Dear Neighbor,
In the final days of our 2025 legislative session, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I used every moment we had to fight for Michigan kids, families, and communities. From protecting workers from the claw back of pandemic-era unemployment benefits to highlighting the harmful impacts of Trump’s tariffs on families and farmers, we have been laser-focused on continuing to make meaningful progress for the people of Michigan.
As we close out another year, I want to thank you for being part of our District 5 community. The holiday season is a time to reflect on the blessings in our lives and look ahead to the opportunities that lie ahead. I know that I’m incredibly thankful to serve and represent you and our community’s interests at the Capitol, and I look forward to the work we can accomplish together in the new year.
In this newsletter, I’ll highlight some of the investments I’m most excited to share. Read on to learn more! 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
- Republicans in Lansing decimated over half a billion dollars promised to people and programs around the state that help provide wigs for kids undergoing cancer treatment, critical resources to support new moms and their babies, and more. Learn more below.
- Despite the challenges we’ve faced in our state and federal governments this year, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I spent 2025 working hard for our constituents and delivering real progress for Michigan. I look forward to another year of building opportunity for our communities.
- Join me for my upcoming coffee and conversation event at the Radcliffe Center in Garden City on January 15th at 6:00 p.m.
- With the holiday season in full swing, it’s important that you and your loved ones stay alert and protected from common scams that occur this time of year. Find more information below, including tips on how to safeguard your personal information.
In a Twisted Political Maneuver, Legislative Republicans Axe Crucial Funding for Michigan Kids & Communities
Earlier this month, in a deliberately cruel and reckless political stunt lacking any ounce of transparency, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall and his Republican colleagues exploited a rarely used provision in state law to unilaterally slash over a half billion dollars in budget funding for Michigan’s kids, families, small businesses, and communities. Among the $645 million in bipartisan passed, already agreed upon funding promised to programs around the state were resources to:
- Provide wigs for kids undergoing cancer treatment;
- Uplift new moms and their babies at the most vulnerable stage of life;
- Tackle our state’s opioid epidemic;
- Invest in affordable housing solutions;
- And so much more.
In the middle of the holiday season, at a time when Michiganders are already feeling the financial stress from the whiplash of federal policies, Matt Hall and his Republican colleagues pull the rug out from under them.
But Senate Democrats are fighting back.
While we work to understand the full impact of this action on people and programs around the state, you can rest assured that Senate Democrats will continue serving with actual integrity and leadership, doing everything we can to hold Lansing Republicans accountable and ensure every Michigander knows what they did.
Click here to listen to my floor speech, hitting back at House Republicans for these reckless and cruel cuts.
We are not sitting idly — Senate Democrats are stepping up to clean up House Republicans’ mess. Last week, Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony submitted a letter to Attorney General Dana Nessel requesting her to issue an opinion on the legality of the House Appropriations Committee’s actions. My colleagues and I also passed a bipartisan supplemental budget that would restore the $645 million decimated by Matt Hall and House Republicans. We are focused on fighting for programs that improve the lives of all Michiganders.
Your voice is vital to us. Click here to tell Speaker Matt Hall and Lansing Republicans you disagree with these budget cuts. You can also let us know if you have a personal connection to these cuts.
Expanding Opportunity, Lowering Costs, & Protecting Michigan: Senate Democrats Reflect on Progress From 2025
As we approach the end of 2025 and wrap up our legislative work for the year, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve delivered for the people of Michigan. Together, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I:
- Saved Medicaid in Michigan, protecting access to accessible, affordable health care;
- Expanded the widely successful Rx Kids program to improve maternal and infant health outcomes;
- Delivered another bipartisan budget that continues the universal free school meals program, implements a long-term road solution, and lowers costs for seniors and families;
- Advanced commonsense gun safety policies to keep our communities safe;
- Fought back against federal chaos and safeguarded our state from the worst effects of Trump’s disastrous budget plan;
- Strengthened protections and benefits for Michigan veterans and their families;
- Championed legislation to improve government accountability, tackle racial and ethnic maternal health disparities, lower prescription drug costs, expand transparency in the state budget process, and so much more.
I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished this year, despite the many obstacles and unprecedented setbacks we faced at both the state and federal levels of government. While we’ll be working in Lansing until the end of the month, I’m already planning ahead for 2026 and looking forward to another productive year advocating for our communities and our state. I also encourage you to stay informed about the legislation moving through the Senate in the coming weeks. Feel free to track the legislation we’re working on here.
Fighting Food Insecurity This Holiday Season and Beyond
Everyone deserves access to quality, nutritious food, full stop — but this year, the demand for food assistance is higher than ever as grocery costs soar and federal Republicans have disrupted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and restricted eligibility. Approximately 1.5 million Michiganders face food insecurity, including over 402,000 children.
My Senate Democratic colleagues and I have worked hard to ensure that every Michigan family has access to food not only during the holidays, but year-round. From proposing $71 million in relief funding to support food banks and continue SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown to delivering another year of free school meals for every Michigan student, we’vemade significant groundwork in combating food insecurity here in our state. Learn more about our efforts to tackle food insecurity here, and explore food assistance resources below.
- The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) offers various food assistance resources and programs.
- Michigan 211 helps locate local programs to meet food and nutrition needs, from prepared meal programs to emergency formula and baby food assistance.
- Locate food banks in our local community, explore volunteer opportunities, and more at Feeding America – Michigan.
- Explore the Food Bank Council of Michigan’s website to find local food bank information, find assistance with SNAP benefits, and more.
Inkster Community Conversation Highlights Key Issues
Our Inkster Community Conversation was a tremendous success! I’m grateful to everyone who came out to share their concerns and ideas. Residents raised important questions about SNAP funding, school funding, and the ongoing “Nine Bills” lawsuit, along with other issues impacting families and local communities. These conversations are invaluable because they ensure that your voices guide the work we do in Lansing. I left feeling energized and more committed than ever to fight for policies that protect essential programs, strengthen our schools, and uphold fairness in government. Thank you, Inkster, for showing up and speaking out. Together, we’re shaping a stronger future for Michigan.
Visiting Starfish Family Services in Inkster
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of spending time with Senator Elissa Slotkin and Pastor Jean Overman at Starfish Family Services in Inkster. Starfish provides high-quality early education for Michigan’s youngest learners, giving babies and toddlers the strong start they deserve. Seeing the classrooms and meeting the little ones was a wonderful reminder of how critical early childhood programs are for families and communities. I remain committed to supporting Michigan’s children and ensuring every child has access to the resources they need to thrive.
Celebrating Livonia’s New City Council at City Hall
We have new Livonia City Council members! I enjoyed hearing their swearing-in speeches tonight at City Hall. Pictured with Councilman Brockway, current Councilman McCullough, Councilwoman McDonnell, and Councilwoman Persiconi. I didn’t get a photo with new Council President Kavanagh Reid, but I was able to congratulate her. I’m looking forward to working with these talented new Livonia leaders!
Experiencing the Beauty of China Day in Detroit
Wow! China Day in Detroit was beautiful! I was honored to drink tea poured from a one-of-its-kind ancient teapot. The woman pouring the tea shared that she spent over 20 years in China, making the experience even more special. Events like this remind us how cultural traditions bring communities together in meaningful ways.
Delivering Holiday Meals to Senior Residents
Thanks to Chuck Dardas of Livonia’s Alpha USA for inviting Livonia State Rep. Pohutsky and me to deliver holiday meals to senior residents of McNamara Towers. Chuck sponsored all the meals as has been his tradition every year. Some heroes don’t wear capes!
Community Conversation
WHEN: Thursday, January 15th from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Radcliff Center (Heritage Room), 1751 Radcliff St., Garden City, MI 48135
Protect Yourself from Scams This Holiday Season
The holidays are an opportune time for scammers to take advantage of your personal and financial information. To keep your wallets — and yourself! — protected in the weeks ahead, Attorney General Dana Nessel encourages Michiganders to be aware of the following scams.
- Phishing Scams: Residents are urged to avoid clicking suspicious links or opening attachments from unknown senders to protect themselves from fraudsters.
- Scanner Law: Under Michigan’s Scanner Law, stores must honor the lowest advertised price.
- Puppy Scams: Consumers seeking to add a furry friend to their family should be aware of fraudulent online pet sellers. Remember to always see the pet in person and verify the breeder before sending any money.
- AI Scams: Fraudsters are using artificial intelligence to mimic loved ones.
- Credit Card Charges: Consumers are encouraged to check their credit card statements often and report unfamiliar charges right away to prevent identity theft.
Another way you and your loved ones can stay safeguarded from deceptive behavior is by following AG Nessel’s new consumer protection social media account, which will serve as a trusted source for scam alerts, consumer protection tips, education resources, and updates from her office. You can follow @MIConsumerWatch on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
Warming Centers and Housing Assistance
As temperatures continue to drop into frigid temperatures, many community organizations across Michigan open their doors to ensure everyone can stay warm. To learn more and find warming centers near you:
- Visit mi211.org/housing-assistance
- Scroll down to the Getting Help in Michigan section
- Click Extreme Cold Warming Center and input your zip code to find local resources
Be Winter Ready
The cold and snow are here! As Michigan faces cold weather and winter storms, make sure to plan ahead and take the proper precautions to stay safe. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends creating a communication plan with your family and taking steps to prepare your home and vehicle for the low temperatures, including:
- Weatherproof your home: Insulate walls and attic, caulk and weather-strip doors and windows, and insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls.
- Install a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector: Home heating is the second leading cause of home fires; make sure to prioritize fire safety and keep your house safe.
- Create an emergency car kit: Include items to stay warm — a portable phone charger, shovel, windshield scraper, flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, water, snacks, first-aid materials, jumper cables and waterproof matches.
- Prepare for power outages: Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges; do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
Read more tips here.