Dear Neighbor,
I hope you’re soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the warm weather as we wrap up the final weeks of spring. I also hope you’re all as excited as I am for the fun summer activites our great state has to offer. As we celebrate Pride this June, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of this month. While it may not feel as festive as in previous years, remember that Michigan is a place where everyone can feel safe being themselves and loving who they love!
In this newsletter, read more about how our budget will support you and your family, as well as catch up on the other actions we’ve taken to support Michigan veterans and seniors.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can email us at SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov or call 517-373-7350.
Sincerely,
Dayna Polehanki
State Senator
District 5
- In honor of Gun Violence Awareness Month, read on to learn how Senate Democrats are continuing to advance commonsense gun safety legislation to ensure Michigan’s classrooms, communities, and everywhere in between are safe from the threat of gun violence.
- Please join me for an upcoming Community Conversation on Friday, July 18 at the Madonna University Welcome Center. Read on for more information.
- Michiganders are urged to be aware of the newest scam facing drivers, which includes an imposter government website that mimics the Michigan Dept. of Transportation’s official site but carries a different URL address. To stay safe, please remember that Michigan does not have toll roads and will never solicitpayment via text or include threatening verbiage to avoid late fees or harsher penalties.
A Snapshot of Legislative Activity at the Capitol
Along with recently passing a bold budget plan for 2026, Senate Democrats have been working hard to advance critical pieces of legislation to safeguard our environment and bolster protections for Michigan consumers
Holding Polluters Accountable — Another large-scale legislative package introduced this week would protect public health and our environment by strengthening Michigan’s pollution clean-up laws. Sponsored by Sens. Irwin, Chang, Moss, McMorrow, Shink, and McCann, this legislation would hold polluters accountable by requiring more thorough cleanups as well as empowering those harmed by pollution to seek justice.
Protecting Michigan Consumers — Long overdue legislation to restore power to the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by equipping the Attorney General to hold bad actors and businesses accountable passed the Senate floor this week. Sponsored by Sen. Singh, Senate Bill 134 would also enhance education efforts to reduce scams as well as strengthen penalties for violations against elderly and vulnerable adults. And, to protect Michigan consumers from disruptive, deceptive telephone solicitation tactics, the Telephone Solicitation Act was introduced last week. Sponsored by Sens. Cavanagh, Anthony, Moss, Victory, and McBroom, this bipartisan bill package would prohibit telephone solicitors from engaging in misleading, exploitative business practices and grant the Attorney General the authority to act against violators.
Gun Violence Prevention
Every June, we recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Month to honor communities shattered by gun violence and raise awareness of this growing issue. During this month, people across the country also wear orange to commemorate the life of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot and killed on a playground in 2013 just one week after she performed with her high school marching band at former President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.
In response to ongoing public calls to address gun violence and mass shootings in Michigan, the Senate is continuing to prioritize the safety of Michiganders by advancing commonsense gun reform. Several pieces of legislation focused on reducing gun violence in our state passed out of committee last week:
- I championed legislation that would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of bump stocks — Senate Bill 224
- I sponsored legislation alongside my colleague, Sen. Bayer, that prohibits an individual from possessing a firearm in the Capitol, the Binsfeld Building, and the Anderson Building — Senate Bills 225 & 226
- Sen. McMorrow sponsored a bill that addresses ghost guns, or guns without serial numbers, and updates state law to make it illegal to make, assemble, import, sell, possess, etc. a ghost gun — Senate Bills 331 & 332
This legislation builds on previous efforts the Senate has already taken to reduce gun violence in Michigan, including:
- Requiring universal background checks to close the private sale loophole;
- Creating child access protection laws to keep legal firearms safely and securely stored and out of the hands of children and teens; and
- Allowing a court to issue an “Extreme Risk Protection Order” (ERPO) to temporarily intervene to suspend a person’s access to firearms if they show clear warning signs of violence and pose an immediate threat to themselves or others.
This month and going forward, my colleagues and I remain fully committed to advancing meaningful, life-saving policies that protect our communities and ensure a safer community for all Michiganders.
Senate Hearing Highlights Risks of Proposed Medicaid Cuts
Last week, the Senate Health Policy Committee held an important hearing to discuss the serious risks posed by proposed Medicaid cuts pushed by Republicans in Washington. Medical professionals, hospital leaders, and community advocates shared their concerns about how these cutbacks would harm the health and economic stability of Michigan communities.
Medicaid is an essential program that provides health insurance to 2.6 million Michiganders. It also supports thousands of jobs and ensures that hospitals can continue to care for everyone who needs it. Despite the clear benefits Medicaid provides, President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are moving forward with plans to make significant cuts to the program in order to hand over trillions of dollars in tax cuts to the nation’s wealthiest individuals and corporations. If these cuts go through, hundreds of thousands of Michiganders could lose their health insurance. This would not only hurt individuals and families but also drain billions from Michigan’s economy and risk forcing hospitals to downsize or shut down entirely — harming those on private health insurance as well.
This hearing is part of larger efforts by Michigan Senate Democrats to protect access to health care for our residents, including the recent adoption of Senate Resolution 50. The resolution called on President Trump and the U.S. Congress to change course and reject any proposal that would strip health care access to those in need.
You can watch a recording of the committee hearing here.
Creating a Welcoming, Inclusive State for All During Pride Month
Michigan Senate Democrats are committed to cultivating true inclusion and belonging in Michigan — not only during the month of June, but every day year-round. Since taking office, our Majority for the People has worked to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), reaffirming and expanding legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community. This effort has been 50 years in the making and will protect our LGBTQ+ family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors against discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and public services. It also will provide protection in educational facilities, housing, and real estate.
In addition to passing a resolution recognizing June as Pride Month, the Michigan Senate passed bills to ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy by mental health professionals.
These legislative efforts are a big step forward for Michigan, but certainly not the last. With all the uncertainty stemming from the federal level, the Senate recognizes the continued need for education and awareness to end discrimination and prejudice and remains committed to putting forth legislation that will continue to support the rights of every Michigander to live freely and authentically.
Learn about Pride events across the state and how you can celebrate this month here.
Meeting with Residents in Livonia
While I was representing our community at the Mackinac Policy Conference, our incredible staff was hard at work back home doing outreach to hundreds of residents! Our commitment to staying in touch with the constituents we serve never takes a day off.
Community Conversation in Westland
We had a great coffee hour in Westland last week. It was a pleasure to connect with such an engaged group — full of thoughtful questions, meaningful insights, and genuine community spirit. Thank you to everyone who came out and made it such a valuable conversation.
Community Conversation in Livonia
WHEN: Friday, July 18, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Madonna University Welcome Center, 36700 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia, MI 48150
Make MI Home Launches in Michigan
The Michigan Growth Office recently announced the launch of Make MI Home, a first-in-the-nation statewide talent retention and attraction program. As part of the program, the office is awarding $769,000 in grant funding to five new consortiums across the state to support locally tailored strategies and help kick-start population growth.
As one of the award recipients, Michigan Women Forward will support Michigan’s innovation economy by leading the Founder Forward program, targeting both talent recruitment and retention. Founder Forward will engage founders already based in Michigan who are poised to scale, including entrepreneurs operating in emerging ecosystems, founders ready to expand into growth-stage operations, or innovators who have not yet had access to structured mentorship, funding networks, or ecosystem connectivity.
As part of Make MI Home’s statewide launch, the Growth Office also announced a Welcome Program, designed to help recent graduates already located in Michigan and new residents settle into their communities faster. The program includes access to Michigan state parks, connections to Michigan programs that enhance the state’s quality of life — including free pre-K for every 4-year-old and free community college —as well as discounts to participating Michigan destinations and small businesses.
Learn more about Make MI Home and the award recipients here.
Heads Up Michigan Drivers — Be Aware of Toll Road Scams
The Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) wants Michigan drivers to be aware of the newest toll road scam, which includes an imposter government website that mimics MDOT’s official site but carries a different URL address. MDOT reminds all drivers that Michigan does not have toll roads and will never solicit payment via text or include threatening verbiage to avoid late fees or harsher penalties.
To stay safe, please remember that government agencies:
- Will not request personal information through email, over the phone or text.
- Will never demand money through email, over the phone or text. They will mail you a notice and offer payment options.
- Do not ask for or take payment by prepaid gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.