- Legislative Update: Access to contraception has expanded as of April 21, particularly in areas with limited access to OB/GYNs. Under this new law, Michigan pharmacists are authorized to prescribe hormonal birth control, and insurance companies are now required to cover these prescriptions.
- Legislative Update: The Michigan Senate passed legislation focused on protecting seniors and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. The legislation would allow vulnerable adults to obtain personal protection orders, extend the time for recovering stolen property, and strengthen efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes against vulnerable adults. It now moves to the Michigan House for consideration.
- District Update: A new mixed-used project is coming to Ferndale! MEDC has approved funding for a blighted parking lot that will be redeveloped in the Vester Flats. The Vester Flats will be a four-story, multi-family project that will also include commercial space. There will be 45 studio units, 21 one-bedroom units, and six two-bedroom units. A total of 54 parking spaces will be included under and behind the building. Read more here.
- District Update: Last week, I visited 3rd graders at Quarton Elementary in Birmingham to talk about how state government works and my role as a senator. We discussed the legislative process and the differences between the state and federal government. Thanks for a great visit!
- Good News from the District: This Monday, Royal Oak’s Police Chief Moore held a coffee and conversation event. Chief Moore was joined by Sgt. Ryan Spangler and Comfort Dog Raider, Co-Responder Alyssa Watters, as well as officer Renee Hertz. Read our Constituent and District Director’s report below!
New Law Takes Effect to Expand Access to Birth Control
As of April 21, Michigan pharmacists can now prescribe certain types of birth control, such as pills and patches. This change makes it easier for people to access contraception, especially in areas with few OB/GYNs, and insurance companies are required to cover these prescriptions.
Michigan Senate Passes Legislation to Protect Seniors and Vulnerable Adults
Elderly individuals and vulnerable adults are at high risk of being subject to abuse and exploitation at the hands of family members, friends, or other close associates. According to the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General, more than 73,000 older adults in the state are victims of these crimes which can lead to serious physical and psychological effects such as depression, increased hospitalization, and premature death.
To protect older and vulnerable Michiganders from these threats, I joined my colleagues this week to pass Senate Bills 111–114, which would increase protections by:
- Creating an elder and vulnerable adult personal protection order (PPO).
- Increasing the amount of time prosecutors have to recover property in embezzlement cases where criminals have taken advantage of vulnerable adults.
- Protecting vulnerable adults even after death, treating those offenses the same as if the exploitation had occurred during the victim’s lifetime.
- Taking an all-in approach to preventing, intervening, investigating, and prosecuting abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of older and vulnerable adults by bringing together local teams of experts.
This legislation now heads to the Michigan House for their consideration. Read more about this legislation here. If you support this legislation, reach out to your state representative!
Michigan Senate Advances Bills to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Michiganders
While the pharmaceutical industry raked in over $29 billion in net profits during a recent three-month period, nearly a third of Michigan residents stopped taking their prescriptions because of cost, and 60% of older adults reported concerns over not being able to afford their essential medications.
To address this issue, the Senate passed Senate Bills 3-5, a set of bills to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB). This would be an independent group made up of experts in health care, economics, and supply chains. Their job would be to study drug prices, look for ways to bring costs down, and set limits on how much certain medications can cost in Michigan.
Next, the legislative package moves to the House for consideration. To learn more, you can read here, and please contact your state representative if you have input to share!
Celebrating Earth Day
Clean air, safe water, and a healthy climate are essential for our well-being. Earth Day, celebrated on Monday, emphasizes the importance of caring for our environment and the impact of individual choices. Progress depends on strong laws and smart investments that prioritize people and the planet. In Michigan, we have:
- Raised our standards: Senate Bill 14, now Public Act 104 of 2023, repealed the “No Stricter Than Federal” rule, meaning Michigan can now go beyond federal environmental standards to better protect our air, water, and communities.
- Improved clean drinking water for kids: Senate Bill 88 and Senate Bill 89 created the “Filter First” laws, requiring schools and child care centers to provide clean, filtered, lead-free drinking water.
- Cleaned up toxic sites: In the 2023–2024 state budget, Michigan invested over $75 million through the Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to clean up contamination, including dangerous PFAS chemicals, or “forever chemicals” that never leave your body, that pose serious health risks.
- Supported local climate solutions: That same budget also included over $45 million for local climate projects like stormwater systems, green infrastructure, and support for communities getting ready for renewable energy.
We have a lot more work to do to continue protecting Michigan’s environment for future generations.
New Sweepstakes Opportunity for First-Time FAFSA Filers
To help first-time college students in Michigan access financial aid, Gov. Whitmer recently announced the Ticket to Tuition FAFSA sweepstakes. The statewide contest gives 40 first-time FAFSA filers a chance to win $10,000, and 10 winners will receive $50,000.
Filling out the FAFSA is one of the best ways for students to lower the cost of college. It can open the door to programs like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Community College Guarantee — initiatives my Senate colleagues and I have supported to make college more affordable.
Contest details:
- To enter the sweepstakes, complete the FAFSA online or by submitting a paper form and text CASH to 855-50K-TICKET by 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025. To be eligible, participants must be Michigan residents who completed the FAFSA for the first-time to use during the 2025-26 academic year.
- Prizes will be awarded in Michigan Education Savings Program accounts, which can be used for a variety of qualified educational expenses such as tuition and fees, living expenses, and computers and textbooks.
- For full contest details, visit TicketToTuition.com.
Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate
The Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate is a prestigious honor acknowledging the bravery and sacrifices of our Vietnam veterans. If you or someone you know fits the criteria below, you may be eligible for this special recognition:
- Citizenship: You must be a citizen of Michigan or have been one while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States — this includes the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, as well as the Michigan National Guard and reserve components.
- Honorable Service: To qualify, you must have received an honorable discharge or been released under honorable circumstances.
- Service Period: Your service must have occurred during the Vietnam War era, from February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975.
In addition to this recognition, there is an opportunity for a special designation specifically for veterans who were exposed to dioxin or phenoxy herbicides during their service.
To submit for consideration, complete the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate Form.
If you have questions about filling out your application or questions regarding the Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate, please contact 1-800-MICH-VET or email MVAAResourceCenter@michigan.gov.
MEDC Approves Mixed-Use Project for Ferndale
A new mixed-use development is coming to Vester Street in Ferndale, turning a blighted parking lot into housing and commercial space.
The project, called Vester Flats, will include:
- 72 apartments (a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units)
- Ground-floor space for shops or businesses
- 54 parking spots under and behind the building
The state is supporting the project with a $3.95 million loan through the Michigan Community Revitalization Program. In total, it’s expected to bring over $22 million in investment to the area. This project will also improve the streetscape and bring public art to the space, helping make the area more walkable.
Speaking to Quarton Elementary’s 3rd Grade Class
Last week, I spoke with 3rd graders from Quarton Elementary in Birmingham about the government and my role as a state senator. Many of the students were born in 2018, the same year I was first voted into office! We went over the differences and similarities between state and federal governments and the legislative process. I also shared about some of the bills I‘ve sponsored and voted on, as well as some of the responsibilities that come with the job. The students asked lots of thoughtful questions, such as how long it takes to pass a bill and how I manage my time while legislating, engaging with the community, and spending time with family.
Coffee & Conversation with Royal Oak Police Chief
Chief Michael Moore and members of the Royal Oak Police Dept. held a Coffee and Conversation event at the Royal Oak Library this week. Chief Moore was joined by Sgt. Ryan Spangler and Comfort Dog, Raider, Co-Responder Alyssa Watters, as well as Officer Renee Hertz. Our Constituent Services and District Director, Elizabeth Mulheisen, also attended. Here’s her report:
Chief Moore, Alyssa, and Officer Hertz spoke about three important programs that the department has in place: the CoRE Co-responder program, COMEBACK Quick Response program (QRT), and the benefits that Comfort Dog, Raider, brings to the community and those working in law enforcement.
Officer Hertz is a member of the QRT, a specialized unit involving a plainclothes officer, certified peer recovery coach, and family recovery coach, which assists people in crisis. This dedicated team conducts visits to people in the community who have survived a non-fatal overdose or who have had contact with first responders as a result of their substance use. Once in the home, the team provides connection to treatment services, peer and family recovery coaching services, harm-reduction services, and referrals to other community resources for the individual and family members. Sometimes they can even get a referral to a rehabilitation facility that same day. The QRT goes out multiple times per month.
Alyssa Watters is one of the clinicians on the Co-Response Community Outreach Program called CoRE. It provides four communities with two clinicians tasked with assisting officers during mental health or substance abuse crises. Chief Moore stated that when someone is in crisis or there’s an emergency, the first people that are called are enforcement. Sometimes, they found they were just not equipped to fix or solve a particular problem at that very moment. An example he mentioned related to Michigan’s Extreme Risk Protection Order (“red flag”) law. He spoke about a former professional football player in Royal Oak who had experienced a CTE traumatic brain injury and had stockpiled ammunition and tactical gear. During one of many mental health crises, he had barricaded himself in his home with his wife and young children. Thanks to the new red flag law, a judge was able to temporarily remove firearms and weapons from the home, likely saving lives. Using the CoRE program in tandem with red flag laws allowed for this man to finally receive the ongoing mental health care that he needs.
Officer Hertz is a member of the QRT, a specialized unit involving a plainclothes officer, certified peer recovery coach, and family recovery coach, which will assist people in crisis. They conduct visits to those who have survived a non-fatal overdose or who have had contact with first responders as a result of their substance use. Once in the home, the team provides connections to treatment services, peer and family recovery coaching services, harm-reduction services, and referrals to other community resources for the individual and family members. Sometimes, even being able to get a referral into a substance abuse rehabilitation facility on the same day. The QRT goes out multiple times per month.
Chief Moore said that implementing mental health-related initiatives is relatively new to police departments. Programs like this help to change not only the lives of the community, but the officers’ lives as well. They face terrible things every day, and having these clinicians welcomed into the law enforcement family allows them the opportunity to open up about their own personal struggles. Being both mentally and physically healthy enhances their ability to help.
Raider, a 2-year-old black lab, has been a welcome addition to the police department as well. Wherever his handler, Sgt. Ryan Spangler goes, Raider goes right along with him, including community events, school visits, and more. Raider is available to help alleviate stress or anxiety of people who may be in the police department under traumatic circumstances, but also for law enforcement personnel. The staff highlighted that whenever people see Raider, they just light up.
Kudos to Chief Moore and their efforts to prioritize the importance of mental health in our communities through these programs.
Ferndale’s Drifter Coffee is Expanding
Drifter Coffee is moving to a two-story, 4,500-square-foot space on Livernois. Still in Ferndale, the larger location will have a full bakery, expanded menu, and the ability to take on special orders. They’ll also have an expansive coffee bar, lots of seating, and enough room for a community event space. They will stay in their current location on Woodward Heights through the summer. Congratulations on your growth, Drifter!
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.
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.