Dear Neighbor,
In this newsletter, you can find legislative updates, photos from recent events, and helpful information on scam toll road text messages going around.
I appreciate your feedback, so please feel free to reach out. You can contact me by sending an email to SenVKlinefelt@senate.michigan.gov or calling 517-373-7670.
Sincerely,
Veronica Klinefelt
State Senator
District 11
A Snapshot of Legislative Activity at the Capitol
Along with recently passing a budget plan for 2026, we have been working hard to advance critical pieces of legislation.
Adding Civil Celebrant to the Marriage Statute — Getting married and would like someone significant in your life to conduct the ceremony? My legislation, Senate Bills 285–287, do just that. Whether you want a local elected official, a member of the clergy, or just a close personal friend, these bills will allow you to make the choice that best suits your special occasion.
These bills were voted on last year but died during “Lame Duck” in the Michigan House. Senate Bills 285-287 were voted out of the Senate this week with bipartisan support and now move to the Michigan House for further consideration.
Supporting Michigan Renters — This week, a comprehensive bill package to strengthen protections and break barriers for Michiganders trying to access rental housing was introduced in the Senate. This legislation works to lower costs for renters, hold landlords accountable, and allow for the expungement of eviction records.
Holding Polluters Accountable — Another large-scale legislative package introduced this week would protect public health and our environment by strengthening Michigan’s pollution clean-up laws. This legislation would hold polluters accountable by requiring more thorough clean-ups as well as empowering those harmed by pollution to seek justice.
Protecting Michigan Consumers — Long overdue legislation to restore power to the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by equipping the Attorney General to hold bad actors and businesses accountable passed the Senate floor this week. Senate Bill 134 would also enhance education efforts to reduce scams as well as strengthen penalties for violations against elderly and vulnerable adults. And, to protect Michigan consumers from disruptive, deceptive telephone solicitation tactics, the Telephone Solicitation Act was introduced last week. This bipartisan bill package would prohibit telephone solicitors from engaging in misleading, exploitative business practices and grant the Attorney General the authority to act against violators.
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 last week, including bills to:
- Prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of bump stocks — Senate Bill 224
- Prohibit an individual from possessing a firearm in the Capitol and other legislative spaces — Senate Bills 225 and 226
- Ban ghost guns, or guns without serial numbers, and update state law to make it illegal to make, assemble, import, sell, possess, etc. a ghost gun — Senate Bill 331 and 332
This legislation builds on previous efforts the Senate has already taken to reduce gun violence in Michigan, 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.
Senate Hearing Highlights Risks of Proposed Medicaid Cuts
Last week, the Senate Health Policy Committee held an important hearing to discuss the serious risks posed by proposed Medicaid cuts pushed by Republicans in Washington. Medical professionals, hospital leaders, and community advocates shared their concerns about how these cutbacks would harm the health and economic stability of Michigan communities.
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 in order to hand over trillions of dollars in tax cuts to the nation’s wealthiest individuals and corporations. If these cuts go through, hundreds of thousands of 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 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 recording of the committee hearing here.
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 educational facilities, housing, and real estate.
In addition to passing a resolution recognizing June as Pride Month, the Michigan Senate passed bills to ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy by mental health professionals.
Learn about Pride events across the state and how you can celebrate this month here.
Memorial Day Ceremony at the Capitol
Memorial Day Parade in Eastpointe
Community Conversation in Roseville
Heads Up Michigan Drivers: Be Aware of Toll Road Scams
The Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) wants Michigan drivers to be aware of the newest toll road scam, which includes an imposter government website that mimics MDOT’s official site but carries a different URL address. MDOT reminds all drivers that Michigan does not have toll roads and will never solicit payment via text or include threatening verbiage to avoid late fees or harsher penalties.
To stay safe, please remember that government agencies:
- Will not request personal information through email, over the phone, or text.
- Will never demand money through email, over the phone, or text. They will mail you a notice and offer payment options.
- Do not ask for or take payment by prepaid gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.