- The Senate advances legislation to strengthen retirement benefits for officers and improve breast cancer detection standards in Michigan; youth tobacco prevention legislation receives committee hearing.
- Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, a day to honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of those who have served in our armed forces. Thank you to all those who served and their families for your service and sacrifice.
Senate Advances Legislation to Strengthen Retirement Benefits for Officers and Improve Breast Cancer Detection Standards in Michigan; Youth Tobacco Prevention Legislation Receives Committee Hearing
- Strengthening Retirement Benefits for Officers. The Michigan Senate recently passed Senate Bills 165–167, sponsored by Sens. John Cherry, Kristen McDonald Rivet, and Sue Shink. This legislation would allow new corrections, conservation, and other state officers to become members of the Michigan State Police hybrid retirement system and would allow current officers to elect to move retirement systems. This legislation now advances to the House for consideration.
- Improving Breast Cancer Detection Standards. Too many families in Michigan and across the country know the pain of losing a loved one to breast cancer — whether it’s a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, or friend. Recognizing the immense benefits of early detection, Sen. Sarah Anthony introduced Senate Bill 1042 to improve the quality of information and the way in which it is provided to women following their mammograms. Senate Bill 1042, which was voted favorably out of the Senate Committee on Health Policy, will now head to the Senate floor for a vote by the full chamber.
- Preventing Youth Tobacco Use. The Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs heard testimony on legislation that would require tobacco retailers to be licensed and repeal the penalties against minors for tobacco use, purchase, or possession — which have shown to be ineffective. Vaping and other tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death in Michigan and across the country, and the Senate is dedicated to protecting Michigan’s youth from its serious health risks.
2025 State Budget Funds New Reproductive Health, Family Planning Program
In June, the Senate passed the bipartisan 2025 state budget, securing a $5.6 million investment to expand access to contraceptives and family planning services for Michiganders. Thanks to this allocation, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services are launching Take Control of Your Birth Control, a new program to ensure Michigan families have access to free contraception and family planning resources beginning in November.
Community partners and federally qualified health centers will distribute emergency contraceptives, condoms, and over-the-counter oral contraceptives to the general public for free, as long as supplies last. Soon, you’ll be able to visit michigan.gov/takecontrol to locate participating organizations near you and learn more about these essential resources.
Winter Hazards Awareness Week
As winter approaches, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared Nov. 3-9 as Winter Hazards Awareness Week, urging Michiganders to prioritize emergency preparedness.
The Michigan State Police recommend weatherproofing homes, insulating pipes, cleaning gutters to prevent ice dams, and ensuring heating systems are safe. Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors and create an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, and blankets. Drivers should winterize vehicles and carry emergency supplies, including a flashlight, jumper cables, and extra warm clothing. For more tips, visit michigan.gov/miready.
Honoring Our Veterans on Nov. 11, Veterans Day
Throughout history, veterans have made tremendous contributions to our country and state. All of us in the Senate have worked to pass legislation and secure investments for the veteran community, honoring their contributions and sacrifices.
The Senate passed Senate Bill 788 to create a special registration plate for women veterans, honoring their service and sacrifices to Michigan and the nation. Building on this support, the House passed House Bill 5127, now signed into law by Gov. Whitmer, which expands eligibility for the Disabled Veteran registration plate to partially disabled veterans. The Senate also passed Senate Bills 176, 330, and 364 to help surviving loved ones of disabled veterans better access property tax exemptions.
We used the Fiscal Year 2025 budget to create more opportunities for veterans and secured $2.5M for grants to address veteran homelessness. In the FY 2024 budget, Michigan legislators made long-needed investments in the veteran community, including $1.2 million for suicide prevention programs to aid veterans and their families.
The legislature is committed to providing our service members, veterans, and their families with meaningful recognition and essential support.
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Royal Oak Teachers Present at Educational Conference
Teachers Derek Miller and Leah Barnett from Royal Oak High School recently presented at the Michigan Council of Teachers of English annual conference in East Lansing! They shared innovative strategies from their classrooms to help students recognize their growth and learning as writers. Thank you for inspiring both your students and colleagues!
Nine Mile Connector Park Opens
Oak Park celebrated the Connector Park Ribbon Cutting this week! This was the final phase of the 9-Mile Redesign – A Complete Corridor Transformation. This small pass-through park will act as an extension of the Linear Park, connecting the neighborhood to the south to the Nine Mile Corridor. It was formerly a vacant lot and now, with a lot of hard work, community input, and funding, we have this fun and innovative community play space, granting direct access to previously underserved neighborhoods, promoting connectivity, transportation options, and vibrancy.
Thank You, Clerks and Election Workers
A big THANK YOU to all the clerks, election workers, and volunteers who have been working tirelessly to ensure our democratic process is accessible and working smoothly. Your dedication to our electoral process and right to vote is greatly appreciated.
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.