Dear Neighbor,
Please see below for updates on the state budget as well as helpful information regarding the federal government shutdown.
I appreciate your feedback, so please feel free to reach out. You can contact me by sending an email to SenVKlinefelt@senate.michigan.gov, calling 517-373-7670, or visiting my website here.
Sincerely,
Veronica Klinefelt
State Senator
District 11
Bipartisan State Budget Passed Legislature
Our final budget deal works to fill critical gaps caused by cuts from the Trump administration, ensures stability in the services people rely on, and protects what matters most to Michigan families. More specifically, it includes investments to:
- Support Students and Schools: Secures the highest-ever per-pupil funding, $10,050, continues the widely popular free school meals program, and increases funding for at-risk students, school safety, student mental health, and more.
- Protect Vital Services: Saves Medicaid in Michigan to ensure health care remains accessible and affordable, protects SNAP benefits, and continues support for police and fire departments.
- Implement a Road Solution: Requires that corporations pay their fair share, enabling a plan to help fund our local roads.
- Fight Federal Cuts: Mitigates the worst impacts from cuts at the federal level to prevent a $1 billion budget hit and protect health care access, public safety, schools, and more.
To read more about what this budget means for Michigan, visit SenateDems.com/budget.
How the State Budget Invests in Our Local Community
In addition to big-picture investments to help move our state forward, our final budget agreement included $1.9 million for priority projects throughout our community. These projects are:
- $1,000,000 for Clintondale Community Schools to address flooding issues in their buildings from a catastrophic flooding event earlier this year.
- $800,000 for Roseville Community Schools Science Lab updates.
- $130,000 for the City of Eastpointe and the Eastpointe Fire Dept. to make critical updates to their building and emergency equipment.
Community Conversation
WHEN: Monday, November 10, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Eastpointe Memorial Library, 15875 Oak Ave. Eastpointe, MI 48021
Federal Shutdown
With a budget bill not passed by Congress to fund government operations before this new fiscal year, the federal government entered a partial government shutdown starting just after midnight on Oct. 1, 2025, causing indefinite delays and interruptions to various public services and programs millions of Americans rely on. Find out how you and your loved ones might be affected below.
- Social Security & Supplemental Security Income (SSI): These benefits will continue to be distributed during the shutdown. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will stop benefit verifications and processing of overpayments. Local Social Security offices may be closed to in-person service, so you should check local office closures on the Social Security website before visiting.
- Medicare & Medicaid: These benefits will continue to be distributed during the shutdown. However, you will not be able to get a new or replacement Medicare card, and benefit verifications will stop.
- Food Assistance: Unfortunately, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) could quickly run out of funding and soon be unable to help hungry children and parents in need. Depending on how long the shutdown lasts, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could also run out of funding.
- Veterans Benefits: All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits.
- Mail Services & Post Offices: The United States Postal Service (U.S.P.S.) will continue to operate as normal.
- Airports & Traveling: The State Dept. will continue to issue passports and visas and assist Americans abroad. However, a reduced workforce could impact operations. If you have flight arrangements, plan for delays and cancellations due to disruptions in staffing of airport employees, air traffic controllers, and TSA agents — all who are deemed essential and expected to work, but without pay.
Please be aware that due to the reductions and disruptions in staffing caused by the shutdown, you may experience delays and other issues associated with these federally provided programs and services. Learn more here.
Stay Safe from COVID-19 & Other Seasonal Respiratory Viruses
The beginning of fall also marks the start of the flu season. Especially before the holidays arrive and family gatherings take place, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from seasonal respiratory viruses like the flu and COVID-19. The best protection is to stay up to date on vaccines.
We encourage you to follow up with your provider or call your local pharmacy directly to check on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine and any specific guidelines.
To learn more about seasonal respiratory illnesses — including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) — and how to protect yourself, visit Michigan.gov/covidflursv.