Government of the people, by the people, for the people.
As your state senator, I’m proud to represent you and nearly 280,000 people across seven cities and townships here in Wayne County. I fundamentally believe our government is only as effective as the number of people who take an active role in it — which is why we’ve put this guide together.
Over the past year, I’ve fought hard for state and federal COVID-19 relief for the people of our district, including helping many with unemployment and other personal pandemic-related support. As a part of the Governor’s School Recovery Advisory Committee, I’ve proudly advocated for the safe reopening of schools, so our teachers and staff have the support they need so every student has an opportunity to succeed. I’ve also stood strong against corporate polluters by championing increased fines for landfills that are found to be in violation of the solid waste code.
Now I want to hear from you. The more you participate, the more your voice is heard — ensuring I’m best representing you in Lansing. We want to empower you to take a more active role in what happens in your Michigan Legislature — from understanding how and why you might engage with our office, to how to track bills, contact various state departments, or participate in one of our coffee hours to engage with me directly.
We hope you’ll find this guide useful, and we look forward to working with you to help move our state forward in a way that works for everyone.
Dayna Polehanki
State Senator
7th District
Website: SenatorPolehanki.com
Email: SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov
Phone: (517) 373-7350 | Toll-free: (855) 347-8007
Click the link to review the PDF version
LEGISLATIVE WEEK AT-A-GLANCE
| MONDAY In-district Events and Meetings | TUESDAY 10 am Senate Session ———— 1:30 pm House Session ———— Committee Meetings | WEDNESDAY 10 am Senate Session ————– 1:30 pm House Session ————– Committee Meetings | THURSDAY 10 am Senate Session ————- Noon House Sesson ————- Committee Meetings | FRIDAY In-district Events and Meetings |
How to watch committee meetings and session
As a State Senator and elected official, it’s incredibly important that my work in Lansing
is transparent and accessible to everyone. All scheduled committee meetings, session calendars and Senate TV viewing schedules are available online at senate.michigan.gov.
Michigan Departments and Helpful Hotlines
Governor’s Office ………………………………………… (517) 373-3400
Lieutenant Governor’s Office …………………………. (517) 373-6800
Department of:
Agriculture and Rural Development ……………. (800) 292-3939
Attorney General ……………………………………… (517) 335-7622
Civil Rights ……………………………………………… (800) 482-3604
Corrections……………………………………………… (517) 335-1426
Education………………………………………………..(833) 633-5788
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy ………… (800) 662-9278
Health and Human Services ………………………. (517) 373-3740
Insurance and Financial Services………………… (877) 999-6442
Labor and Economic Opportunity…………………(517) 241-6712
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs ………………… (517) 335-9700
Military and Veterans Affairs ………………………. (517) 481-8001
Natural Resources…………………………………….(517) 284-6367
State ……………………………………………………… (888) 767-6424
State Police …………………………………………….. (517) 332-2521
Technology, Management and Budget …………. (517) 241-5545
Transportation …………………………………………. (517) 241-2400
Treasury………………………………………………….(517) 335-7508
COVID-19 Hotline…………………………………………(888) 535-6136
MI Bridges Help Desk…………………………………… (844) 799-9876
Michigan Stay Well Counselors …..(888) 535-6136 and press “8”
National Alliance on Mental Illness ……….. (800) 950-NAMI (6264)
Social Security Administration……………………….. (800) 772-1213
Substance Abuse Hotline ……………………………… (800) 662-4357
Suicide Prevention Crisis Hotline…………………….(800) 273-8255
THAW – The Heat and Warmth Fund …….(800) 866-THAW (8429)
WHAT ISSUES IMPACT YOU THE MOST?
I work for you, so I want to know the issues most important to you and your family. Please take a few minutes to go to my website SenatorPolehanki.com and complete the issue survey you find there. If you don’t have internet, call and let me know your top issues over the phone. Your thoughts and opinions matter to me!
- Comment on Legislation: If you want to express your opinion about legislation or learn more, my office can answer your questions and keep me informed of your comments. When you want to show that you support or oppose a bill, writing a letter or an email is often the most effective way to communicate.
- If You Need Help: If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, my office can help you resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to help direct you to the appropriate person.
- There’s No “Wrong” Reason: Any comment, question or concern is welcome. If a different unit of government would more appropriately address your issue, my staff and I can help direct you to the correct department. Remember, I am here to serve you and your family.
Contact me!
Website: SenatorPolehanki.com
Email: SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov Phone: (517) 373-7350 | Toll-free: (855) 347-8007
Senate Passes Historic KM-12 School Funding
On Wednesday, June 30, the Senate passed a K-12 budget containing $17.1 billion — a combination of state and federal funds that will surely help our students and their districts who’ve struggled dearly through the pandemic. The Senate kept a per-pupil minimum foundation allowance of $8,700 passed by the House, making it the largest investment in K-12 public schools in our state’s history. As a result, the gap between the lowest- and highest-funded school districts is closed for the first time since the goal was introduced in 1994.
I was pleased to end the ‘two-tier system’ of school funding created by Proposal A, which created a funding gap between the state’s wealthiest and poorest districts, and I was proud to support expanding preschool opportunities for eligible four-year-old children through the Great Start Readiness Program.
This legislation finally placed the much-needed emphasis on funding education the way it always should have been. I look forward to continuing to expand upon the effort to ensure this change lasts for generations to come.
The State of our Budget
As of the printing of this publication, the legislature is continuing to work on the state budget. While the Senate, House, and Governor’s proposed budgets may look different, one thing is clear: We cannot afford to do nothing, and people like you across our district said they agree.
When I started in the Senate, residents asked me to address our toughest challenges. To tackle such important issues and create opportunities moving forward, our state needs a budget that ensures we clean up our drinking water, fix our roads, invest in education to reduce class sizes, and protect access to affordable health care and lifesaving prescriptions.
I will continue to fight for plans that put issues like these, and the people of our district and state, first.
Tracking Bills 101
Before something becomes a law, it must be written down as a bill. Every two years, or one legislative session, there are thousands of bills introduced — hundreds of which will
be signed into law by the governor.
Visit the Michigan Legislature website at legislature.mi.gov for all the latest information about the status of bills. A free service of the Legislative Service Bureau in cooperation with the Michigan Legislative Council, the Michigan House of Representatives, the Michigan Senate, and the Library of Michigan, this website features a robust search function for legislation introduced and passed.
Whether it’s by number, sponsor, committee or content, you can find detailed bill information on the MILEG website, along with session calendars, journals, House and Senate audio and video feeds, the most recent bill activity and daily introductions of bills, as well as what bills have been passed and enrolled.
If there’s a certain bill that you’d like to track, you can register on the site for free, create your own “watch” list of legislation and request an email notification be sent to you when a bill status changes.
How a Bill becomes a Law
Your Michigan Legislature
‘The People of the State of Michigan enact:’ The declaration at the head of every law which reflects the direct link between you and your legislators.
A sovereign and independent branch of state government, the Michigan Legislature is vested with the power to enact laws by which the actions of the government and the people are regulated and protected.
