- Legislative Update: From cracking down on deceptive corporate pricing practices to expanding the supply of affordable housing options for low-income Michiganders, Sen. McMorrow and her Senate Democratic colleagues have made some exciting progress on their A Michigan You Can Afford agenda in recent weeks. Read on to learn more.
- District Update: Grab your fishing pole or hiking boots and visit any of Michigan’s state parks for free this Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14 during the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources’ (DNR) ‘Three Free” weekend. Learn more below.
- Good News from the District: Mark your calendars for upcoming Juneteenth celebrations in District 8! Find details below.
- Good News from the District: Second Chances Animal Resources hosted a Paw Protection event earlier this week, where they installed Ferndale’s new microchip scanner.
- Good News from the District: Before school let out for the summer, 8th graders at Norup International School worked on their school’s courtyard transformation.
- Good News from the District: Royal Oak Mayor Michael Fournier presented two proclamations recognizing the ROFC 2013 Girls Green Team and 2013 Boys Green Team for winning State Cup Championships.
Making Progress with Our A Michigan You Can Afford Agenda
From the grocery store and gas station to the price tag on childcare and doctors’ visits, reckless actions by D.C. Republicans are taking their toll on household budgets across Michigan. That’s why Senate Dems launched A Michigan You Can Afford agenda just a few weeks ago, which aims to do exactly what it says — lower the high costs of living burdening Michiganders around the state. In recent weeks, Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues have made exciting progress on some of the bills outlined in this agenda to:
- Ban auto and home insurance companies from exploiting your shopping patterns to determine the highest rates you are willing to pay, a practice also known as “price optimization.” (Introduced)
- Prohibit surveillance pricing for e-commerce and dynamic pricing for retail stores, bills championed by Sen. McMorrow, which are additional deceptive practices companies utilize to take advantage of consumers to benefit their bottom line. (Introduced)
- Establish a new tax credit to increase the supply of guaranteed affordable housing in our state. (Passed out of committee)
- Create a state-based health care exchange, which would lower premiums and give Michiganders more options and more control over their health insurance. (Passed out of committee)
- Completely eliminate out-of-pocket costs for three of the state’s most high-volume, life-saving medical necessities — insulin, epinephrine, and inhalers. (Introduced)
As Sen. McMorrow works to advance this legislative agenda through the Senate, she wants to hear from you. Make your voice heard and help shape this package by sharing your experience in the survey below, so Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues can deliver a solution that works for you, your family, and our state.
Senate Dems Highlight How Federal Attacks on Clean Energy are Harming Michigan Farmers
Over the last year and a half, Sen. McMorrow and her Senate Democratic colleagues have been working tirelessly to speak out against the reckless, cruel actions of the Trump administration and use the tools at the state level to defend Michiganders from the chaos they’re creating. Most recently, the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to highlight how the federal attacks on clean energy are impacting Michigan farmers and rural communities.
During the hearing, the owner of Michigan’s oldest farm and energy industry experts shared testimony on the consequences of the USDA’s cancellation of renewable energy projects and grants under the federal Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) last year. Following the announcement in August 2025 that subsidies for solar panel systems on productive farmland would be terminated, numerous REAP energy projects across the state were left in limbo. With the grant funding once promised to them ripped away, Michigan farmers have been left to foot a bill they weren’t prepared for — at a time when the cost of fuel and other essentials are already stretching their budgets razor-thin. Read more about the hearing here.
Senate Democrats Honor Pride Month with Action
Here in Michigan, Senate Dems are dedicated to cultivating inclusion, belonging, and welcome for everyone — not just during Pride Month but every day year-round. 🏳️🌈
Since the onset of Michigan’s first Senate Democratic Majority in over forty years, Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues have taken swift, decisive action to expand protections for the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, one of the first bills they passed in our new majority was the historic expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), safeguarding Michiganders from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression — a collaborative effort that was decades in the making. Senate Democrats also passed new laws that banned the harmful practice of conversion therapy for minors and championed a resolution that recognizes June as Pride Month in Michigan.
Get Outdoors for ‘Three Free’ Weekend This June 13-14
With school out for the season and warmer weather finally here to stay, it’s a perfect time to get outside and enjoy all the beautiful scenery, bodies of water, and recreational opportunities Michigan has to offer! And on this Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, you can visit any of Michigan’s state parks for free during the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources’ (DNR) ‘Three Free” weekend. For these two full days, Michiganders and out-of-state visitors can grab their fishing rods, ride the off-road trails, and visit state parks, boating access sites, and other outdoor locations — all free of charge. Learn more below, or on the DNR’s website, and Happy Trails!
- Free ORV Weekend: Legally ride 4,000 miles of state-designated routes and trails and the state’s six scramble areas without purchasing an ORV license or trail permit. Visit Michigan.gov/ORVinfo for the latest ORV trail, safety and closure information.
- Free Fishing Weekend: Fish for all in-season species, all weekend long, without a license. All other fishing regulations apply. Visit Michigan.gov/FreeFishing for more information.
- Free entry to state parks: To encourage people to pursue free fishing and other outdoor fun, the DNR Recreation Passport that grants vehicle access to Michigan’s 103 state parks, 1,000-plus state-managed boating access sites and many other outdoor spaces is waived for the weekend. Learn more about Passport benefits at Michigan.gov/RecreationPassport.
Summer Discovery is a no-cost program that lets students explore their interests and engage in community projects while giving parents the flexibility to continue working when school lets out for the year. Find more information here.
Bike Safety
This season, the League of Michigan Bicyclists continues their focus on improving road safety, reducing injuries, and supporting climate-friendly transportation across Michigan.
Simple actions drivers can take to make a big impact:
- Keep your eyes on the road
- Put your phone down and drive hands-free (it’s the law!)
- Leave at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist
Michigan averages more than 1,500 bicycle-related crashes each year, many of which are
preventable with safe driving behavior. By staying alert and giving people riding bikes the space they need, we can help create safer streets and more connected, healthier communities for everyone. Learn more at LMB.org.
Gun Violence Awareness
Every June, Senate Dems recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Month to honor the lives lost to senseless gun violence and raise awareness of this growing epidemic. During this month, advocates across the country also wear orange to commemorate the life of Hadiya Pendleton — a 15-year-old who was shot and killed on a playground in 2013 just one week after she performed with her high school marching band at former President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.
Since the onset of Michigan’s Senate Democratic Majority, Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues have championed commonsense, evidence-based gun safety legislation to better protect Michiganders from the threat of gun violence. These actions include legislation to:
- Require universal background checks;
- Ensure firearms are stored securely and are inaccessible to minors;
- Allow a court to issue an “Extreme Risk Protection Order” (ERPO) to temporarily suspend a person’s access to firearms if they pose an immediate threat to themselves or others — legislation championed by Sen. McMorrow that was signed into law in 2023 and has already proven an effective tool at reducing gun violence;
- Prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of bump stocks;
- Better protect the Michigan Capitol complex and its visitors from gun violence; and
- Ban ghost guns, or guns without serial numbers, and make it illegal to assemble, import, sell, or possess a ghost gun — additional legislation sponsored by Sen. McMorrow which passed the Senate last year and continues to await consideration in the House.
To honor all those who have been hurt, survived, or lost their lives to gun violence and raise awareness on the devastating toll that senseless gun violence takes on families and communities across the state, Sen. McMorrow spearheaded Senate Resolution 127 earlier this month to recognize June 2026 as Gun Violence Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.
Sen. McMorrow speaking to her resolution on the Senate floor on Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Juneteenth Save the Date
Mark your calendars for these upcoming Juneteenth celebrations in District 8!
Ferndale Pet Microchip Scanner Installation
Second Chances Animal Resources hosted a Paw Protection event earlier this week, where they installed Ferndale’s new microchip scanner. This scanner is permanently attached to the exterior of the City Hall building and can be used to identify a microchip in a pet at any time, and this resource will help in reuniting lost pets with their families.
Many organizations came together to make this event happen, including: The PAWS Clinic, the Ferndale Cat Shelter, K9 Turbo Training, Emily C. Coaching, Harness Petcare, as well as the Ferndale Police and the Parks and Recreation departments.
Norup International School Community Impact Project
Photos: Berkley School District
Before school let out for the summer, 8th graders at Norup helped to continue the efforts of last year’s 8th graders by working on the Norup Courtyard transformation. Raised garden beds and picnic tables were built last year and this year, students trimmed trees and bushes and filled the beds with 10 cubic yards of soil. They worked in teams and collaborated to ensure completion of this project of creating a revamped courtyard, which can be used as an outdoor classroom and a farm for growing fruits and vegetables.
Well done to the students, teachers, and staff who made this project a success. Future students and families will certainly benefit from your hard work!
Royal Oak Football Club Honored
Photo: City of Royal Oak School District
At this week’s City Commission meeting, Mayor Michael Fournier presented two proclamations recognizing the ROFC 2013 Girls Green Team and 2013 Boys Green Team for winning State Cup Championships. It’s the first time in the 50-year history of the club that both the U13 girls’ and boys’ teams captured state titles in the same season.
Congratulations to all the athletes, coaches, and families on this achievement!
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.