Updates from the Michigan Legislature

Reflecting on Progress & Wins for Michiganders

Dear Neighbor,

From securing commonsense gun safety laws and lowering costs for families to delivering investments to support vital community projects and programming, read on to learn how we’ve been fighting for you in Lansing. Plus, take a peek at how residents — like you! — are showing up and making their voices heard at our district coffee hours.

If you ever need assistance, have issues with various state departments, or would like to share your feedback or suggestions on specific issues or policies, please don’t hesitate to contact my office via email at SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.gov or by phone at (517) 373-2523. My team and I are here to serve you.

Mallory McMorrow
State Senator, 8th District
SenatorMcMorrow.com

8th District Budget Wins

2024-2025

$7M: Detroit Zoo infrastructure

$2M: Oak Park water & road infrastructure

$2M: Starfish Family Services

$1M: Clawson water infrastructure

$1M: Detroit Blight Busters

$1M: Judson Center campus renovations

$1M: Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan

$1M: Oak Park Community Center

$250K: Violet T. Lewis Village senior living

$50K: Royal Oak Twp. recreational activities for youth & seniors

Funding in Action

Thanks to funds we secured in our state budget, the City of Pleasant Ridge has successfully completed a large-scale project to update the city’s water infrastructure and provide safer drinking water to area residents. The project replaced a 100-year-old water main and 60 lead service lines on Kensington Boulevard, much- needed improvements that will last well into the future.

5 Bills Signed into Law

Public Act 38 of 2023: Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders or “red flag” laws

Public Act 84 of 2023: Establishes access to ballot tracking for absentee voters, including those in the military or living abroad

Public Act 95 of 2023: Eliminates the sunset on cocktails to-go, cementing a new revenue stream for our local restaurants

Public Act 254 of 2023: Allows a county clerk to appoint a designee to conduct an election audit if a conflict of interest exists

Public Act 317 of 2023: Brings back blue and black retro license plates

Track your Ballot

Senator McMorrow’s ballot tracking law improves Michigan’s absentee ballot tracking system. Voters can now have updates on the status of their ballots sent directly to them by email or text, and the opportunity to fix their ballot if there are any issues, to ensure your vote always counts.

With PA 84 of 2023, you can register to receive notifications directly to your email inbox. There are three ways to sign up – when registering to vote, when submitting an online absentee ballot application, or by visiting Michigan.gov/vote and clicking on the signup link.

Connecting in Clawson

Over 200 people attended our district coffee hour with Rep. Sharon MacDonell at Leon and Lulu in Clawson earlier this year. When I asked how many had never attended a state legislator’s event before, most hands went up. People are stepping out of their comfort zones, getting engaged, meeting their neighbors, and learning what they can do in a moment of so much chaos and uncertainty.

Celebrating Reading Month

I read to students at several schools across the district. From story time to brainstorming what they would want to see in a community park to hugs and fist bumps, engaging with young people is one of the best parts of my job.