Dear Neighbor,
I hope you’re soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the warm weather as spring dwindles down and the official start of summer approaches. June is a busy time in the legislature as we continue our work on a state budget for the next fiscal year. My Senate Democratic colleagues and I are focused on delivering investments that improve opportunity, support our students and schools, and most importantly, lower costs for Michigan families.
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
- Happy Pride Month from Michigan Senate Democrats! Read on to learn how we’re commemorating Pride Month with action and support for Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community.
- Please join my upcoming Voter Rights Town Hall with the Michigan Dept. of State on Wednesday, June 24 in Livonia. Find more information in this newsletter.
- It’s National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Read on to learn how my Senate Democratic colleagues and I are fighting to end gun violence here in Michigan.
Passed out of Committee: My Legislation to Make Free School Meals Permanent!
Last week, the Senate Education Committee — which I’m proud to chair — passed my bills to make Michigan’s widely successful universal free school meals program permanent. Senate Bills 784-785 would put the free breakfast and lunch program into state law, ensuring Michigan students are kept fed and healthy for generations to come. This legislation now awaits further action on the Senate floor.
Senate Democrats Honor Pride Month with Action
Here in Michigan, we are dedicated to cultivating inclusion, belonging, and welcome for everyone — not just during Pride Month but every day year-round. 🏳️🌈
Since the onset of our state’s first Senate Democratic Majority in over forty years, my colleagues and I have taken swift, decisive action to expand protections for the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, one of the first bills we passed in our new majority was the historic expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), safeguarding Michiganders from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression — a collaborative effort that was decades in the making. Senate Democrats also passed new laws that banned the harmful practice of conversion therapy for minors and championed a resolution that recognizes June as Pride Month in Michigan.
These efforts are a meaningful step forward for Michigan, but they are certainly not the last. With all the uncertainty and chaos coming out of Washington D.C., we recognize the continued need for education and awareness to end discrimination and prejudice — and we’ll always continue fighting to ensure every Michigander can live freely and authentically.
Senate Democrats Outline Plan to Combat Attacks on Voting Rights
Amid threats against state-run elections from the Trump administration and Congress — and the U.S. Supreme Court’s sweeping rollback of key protections under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — Senate Democrats are fighting back.
In recent weeks, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I introduced the Michigan Voting Rights Act, Senate Bills 961–964, to ensure every Michigan voter can cast their vote at the ballot box. Building on Senate Democrats’ previous efforts to uphold the integrity of the state’s election process, the Michigan Voting Rights Act — which I was proud to cosponsor — would protect against voter intimidation, provide transparent election data, and offer language services and more to make our elections more accessible for eligible voters.
Read more about the Michigan Voting Rights Act here. To view our recent press conference, visit our YouTube here or our webpage here.
Fighting to End Painful Dog Experiments in Michigan
Queenie, a Dalmatian mix who spent the final seven months of her life enduring painful heart failure experiments at Wayne State University before being killed in 2010, inspired Senate Democrats’ introduction of Senate Bill 127. Queenie’s Law would ban painful dog experiments at public, taxpayer-funded institutions in Michigan, and I was proud to testify in support of our legislation at the Regulatory Affairs Committee hearing on May 20.
Watch a video clip of my testimony here, and learn more about the inhumane dog experiments at Wayne State here.
Celebrating 60 Years of Westland
It was a wonderful evening celebrating Westland’s 60th birthday and reflecting on the community’s rich history and bright future. I especially enjoyed hearing from four former Westland mayors, whose stories and perspectives highlighted the growth, resilience, and pride that have shaped the city over the years. It was a meaningful opportunity to come together and celebrate everything that makes Westland such a special place to call home.
Celebrating 150 Years of Compassion with Michigan Humane
It was an honor to join Michigan Humane as they launched their endowment fundraising effort, celebrating 150 years of compassionate care for animals while looking ahead to the next 150. The evening highlighted the organization’s incredible legacy and its continued commitment to protecting and supporting animals across our communities. I enjoyed connecting with Attorney General Dana Nessel, Matt Pepper, and meeting an adorable adoptable (and very special!) deaf puppy who stole the show. What a meaningful celebration of care, dedication, and the future of animal welfare.
Introducing the Michigan Voting Rights Act
I was glad to see lawmakers and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson come together to introduce the Michigan Voting Rights Act, a proposal aimed at strengthening and protecting voting access across our state. In response to recent federal changes, this legislation would expand safeguards against voter suppression, improve language access, enhance protections for voters with disabilities, and ensure fair and accessible elections for all Michiganders. It was encouraging to see leaders take proactive steps to build on existing protections and continue working to ensure every eligible voter can participate fully in our democratic process.
Honoring Service at the Capitol Memorial Day Ceremony
I was honored to have Desert Storm veteran Dan Wood join me as my guest for this year’s Memorial Day ceremony at the Capitol. As the surviving father of Staff Sergeant Joshua Wood, U.S. Army, Dan’s presence is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by so many families in service to our country. Moments like these give us the opportunity to reflect, remember, and honor those who gave everything so that we may enjoy the freedoms we too often take for granted. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said: “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.”
Standing with Michigan’s Home Care Workers
The people who care for our loved ones deserve both support and the dignity of a living wage. I stand with Michigan’s home care workers as they continue to advocate for better pay, stronger benefits, and the respect they have earned through their essential work. These caregivers provide critical support to families across our state, and it is vital that their contributions are recognized and valued with fair compensation and meaningful workplace protections.
Great Conversations in Canton
We had a small but energized group at my coffee hour in Canton, and the conversation was thoughtful and wide-ranging. Constituents brought forward important topics including diversity in education, elected versus appointed university boards, data centers, voting rights, and more. I always value these opportunities to connect directly, listen, and engage in meaningful dialogue about the issues that matter most to our communities. Thank you to everyone who came out and contributed to such a productive discussion.
Voter Rights Town Hall with the Michigan Dept. of State
WHEN: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Madonna University Art Gallery, 36700 Schoolcraft Rd., Livonia, MI 48150
Find more information here.
Honoring Gun Violence Awareness Month
Every June, we recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Month to honor the lives lost to senseless gun violence and raise awareness of this growing epidemic. During this month, advocates across the country also wear orange to commemorate the life of Hadiya Pendleton — a 15-year-old 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.
Since the onset of our Senate Democratic Majority, my colleagues and I have championed commonsense, evidence-based gun safety legislation to better protect Michiganders from the threat of gun violence. These actions include legislation to:
- Require universal background checks;
- Ensure firearms are stored securely and are inaccessible to minors;
- Allow a court to issue an “Extreme Risk Protection Order” (ERPO) to temporarily suspend a person’s access to firearms if they pose an immediate threat to themselves or others;
- Prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of bump stocks;
- Better protect the Michigan Capitol complex and its visitors from gun violence; and
- Ban ghost guns, or guns without serial numbers, and make it illegal to assemble, import, sell, or possess a ghost gun.
Stay Protected at the Gas Pump
Right now, Michigan drivers are paying an average of $71 for a full tank of gas, as the Iran war has disrupted global oil markets. According to the AAA, Michigan drivers are paying 70 cents more per gallon of gas than a month ago and $1.66 more per gallon of gas compared to this time last year.
Below are some consumer protection resources to ensure you are filling up with quality, more affordable gas:
- The Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is a useful resource for staying safe at the pump. If you have concerns about fuel quality or received a short/incorrect measure, you may file a complaint online or call the motor fuels quality hotline at 800-632-3835.
- If you suspect or have information about potential unfair gasoline pricing practices, please call the Attorney General’s Office at 877-765-8388 or file a gasoline price gouging complaint online.
- To find cheaper gas in their area, Michiganders can use popular tools from AAA and GasBuddy. For additional resources, call 211 or visit Michigan Association of United Ways.