Featured in This Newsletter
- Legislative Updates
- News You Can Use
- In the Community
- Good News from the District
Legislative Updates
Senate Pushes for Stronger Consumer Protections in Michigan
The Michigan Senate is taking action to protect consumers and build a safer, fairer state. This week, the Senate Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee heard testimony on a series of bills aimed at strengthening consumer protections — from cracking down on price gouging to securing your personal data to better protecting our seniors.
Led by Sens. Rosemary Bayer, Sam Singh, Jeremy Moss, and Mary Cavanagh, the bills hold businesses accountable for unfair and predatory practices. These efforts are part of a larger push by the Senate to ensure Michigan families are protected and businesses play by the rules.
Learn more about what the Senate is doing to protect Michigan consumers here.
Historic State Budget Now In Effect with New Fiscal Year Underway
October 1st marked the beginning of a new fiscal year for the state of Michigan, meaning our transformative 2025 state budget has officially taken effect! From continuing the universal free school meals program to investing in affordable housing initiatives, this budget was intentionally crafted to support the needs and desires of Michiganders in every corner of the state. The budget aims to lower the cost of childcare, invests $75 million to address the needs of our municipalities, improving major water infrastructure across the state, and much more.
To learn more about the new budget and its contents now in effect, click here.
Bipartisan Bills to Implement Dyslexia Screening, Improve Literacy Head to Governor’s Desk
Affecting up to one in five children in each classroom, dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that can impact the ability to read, write, spell, and pronounce words. Data suggests that students with dyslexia who receive high-quality, phonics-based instruction early on can go on to become successful readers.
That’s why Sens. Jeff Irwin and Dayna Polehanki have fought for the better part of a decade to implement comprehensive dyslexia screening for Michigan students. Senate Bills 567 and 568, which passed out of the Michigan Senate in September with nearly unanimous support, will require schools to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and provide evidence-based interventions to help students achieve literacy. The bill now heads to Gov. Whitmer’s desk for her signature this week.
You can learn more about these bills here.
Michigan Senate Passes Budget Supplemental and Other Legislation to Bring More Dollars Back to Classrooms and Teachers
Since the start of the term, my Senate colleagues and I have remained committed to strengthening Michigan’s public education system. While our new 2025 state budget included a one-time decrease in the rates school districts pay into the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System (MPSERS), we recently took action to make that change permanent by passing Senate Bill 911. This redirects over $600 million from MPSERS — which is currently funded at 140% — back to our schools every year, which is equivalent to about a $400 per student increase statewide.
This legislation also eliminates the 3% payroll deduction that some employees contribute toward their retiree health care costs, putting more money back into the pockets of more than 100,000 hardworking educators and support staff. This bill has been returned to the House of Representatives for their consideration before it heads to the governor’s desk for her signature.
Similarly, the Legislature passed a $126 million school budget supplemental bill in September, investing in school safety and mental health supports. The extra dollars for schools can go towards:
- More school social workers, counselors, and behavioral specialists;
- Literacy coaches and resource offices;
- Safety infrastructure upgrades;
- A safe storage tipline where students can anonymously report unsecured firearms in a home that are accessible to a minor.
This gives school districts the flexibility to determine where those funds are needed most — whether it be more school resource officers, counselors, therapists, or infrastructure upgrades. We’re proud to have put even more funding toward one of the most important causes we can: the safety and well-being of Michigan students.
News You Can Use
Michigan College Month — Free College Applications!
As part of the American College Application Campaign, October is Michigan College Month! During this month, many Michigan colleges and universities waive their application fee in an effort to provide every graduating high school senior the opportunity to apply to college and for financial aid. The Michigan College Access Network created a list of participating colleges.
Find more information, additional institutions waiving their fee for Michigan College Month 2024, and downloadable fee waivers here.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence is a crisis facing families across Michigan and the United States. On a typical day, more than 20,000 phone calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide. Here in Michigan, an average of one in three families is impacted by domestic violence every year.
The issue of domestic violence is also deeply interconnected with gun violence, as more abusers are choosing firearms as their weapon of choice. That’s why last year, the Senate voted to advance legislation to keep weapons out of the hands of convicted abusers. Senate Bills 471 and 528 focus on the following:
- Firearm Ban for Domestic Abusers: Individuals convicted of misdemeanors related to domestic violence cannot own guns or ammunition for eight years after their sentence ends.
- Felony Restrictions: Those with felony convictions face a three-year ban for general felonies and a five-year ban for serious felonies that involve violence or risk of harm.
- Penalties for Violations: Breaking these laws can lead to felony charges, punishable by up to five years in prison or fines up to $5,000.
Click here to read more on how Senate Bills 471 and 528 are helping to enhance protections for survivors of domestic violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please visit the Michigan State Police webpage on domestic violence here for more information or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Additional resources can be found here.
Breast Cancer Awareness & Preventative Resources
Approximately 13% of American women — or one in eight — will develop breast cancer over the course of their life. To spread awareness and honor those impacted by breast cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed every October.
Early detection saves lives, which is why knowing your family history and getting screened annually starting at age 40 is imperative. The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages residents to take advantage of the following free health screening programs to put their health into their own hands:
- The Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BC3NP), available statewide, provides free breast and cervical cancer screening services to low-income women.
- The WISEWOMAN Program helps participants understand their chronic disease risk factors and make healthy lifestyle choices. Every participant receives a free health screening.
- To learn more about the BC3NP and WISEWOMAN Programs, call (844) 446-8727 or visit Michigan.gov/cancer. For Spanish resources, call (800) 379-1057.
Honoring National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
The tragedy of losing a baby takes an enormous, unthinkable toll on women, families, and communities across the world. And although miscarriage and stillbirth can be a common experience for women of childbearing age, pregnancy and infant loss remains a taboo topic linked to harmful stigma and shame.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time to recognize those impacted by bereavement and share resources to spread awareness, support, and understanding. Here are a few resources to recognize this important month and help reduce the stigma associated with pregnancy and infant loss:
- Connect with a trained, caring volunteer by calling 1-800-944-4773, the Postpartum Support International helpline. You may also text the helpline at (800) 944-4773 for English, or (971) 203-7773 for Spanish.
- Find pregnancy and infant loss support resources, including financial assistance for funeral expenses and a list of behavioral health providers by county, from MDHHS here.
- Locate bereavement resources from Michigan Medicine here, which include loss support groups, podcasts on grief, and much more.
- Join an online community to share your story, post a tribute on the Wall of Remembrance, submit a note of gratitude for your health care providers, and explore the March of Dimes website for additional ways to commemorate Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
National Fire Prevention Week
It’s National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 8th-14th)! This week, we focus on raising awareness about fire safety and the importance of having a fire escape plan. Ensure your family knows how to exit safely in case of a fire and understands the need for smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. For practical tips and resources, you can visit NFPA.org to learn more
In the Community
Sen. McMorrow Attends Oakway Fire Ops
I recently had the chance to participate in the Oakway Fire Ops event, where I went through firefighter training and hands-on scenario-based exercises. It was an intense and eye-opening experience to get a glimpse of what firefighters deal with on the job, everything from managing high-pressure situations to facing unpredictable challenges. The level of skill and dedication required is truly impressive, and we should all be incredibly grateful to our local fire departments for what they do to keep our communities safe.
Good News from the District
Clawson’s Noori Pocha Named To New York Times’ List of Best Restaurants
Photo Credit: Kimberly P. Mitchell Detroit Free Press
Congratulations to Clawson’s Noori Pocha Korean Gastropub! The New York Times released its “50 favorite places in America right now,“ an annual feature of top restaurants across the country, and Noori Pocha was the only restaurant from Michigan that made the list!
The restaurant is known for its Korean street food offerings and has gained attention for their quality and authenticity. This recognition highlights Noori Pocha’s growing reputation both locally and nationally. It is a spot worth visiting for a straightforward and enjoyable dining experience. Read the article in the Detroit Free Press here.
Oak Park Library Reopening
Photo Credit: Fox 2 Detroit
As of Monday morning, the Oak Park Library has officially reopened after addressing the bed bug incident, following some being found in chairs. The library has taken the necessary steps to ensure a clean and safe environment for everyone. Thank you to the library staff for their efforts during this time, as I am looking forward to seeing the community back in their library.
Detroit Tigers Make It to Playoffs
Photo Credit: The Detroit News
The Detroit Tigers have made an impressive comeback this season. Once given 500-to-1 odds to make the playoffs initially, they’re now at 10-to-1 odds to win the World Series! Their strong performance has led them to face the Cleveland Guardians in the playoffs, marking a major shift in their season after months of hard work. Let’s go Tigers!
Conclusion
Thank you for staying connected with us through our biweekly e-newsletter. We’re committed to keeping you informed on our work in Lansing and the progress we’re making in our 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.
Your input is vital, and we encourage you to 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. We look forward to continuing our work together to make positive changes in our community.