- Legislative Update: Last week, Republicans in Lansing decimated over half a billion dollars promised to people and programs around the state that help provide wigs for kids undergoing cancer treatment, critical resources to support new moms and their babies, and more. Acting swiftly in response, Sen. McMorrow and her Senate colleagues passed a bipartisan supplemental bill to restore this promised funding and sent a letter to Attorney General Dana Nessel to hold House Republicans accountable for their questionable, cruel actions. Learn more below.
- District Update: With the holiday season in full swing, it’s important that you and your loved ones stay alert and protected from common scams that occur this time of year. Find more information below, including tips on how to safeguard your personal information.
- Good News from the District: The Detroit City Lions Youth Club has had a tremendous season with the 10U football team and 14U cheerleading team winning the City, State, and Regional Championships!
In a Twisted Political Maneuver, Legislative Republicans Axe Crucial Funding for Michigan Kids & Communities
Last week, in a deliberately cruel and reckless political stunt lacking any ounce of transparency, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall and his Republican colleagues exploited a rarely used provision in state law to unilaterally slash over a half billion dollars in budget funding for Michigan’s kids, families, small businesses, and communities. Among the $645 million in bipartisan passed, already agreed upon funding promised to programs around the state were resources to:
- Provide wigs for kids undergoing cancer treatment;
- Uplift new moms and their babies at the most vulnerable stage of life;
- Tackle our state’s opioid epidemic;
- Invest in affordable housing solutions;
- And so much more.
In the middle of the holiday season, at a time when Michiganders are already feeling the financial stress from the whiplash of federal policies, Matt Hall and his Republican colleagues pull the rug out from under them.
But Senate Democrats are fighting back. While Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues work to understand the full impact of this action on people and programs around the state, you can rest assured that Senate Democrats will continue serving with actual integrity and leadership. And that starts with holding Lansing Republicans accountable.
This past week, Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues passed a bipartisan supplemental budget that would restore the $645 million decimated by Matt Hall and House Republicans. Unfortunately, the House failed to take the opportunity to right their wrong, refusing to even consider the bill in their chamber before adjourning for the year. Also earlier this week, Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony submitted a letter to Attorney General Dana Nessel requesting her to issue an opinion on the legality of the House Appropriations Committee’s actions.
Your voice is vital to us. Click here to tell Speaker Matt Hall and Lansing Republicans you disagree with these budget cuts. You can also let us know if you have a personal connection to these cuts.
Senate Unanimously Acts to Deliver Relief for Michiganders Facing UIA Benefit Recovery
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Michiganders found themselves out of work, tapping into the unemployment system to put food on the table, pay their bills, and ensure their family could weather a once-in-a-lifetime global health crisis. Since then, the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has been attempting to claw back overpayments that the agency may have mistakenly made to these same individuals — causing stress for many around the state at an already financially tough time.
Let’s be clear: these families did nothing wrong. That’s why, last week, alongside a unanimous Senate Sen. McMorrow voted to pass legislation that would provide a clean slate for those impacted by waiving any overpayments the UIA is currently attempting to collect from this pandemic-era timeframe. Senate Bill 700 now heads to the Michigan House, where we hope they will take quick action to deliver much-needed relief.
Signed Into Law! — Senate Dems’ Bills to Support Michigan National Guard Members
Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation championed by Senate Democrats to deliver meaningful support to Michigan National Guard members and their families. Our guardsmen and women make sacrifices on a daily basis to keep our communities and loved ones safe. To protect them in return, these new laws will:
- Ensure guard members can access the health care and dental coverage they need by requiring the Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create and operate a Tricare premium reimbursement program;
- Help members pay for childcare costs by creating the Michigan National Guard Child Care Assistance Program within the DMVA; and
- Support guard members to advance their education and pursue their goals by requiring the balance remaining in the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Fund at the end of the fiscal year to be transferred to the Michigan National Guard Member Benefits Fund.
Read more here.
Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee: Fighting Trump’s Tariffs
The Trump administration’s retaliatory tariffs on international trade are making everything more expensive, raising prices at the grocery store, and disrupting the farming and food systems that feeds us. Last week, the Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee held a hearing to explore how these short-sighted policies are harming farmers, food costs, and supply chains across the state.
The committee featured representatives from the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan State University, and others to examine how the actions of Washington Republicans are making food more expensive and it even harder for our state’s farmers and agricultural businesses to make ends meet. Click here to learn more.
Protect Yourself from Scams This Holiday Season
The holidays are an opportune time for scammers to take advantage of your personal and financial information. To keep your wallets — and yourself! — protected in the weeks ahead, Attorney General Dana Nessel encourages Michiganders to be aware of the following scams.
- Phishing Scams: Residents are urged to avoid clicking suspicious links or opening attachments from unknown senders to protect themselves from fraudsters.
- Scanner Law: Under Michigan’s Scanner Law, stores must honor the lowest advertised price.
- Puppy Scams: Consumers seeking to add a furry friend to their family should be aware of fraudulent online pet sellers. Remember to always see the pet in person and verify the breeder before sending any money.
- AI Scams: Fraudsters are using artificial intelligence to mimic loved ones.
- Credit Card Charges: Consumers are encouraged to check their credit card statements often and report unfamiliar charges right away to prevent identity theft.
Another way you and your loved ones can stay safeguarded from deceptive behavior is by following AG Nessel’s new consumer protection social media account, which will serve as a trusted source for scam alerts, consumer protection tips, education resources, and updates from her office. You can follow @MIConsumerWatch on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
Warming Centers and Housing Assistance
As temperatures continue to drop into frigid temperatures, many community organizations across Michigan open their doors to ensure everyone can stay warm. To learn more and find warming centers in and around our community, please visit our new webpage.
You can also:
- Visit mi211.org/housing-assistance
- Scroll down to the Getting Help in Michigan section
- Click Extreme Cold Warming Center and input your zip code to find local resources
Best wishes to you and your loved ones this holiday season!
Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) Football and Cheer Teams
The Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) helps youth find their greatness through athletic, academic, and leadership development programs. The Detroit PAL Youth Football League works in partnership with Michigan Youth Football League (MYFL) and has programming for kids ages 5-14.
The Detroit City Lions Youth Club (DCL) is part of PAL programming and provides access to much-needed sports and academic services for at-risk youth.
This year, the Detroit City Lions (DCL) 10U football team and 14U Lady Gritty Lions cheerleading team won the City, State, and Regional Championships!
The DCL were flawless against the Springfield Tigers from Connecticut 32-0 as well as a 34-0 victory against 702 Longhorns from Las Vegas which qualified them for Nationals.
Detroit PAL sent the teams to the American Youth Football and Cheer National Championships in Florida last week.
The Lady Gritty Lions Cheer had a great experience competing hard, leaving it all on the mats, showcasing their talents on a national stage. The Detroit City Lions made a great effort, and they came in a very close 2nd by only one point. They are now ranked 2nd in the nation, ending with a 17-1 record.
Congratulations to all PAL teams on an amazing season and thanks for representing Detroit, Michigan, and the Midwest so well!
Thank you for staying connected with Sen. McMorrow’s office through the biweekly e-newsletter. We’re committed to keeping you informed on our work in Lansing and the progress we’re making in the 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. You can also fill out a contact form on our website and we’ll get back to you as soon as we’re able.