Senate District 20 News and Events

Dear Friends, 

It is an honor to serve and represent the people of Kalamazoo County in our state’s Capitol Building in Lansing. As 2019 ends — my first year as your state senator — here’s a look at some of our year’s work. 

LEGISLATIVE WORK 

When you contact me about issues affecting your families or communities, you play a special role in the legislative process. Your concerns and insights helped shape the legislation I introduced, supported, or opposed this year, and I will carry this commitment to responsiveness into my second year in office.  

This year, I introduced bills to: 

Restore integrity to our legislature by cutting campaign contribution limits in half
(Senate Bill 411) 

Fight for stronger water safety standards in Michigan
(Senate Bill 103) 

Support victims of domestic violence transitioning out of unsafe homes (Senate Bill 606) 

Help disabled veterans file for property tax exemptions
(Senate Bill 615) 

Recycle and repurpose plastic bottles and clean up our streets (Senate Bill 701) 

I co-sponsored bills that will: 

• Guarantee equal protections for Michigan’s LGBT community (Senate Bill 593) 
• Incentivize equal pay for women in the workplace
  (Senate Bill 337) 
• Expunge certain marijuana-related offenses
  (Senate Bill 416) 
• Restore historic preservation tax credits to maintain local character
  (Senate Bill 54) 

I was also proud to vote in support of:

• 2019-20 budget and supplemental budgets that keep our state moving forward
• Public Act 96 to maintain counselors’ scope of practice 

Thank you for sharing your stories with me and my office. I look forward to continuing the dialogue into 2020 and learning more about the issues that matter to you.   

CONSTITUENT STORIES 

This year, my staff and I had the opportunity to assist constituents in a variety of ways:  

• When “Paul,” a constituent who was struggling to get a State ID due to a lack of documentation, contacted my district office for assistance, we were able to help him secure the appropriate identification and apply for a State ID. 
• A local nursing home in the district was incorrectly receiving warnings from the state for overdue property taxes, even though their staff was sure they weren’t legally liable for these payments. We looked closely at Michigan’s property tax exemption laws and agreed that they were correct, and then directed them to the appropriate agency to correct the error. As a result, they have stopped receiving warnings. 
• We received an inquiry from “James,” a resident of Kalamazoo County who contacted our office with a request for assistance with executing a parent’s living trust. We were able to connect him with Attorney General Nessel’s staff, who reviewed his case and helped him sort through the legal documents.   

Please contact us if you, or a loved one, needs assistance. We’re happy to help any way we can, from directly resolving the issue to directing you to the appropriate agency. 

UPCOMING EVENTS 

From my Facebook page to my monthly coffee hours, there are a variety of ways to contact me about issues that are important to you. Please come by one of our events, share your concerns by phone or email, and get to know me and my staff!

“Meet with McCann” Coffee Hour& nbsp;
Friday, Dec. 20th, from 10:00-11:00 a.m.  
Water Street Coffee Joint
245 W. Centre Ave., Portage, MI 49024 

STAY IN TOUCH 

If you don’t have time to stop by one of our coffee or office hours, I’d still love to hear from you. I encourage you to give me a call at (517) 373-5100, or send me an email at SenSMcCann@senate.michigan.gov. I’d love to hear your thoughts and concerns!   

Visiting Lansing? If you plan to visit Lansing for a conference or to advocate for an issue important to you, please contact my office so we can set up a time to meet you. 

To find the most up-to-date list of upcoming in-district events, visit my website at SenSeanMcCann.com or my Facebook page. 

Paying tribute? It is my pleasure to produce official legislative tributes honoring Kalamazoo County residents for milestone birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, and special accomplishments. If you would like a tribute from state officials, please let me know and we would be glad to assist. 

Happy holidays from my family to yours, and I look forward to continuing to serve you in 2020! 

Sean McCann 
State Senator 
20th District