Dear Neighbor,
With the first official day of fall already behind us, the season of fall foliage, pumpkin patches, and cider mills is finally here in the Mitten State — and if the Legislature is unable to send a full budget to the governor by Oct. 1, a government shutdown will, unfortunately, also be underway here in Michigan.
At the Capitol, my Senate colleagues and I have been working around the clock to negotiate a responsible state budget, as we’ve continued to do since passing our budget proposal back in May. With only days before the start of the new fiscal year, Senate Democrats are committed to delivering a balanced budget that uplifts Michiganders without sacrificing on the priorities that matter most to you. Meanwhile, House Republicans are more interested in threatening to upend vital services and destabilizing our state, which we cannot let stand, because budgets are a signal of our values and we value you.
Read more about the status of budget negotiations below, in addition to the legislative work my colleagues and I are continuing to do on behalf of you, our community, and our state.
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
- As we inch alarmingly closer to the start of a new fiscal year and potential GOP-initiated government shutdown, Senate Democrats are holding the line for a fiscally responsible state budget that invests in you — the hardworking people of Michigan.
- Sept. 20-27 is Michigan Trails Week here in the Mitten State! Read on to learn more and find a state-managed trail in your area.
The Clock is Ticking: Senate Democrats Continue Fight for a Responsible State Budget
As the clock ticks and the start of the new fiscal year looms, the Senate is still missing a serious partner in the Michigan House to negotiate a state budget. Since the start of this legislative term, Republican Speaker Matt Hall has failed to step up and instead has chosen to manufacture a crisis in attempts to push through an extreme agenda and score political points.
Months after the statutory July 1 deadline, House Republicans finally introduced a full 800-page proposal recently…and then passed it in less than half an hour later with no public input. The House Republicans’ proposal is a far cry from a fiscally responsible budget. Instead of investing in education, public safety, health care, and economic development, it would:
- Exacerbate dangerous cuts to critical safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
- Undermine the health and safety of Michiganders’ food by slashing millions for food and milk safety programs.
- Make our communities less safe by defunding 400 Michigan State Police positions.
- Threaten the futures of Michigan students by ripping resources away from schools.
- Harm Michigan workers and stall economic growth by slashing resources for job creation services.
- Roll back environmental protections by gutting funding for air and water quality programs and cutting key regulatory oversight programs.
- Force communities to slash vital, everyday services such as public safety, local road maintenance, and trash collection.
With the fiscal year deadline right around the corner on Oct. 1, Senate Democrats remain at the table in good faith, ready to negotiate a budget that invests in Michigan students, families, and communities. Learn more about the differences in our budget proposals here.
How Trump’s So-Called “Big, Beautiful” Bill is Set to Hurt Michigan Jobs, Economy, & Household Budgets
Last Thursday, the Senate Energy and Environment Committee held a hearing to explore the anticipated impact of the Trump administration’s drastic budget cuts and unprecedented attacks on clean energy programs. The committee heard testimony from conservation advocates, state officials, and energy experts who detailed how Michigan families will be forced to pay the price of Trump’s policy decisions through higher household energy bills and job losses.
In fact, by eliminating clean energy tax credits and slashing federal funding for energy efficiency, Michigan households are predicted to pay $320 more in electricity costs each year by 2035. Experts also anticipate major hits to hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs, including 17,000 Michigan jobs to be killed over the next five years.
While the Trump administration works to make it even harder for Michiganders to get by, Senate Democrats remain committed to lowering costs, strengthening our economy, and forging a clean energy future for the next generation. To watch the full committee hearing, click here.
Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Save Our Babies Webinar
On Sept. 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.
CVS Health Community Fair
Join CVS and community members for a free, family-friendly event focused on health, wellness, and career opportunities.
Date: Monday, Sept. 29, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: CVS Health Detroit Workforce Innovation & Talent Center (WITC)
Inside Goodwill of Greater Detroit, 3111 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 48208
Highlights include:
- Health resources: On-site vaccination clinic (pre-registration required). Visit the event website to register.
- Career growth: Learn how to join the CVS Health team. Explore tuition reimbursement, career advancement pathways, and apprenticeship programs.
- Services for all ages: Open to everyone ages 7 and up.
Light refreshments and free swag will be available. For questions, contact Layna Gardner-Lott, CVS Health Workforce Innovation and Talent Center Manager, at DetroitWITC@CVSHealth.com.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors During Michigan Trails Week!
Michigan Trails Week kicked off on Saturday, Sept. 20 and will continue through Saturday, Sept. 27 — a perfect time to enjoy any of Michigan’s 13,700+ miles of designated state-managed trails. Whether you’re into hiking or mountain biking, our state boasts beautiful nature trails that accommodate many types of excursions year-round. Find a state trail near you at Michigan.gov/DNRTrails.
Michigan State Police Launches Campaign to Protect Kids from Online Predators
Education is the best defense against online predators, and with the threat of online sexual predators on the rise, it’s more important than ever to increase public awareness of these dangers. Predators use social media, messaging apps, and gaming platforms to gain access to minors, and any child online can be a target.
The Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce recently launched the “Opening the Door” campaign to encourage parents to be proactive in warning their kids about the risk of online predatory behavior, including grooming and sextortion. Prepare your kids for what can happen or what to do if something scary or harmful occurs by visiting Michigan.gov/ICAC.
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich culture and histories of Latino Americans across the United States and here in Michigan. The month-long observance, from Sept.15 – Oct. 15, commemorates the independence days of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
In Michigan’s history, only 14 Hispanic individuals have been elected to serve in the state legislature, including my colleagues, Sens. Darrin Camilleri, Mary Cavanagh, and Rep. Veronica Paiz. Their backgrounds and lived experiences make our caucus and our state stronger. Learn more about us and Hispanic Heritage Month here.