Dear Neighbor,
From the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in the northern part of the state to the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in the south, Michigan’s 12 federally recognized tribes are vast and diverse, enriching our communities in invaluable ways. This November, I hope you’ll join me in honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of tribal communities here in our state and across the nation in recognition of Native American Heritage Month.
As the holiday season approaches, Senate Democrats have been working hard to advance issues that Michiganders care about. Read on to get the latest legislative updates, helpful news and resources. (Oh, and if you take part — happy firearm deer hunting season!)
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 email us at SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov or call 517-373-7350.
Sincerely,
Dayna Polehanki
State Senator
District 5
- Last week, Senate Democrats introduced legislation to expand access to childbirth classes for expectant parents, enhance public safety and trust through greater police accountability measures, and protect Michigan consumers by ensuring greater transparency in the insurance industry.
- Sen. Rosemary Bayer and I introduced legislation to ensure financial transparency in public charter schools and to codify a weapons ban in the State Capitol. Both bill packages advanced out of their respective committees and await further deliberation on the Senate floor.
Bills to Ensure Financial Transparency in Public Charter Schools Advance to Senate Floor
Public charter schools have been here in Michigan for almost 30 years, and they’re funded the same way as traditional public schools — from Michigan taxpayer dollars. So, when over 80% of charter schools in the state are connected to private companies, the majority existing to make a profit using taxpayer money, it’s critical that they are no longer allowed to do so in secret.
Sen. Rosemary Bayer and I introduced Senate Bills 943 and 944 to ensure financial transparency among the private companies, or Educational Management Organizations (EMOs), that often run charter schools. Michiganders deserve the right to know how their tax dollars are being used to benefit charter school students and teachers versus how much is being pocketed for profit by private companies that oversee them.
I also sponsored Senate Bill 947 to ensure that our charter schools are getting a fair deal on the lease and purchase of property. A loophole in current law allows for-profit EMOs to purchase school buildings using taxpayer dollars with minimal transparency on how that money is spent. Far too often, EMOs lease buildings to charter schools at above market rates. Meanwhile, that company retains ownership of the building while pocketing excess profits that could otherwise be invested back into the classroom.
These bills were passed by the Senate Education Committee on Nov. 13 and await further deliberation on the Senate floor.
Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee Passes Bills to Prohibit Firearms in State Capitol
On April 30, 2020, I witnessed firsthand how terrifying it can be to try to do my job as a lawmaker when men in full tactical gear openly carrying long guns loomed above us on the balcony that overlooks the Senate floor. Ever since that day, I have kept a bulletproof vest, helmet, and other protective gear under my desk in the Senate chamber — and I will only feel safe removing that gear when a Capitol weapons ban has been codified into law.
On August 16, 2023, the Michigan State Capitol Commission adopted a policy to largely prohibit the possession of firearms in the Capitol building. Senate Bills 857 and 858, championed by Sen. Rosemary Bayer and I, would codify these existing policies into state law. These bills advanced out of the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety on Nov. 26 and now head to the full Senate floor.
Just Last Week, Senate Democrats Introduced Bills to:
- Expand Healthcare Supports for Expectant Parents: Introduced by Sen. Stephanie Chang, Senate Bills 1127 and 1128 would enable more individuals to receive prenatal care in a group-based setting, such as the childbirth classes offered through the CenteringPregnancy programs. Building on a slew of other legislation championed by Senate Democrats earlier this year to improve equity and accountability in the maternal healthcare system and expand Michiganders’ reproductive rights, this legislation would require private insurers and Medicaid to provide coverage for group-based pregnancy support programs, which are shown to result in improved health outcomes for both the birthing parent and baby.
- Enhance Public Safety: A large-scale bipartisan bill package to improve police accountability and build community trust is now up for a committee hearing. Incorporating extensive feedback from stakeholders, law enforcement professionals, and legislators on both sides of the aisle, Senate Bills 1091–1101 seek to reform how police officers handle interactions with community members to strengthen the profession and prevent the use of excessive force and abuse of power by bad actors. Some of the proposed reforms include issuing a verbal warning before using physical force, exhausting other alternatives before using deadly force, and limiting use of no-knock warrants.
- Protect Michigan Consumers: Sen. Mary Cavanagh introduced a comprehensive bill package to ensure greater accountability and transparency in the insurance industry and better serve millions of Michigan consumers. Cosponsored by Sens. Rosemary Bayer, Veronica Klinefelt, and Stephanie Chang, Senate Bills 1087–1090 work to bolster the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services’ (DIFS) enforcement of insurance code regulations and expand the department’s ability to discipline offenders.
Legislation to Protect Foster Kids’ Money Passes Senate Unanimously
Last week, the Michigan Senate unanimously passed legislation to end the state’s current practice of seizing foster children’s benefits to subsidize the state budget. Whether because they are disabled or orphaned, many foster children are eligible for benefits. However, currently, when a child enters foster care, the state begins collecting any existing benefits and often applies for them on the child’s behalf. Senate Bill 872, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin, would eliminate the practice of taking these assets from children who are under the care of the state. Instead, the funds would be managed for the benefit of the children, providing a path to stability for them and their families when they exit foster care. This bill is now up for consideration in the House.
10 Ways Senate Democrats Have Been Tackling Hunger in Michigan
As the holiday season approaches, there’s a lot to reflect on and be grateful for. Along with this season of giving thanks, it’s important to also recognize the difficulties many in our community are having making ends meet, from struggling to put food on the table to ensuring bills are paid on time. With about one in eight Michigan households dealing with the devastating effects of food insecurity, it goes without saying — hunger is a serious problem in our state. And it comes with serious consequences, impacting an individual’s health, financial stability and overall well-being.
From continuing the free school meals program for our students to ensuring seniors across our state can access food assistance, my colleagues and I have made significant groundwork in combating food insecurity in Michigan. Click here to learn more about the different ways Senate Democrats have been tackling hunger across the state.
Honoring Veteran’s Day at American Legion Post 396
I was honored to attend the Veterans Day Celebration hosted by Garden City Mayor Mark Jacobs. The ceremony was held at the American Legion Post 396, where many in the community gathered to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of our service members. I am eternally grateful to our veterans for their service to our state and our country.
Honoring Michigan’s Native American Communities
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native American communities here in Michigan and across the country. As home to 12 federally recognized tribes that operate on sovereign land, Michigan’s Indigenous communities are vast and diverse.
From raising awareness about the history of Indian boarding schools in our state to protecting tribal fishing areas, Senate Democrats have been working hard to tackle issues important to our state’s Native American communities.
Earlier this year, legislation to ensure that Michigan’s Foster Care Review Boards will work effectively with tribal governments to serve Native American children was signed into law by Gov. Whitmer. Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin, Michigan’s only Native American State Senator, Senate Bill 498 takes a critical step towards repairing the harm done to tribal communities by the child welfare system and will keep children better connected to their communities and cultures.
And, just last month, the Senate Appropriations Commitee favorably passed House Bill 5600 on to the Senate floor, legislation that would establish the Office of Tribal Legislative Liaison to strengthen partnerships and communication between Michigan’s tribal communities and the state legislature.
Whether by cracking open a new book by a local Native American author or making plans to visit any of the four must-see Native American cultural sites in our state, I hope you’ll join me in honoring and uplifting Michigan’s resilient Indigenous communities who’ve been here for millennia and are here to stay.
Tips to Stay Safe on the Roads this Winter
Michiganders know all too well — wintertime driving in this state is no joke. To encourage safe-driving habits while traveling on Michigan roadways during the winter months, the Michigan State Police’s Office of Highway and Safety Planning (OHSP) reminds motorists to keep these safety tips in mind:
- Drive slow on ice and snow. It can take up to ten times longer to stop your vehicle on snowy and/or icy roads. Slow down and allow more room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.
- Be prepared by taking time to winterize your vehicle and stock it with emergency supplies. Refer to this packet for a complete list of supplies to keep in your vehicle.
- During the winter months, check your tire pressure weekly. Additionally, examine the tread on your tires for wear when you check tire pressure, when rotating your tires, and before you take long trips. Use the penny test to check your tread.
- A new Michigan law (led by my colleague Sen. Sam Singh) requires drivers following a snowplow to stay at least 200 feet away from snowplows. It also states that motorists cannot stop within 20 feet of a snowplow at an intersection.
- Know how to handle winter-driving emergencies should you find yourself stopped or stalled on the road. Stay with your vehicle and call 911 or a roadside service like AAA. Make yourself visible to other motorists by turning on your hazard lights.
Visit the OHSP’s Winter-Driving web page for more safety tips and information.