State Senator Dayna Polehanki
- 8,827 Constituent Correspondence
(Calls, Emails, Letters) - 1,000+ Unemployment Insurance Agency Claims Assisted
- Introduced Bills
8 Sponsored, 160 Co-Sponsored
SenatorPolehanki.com
Toll-free: (855) 347-8007
Website: SenatorPolehanki.com
Email: SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov
“Advance Disposal’s blatant disregard for air quality has been a nuisance to our community for years without meaningful improvement, and it is high time that its operator is held accountable for repeated violations. That day has come today. To all the Northville Township residents who beat the drum about this landfill for years, your drumbeat has been heard.”
-Sen. Polehanki
Arbor Hills Press Conference, Lawsuit
On Oct. 23, 2020, I co-hosted a press conference with Attorney General Dana Nessel in Northville Township, where she announced a lawsuit on behalf of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) against the operator of the Arbor Hills Landfill in Salem Township for failing to comply with state and federal regulations. The landfill has been a source of noxious odors for years, ruining the quality of life for local residents. It was a pleasure to work alongside Attorney General Nessel to get results for my Northville Township constituents.
“I want to give thanks to our partners in Lansing, Senator Dayna Polehanki and Representative Matt Koleszar, who have been on top of this issue each and every day since taking office two years ago. [They] have been in constant contact with me, my office, and EGLE, advocating on behalf of local residents they represent.”
-Attorney General Dana Nessel
Thursday, April 30, 2020, is the day I took a photo of armed men in the Michigan Senate gallery and posted it to Twitter, where it went viral. In the weeks that followed, news sources from around the world reported on the rally and events at our State Capitol — where visitors can’t bring in posters and signs, but they can bring their loaded guns.
Guns in the Capitol
I’ve spent the past several months bringing attention to this issue at all levels — ranging from personal conversations with concerned community members in our district to appearing multiple times on the national-level circuit.
I introduced Senate Resolution 118 in May and urged the Michigan Capitol Commission to use its legal authority to vote to prohibit guns from our Capitol. In June, I wrote a letter to the Majority Leader requesting a hearing on my resolution — which was referred Senator Polehanki appearing on All in with Chris Hayes discussing the importance of prohibiting guns in the Capitol. To the Senate Government Operations Committee, where it was not acted upon.
In August, I wrote a letter to the Michigan Capitol Commission asking them to reconsider banning only long guns from their stated range of options as they deliberated what to do. At their Sept. 14 meeting, they voted to reject two proposals to limit guns from the Capitol.
So, on Sept. 29, 2020, I introduced Senate Bill 1159 with my colleague, Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Beverly Hills), to ban guns from the Michigan State Capitol. The legislation was referred to the Senate
Committee on Government Operations and has not been acted upon.
Despite these delays, I remain committed to doing everything I can to ensure that all who visit or work at the people’s building — including schoolchildren — are protected and kept safe from harm. While we respect our Second Amendment rights here in Michigan, I also have a First Amendment right to speak and vote on behalf of my constituents without the threat of armed intimidation.
Education Legislation
Pausing Standardized Testing Package
In July 2020, I led the Senate Democratic Caucus in introducing a bill package to pause most standardized tests for the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID-19. Tests include: M-STEP, including Read by Grade 3 retention; PSAT 8-10; Kindergarten Readiness Exam; and the Michigan Merit Exam, including the ACT WorkKeys.
Education leaders from across the state recognize the need to prioritize instruction over standardized testing as we continue to grapple with COVID-19. We listened. Prioritizing meaningful instruction between teachers and their students is vital to catch students up and move them forward. Instead of weeks of standardized testing undertaken to satisfy lawmakers, we prioritized assessments that actually drive instruction. Senate Bills 1039-1045 remain in the Senate Committee on Education and Career Readiness.
Dyslexia Bill Package
In October, I introduced legislation that is part of a bipartisan bill package to help students who struggle with dyslexia. Senate Bills 1172-1175 make sure that graduating teachers have training in dyslexia to receive a certificate, improve teacher preparation to include required training to identify and instruct students with dyslexia, establish a dyslexia advisory committee, and require screenings for students in kindergarten through third grade. This legislation is a powerful step toward making sure every student can read at grade level, and I look forward to ushering it through the legislative process all the way to the governor’s desk.
Budget Update
On Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 the legislature approved — with unprecedented bipartisan support — two Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget bills that restored essential funding to many priorities, including public education, health and the environment. Some highlights included:
$95 MILLION
FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AVERAGING APPROXIMATELY $65 PER STUDENT
$4 MILLION
FOR LITERACY TRAINING FOR COACHES, PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS
$35.6 MILLION
FOR SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH GRANTS, AN INCREASE OF $5.6 MILLION
PPE
NECESSARY PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) FOR NURSING HOMES
This budget demonstrates the resiliency of Michiganders. Last spring, the economic outlook was bleak, with an expectation to cut $3 billion from a $10 billion General Fund budget. However, thanks to Michigan’s outstanding leadership through the pandemic, we avoided making the devastating cuts we previously anticipated and our state is expected to bounce back faster than other states that didn’t take the same COVID-19 precautions. I was proud to vote “yes” on these major priorities to complete the budget and will continue to deliver results for Michigan families as we navigate through this pandemic.
Giving Back To the Community
I was proud to present IKEA with a tribute for its $1.2 million donation to the Michigan COVID-19 relief fund. This is the largest corporate donation to the fund to date. Canton Township boasts the only IKEA store in Michigan. Thank you, IKEA, for giving back to the community!
COVID RELIEF FUNDING
$65M IN CARES ACT FUNDING DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS
On June 17, 2020, the House and Senate passed an amended version of Senate Bill 690, a supplemental budget bill. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on July 22, 2020.
Some highlights include:
• $100 million in small business restart grants to help small business owners and nonprofit organizations across Michigan get back on their feet, prioritizing minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses
• $10 million in MIOSHA grants for protections to keep workers safe on the job
• $120 million for direct-care workers, providing an additional $2 an hour to ensure they receive additional pay for staying on the front lines to care for our most vulnerable residents
• $100 million for hazard pay for local first responders on the front lines battling COVID-19, and another $200 million for local communities across the state
LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
GROWTH WORKS
I am thrilled to have secured $500,000 in funding for the Growth Works Rescue Recovery Program, an addiction counseling program based out of St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia that serves residents of western Wayne County communities. Counselors in the program guide patients through the recovery process and into sustainable treatment options. I am proud of the amazing work being done by Growth Works and will continue to be an advocate for those struggling with opioid and substance abuse.
Surprise Medical Biling
Nearly everyone has experienced a surprise medical bill. This can happen when a patient is unaware that they’ve received treatment from a medical provider who is not within their insurance network. I have heard stories from constituents who have had to unexpectedly pay hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars out of pocket. That is why I supported legislation, that is now law, to ban the practice of surprise medical billing.
Under the new law, patients must be provided with a good faith estimate of costs. They will now also have the opportunity to choose an in-network provider once they have seen their costs. This is a huge win for fairness and transparency.
Unemployment Reform
I, along with other members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, introduced a Program, an addiction counseling program based out of St. Mary Mercy Hospital in comprehensive plan to boost Michigan’s unemployment system to expand benefits for Livonia that serves residents of western Wayne County communities. Counselors in the unemployed individuals.
Currently, unemployed Michiganders can access a more generous federal unemployment compensation than Michigan affords in non-pandemic times. The maximum entitlement of weekly benefit amounts in the state in $362 per week for 20 weeks – falling substantially short of what those currently receiving federal unemployment assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic are getting.
Senate Bills 453 and 995-1005 would increase the amount of time and quality of benefits received by Michiganders as the pandemic continues to threaten their livelihoods. My bill, Senate Bill 995, would increase the maximum weekly benefit to $602 per week. Paired with Senate Bill 453, introduced by Sen. Paul Wojno (D-Warren), unemployed Michiganders would receive that money for 26 weeks instead of the current 20 weeks.
The people of our state cannot get through this pandemic on their own, which is why I’m stepping up and working hard to provide them with more financial stability and a smoother transition. No one should have to worry about how they can keep food on their tables and a roof over their heads during such difficult times.