Dear Neighbor,
I want to start by expressing my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims of last week’s shooting at Michigan State University and my wishes for continued recovery by survivors. Students, parents, friends, neighbors, we all recognize the collective pain and violation of trust this horrific event has caused. Trust in a safe learning environment. Trust in having our children grow and thrive in an environment of learning, safety, and expression. This violence must stop, not today or tomorrow but now.
As your Senator, I hear you, and like you, am sad and angry that this senseless violence has happened again. This is not a Republican issue, nor a Democratic issue. Everyone deserves to be safe wherever they are. Hundreds of constituents have reached out asking me to support gun safety measures because it is an issue that those across the state care about most.
Last week, my colleagues and I introduced legislation to increase the safety of Michiganders. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this commonsense gun safety legislative package that establishes universal background checks, safe storage laws, and extreme risk protection orders right here in Michigan.
Additionally, I am working with my colleagues to support other ways of reducing gun violence, including community violence intervention, which the Governor has included in her budget proposal.
As we move forward, please know that I am listening to you. I represent you and I am always available to hear your concerns and ideas. The best methods of connecting with my office are below:
- Email: sensshink@senate.michigan.gov
- Phone: (517) 373-2426
- U.S. Mail: P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909
Sincerely,
Sue Shink
State Senator
District 14
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month is dedicated to celebrating the successes, contributions and struggles of African Americans in United States History. There are so many that we owe our gratitude for their role in the building of America.
Black History Month began as “Negro History Week” in 1926 thanks to Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was born in 1875 to former slaves and as a child worked on his family farm. As a child and young man, he mined coal to help support his family. A formal education was not accessible but that did not stop Woodson. He was self-taught, entered high school at 20 and graduated in two years. He then taught and earned his bachelor’s degree in literature and a master’s from the University of Chicago.
Woodson graduated with a Ph.D. from Harvard and went on to establish the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Woodson proposed the subjective and limited history of the slavery of Black Americans limited recognition of their significant impact on economics, politics, and science.
Today, we celebrate history that was once overlooked and disregarded. Below are links that share in the celebration of African American History Month.
- City of Jackson Black History
- African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County
- Michigan Legislative Black Caucus
- The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
- NAACP History Resource
PLEASE JOIN ME FOR MY FIRST IN-PERSON COFFEE HOUR
Please join me for an in-person coffee hour this Friday. This is a great opportunity to connect and share your thoughts and ideas on important matters.
WHEN: February 24, 2023. from 10 – 11 am
WHERE: Jackson District Library – Carnegie Branch, 244 W Michigan Ave, Jackson, MI 49201
For the health and safety of yourself and others, if you have felt sick or been in contact with someone who has, please do not attend.
Please RSVP on my Facebook event page and share this event information with your friends and neighbors who might be interested and bring them along! I look forward to seeing you then.
As we plan our upcoming coffee hours, please let me know of your favorite coffee shops, diners, bakeries, and happy hour places in the new Senate District 14!
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Gov. Whitmer’s FY 2023-2024 Budget Recommendations
Senator Jeff Irwin and I attended the Senate Appropriations Committee where Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lt Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, and their team presented the Governor’s budget recommendations for the FY 2023-2024 budget. The governor’s budget recommendations include investments in education, infrastructure, health, and public safety while also lowering costs for Michigan families.
Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act
We can all agree that Michiganders should not experience discrimination. Fairness, responsibility, and compassion are terms we embrace daily. Using religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity to discriminate in employment, housing, education, and access to public accommodations is not acceptable.
Senate Bill 4 amends the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to provide protections from discrimination to include gender identity or expression and sexual orientation. As part of the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee, I am proud to say that Senate Bill 4 was reported out of committee to the Senate floor.
This tremendous victory could not have been possible without the bill sponsor, Senator Jeremy Moss, and the support of some of our Michigan businesses: DTE Energy, Dow, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Grand Rapids Chamber and the Detroit Regional Chamber as well as our human rights organizations: Equality Michigan, Human Rights Campaign and First Congregational Church.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Accountability Legislative Package
Last week, I sponsored my first piece of legislation, Senate Bill 73, as part of a bipartisan bill package related to sexual assault accountability and prevention.
SB73 would protect survivors by amending the Freedom of Information Act so that information that could potentially reveal the identity of an anonymous person in a civil action involving sexual misconduct can be exempt from disclosure.
The package was informed by hundreds of pages of documents, many weeks of committee hearings, and consultation with survivors, experts, community organizations, advocacy groups, educators, parents, and others to ensure we are sealing cracks in the law that may allow future predators to get away with such a heinous crime.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Webster Town Hall: The State of Our Small Farm Meat Systems
On February 16th, well over 100 people turned out to discuss the opportunities and hurdles of local meat processing in Washtenaw County. The demand from farmers and customers continues to grow. For years, I’ve supported those trying to make this happen. Expanding and strengthening our local supply chain is good for our community and the state.
Ann Arbor Spark’s CEO Podcast Series
Looking for something to listen to this week? I joined Paul Krutko on Ann Arbor Spark’s CEO Podcast Series to discuss my interests in politics and how I plan to take action to further opportunities to help small, emerging businesses in Michigan – give it a listen here!
Visit with Cuban Ambassador H.E. Lianys Torres Rivera
On February 8th, the Washtenaw County Commissioners hosted Cuban Ambassador H.E. Lianys Torres Rivera. Ambassador Torres Rivera participated in a “meet and greet” with county officials and our staff and then sat on a community panel, sharing insights, and answering questions about US Cuban relations, and community building.
Pictured here, the Washtenaw County Commissioners presented Ambassador Torres Rivera with the county flag as well as a letter of appreciation.