Hello Neighbor,
The past year-and-a-half has been an unprecedented challenge for all of us. But after battling a global pandemic and the uncertainties of the future, it’s finally beginning to feel like we’re emerging on the other side.
There will still be challenges ahead. But we are stronger when we all work together — as we always have been — and I remain committed to you in that work as your State Senator.
As we look ahead, this year’s budget process brings an influx of federal relief dollars that will help us invest in our priorities to rebuild and emerge stronger than ever. The new Independent Citizen’s Redistricting Commission will finally give you, the residents, the power to determine fair legislative and Congressional districts for the first time in Michigan history. And it’s my hope that we’ll carry the record voter turnout from 2020 into the local elections we have throughout our communities this year.
The pandemic forced us to shift our normal operations, but through that shift we’ve learned better ways to connect with you: including through our regular virtual coffee hours streamed live on YouTube and Twitter every week the Senate is in session.
In this guide, we’re giving you an overview of key issues ahead, and hope that you’ll stay connected with us so I can best represent you in Lansing.
Yours in Service,
Mallory McMorrow
State Senator
13th District
Toll-free: (855) DIST013 or (855)-347-8013
Lansing: (517) 373-2523
Website: SenatorMcMorrow.com
Email: SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.gov
Click link to review PDF version of newsletter
Contact me!
(855) 347-8013 | SenatorMcMorrow.com
The State Budget
One of the Legislature’s most important jobs is passing a balanced budget for the State of Michigan. This process takes time, and involves many stakeholders, including the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and Subcommittees, the Legislature, the Governor, and the people of Michigan.
Additionally, there are several resources available to the public that provide detailed information about what is in specific areas of the budget, as well as the breakdown and summary of the entire state budget. Below are helpful links!
house.mi.gov/HFA/KeyDocuments
Learn the basics by visiting the House Fiscal Agency’s website to read their comprehensive “Legislators Guide to Michigan’s Budget Process.”
senate.michigan.gov/SFA
Read the regular updates posted by the state’s Senate Fiscal Agency on their website as the budget is worked through.
Michigan.gov/Budget
Learn more and get all your questions answered about the state’s budget on their departmental website.
Join me for Virtual COFFEE HOURS
When: Fridays at 1pm every week Senate is in session
Where: Youtube – bit.ly/SenMcMorrow
Did You Know?
You’re welcome to take part in our virtual coffee hours on my YouTube page. Each Friday on weeks when we have session, I invite guests and area residents to join me and talk about issues affecting our community and the state of Michigan.
Hope to see you soon!
-Senator Mallory McMorrow
WHAT IS GERRYMANDERING?
Gerrymandering is the act of drawing boundaries of electoral districts in a way that would give one political party an unfair advantage over a rival party. It’s generally done by packing and cracking voters of an opposing political party.
Packing is when people who vote a certain way are “packed” into one district to reduce their voting power in other districts. Cracking is when the lines are drawn to dilute the power of like-minded voters, “cracking” them across many districts.
Historically, the term gerrymander comes from the name of former Massachusetts governor — Eldridge Gerry — whose attempts at drawing disproportionate state Senate districts in 1812 became the foundation for political gerrymandering in the U.S. as we know it today.
For reference, below is a good example of what gerrymandering looks like in action.
HOW DIFFERENTLY DRAWN DISTRICT MAPS PRODUCE DIFFERENT ELECTORAL RESULTS
FOUR WAYS TO DIVIDE 50 PEOPLE INTO 5 DISTRICTS:
Source: (c) Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc./Kenny Chmielewski
MICHIGAN’S INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
What is the purpose of the Independent Citizens Redistricting
Commission?
Every 10 years following the U.S. Census, district lines for political offices must be redrawn in states across the country to accurately reflect for changes in population. In Michigan, a randomly selected commission of citizens is responsible for drawing the districts for U.S. Congress, the Michigan House of Representatives, and Michigan Senate district lines.
Voters amended the state constitution in the November 2018 general election to make citizens — not legislators or special interests — responsible for drawing district lines (called “redistricting”). The commission is composed of 13 randomly selected Michigan registered voters: Four who affiliate with the Democratic Party, four who affiliate with the Republican Party, and five who do not affiliate with either major political party.
How were commissioners chosen?
The members of the commission were chosen through a multi-phase process conducted by the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office.
NEXT STEPS >> DRAWING NEW ELECTORAL DISTRICTS
For now, the commission is beginning the work necessary to redraw Michigan’s electoral districts, and that includes hosting meetings with community members at town halls across the state, as the COVID-19 pandemic permits.
Initially, at the onset of this process, the final redrawn maps were due to be adopted by the commission on Nov. 1, 2021. However, due to a delay whereby states will not receive 2020 U.S. Census data until late September, coupled with the need to ensure that there’s a 45-day public comment period between when newly redrawn maps are completed and before they are adopted, commissioners are adjusting the timetable and seeking more time to redraw Michigan’s political maps.
STAY CONNECTED STAY INFORMED Provide input. Watch meetings.
The Constitution requires that the commission hold 10 public meetings before any maps are drawn. As the redrawing of fair, nonpartisan maps is a citizen-input driven process, the public is invited to comment during these meetings. For example, if there’s a cultural, historical, or economic group that doesn’t want to be divided up into different districts, meetings are the time for residents to voice concerns like these and be heard!
All commission meetings are open to the public and more information — including their meeting schedule, meeting materials and archives, and the ability to watch past meetings — can all be found online at RedistrictingMichigan.org. Public comment can also be submitted via the website. You can also email the commission directly with any questions or concerns at redistricting@michigan.gov.
LOCAL ELECTIONS
Elections happen every year, and just because it’s not a presidential election, it doesn’t mean you should sit it out. Local elections have a massive impact on our daily lives. Local officials can decide what ordinances pass in our cities or establish a vision for our public schools. Their impact cannot be understated, and I hope you will take some time to find out more about what’s on your ballot this year, and, most importantly, vote!
Learn more about upcoming elections, local races and proposals that you’ll see on your ballot from the Oakland County Clerk’s office online at oakgov.com/clerkrod/elections.