Dear Neighbor,
As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyous holiday filled with laughter, great food, and hopefully a Lions win against the Green Bay Packers. This time of year is a perfect opportunity to come together as a community, support those who may be in need, and express gratitude in our lives — and I am incredibly thankful to serve you and the residents of District 2 in the state legislature.
Like I’m sure many of you are feeling, it’s hard to believe we’re nearing the end of the year. With all the chaos and confusion that the federal administration has brought to our doorsteps — including with the now-ended longest shutdown in American history — it seems like the time has flown by. Throughout it all, I want you to know that I have been fighting for you and Michiganders around the state at every step of the way. Learn more about this work below and also check out some resources I’ve provided to help you or someone you know navigate this holiday season.
If you have questions, concerns, or need help navigating state resources, my office is here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out by email at SenSSantana@senate.michigan.gov or by phone at (517) 373-0990.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Santana
State Senator
District 2
- With Republicans in Washington refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credit, Michiganders around the state are experiencing some sticker shock as they shop for health care coverage during this open enrollment period. Learn more below.
- November 29 is Small Business Saturday. Remember to shop small and support local businesses this holiday season!
A Snapshot of Capitol Activity
Before the Thanksgiving holiday, my colleagues and I were hard at work in Lansing, advancing critical legislation for Michiganders. Among a slew of other priorities underway, I wanted to share about how we’ve been:
- Improving the integrity of elections by passing a package that tackles election disinformation and improves transparency in the petition circulation process. Passed out of the Senate with bipartisan support, this comprehensive legislation would ensure our state’s elections are as safe and secure as possible by implementing commonsense reforms. Learn more here.
- Upholding transparency in the state budget process by passing legislation that requires all legislatively directed spending items, including enhancement grants and earmarks, to be publicly disclosed on the Senate or House website before the passage of the state budget. Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week, this legislation would ensure that Michiganders around the state can see how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent.
- Highlighting how the federal government shutdown impacted air travel. At a recent committee hearing, we explored how the now-ended shutdown triggered chaos in high-volume airports across the nation, causing longer wait times, delays, cancellations, and uncertainty for travelers. Senate Democrats have worked hard all year to shine a light on how the reckless, chaotic actions of our federal government are impacting Michiganders.
Senate Democrats Sound the Alarm on Skyrocketing Health Care Costs
Open enrollment is well underway for 2026, and with Republicans in Washington refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credit that has long kept care affordable and accessible, millions of Americans around the country are seeing surges in their premiums. Here in Michigan, where nearly 500,000 people rely on this credit to afford care, insurers have increased rates more than 20% on average for next year.
Set to expire at the end of 2025, the termination of the enhanced premium tax credit will have catastrophic consequences, not just for those who are enrolled in an ACA Marketplace plan, but for everyone. Health care premiums will spike, people will lose health insurance, thousands of jobs will be lost, and billions of dollars will be drained from the economy. Worst of all, when people are forced to forgo or delay the health care they need, they get sick. Lives will be lost.
For months, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have been sounding the alarm on Washington Republicans’ assault on our health care access. From holding a committee hearing to investigate the detrimental consequences to passing a resolution on the Senate floor, we’re demanding our leaders in Washington do what they were elected to do: protect their constituents and extend the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit immediately.
Rx Kids Expanding in Michigan
What once started as a pilot program in Flint to boost health outcomes for new moms and babies has now expanded its reach to more areas of Michigan thanks to state budget investments secured by Senate Democrats. As the nation’s first-ever prenatal and infant cash prescription program, Rx Kids provides $1,500 to moms during pregnancy and $500 for the first 6-12 months of a child’s life, no-strings-attached. After launching in Flint in January of 2024, the program has now taken root in several other communities across the state, from Kalamazoo and the eastern Upper Peninsula to various cities in Oakland and Wayne County and now slated for Ypsilanti next month.
From helping to afford baby supplies and rent to groceries and everything in between, these extra resources provide crucial support to families at a time they need it most. And while new mom enrollees have shared firsthand about the programs’ game-changing impact, over the past few months, research has continued to roll in to prove what we already know: Rx Kids works. Evidence gathered from recent studies and surveys shows that Rx Kids continues to deliver measurable improvements on not only maternal and infant health, but also on local job and economic growth.
With the clear, proven benefits Rx Kids is bringing to families and communities around the state, Senate Democrats remain determined to expand it even further so that all moms-to-be can access this life-changing program, no matter what zip code they call home.
Team Wellness Center 8th Annual Coat Drive
WHEN: Now through Dec. 19
WHERE: Team Wellness Center locations listed here
Communities in Schools (CIS) Community Coat Drive
WHEN: Students, families, staff, and community members may donate new or gently used coats to any CIS school, including Fordson, starting now. Entry tickets will be collected on Dec. 4, and the drawing will take place on Dec. 5.
WHERE: Details on the drawing location are forthcoming.
Learn more here.
Need Community Assistance? The Information Center Can Help!
The Information Center is a nonprofit organization that connects people in southeast Michigan with the help they need, whether that be housing, food assistance, child care, or clothing and household necessities. For a full list of available resources, click here. To receive assistance, click here. To donate, volunteer, or get involved with the Information Center, click here.
Mental Health Support During the Holiday Season
The holiday season can be hard for some. If you or someone you know find yourself struggling emotionally or experiencing a mental health crisis, please be sure to utilize the following resources:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for 24-hour, toll-free, confidential support. Learn more here.
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press “1” to speak with a qualified responder, or text 838255. Available to veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their loved ones. Learn more here.
- Local Resources: Find a suicide prevention coalition, support group, or crisis line near you by scrolling down this page and finding a listing in your county.
Shop Small on Small Business Saturday (and All Year Round!)
Michigan’s economy is fueled by our vibrant array of small businesses. From local retailers and restaurants to innovative startups — each of these enterprises helps to create jobs and promote economic prosperity. For every dollar spent at a local business, more than two-thirds stay in our community to support local families, causes, and other businesses.
That’s why throughout my time in the Michigan Senate, I have worked with my colleagues to provide expanded tax relief to small businesses and secure funding in the state budget that helps small businesses get off the ground, grow their operations, support their hardworking employees, and more.
This Small Business Saturday, and all year round, I encourage you to do your part by shopping small and local. Whether it’s your favorite neighborhood café, a local clothing shop, or a family-owned hardware store, any support can make a big impact. And together, we can ensure small businesses remain a vital part of our communities for generations to come.
Tips to Help You Prepare for Winter
Whether you’re a snow and winter season enthusiast or prefer to hibernate from the cold, there’s no getting around the variety of nature’s elements that will be delivered to our doorstep over these next few months. To help you stay safe, warm, and ready for all things ahead, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is encouraging Michiganders to prepare their home for the winter with the following tips:
- Insulate water lines along exterior walls to reduce the risk of frozen pipes.
- Lock in a propane rate now and have a backup heating plan, such as a generator, wood stove, or fireplace.
- Have a professional inspect your gas or oil furnaces and replace the air filter.
- Schedule a fireplace and chimney inspection; contact your local fire department for a referral or look for a local inspector online.
- Install battery-operated carbon monoxide (CO) detectors near all sleeping areas. CO poisoning risks increase when furnaces are in use and during power outages, when people often use portable generators.
- Clean gutters to prevent ice dams that can lead to interior damage, and clear storm drains to avoid basement flooding.
- Keep an emergency kit in your home with water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a hand-crank or battery-powered radio, emergency lighting, flashlights, blankets, and warm clothing.
To learn more, including how to prepare your vehicle for the winter, click here.