Dear Neighbor,
I hope this email finds you well.
See below for a brief update on capitol activity, as well as tips to help you prepare for winter and information on health care open enrollment.
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
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity
Passed through committee, heading to the full Senate:
- Preventing Youth Tobacco Use – As one of 10 states that does not require the licensure of tobacco retailers, it’s clear Michigan needs stronger enforcement and accountability measures to keep tobacco out of the hands of our youth. That’s why the Senate is leading a bipartisan bill package requiring tobacco retailers to be licensed and repealing the penalties against minors for tobacco use, purchase, or possession — which have shown to be ineffective. Passed out of committee last week, Senate Bills 462–466 would also direct the Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to conduct undercover operations to ensure compliance for establishments that sell tobacco products.
Passed through Senate, heading to the House:
- Improving the integrity of elections – Bill package that tackles election disinformation and improves transparency and integrity in the petition circulation process. Passed out of the Senate last week with bipartisan support, this comprehensive legislation would ensure our state’s elections are as effective and reliable as possible by implementing commonsense reforms, such as banning petition organizers from paying circulators per signature. Learn more here.
Passed both chambers, signed into law:
- Upholding transparency in the state budget process – Requires all legislatively directed spending items, including enhancement grants and earmarks, to be publicly disclosed on the Senate or House website before the passage of the state budget. Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier this week, this legislation ensures that residents can see where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent.
Community Conversation in Eastpointe
State of Clinton Township
Construction Association of Michigan Legislative Breakfast
Tips to Help You Prepare for Winter
To help you stay safe, warm, and ready for all things ahead, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is encouraging residents to prepare for their home for the winter with the following tips:
- Insulate water lines along exterior walls to reduce the risk of frozen pipes.
- Lock in a propane rate now and have a backup heating plan, such as a generator, wood stove, or fireplace.
- Have a professional inspect your gas or oil furnaces and replace the air filter.
- Schedule a fireplace and chimney inspection; contact your local fire department for a referral or look for a local inspector online.
- Install battery-operated carbon monoxide (CO) detectors near all sleeping areas. CO poisoning risks increase when furnaces are in use and during power outages, when people often use portable generators.
- Clean gutters to prevent ice dams that can lead to interior damage, and clear storm drains to avoid basement flooding.
- Keep an emergency kit in your home with water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a hand-crank or battery-powered radio, emergency lighting, flashlights, blankets, and warm clothing.
To learn more, including how to prepare your vehicle for the winter, click here.
Affordable Care Act and Open Enrollment
To help you stay healthy and avoid big medical bills, all residents should take the time to evaluate their health insurance options during the Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period, which runs through Jan. 15, 2026 on HealthCare.gov. This enrollment period is an important opportunity to obtain health insurance for 2026. Free, local enrollment help is available at HealthCare.gov/LocalHelp.
If you sign up by Dec. 15, 2025, coverage will begin Jan. 1, 2026. If you sign up between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15, your coverage will begin Feb. 1, 2026. Please note: after the Jan. 15 deadline, you will not be able to enroll until the next open enrollment period next year or in the case of a qualifying life event such as birth, adoption, marriage, etc. For Medicare, the open enrollment period is from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7.
You can learn more by visiting Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance, which features an on-demand webinar, “10 Things You Need to Know About Health Insurance – Open Enrollment for 2026.” You can also call the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services’ call center at 877-999-6442, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.