Labor Day has passed, and another Michigan summer is over. With autumn approaching, I encourage you to take advantage of what our state offers as the leaves change. From cider mills and pumpkin patches to hiking trails and state parks, there’s plenty to do this fall in Michigan.
As always, if you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing, or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can contact me by sending an email to SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.org or calling 517-373-2523.
Sincerely,
Mallory McMorrow
State Senator
District 8
Legislative Updates
Keeping our Workers Front and Center this Labor Day and Always
During Labor Day week, I hope you joined me in reflecting on the hardworking individuals who build up Michigan every day, from our educators to our homecare workers, our skilled tradespeople to our first responders. I was happy to join our unions downtown in the Labor Day March.
Last year, the Senate passed powerful legislation to strengthen and protect workers’ rights, repealing the state’s harmful anti-union law, reinstating prevailing wages and more. And so far, this year, we have continued that progress.
In the 2025 state budget passed this summer, $2.5 million was approved for the creation of the Community and Worker Economic Transition Office. Established by the Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity, this office will develop proactive strategies that help companies and Michiganders take full advantage of the high-tech, high-paying jobs coming to the state in the auto and energy sectors.
The new state budget also included $52 million in continued support for Michigan Reconnect scholarships, enabling workers to go back to school to pursue a degree or a skilled trade certification.
Building on last year’s momentum, several other bills to uplift our workers are making their way through the legislature. Some of those include:
- The MIOSHA maximum penalties package, Senate Bills 829–830, will enhance workplace safety by bringing Michigan’s maximum penalties for MIOSHA violations up to par with federal levels. This package has been passed by the Senate and awaits further consideration in the House.
- A new set of bills to strengthen Michigan’s child labor laws was introduced this summer. Senate Bills 963–965 would increase penalties and fines for businesses found employing minors illegally or subjecting them to unsafe working conditions; transfer the authority to issue work permits for minors from the Michigan Department of Education to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO); and establish a new Youth Employment Standards Act registration system under LEO for the employment of minors.
- Senate Bills 790–791 would restore the right of 35,000 independent provider home care workers to have the choice to form a union, create access to training for caregivers, and more. This package passed the Senate this past June and awaits further consideration in the House.
- Prevailing wage protections have been extended to essential wind and solar projects statewide through Senate Bill 571. Officially signed into law in July, this legislation ensures fair compensation and safeguards the skills and safety of our workforce.
Back-to-School Budget Signed
This summer, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put her stamp of approval on the K-12 budget for the 2024-25 school year. This budget continues putting Michigan students and educators first and foremost, helping to set our kids up for futures full of success and opportunity.
Last year, we began the popular free breakfast and lunch program for all Michigan public school students — and in this year’s budget, we continued this critical program to ensure that Michigan’s 1.4 million public school students are well-fed and able to focus on learning. More information about the free breakfast and lunch program can be found here.
Our education budget also implements the state’s first-ever “Opportunity Index” equity funding formula that strategically invests more dollars into districts based on their concentration of poverty, prioritizing students and schools with the highest level of need.
We also delivered on the promise of two years of free community college for high school graduates, helping improve access to higher education and better paying jobs. This ensures that every Michigan high school graduate, beginning this year, can obtain an associate degree or skilled certificate tuition-free, saving over 18,000 students up to $4,820 annually.
We remain committed to meeting the needs and interests of students, educators, and families in every corner of our state, and we look forward to another school year full of learning, growth, and opportunity for our kids.
News You Can Use
MPSC To Hold Public Hearing on DTE Rate Increase
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is holding a public hearing on September 18, which will include public commentary on DTE’s pending application to increase rates. It’s being held at Mumford High School in Detroit from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. If you’re interested in learning more about the hearing and its correlating details, you can click here to read the memo.
In the event of power outages, Attorney General Dana Nessel encourages residents to complete the Michigan Attorney General’s Power Outage form. Your feedback will be used when she advocates for ratepayers before the MPSC.
Voter Preregistration Week
This week, September 8 through September 14, is all about ensuring the future of our democracy. In Michigan, teens as young as 16-years-old can now preregister to vote, making it easier for them to be ready to vote when they turn 18. Encourage young people to take this simple step toward making their voices heard. Preregistering today means being prepared for tomorrow’s elections.
Families are Encouraged to Enroll 4-Year-Olds Now in Pre-K
Sen. McMorrow outside of Scuola Creativa preschool in Royal Oak
It’s not too late for families to enroll their 4-year-olds in free, high-quality pre-K through their local school district. We recently made a historic investment in the state budget that will allow nearly 59,000 4-year-olds across the state to access free pre-K. As of August 15, enrollment has expanded to all families regardless of income level, while continuing to prioritize families most in need.
Under the 2025 state budget, free pre-K enrollment is open to families up to 400% of the federal poverty limit, or about $120,000 for a family of four.
Families still have time to enroll children who will be 4 years old by Dec. 1 in pre-K this fall! Availability varies by location, with priority given to those who need it most. Visit MiPreKforAll.org to find programs near you.
Gov. Whitmer Announces Call for Applications for PitchMI, a Statewide Startup Pitch Competition
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced that applications are officially open for PitchMI, a statewide shark tank-style pitch competition. Michigan’s Growth Office will invest $100,000 in one innovative solution that transforms the way Michiganders get from point A to point B safely, affordably and efficiently. PitchMI is a commitment by the state to spur entrepreneurial problem solving, connect innovators with capital and create a ripple effect to accelerate more innovation.
The PitchMI competition is scheduled to take place Thursday, Oct. 24 at 2:30 p.m. during the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification’s inaugural MI Future Mobility Conference at Newlab in Detroit. Applicants for PitchMI must be available to participate in-person. PitchMI is open to pre-seed, seed, Series A, and Series B companies with 51% of their employees residing in the State of Michigan. Solutions should be demonstration ready with working prototypes.
PitchMI drives momentum behind the Growing Michigan Together Council’s strategy to position Michigan as the innovation hub of the Midwest and the go-to state for scaling businesses across America. Michigan is home to the highest number of engineers is the U.S. and is a top state for patents. Identifying and addressing gaps in the innovation ecosystem will help retain and attract talent, scale companies and create high-paying jobs per the Council’s report.
The deadline to apply for PitchMI is Monday, Sept. 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
For more information and to apply, visit: growingmichigan.org/opportunities.
Michigan Dept. of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential Extends Deadline for Adults Ages 21-24 to Apply for Tuition-Free Community College
The Michigan Dept. of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) recently announced that the application deadline for the Reconnect Age Expansion has been extended until Dec. 31, 2024, and is now applicable to students beginning their education in the winter and spring semesters of the 2024-2025 academic year.
Michigan Reconnect is the largest program in state history to help eligible students earn a skill certificate or degree tuition-free at their local community college.
Michiganders who are 21 to 24 –years old and are not already participating in Michigan Reconnect must complete the following steps to take advantage of this limited-time scholarship opportunity:
- Apply for the Michigan Reconnect scholarship at Michigan.gov/Reconnect by Dec. 31, 2024.
- File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Apply and enroll in a community or tribal college no later than the summer semester of 2025.
For additional information, visit: michigan.gov/reconnect/community-college/michigan reconnect-for-ages-21-to-24.
U.S. Dept. of Energy Awards $18 Million to Michigan to Help Small Suppliers Modernize Their Manufacturing Capabilities
Gov. Whitmer recently announced that Michigan will receive $18 million from the federal Dept. of Energy (DOE) to help small- and medium-sized automotive companies modernize their capabilities to manufacture electric vehicles (EVs).
Michigan’s funding accounts for more than one-third of the $50 million grant program, which was created in direct response to a proposal submitted by the Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) last year recommending DOE create a program for small suppliers and medium-sized auto suppliers. This investment allows Michigan to develop a domestic and diversified EV supply chain, retain high-quality, good-paying jobs, meet the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan and support the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of having 50% of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030.
According to the Center for Automotive Research, Michigan is home to over 1,000 independent automotive suppliers, and 140 of these suppliers and over 45,000 of their workers may need to retool their facilities and convert from making ICE vehicles or components to EVs. The $18 million in funding will further position Michigan as a leader in clean energy jobs and manufacturing and ensure the state remains a leader in the automotive industry.
The DOE, along with the U.S. Dept. of Labor, has also designated Michigan as an EV Workforce Hub in partnership with LEO to ensure Michigan workers have equitable access to high-quality training, education and services that provide a path to a good career without leaving their community.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, coupled with Gov. Whitmer’s historic clean energy legislation, have created an unprecedented opportunity for Michigan to advance a clean energy future. This funding, in tandem with bipartisan economic development tools, is growing the middle class, creating good-paying, in-demand manufacturing jobs, bringing supply chains home, and lowering energy costs for families.
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Suicide is a critical public health concern, claiming the lives of nearly 50,000 Americans in 2022. Just in 2021, we lost 1,482 Michiganders to suicide. The devastation of suicide is far-reaching, impacting innumerable families and communities across our state and beyond.
But suicide is preventable — and September, National Suicide Prevention Month, is an opportune time to spread awareness and resources to connect members of our communities with the help they need.
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, toll-free, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
- The Veterans Crisis Line provides free 24/7, confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their loved ones. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Call 988 and press “1” to speak with a qualified responder, or text 838255.
- Find a suicide prevention coalition, support group, or crisis line near you by scrolling down this page and finding a listing in your county.
- Get help for yourself or a loved one, learn the facts and warning signs, locate advocacy resources, and much more through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
From gun violence prevention efforts to investments in suicide prevention programs, my Senate colleagues and I remain committed to working toward practical solutions to help mitigate suicide in our Michigan communities. With suicides accounting for more than half of gun deaths in the United States in 2021, we worked hard to deliver a slate of gun violence prevention legislation in 2023, helping to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of those at risk of harming themselves or others. This includes my Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) bill signed into law earlier this year. Also called Red Flag laws, these create a preventative tool, a stopgap for loved ones, judges, and law enforcement. Evidence shows that these ERPOs can and do reduce suicide deaths. To learn more about the ERPO law, click here.
We also secured the following budget investments to help address the issue of suicide in Michigan:
- $9.4 million to provide statewide coverage for 988, the suicide and mental health crisis line.
- $750,000 in federal fund authorization to utilize a grant under the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, helping to provide resources toward community-based suicide prevention efforts to meet the needs of veterans, service members, and their families.
- $250,000 to support Six Feet Over’s suicide loss survivor program, a nonprofit that provides mental health education, advocacy, and support to individuals with lived experiences of suicide.
Severe Weather Resources
With the severe storms that swept across Michigan a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to share some helpful resources from the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) that you may find useful as you work with your insurance company to file a claim and repair any damages.
Additional information regarding severe weather preparedness is available on the DIFS website. Consumers having issues with their insurer or claims process may file a complaint with DIFS at Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Consumer Services toll free at (877) 999-6442 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with any questions you may have. DIFS can help answer questions regarding what an insurer must do and help explain policy language. Here a few more resources that may be of help:
- DIFS Consumer Counselor: Insurance Policies and How to Claim What is Yours
- DIFS Guide to Resolving Insurance Problems/Complaint Form
- How to Be “Claim Smart”
- DIFS Consumer Counselor: Homeownership vs. Repair Cost Policies
- Insurance Claims Tracking Sheet
Safe Driving Tips with New School Year Underway
With the new school year underway, we are sharing the road with school buses once more. Here are some quick tips to remember when you see a school bus stopping for students to board.
Remember, yellow lights on school buses activate when the bus is preparing to stop. Red lights and the long stop arm are activated when the bus is completely stopped and accepting or discharging passengers.
Here’s a reminder on what to do when a school bus stops on different road types:
- Two-lane roadway
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Multi-lane roadway with a center turning lane
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Four-lane roadway without a median separation
- When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- Divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation
- When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.
In the Community
Detroit Labor Day Parade
I headed down to Detroit with thousands of working women and men for the annual Labor Day March. It was a day to show our solidarity and celebrate everything that the labor movement has accomplished for workers’ rights for all of us.
Visit to Detroit Axle
Detroit Axle is an automotive parts company with facilities in Ferndale and Warren that has led the way in refurbishing auto parts, manufacturing new aftermarket parts, and distributing them directly to consumers — saving people hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to keep their cars on the road. This homegrown business has bloomed into a massive success story over the past few decades, and they proudly employ many previously incarcerated folks, teaching them what they need to know as they go. Thanks to my colleague and Vice Chair of the Senate Economic and Community Development Committee, Senator Mary Cavanagh, for setting up the visit and to Detroit Axle for sharing their time and story with us.
Good News From the District
Jaydin Blackwell Double Gold Medalist
Photo Credits: Deseret News
Congratulations to Jaydin Blackwell on becoming a Double GOLD Medalist! He just took home two gold medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in the men’s T38 100m and 400m races! His speed, grit, and unstoppable drive have brought him to the top of the podium, and we couldn’t be prouder.
Clawson Schools Centennial
Last week, Team McMorrow attended the centennial celebration of the Clawson Public Schools District. It was a great event to honor the school district’s history and evolution. During the event, we talked with a few attendees to hear what they enjoy most about the school district and their community. Celebratory activities ranged from bounce houses, petting zoos, balloon animals, and even a dunk tank. Congratulations to Clawson Schools on 100 years! Our video can be viewed here.