- Legislation to strengthen child labor laws, improve maternal health care for communities of color, bolster protections for vulnerable adults, and more advances in the Senate.
- Early in-person voting is officially in effect this election year. Learn more at mi.gov/vote, including where to find your clerk’s office or polling place and what’s on your ballot.
Legislative Packages to Protect Michigan’s Kids, Moms, & Seniors Advance in the Senate
Last week, the Michigan Senate moved forward several pieces of legislation to protect Michiganders from their younger years to their older ones.
Protecting seniors and vulnerable adults from abuse: To combat the scams, fraud, and theft that Michigan’s seniors and vulnerable residents too often fall victim to, the Senate passed Senate Bills 922–925, which would ensure Michigan’s growing population of aging adults can enjoy the dignity, safety, and quality of life they deserve. These will now be taken up for consideration by the House.
Strengthening Michigan’s child labor laws: Senate Bills 963–965 would increase penalties and fines for businesses found employing minors illegally or subjecting them to unsafe working conditions. These bills moved through committee and are now on their way to the Senate floor for a vote.
Improving maternal health care services: The Momnibus bill package — Senate Bills 818–823, 825 and House Bill 5826 — focuses on amplifying the voices of Black and Brown birthing people, ensuring that their needs are prioritized and addressed. This package is also on its way to the full Senate chamber for consideration after passing through the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services last week.
Slate of Legislation Championed by Senate Democrats Signed into Law
From increasing access to vital health services and putting more money back in Michiganders’ pockets to protecting our natural resources and celebrating our state’s automotive legacy — all of us in the legislature have been busy working to pass legislation to build a stronger, more prosperous future for our state.
In recent weeks, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a slate of these bills into law, including legislation to:
- Strengthen Michigan’s home health care system by allowing individual home help caregivers to unionize. More specifically, these bills will support workforce development, expand training, and restore bargaining rights for 35,000 home care workers in Michigan.
- Improve health outcomes in rural communities by ensuring rural hospitals are equipped with the resources necessary to provide quality care services. Read more here.
- Lower costs for Michiganders by extending families’ access to cash assistance from the Family Independence Program (FIP) from 48 months to 60 months, helping put money back into the pockets of hard-working Michiganders so they can care for their children.
- Preserve Michigan’s unmatched natural resources by providing supplemental funding for outdoor recreation opportunities.
- Support breastfeeding moms and their babies by strengthening protections against discrimination for individuals who are currently breastfeeding.
- Bolster treatment services for addiction by providing $4 million more per year in funding towards expanding Michigan’s gaming and gambling prevention programming.
- Expand access to health care by repurposing Medicaid funding to allow low-income Michiganders access to a broader range of care centers.
- Celebrate Michigan’s proud automotive history by providing historical vehicle owners the opportunity to obtain personalized license plates.
Read more about these bills and others signed into law here.
Early Voting is BOO-tiful! What You Need to Know
It’s not just spooky season; it’s also election season! In addition to fighting for your rights at the ballot box, the Senate wants to make sure you have all the information you need to elevate your voice in our democracy. Early in-person voting is already underway in some places and is an option statewide beginning Oct. 26. Avoid the lines by voting early in-person at your designated early voting site indicated by your municipality.
To learn more about early in-person voting, where to find your clerk’s office or polling place, and what’s on the ballot, visit mi.gov/vote.
Need to register? If you’ve recently moved or changed your name since the last election, you’ll need to update your voter registration. Now that we’re within 14 days of Election Day, you may only register in person at your local clerk’s office with documentation showing proof of residency.
Learn How to Protect Your Personal Data Online
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and along with the work Senate Democrats are undertaking to protect Michiganders’ consumer information, the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is sharing the following ways that consumers and businesses can protect their personal and financial information online from scammers and cyberattacks:
- Don’t access personal or financial information, such as bank accounts, online retail accounts, or medical records when using public Wi-Fi. Only connect to the internet over secure, password-protected networks.
- Password-protect all user accounts and devices that connect to the internet. Do not use the same password twice. Try to create a password with at least 12 characters but if the account doesn’t allow long passwords, mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make your password strong.
- Multifactor authentication offers extra security by requiring an additional step beyond entering a password to log into your account, such as a scan of your fingerprint, retina, or face on a mobile device, a passcode via an authentication app, or security key sent via text message or email.
- Find more tips on the DIFS website.
Suspected insurance fraud can be reported to DIFS safely, easily and, in most cases, anonymously by calling 877-999-6442 or online by visiting DIFS’ website.
Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating
With temperatures continuing to drop and more eerie decorations popping up, we are getting closer and closer to Halloween. While the holiday is a time for spooky thrills and imagination, it can also bring some extra risks for children and teens. Before you head out trick-or-treating, make sure to check out these tips on how to keep your little ghosts and goblins safe:
- Choose your Halloween costume wisely. Make sure to check the weather forecast in advance and dress accordingly. Do not carry toy weapons that could be confused for the real thing.
- Walk, don’t run, and stay on the sidewalks. Cross only at intersections and designated crosswalks.
- Don’t assume cars will stop just because pedestrians have the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters.
- Be sure to have a charged cell phone while you’re out.
- Plan your route ahead of time and trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods.
- Only visit well-lit houses. Don’t stop at dark houses.
- Review with your child how to call 9-1-1 if they ever have an emergency, get lost, or are prone to wander.
Sen. McMorrow Runs Detroit Free Press 5K
Royal Oak Historical Society Awards
LaKeesha Morrison honored by Royal Oak Historical Society
Recently, the Royal Oak Historical Society hosted its 83rd Annual Awards Dinner. Lakeesha Morrison was presented with the 2024 Sophie V. Bowman Award, celebrating her dedication to historic preservation and sharing the rich history of Royal Oak. She’s been instrumental in highlighting the stories and accomplishments of her ancestors, Henry and Elizabeth Hamer, one of Royal Oak’s pioneering Black families.
Congratulations also to Don Drife for receiving the Dr. Joseph S. Morrison Award, the Metro Detroit Youth Clubs for earning the Spirit of Royal Oak Award, and Bob Muller, recipient of the Thomas F. Wurdock Award!
Ferndale Couple Wins Detroit Free Press Marathon
Andrew Bowman won the men’s race, and Sydney Devore-Bowman won the women’s race. Bowman Family
Last weekend, two Ferndale residents accomplished an impressive feat—claiming both the men’s and women’s titles at the Detroit Free Press Marathon! Sydney Devore-Bowman won the women’s race with a time of 2:42:46, only 25 minutes after her husband, Andrew Bowman, who won the men’s race at 2:17:47. They each took home $3,000 for their wins and celebrated with their local running club at a Ferndale brewery after the race.
Way to go, Sydney and Andrew!
New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church Celebrates 100th Anniversary
Warmest congratulations to New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church on celebrating 100 years of faith, community, and service! You are an integral part of the Detroit landscape, touching countless lives and leaving a lasting mark. New Prospect is not only an impressive place of worship, but is also a hub for community engagement and stands as a testament to unity, compassion, and social responsibility. I have no doubt that your next 100 years will grow even more meaningful than the first!
Thank you for staying connected with us through our biweekly e-newsletter. We’re committed to keeping you informed on our work in Lansing and the progress we’re making in our district. Whether it’s legislative updates or community initiatives, we want to ensure you’re engaged and aware of the ways we’re advocating for you.
Your input is vital, and we encourage you to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas that you may have. Our office is here to assist you with any state-related matters, and we value your feedback. Feel free to contact us at (517) 373-2523 or by email at SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.gov. We look forward to continuing our work together to make positive changes in our community.