- Upcoming Events: Join Sen. McMorrow and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for a People Over AI Town Hall this Monday, June 29 in Ferndale. Register here and find more info below.
- Legislative Update: Sen. McMorrow and her Senate Democratic colleagues have advanced a slate of bold legislation in recent weeks, including bills to combat greedy business practices, protect you at the ballot box, and ensure you have the tools to retire with financial security and peace of mind. Read on to learn more.
- District Update: If you use a SNAP or Michigan Bridge Card, did you know that you can double your benefits to purchase fresh, Michigan-grown fruits and veggies using Double Up Food Bucks program? Learn more below.
- Good News from the District: Congrats to the Royal Oak Youth Soccer U13 boys and girls teams for winning State Championships!
Register Today: People Over AI Town Hall
Join Sen. McMorrow and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for a People Over AI Town Hall this Monday, June 29 in Ferndale. This nonpartisan town hall is designed to help communities across the state understand the growing presence of data centers in Michigan and the safety precautions Michiganders should be taking in the era of AI. This free, public event will feature expert panelists discussing environmental impacts, consumer protection, labor considerations, and the role of technology and AI legislation. Register here.
WHEN: Monday, June 29, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.; Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Exact location details to come
Combatting Big Businesses, Creating A Michigan You Can Afford
Whether it be at the gas pump, grocery store, doctor’s office, or the monthly bills on our kitchen tables, we are all feeling the financial strain of careless decisions in Washington, D.C. That’s why Senate Democrats launched the A Michigan You Can Afford agenda, which works to provide Michigan residents real relief amid the record-high cost of living and protect you against predatory business tactics looking to profit at your expense. Most recently, Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues have taken steps to:
- Eliminate out-of-pocket costs for three of the state’s most high-volume, life-saving medical necessities, including insulin, epinephrine, and inhalers. (Introduced)
- 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 the Senate)
- Crack down on greedy price gouging practices to keep housing, essential goods, and energy affordable during an issued state of emergency. (Passed out of the Senate)
- Cut Michigan’s notoriously high auto insurance premiums by 10 percent and hold auto insurers accountable for denying claims made in good faith. (Passed out of committee)
As Sen. McMorrow works to advance this legislative agenda through the Senate, she wants to hear from you. Help shape this package by sharing your experience in the survey below, so Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues can work together to deliver a solution that works for you, your family, your community, and our state.
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity
In addition to driving forward legislation to make life more affordable for Michiganders, Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues have also been working to address other critical issues facing residents and communities across the state, recently advancing bills to:
Strengthen Michigan Dams: As Michiganders continue to experience an uptick in severe, unpredictable weather brought on by climate change, Sen. McMorrow has introduced legislation to ensure the state’s roughly 2,600 aging dams get the attention and repairs they need. Passed out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment last week, her bill would strengthen regulatory requirements for high- and significant-hazard dams, require more frequent inspections, improve infrastructure design, and more. This legislation now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Learn more about what the bill does here.
Protect Voting Rights: After months of reports detailing the Trump administration’s efforts to nationalize elections and restrict access to mail-in voting — the latest blow to election integrity came earlier this spring as the U.S. Supreme Court eviscerated key protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. To fight back against these attacks, Sen. McMorrow and her colleagues passed legislation that would establish a state-level Voting Rights Act to ensure every eligible voter has access to the ballot box. Read more here.
Help Residents Save for Retirement: Michiganders deserve the opportunity to retire with dignity and financial security, but right now, more than 1.5 million private-sector workers have a lack of retirement savings options. To help ensure all hardworking folks in our state can save for their golden years, Senate Democrats passed legislation to establish the MI Secure Retirement Savings Program, which would automatically enroll individuals who are not offered a savings plan through their current employer in a state-run Roth IRA. Read more here.
Crack Down on Blighted Storefronts: Blighted storefronts create safety hazards, decrease property values, and hinder economic growth here in our community and across Michigan. Yet right now, big box retailers are exploiting loopholes in our state’s tax code, using these vacant properties to artificially lower their tax bills instead of reinvesting in the communities they’ve left behind. To address this issue, Senate Dems introduced legislation to help our local communities put an end to “dark stores.” This bill is currently moving through the committee process.
Holding Michigan Data Centers Accountable
Sen. McMorrow and her Senate Dem colleagues at a press conference on their legislation to shield Michigan residents and communities from large-scale data center projects
As the growing data center industry sparks concerns for consumers, environmentalists, and communities across the state, Sen. McMorrow and several of her Democratic legislators have introduced legislation to ensure the sustainable development of these facilities and protect Michigan ratepayers, workers, and natural resources. Discussed at a press conference last week, Sen. McMorrow’s bill, specifically, would prevent Michiganders from taking on any additional costs if a data center was being developed in their community. Along with these consumer protections, their comprehensive bill package includes limits on individual water usage; clean energy requirements; protections for workers; prohibition of non-disclosure agreements; and more. Find more information about the legislation here, which awaits consideration in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment.
Protecting Your Voice and Your Vote
Sen. McMorrow and her Senate Democratic colleagues have worked hard to make casting your ballot as easy and accessible as possible — and our state leaders and law enforcement are determined to do their part to protect you at the ballot box. Ahead of the upcoming primary election on August 4, 2026, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued legal guidance to law enforcement agencies statewide, briefing them on our latest election laws and how to keep you safe from intimidation or threats at the polls. Read Attorney General Nessel’s recommendations in full here.
Michigan voters are also encouraged to stay informed about their voting rights and responsibilities by reviewing key election and polling place provisions. To review or update your voter information, such as your registration or designated polling place, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.
Below are some upcoming election dates to keep in mind:
August Primary Election
Absentee voter ballots available – by Thursday, June 25
Last day to register to vote by mail or online* – Monday, July 20
Primary election early voting begins – Saturday, July 25
Optional early voting period up to – Sunday, August 2
Primary Election Day – Tuesday, August 4
* You can still register to vote in person up to and including on Election Day with your local clerk.
Summer Meal Programs Available to Michigan Children
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), also known as Meet Up and Eat Up, is available for children to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations when they do not have access to the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs. This program is operated at the local level by program sponsors and is administered by the Michigan Dept. of Education (MDE), Office of Nutrition Services. To find a Meet Up and Eat Up Site, please call 211, text “food” to 304-304, or click here.
Take Advantage of Double Up Food Bucks
Buying food is expensive right now, especially for our neighbors struggling to put food on the table. Double Up Food Bucks is here to help. For those who shop for groceries with a SNAP or Michigan Bridge Card, you can double your benefits to purchase fresh, Michigan-grown fruits and veggies using Double Up Food Bucks. The program is available at 240+ participating farmers markets, farm stands, and grocery stores across Michigan. With farmers market season officially here, it’s a great time to use the program! Learn how it works and find a participating location near you at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org.
How to Beat the Heat This Summer
Summer weather means getting outside and having fun or working in the yard, but too much heat can make you sick. Your body normally cools itself as your sweat evaporates, but during extremely hot weather, when the humidity is high, sweat can’t evaporate very well. These conditions can cause the temperature of your body to become dangerously high and can lead to severe illness or even death.
Heat related illness is preventable, so it’s important to understand what you can do to keep yourself healthy when temperatures are extremely high.
- Keep cool indoors. Use an air conditioner or go to a cool place such as the basement, a neighbor’s house, shopping mall or cooling center.
- Take a cool shower or bath.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated — don’t just wait until you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks such as pop. These beverages may actually dehydrate you even more.
- Avoid exercise and physical activity during the hottest time of the day. Mornings and evenings are usually cooler than midday.
- Stay out of the sun. Wear sun protective clothing like a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going outside to protect yourself against sunburn.
- Never leave children, the elderly, or pets in parked cars. Cars heat up very quickly and can become dangerously hot, even with the windows open.
And if you, a loved one, or a neighbor need a place to escape the heat, click here to find a list of cooling center locations in and around our community that are open to the public.
Royal Oak Youth Soccer Teams Win State Championships
Royal Oak Mayor Michael Fournier recently recognized ROFC U13 Girls Green Team and U13 Boys Green Team with proclamations after both teams captured the State Cup Championships. This brought statewide recognition to local student-athletes and the community. Congratulations!
Norup International School Students Improve Their Campus
Before summer break, 8th graders at Norup International School in Oak Park worked on transforming their school’s courtyard. The project gave students a hands-on experience in community improvement while creating a better outdoor space for future students.
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.