among children less than a year old and these deaths can be preventable. To register or view additional details, visit the event website.
Reminders for Michigan Motorists with School Buses Back on the Roads
Recently released data from the Michigan State Police shows that overall traffic crashes and fatalities on state roadways rose slightly in 2024 — distressing statistics that underscore how important it is to remain alert and vigilant on the roads. Especially now, with the new school season underway and school buses back on the roads, Michigan motorists must exercise caution and follow the below rules to ensure everyone is safe as they’re out and about.
When you see a school bus stopping for students to board, remember: yellow lights on school buses activate when the bus is preparing to stop. Red lights and the long stop arm are activated when the bus is completely stopped and accepting or discharging passengers.
Here’s a reminder on what to do when a school bus stops on different road types:
- Two-lane roadway
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Multi-lane roadway with a center turning lane
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Four-lane roadway without a median separation
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation
- When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.
Honoring September as Suicide Prevention Month
The devastation of suicide is far-reaching, impacting families and communities across our state and beyond. But suicide is preventable — and September, National Suicide Prevention Month, serves as a great opportunity to spread awareness and resources to connect residents with the help they may need.
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, toll-free, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
- The Veterans Crisis Line provides free 24/7, confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their loved ones. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Call 988 and press “1” to speak with a qualified responder, or text 838255.
- Find a suicide prevention coalition, support group, or crisis line near you by scrolling down this page and finding a listing in your county.
- Get help for yourself or a loved one, learn the facts and warning signs, locate advocacy resources, and much more through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.