Dear Neighbor,
Early May offers a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends and family. Whether it’s a walk in the park, going fishing, a hike on the trails, or a barbecue in your backyard, I hope you are taking time to soak up the sunshine and make the most of this spring season.
As always, this newsletter will inform you of some of the exciting things happening in the Legislature and in Senate District 14.
If you or someone you know would like to provide feedback about what’shappening in Lansing, or need assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can email us at sensshink@senate.michigan.govor call (517) 373-2426. And don’t forget to visit my official Facebook page for the latest updates on happenings at the Capitol and in the district.
Sincerely,
Sue Shink
State Senator
District 14
Legislative Updates
Senate Democrats Pass the Fertility Health Care Act
Just weeks after the shocking Alabama court ruling that declared that frozen embryos have equal legal rights as children, jeopardizing fertility treatments such as IVF, Michigan Senate Democrats voted on the final passage of House Bills 5207–5215, which eliminate barriers to parentage in fertility health care and allow Michiganders more ways to grow their families. Gov. Whitmer signed those bills into law on April 1.
Before this legislation, children born in Michigan through assisted reproduction, such as IVF and surrogacy, had no clear legal link to their parents. Additionally, Michigan was the only state that criminalized paid surrogacy, which left many children in Michigan born through assisted reproduction or surrogacy without clear legal protection and with uncertainty regarding their legal status. This legislation addresses these concerns to help keep families together, including same sex couples and those who choose IVF or surrogacy.
While reproductive rights face threats across the country, Michigan Senate Democrats are committed to dismantling barriers to ensure that those who want to start a family can.
Recapping Senate Democrats’ Work to Safeguard Michiganders’ Wellness During Public Health Week
With the new opportunity to better address Michiganders’ wellness, our Majority for the People has worked to pass comprehensive, evidence-based policies to expand access to healthcare and improve the health of Michigan residents. As we observe Michigan Public Health Week, Senate Democrats recognize the invaluable contributions of those who safeguard the health of our communities and recommit to supporting their efforts as we work collectively to promote the well-being of our state.
During our first year-plus in office, we have wasted no time in enacting meaningful policies and securing investments to achieve a brighter, healthier Michigan for future generations.
Some legislative highlights include:
Expanding access to care by codifying the Affordable Care Act into state law and passing legislation that would establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to rein in the skyrocketing cost of medications.
Combatting our gun violence epidemic by closing dangerous loopholes to strengthen background checks, requiring the secure storage of firearms, disarming individuals convicted of domestic violence, and allowing for the temporary removal of firearms from people who pose a significant risk to themselves or others.
Protecting Michiganders’ reproductive freedom by repealing our state’s archaic 1931 abortion ban, passing the Reproductive Health Act to repeal medically unnecessary regulations regarding health clinics that perform abortions, and championing the Family Protection Act to eliminate barriers to parentage in fertility healthcare to allow Michiganders more ways to grow their families.
Keeping Michigan’s air and water clean by passing the Clean Energy Future package which sets long-awaited clean energy and renewable energy standards and increases energy efficiency targets, in addition to passing Filter First legislation that will require Michigan schools and childcare centers to implement a drinking water management plan and install filtered faucets and bottle-filling stations, ensuring every student and educator can fill their water bottle or go to the water fountain knowing it is safe.
In addition to passing a slate of legislation to safeguard Michiganders’ wellbeing, Senate Democrats also made transformational investments in public health in our 2024 state budget. Some highlights include:
- $280 million to address our mental health crisis through funding for community behavioral health services to expand access to care.
- $76 million for local health departments to provide economic stability and ensure they have the necessary resources to supply residents with essential health services.
- $63 million increase in funding for Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, an initiative providing postpartum Medicaid coverage to mothers in an effort to reduce postpartum deaths.
- $800,000 to create the Office of Community Violence Services and $6 million for the office to provide grants to community-based violence intervention programs that are working to reduce firearm-related injuries and fatalities.
By expanding access to healthcare, investing in public health initiatives, and leading on clean energy, Senate Democrats have laid a foundation for a healthier and more equitable future and will continue working towards further progress. To read more about the work our Majority for the People is doing to promote better health outcomes, click here.
In Recent News
April is National County Government Month!
To celebrate the great and important work our county governments do for Michiganders across the state, Michigan Senate Democrats passed Senate Resolution 105, declaring April as National County Government Month (NCGM). The theme for this year’s celebration of NCGM was “Forward Together.”
The theme highlights the powerful role of county governments as intergovernmental partners that:
- Connect, building bridges to advance excellence and networks in county government;
- Inspire, driving community engagement and residents’ trust in county government;
- Lead, spearheading local, state, federal and tribal intergovernmental partnerships and common-sense policy solutions.
Counties shoulder the essential tasks of repairing roads and bridges, safeguarding public health, overseeing elections, maintaining public safety, bolstering environmental protection efforts, and undertaking various other vital responsibilities. As a former county commissioner, I am always mindful of the importance of working effectively with county partners.
Our Democratic Majority has maintained a strong partnership with Michigan’s county governments during the crafting of our 2024 state budget. As we continue working on the 2025 state budget, we are looking forward to continuing this collaborative effort, ensuring that counties receive the necessary resources to serve their residents.
National Work Zone Awareness Week
National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), from April 15-19, honoredthe workers, motorists, and families of those killed in work zones.
In Michigan in 2023, preliminary work zone crash statistics show there were:
- 7,237 work zone crashes
- 17 fatal work zone crashes
- 20 work zone fatalities
- Two were road workers
- 1,896 work zone injuries
- 108 involved serious injuries
Spring is here so you have already seen the many construction projects started to help fix our roads and bridges. Please be mindful of workers while driving on the road. To learn more about Michigan work zone safety tips, click here.
In the Community
Andy’s Place
Andy’s Place in Jackson (Blackman Township) is the first of its kind in the nation, providing supportive recovery housing and partnering with drug treatment courts to help residents in recovery for opioid use disorder.
On April 15, I discussed Michigan’s opioid settlement funds and toured Andy’s Place with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and other state and local officials.
Find out more about ongoing opioid use disorder treatment and prevention, as well as settlement funds available to local communities here.
Voting and Elections Town Hall
Together with special guests, Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbieand Jackson County Clerk Cierra Sowle, I hosted a voting rights town hall in Jackson. We talked about Michigan’s election laws and voting systems, with a focus on how recent changes in our laws have increased opportunities to cast your ballot in a time or manner convenient for you. We also heard about the many strict security protocols that make Michigan’s voting system one of the strongest and most secure in the nation.
Upcoming Events
Michigan Natural Spaces Walk & Talk
As the trees bud and flowers bloom, please join me for a Walk & Talk on May 10 at the Waterloo State Recreation Area. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. I hope to share ideas and connect with you, while enjoying the beauty of Spring. I look forward to seeing you there!
WHEN: Friday, May 10, 2024, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Waterloo State Recreation Area (Meeting Place: Discovery Center, Outdoor Pavillion)
Resources
Get Ready for Fishing Season!
With spring upon us in the Great Lakes State, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding anglers to purchase a new license for the 2024 fishing season.
The new fishing license and regulation season kicked off on April 1. The new 2024 fishing licenses will be valid through March 31, 2025. Licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, which you can download on your smartphone.
Here’s a rundown of key dates to remember this fishing season:
Monday, May 15 – Upper Peninsula walleye and northern pike seasons open.
Saturday, May 25 – Season opens for largemouth and smallmouth bass possession, except for Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers, which open Saturday, June 15. (Note: Catch-and-immediate-release for bass is open all year on most waters. Check the 2024 Michigan Fishing Regulations for specifics.)
Saturday, June 1 – Season opens for muskellunge possession on all Great Lakes, inland waters, the St. Mary’s River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers. (Note: Catch-and-release fishing for muskellunge is open all year.)
For additional information about 2024 fishing licenses, contact DNR e-License at MDNR-E-License@Michigan.gov or call 517-284-6057.
The DNR is also providing helpful tips for Michigan anglers to help combat the spread of invasive species.
- Start with a clean boat and clean gear.
- End by draining live wells and bilges.
- End by cleaning debris and plant material from boats.
- Decontaminate waders and gear with safe chemical disinfectants after each use.
- Dispose of leftover bait in the trash to prevent the spread of fish diseases.
New Website Available to Help Track Your Status of Benefits
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched a brand-new MI Bridges website to help Michiganders applying for assistance monitor their benefits status. The tool tracks five benefits programs: health care coverage, the food assistance program, cash assistance, child development and care, and state emergency relief.
Applicants can receive assistance through the MI Bridges virtual assistant chat or by calling the MI Bridges help desk at 844-799-9876. Visit newmibridges.michigan.gov for more information.