Dear Neighbors,
As summer comes to an end, I hope you have been enjoying the warm weather and spending some time with your family and friends. My team and I have been using this summer to engage with the Senate District 2 community and learn how we can better serve our constituents in Lansing.
- Featured in this newsletter:
- Ice Cream Social Recap
- Legislative Updates
- Community Resources
Please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-0990 or reply to this email if you have any questions, concerns or need assistance.
Working for you,
Sylvia SantanaState SenatorDistrict 2
Ice Cream Social Recap
Thank you to those who attended my Ice Cream Social on Monday, August 7 — including the Secretary of State, the Senior Alliance, the Detroit Area Agency on Aging and the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office. I truly appreciate your support, and I am honored to represent Senate District 2. One of the greatest parts of my job is being able to hear directly from my constituents, and events like this help me learn more about what matters most to the various communities I serve. Keeping what my constituents have recently shared in mind, I am looking forward to delivering on more people-focused policies in Lansing once our caucus returns to session in the fall.
Legislative Updates
Omnibus Budget Signing
I am honored to have worked with my fellow Michigan Senate colleagues within the Majority and across the aisle to deliver on a historic budget. On July 31, Governor Whitmer officially signed the $57.4 billion budget, in addition to the $24.3 billon education budget — uplifting the needs and interests of all Michiganders. To read the full news story, click here.
Voting Rights Expansion Bills Signed into Law
Ensuring that all individuals have an equal opportunity to vote — regardless of their socioeconomic status or background— is part of upholding our fundamental rights and liberties. That is why the Michigan Senate Democrats listened to voters who overwhelmingly voted in favor of expanding voting rights with Proposal 2 last November. Now, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed Proposal 2 into law.
In this moment, it is important to highlight the work of our Michigan Senate Democrats in moving this legislation forward:
Senate Bill 339, sponsored by Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), will establish a website for Michiganders to track their ballots. It will ensure voters are notified when their vote is received and counted and inform them if there are any errors and offer a solution to remedy them.
Senate Bill 367, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), requires at least nine days of early voting before each statewide and federal election so people can find a convenient time to vote that works for them without facing lines on Election Day. It also authorizes pre-processing and early tabulation of absentee ballots, ensuring a timely result after polls close on Election Day.
Senate Bill 370, sponsored by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), implements requirements to allow voters to fix clerical errors with their ballots. It also requires prepaid postage for all absentee ballot applications and envelopes, saving voters time and trips to the Post Office.
Senate Bill 373, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), allows Michiganders to use their US passport, tribal photo ID card, military ID card or student ID to identify themselves when they show up to vote. As has always been the case, they will need to be registered to vote in their precinct to cast a ballot. This law simply expands the valid forms of ID accepted to certify that you are who you say you are.
This is a major legislative win — not only for the Majority Democratic Caucus — but for the entire state of Michigan. It was not too long ago that marginalized communities were fighting for their right to vote, and we are proud to further the hard work of our civil rights movement leaders and suffragists through passing Proposal 2.
Community Resources
National Black Business Month
In August, we celebrate National Black Business Month! This month-long observance is an opportunity to highlight the many contributions and achievements of Black-owned businesses in the state of Michigan. As a caucus, we have intentionally allocated funding — in the FY ‘24 budget and the budget years prior — to invest in the entrepreneurial dreams of Michiganders everywhere.
Overall, small businesses have the power to create jobs, economic growth and self-actualization for residents. Therefore, championing diversity in business only helps us achieve a more inclusive, welcoming state. If you are looking for ways to connect with, develop and support businesses in your area, please feel free to utilize the resources available from the MEDC.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
With summer in full swing and flu season just around the corner, we recognize National Immunization Awareness Month to highlight the importance of routine vaccination for Michiganders of all ages. Vaccines are the best way for you to protect yourself from preventable diseases and avoid spreading those diseases to others in your community.
In the recently passed state budget for Fiscal Year 2024, the Michigan Legislature — after 30 years of inadequate funding — reinvested in local health departments to ensure they had the resources necessary to provide residents with essential health services such as immunizations. Every Michigander committed to protecting the health of themsevles, their family and community can recieve free or low-cost vaccinations at their local health department.
> To locate a health department nearest you and get up to date on your vaccines, click here.
> Learn more about the vaccines you and your family members may need to stay healthy, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website here.
Helping Medicaid Members Keep Their Coverage
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE), allowing Medicaid members to keep their health care coverage. Per recent federal legislation, eligibility renewals were planned to start again in June. However, now Medicaid beneficiaries with upcoming deadlines for returning renewal forms will have an additional month to submit paperwork to avoid loss of health care coverage due to not responding. This timeline will continue monthly going forward through May 2024 and does include individuals with a Monday, July 31 deadline. Learn more at Michigan.gov/mdhhs/2023benefitchanges.
Following these steps will help determine if you still qualify:
- Make sure your contact information is up to date.
- Check mail or text messages for a letter.
- Complete your renewal form (if you get one).