Dear Neighbor,
As April showers subside and May flowers bloom, spring is now well underway! I hope you get an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather and brighter blue skies. Michigan has so much to offer in the springtime — from the annual Holland Tulip Time Festival and America’s national pastime at Comerica Park to world-class freshwater coastlines, rivers, and lakes perfect for fishing, boating, or kayaking.
Both in Lansing and throughout District 5, our team has stayed busy crafting a balanced state budget, making progress on legislative priorities, and connecting with constituents. I’m energized to continue delivering results for our community and entire state.
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 reach me and my team by emailing SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov or calling 517-373-7350.
Sincerely,
Dayna Polehanki
State Senator
District 5
- Michigan Senate Democrats passed our 2027 budget proposal last week, which works to lower costs, protect residents from harmful federal decisions, support our public schools, and grow an economy that works for everyone. Learn more below.
- Please join me for a Coffee Hour at the Canton Public Library on Thursday, June 4 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Find more details below.
- Happy Mother’s Day to all the loving, caring women who hold our families and communities together! Read on to learn how Senate Democrats are honoring Mother’s Day with action and support.
Michigan Senate Passes 2027 Budget
Last week, the Senate voted to advance a future-facing plan for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. With the costs of gas, groceries, utilities, and other essentials on the rise, Senate Dems’ 2027 state budget proposal works to make life more affordable for Michigan residents by:
- Continuing to invest in programs that work, including the widely popular free school meals program, tax credits for working families, and Rx Kids to support more moms and babies.
- Ensuring transparency and fair pricing for Michigan consumers, taking steps to address the high costs of everyday essentials like car insurance, prescription medications, and the ever-increasing rate of utilities.
- Investing in our workers and local economies by increasing wages for direct care workers, boosting benefits for corrections officers, establishing a new payment fund for childcare providers, securing resources for small business development, and strengthening scholarships to help Michiganders get the education they need to land the career they want.
In the face of economic uncertainty, rising costs, and federal funding gaps, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have put forward high-impact, targeted investments, reflecting our commitment to delivering real solutions for the people of Michigan.
These proposals now head to the House for further consideration. Read more here.
Michigan Senate Advances Record Education Budget
While Washington Republicans have proposed multi-billion dollar cuts to education for the coming school year, Senate Democrats are stepping up and prioritizing Michigan students and teachers over tax cuts for the wealthy. Last week, the Senate voted to advance a record education proposal that continues building on our efforts to ensure all those in the classroom have the support they deserve.
For the fourth consecutive year, Senate Dems’ proposal includes a per-pupil increase for a total of $10,300. This investment is paired with a new weighted funding formula that would provide more predictable school funding for years to come, giving districts the ability to make strategic, long-term plans to support student success. Also included are resources to provide free school breakfast and lunch for all students, bolster school safety and mental health efforts, and ensure every child can become a confident, capable reader.
The education budget passed the full Senate last week and now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Michigan Senate Passes Package to Put Kids Over Clicks
As we rapidly accelerate into the age of digital and AI advancements, our youth are bearing the brunt of the harmful consequences of Big Tech’s exploitive algorithms. That’s why my Senate Democratic colleagues and I championed legislation that would implement stronger safety measures to prevent social media companies and AI platforms from targeting and exploiting minors. My bill would ensure that dangerous AI chatbots are inaccessible to minors, including those that have the capability to encourage harmful, explicit, or illegal activities.
Last week, the Senate passed this package in full, sending it to the House for their consideration. While we wait for them to schedule a vote, I encourage you to take our survey and let me know your thoughts on how social media is impacting our youngest generation — your input can help shape what the final package looks like to ensure we meet the needs of Michigan families.
Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP)
Since 1951, MARSP has fought for retirement security, pension benefits, and healthcare benefits for retired school employees — ensurtexing that the people who have shaped the minds of Michigan’s future leaders are treated with dignity and respect in their well-deserved retirement.
I was proud to champion Senate Resolution 117 to honor MARSP’s 75th anniversary and express Michigan’s support and appreciation for all retired school employees.
Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month with Action
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise public awareness, reduce stigma, and promote compassion for those struggling with their mental health. My Senate colleagues and I have worked hard to address the mental health crisis here in Michigan by:
- Expanding access to mental healthcare coverage – Senate Bill 27, now signed into law, requires insurance companies to cover treatments for mental health and substance use disorders at the same level as physical health services.
- Preventing suicide through commonsense gun safety legislation – Firearms account for over half of all suicide deaths, and 90% of suicide attempts with firearms are successful. That’s why my colleagues and I passed an 11-bill gun violence prevention package in 2023, including a “red flag” law that helps temporarily remove firearms from the homes of people who pose an immediate threat to themselves or others. In the first year since this law took effect, 30% of the Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) filed mentioned threats of self-harm or suicide.
- Banning conversion therapy for minors – The practice by mental health professionals attempting to change someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation has long been discredited, as it has been consistently linked with negative mental health outcomes and greater risk of suicide. Michigan became the 22nd state to ban conversion therapy when the legislation to eliminate this harmful practice was signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2023.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a 24/7 toll-free nationwide hotline for compassionate care and accessible support, available via call, chat, or text. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
Conversations and Coffee in Livonia
Thank you to Madonna University for hosting a wonderful Livonia Coffee Hour and providing such a welcoming space for community conversation. It was great to connect with constituents and hear thoughtful discussion on a wide range of topics, including early literacy, class sizes, support for paraprofessionals, data centers, the Kids Over Clicks legislation, tipping fees, Rx Kids, and more. I always appreciate these opportunities to listen, learn, and better understand the priorities and concerns of the community. Thank you to everyone who joined for such a meaningful and engaging evening.
Celebrating Vaisakhi in Plymouth
I had the opportunity to attend the second annual Vaisakhi celebration in Plymouth and learned so much about this important Sikh holiday. The event was welcoming, educational, and full of community spirit, offering a meaningful chance to learn about Sikh traditions and the significance of Vaisakhi. I appreciated the opportunity to connect, listen, and celebrate alongside community members who made the evening so special.
Canton Coffee Hour
WHEN: Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Canton Public Library, 1200 S. Canton Ctr. Rd., Canton, MI 48188
Find more information here.
Or take the survey Here
Supporting Michigan Moms on Mother’s Day & Beyond
Happy Mother’s Day to Michigan’s hardworking moms, grandmothers, and all who serve as loving maternal figures across the state. Moms hold our families and entire communities together with patience, resilience, and care — and they deserve to have that same support poured back into them. Senate Democrats are investing in the health, well-being, and economic security of Michigan moms by:
- Expanding Rx Kids to communities all over the state, providing expectant and new moms with no-strings-attached cash assistance to reduce poverty, tackle food insecurity, and improve maternal and infant health. Check if Rx Kids is available in your community here;
- Passing our Momnibus bill package to improve integrity and accountability in Michigan’s maternal healthcare system;
- Championing legislation to address the childcare crisis from both the supply and demand sides;
- Tackling the gender wage gap by passing legislation to ban employers from requiring applicants to disclose their past pay or credit history, practices that disproportionately harm women and people of color; and
- Quintupling the state’s match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to help working moms and families save an average of $890 every year.
Flood Damage Support and Resources
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), floods are the most common, and most costly, natural disaster. If you or someone you know is facing extensive flood damage following last month’s severe storms, tornado conditions, and record flooding across the state, the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) has a slate of resources to assist those navigating filing insurance claims.
If you’re in Southwest Michigan and struggling with severe flood or tornado damage, MI 211 directs you to the Disaster Relief Center for emergency housing, crisis counseling, utility assistance, and more resources.
Stay Up to Date with Spring Construction
As road work starts to pick back up across the state, the Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) encourages drivers to remain vigilant, minimize distractions, slow down, and follow posted signage in work zones. For more information on work zone safety, click here.
To view an online map of ongoing road projects near you that may impact your commute, click here.