Dear Neighbor,
The summer season is finally upon us! I hope you and your family are able to enjoy the sunshine and spend time taking advantage of all the fun summer activities our state offers. 🌞
But even though summer break is here for our youngest Michiganders, my colleagues and I are still hard at work at the Capitol. From advancing our A Michigan You Can Afford agenda to protecting voting rights, we’ve been keeping busy on your behalf. Keep reading for updates on our work in Lansing, as well as helpful resources and information so that you make the most of the summer months.
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
- From combatting exploitative business practices with our A Michigan You Can Afford agenda to protecting you at the ballot box, my colleagues and I have advanced a slate of bold legislation in recent weeks. Learn more about this progress below.
- From celebrating inclusivity at Livonia Pride to discussing current events with local seniors — I always enjoy the opportunity to connect with my constituents in the district. Read on to hear more about what I’ve been up to in our community.
- Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued legal guidance to law enforcement in order to keep voters safe at the polls statewide. Read on for her official recommendations and more important voter information ahead of the August primary election.
Combatting Big Businesses, Creating A Michigan You Can Afford
Whether it be at the gas pump, grocery store, doctor’s office, or the monthly bills on our kitchen tables, we are all feeling the financial strain of careless decisions in Washington, D.C. That’s why Senate Democrats launched our A Michigan You Can Afford agenda, which works to provide Michigan residents real relief amid the record-high cost of living and protect you against predatory business tactics looking to profit at your expense. Most recently, my colleagues and I have taken steps to:
- Eliminate out-of-pocket costs for three of the state’s most high-volume, life-saving medical necessities, including Insulin, Epinephrine, and Inhalers. (Introduced)
- Create a state-based health care exchange, which would lower premiums and give Michiganders more options and more control over their health insurance. (Passed out of the Senate)
- Crack down on greedy price gouging practices to keep housing, essential goods, and energy affordable during an issued state of emergency. (Passed out of the Senate)
As we advance this legislative agenda through the Senate, I want to hear from you. Help shape this package by sharing your experience in the survey below, so we can work together to deliver a solution that works for you, your family, your community, and our state.
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity
In addition to driving forward legislation to make life more affordable for Michiganders, my colleagues and I have also been working to address other critical issues facing residents and communities across the state. This past month, I’m proud to report that we’ve made some progress advancing bills to:
Protect Voting Rights: After months of reports detailing the Trump administration’s efforts to nationalize elections and restrict access to mail-in voting — the latest blow to election integrity came earlier this spring as the U.S. Supreme Court eviscerated key protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. To fight back against these attacks, my colleagues and I passed legislation that would establish a state-level Voting Rights Act to ensure every eligible voter has access to the ballot box. Read more here.
Help Residents Save for Retirement: Michiganders deserve the opportunity to retire with dignity and financial security, but right now, more than 1.5 million private-sector workers have a lack of retirement savings options. To help ensure all hardworking folks in our state can save for their golden years, we passed legislation to establish the MI Secure Retirement Savings Program which would automatically enroll individuals who are not offered a savings plan through their current employer in a state-run Roth IRA. Read more here.
Crack Down on Blighted Storefronts: Blighted storefronts create safety hazards, decrease property values, and hinder economic growth here in our community and across Michigan. Yet right now, big box retailers are exploiting loopholes in our state’s tax code, using these vacant properties to artificially lower their tax bills instead of reinvesting in the communities they’ve left behind. To address this issue, Senate Dems introduced legislation to help our local communities put an end to “dark stores.” This bill is currently moving through the committee process.
Midwest Invitational Black Rodeo
Pure fun at the Midwest Invitational Black Rodeo. A big thank you to Inkster Councilwoman Scott for inviting me!
Livonia Pride
It was wonderful to join the Livonia community in celebrating Pride and showing our support for inclusivity and belonging. Thank you to everyone who came out and helped make this a joyful event for our community!
Livonia Senior Center
Thank you to this group of Livonia seniors for inviting me to join their current events discussion! We had a thoughtful conversation on topics like K-12 education, senior scams, and the state budget. I always appreciate the opportunity to connect and hear directly from residents.
Voter Integrity Town Hall with the Michigan Dept. of State
Thank you to Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie for joining us in Livonia to answer residents’ questions about voting. We had a great discussion on voting options, accessibility, and election security. I appreciate everyone who came out to be part of this important conversation!
Protecting Your Voice and Your Vote
My Senate Democratic colleagues and I have worked hard to make casting your ballot as easy and accessible as possible — and our state leaders and law enforcement are determined to do their part to protect you at the ballot box. Ahead of the upcoming primary election on August 4, 2026, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued legal guidance to law enforcement agencies statewide, briefing them on our latest election laws and how to keep you safe from intimidation or threats at the polls. Read Attorney General Nessel’s recommendations in full here.
Michigan voters are also encouraged to stay informed about their voting rights and responsibilities by reviewing key election and polling place provisions. To review or update your voter information, such as your registration or designated polling place, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.
Below are some upcoming election dates to keep in mind:
August Primary Election
Absentee voter ballots available – by Thursday, June 25
Last day to register to vote by mail or online* – Monday, July 20
Primary election early voting begins – Saturday, July 25
Optional early voting period up to – Sunday, August 2
Primary Election Day – Tuesday, August 4
* You can still register to vote in person up to and including on Election Day with your local clerk.
Summer Meal Programs Available to Michigan Children
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), also known as Meet Up and Eat Up, is available for children to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations when they do not have access to the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs. This program is operated at the local level by program sponsors and is administered by the Michigan Dept. of Education (MDE), Office of Nutrition Services. To find a Meet Up and Eat Up Site, please call 211, text “food” to 304-304, or click here.
Take Advantage of Double Up Food Bucks
Buying food is expensive right now, especially for our neighbors struggling to put food on the table. Double Up Food Bucks is here to help. For those who shop for groceries with a SNAP or Michigan Bridge Card, you can double your benefits to purchase fresh, Michigan-grown fruits and veggies using Double Up Food Bucks. The program is available at 240+ participating farmers markets, farm stands, and grocery stores across Michigan. With farmers market season officially here, it’s a great time to use the program! Learn how it works and find a participating location near you at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org.
How to Beat the Heat This Summer
Summer weather means getting outside and having fun or working in the yard, but too much heat can make you sick. Your body normally cools itself as your sweat evaporates, but during extremely hot weather, when the humidity is high, sweat can’t evaporate very well. These conditions can cause the temperature of your body to become dangerously high and can lead to severe illness or even death.
Heat related illness is preventable, so it’s important to understand what you can do to keep yourself healthy when temperatures are extremely high.
- Keep cool indoors. Use an air conditioner or go to a cool place such as the basement, a neighbor’s house, shopping mall or cooling center.
- Take a cool shower or bath.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated — don’t just wait until you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks such as pop. These beverages may actually dehydrate you even more.
- Avoid exercise and physical activity during the hottest time of the day. Mornings and evenings are usually cooler than midday.
- Stay out of the sun. Wear sun protective clothing like a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going outside to protect yourself against sunburn.
- Never leave children, the elderly, or pets in parked cars. Cars heat up very quickly and can become dangerously hot, even with the windows open.
And if you, a loved one, or a neighbor need a place to escape the heat, click here to find a list of cooling center locations in and around our community that are open to the public.