Dear Neighbor,
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Fourth of July holiday weekend. In between the barbecues, lake days and fireworks, the Fourth of July is a wonderful time to be thankful for the freedoms and opportunities we have as Americans and Michiganders; while also reflecting on the work we still have to do to secure the American Dream for all people for years to come.
I spent time over the holiday weekend reflecting on the 2025 State Budget my Senate Democratic colleagues worked with the governor to recently pass. While compromises must be made in the budget process, I am proud of the work we did to design a budget that builds up our vibrant communities and supports our residents of all backgrounds. Find more information about the 2025 State Budget in this eNews below.
As always, if you or someone you know would like to provide feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can email us at sensshink@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-2426. And don’t forget to visit my official Facebook page for the latest updates.
Sincerely,
Sue Shink
State Senator
District 14
Featured in This Newsletter
- Legislative Updates
- In Recent News
- In the Community
- Resources
Legislative Updates
Senate Democrats Pass State Budget Dedicated to Building Up Michigan
Last year marked a significant milestone for Michigan Democrats as we capitalized on their first trifecta in 40 years to spearhead a transformative budget — directing vital resources into historically neglected sectors like infrastructure, education, and local communities.
Last month, Senate Democrats successfully finished negotiations with the House on the budget. The Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget builds on last year’s transformative budget by continuing to invest in children and families, students and workers, public safety, community development, and more.
This Democratic majority views the state budget as both a values statement and a financial plan. Our cornerstones for the 2025 budget — transformational, innovative, equitable, and intentional — reflect the priorities established last year.
Read more here.
Michigan Senate Passes Bill to Restore EGLE’s Authority to Establish Water Quality Standards
Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) is required to “protect and conserve Michigan’s water resources and control the pollution of the State’s surface or underground water, as well as the Great Lakes.” However, a 2004 law stripped the agency’s authority to set rules and standards to protect our freshwater from harmful chemicals and pollution.
I am proud that my bill, Senate Bill 663, passed the Senate on June 26. Michigan is the heart of the most extraordinary and valuable freshwater system in the world. Michiganders value the Great Lakes, inland lakes, waterways, groundwaters and tributaries that shape the state we love. By passing this bill, EGLE will regain authority to establish rules that protect us from harmful chemicals being released into our waterways and that find their way into our drinking water, our wildlife, and into our bodies where they can cause serious consequences for our health.
SB 663 will allow EGLE to protect our waters from dangerous, forever chemicals such as PFAS, PFOA and PFOS. The bill is now in the House Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee.
Michigan Senate Passes Legislative Package to Establish a State-Based Health Insurance Exchange
Michigan Senate passed Senate Bills 633–638 to transition Michigan away from the federally managed health insurance marketplace to a State-Based Exchange (SBE), helping to provide the state with greater flexibility to meet the healthcare needs of Michiganders.
In the past decade, the Affordable Care Act has grown in popularity across the country and here in Michigan. During the 2024 open enrollment period, for example, 418,000 Michiganders purchased coverage through the federal marketplace, which was a 30% increase from the previous year and the highest enrollment rate in the state’s history.
This six-bill package amends Michigan’s insurance code to establish an SBE and lays out the parameters and duties of the exchange and governing board. As a result, the state would provide the infrastructure, website and support for individuals and small businesses to purchase plans beginning January 1, 2026.
This legislation now heads to the Michigan House for their consideration.
Senate Passes Legislation to Expand Freedom of Information Act to Include Governor and Legislature
The Senate took a historic vote in support of bipartisan legislation to expand the application of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the Michigan Legislature and the governor’s office, a significant step forward to increase transparency within state government. Senate Bills 669 and 670 each passed with a 36-2 vote.
Enacted in 1976, Michigan’s FOIA law is one of the few in the nation that exempts state lawmakers and the governor’s office from records requests. This significant gap in the law contributed to Michigan receiving an F in government integrity from the national Center for Public Integrity’s 2015 report, where the state ranked last overall, failing in 10 out of 13 categories, including public access to information, executive accountability, and legislative accountability.
The bills now move to the House.
In Recent News
Michigan Top in the Nation for Clean Energy Investments, Automotive Prowess
Business Facilities’ 20th Annual Rankings Report — which identifies leading locations for industries and helps inform site selectors’ decisions — has once again named Michigan as best-in-nation for the automotive industry, while also giving the state top spots in life sciences, semiconductors, EV investments, customized workforce training, and more.
Michigan was also recognized as a top ten state in the semiconductor industry thanks to investments from various companies and initiatives to develop talent for the industry, such as through the Michigan Semiconductor Talent and Technology for Automotive Research (MSTAR), a public-private initiative to make the state a world leader in automotive semiconductor technology and talent.
Michigan also earned top 10 status for customized workforce training from Business Facilities, building upon another accolade for Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Talent Action Team, who recently received global recognition as No. 4 most innovative business service in the world, according to rankings by Fast Company.
In addition to the Business Facilities rankings, Climate Power has once again named Michigan No. 1 for clean energy investments from the Inflation Reduction Act. This is the second year in a row that Michigan has been named to the top spot.
The Climate Power report indicates Michigan won 58 projects, securing nearly $25.4 billion in investments and 21,490 jobs, besting Texas, Georgia, California, and South Carolina as the top five states where projects are locating.
Protecting the Great Lakes from Invasive Species
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois to cosponsor the construction of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. This milestone agreement with the Biden Administration unlocks $274 million in federal and $114 million in state funding for the first of three phases of the $1.15 billion project that will prevent invasive carp and aquatic nuisance species from entering the Great Lakes.
Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, is a critical point to stop invasive carp from moving into the Great Lakes. The Brandon Road Interbasin Project will implement a complex series of invasive carp and aquatic nuisance species deterrents.
Share Your Thoughts with the DNR at Upcoming Meetings
The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) is committed to giving Michigan residents the opportunity to share input and ideas on policy decisions, programs and other aspects of natural resource management and outdoor recreation opportunities.
One important avenue for this input is at meetings of the public bodies that advise the DNR and, in some cases, also set policies for natural and cultural resource management. Frequently check the DNR boards, commissions, committees and councils webpage for updates.
The links below will take you to the webpage for each group, where you will find meeting details such as location and agenda (when finalized). Please check these pages often, as meeting details may change and sometimes meetings are canceled.
July Meetings
Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee – Thursday, July 18, 9 a.m. (Contact: Barbara Graves, 517-284-6135).
Board of Foresters – Thursday, July 18, 9 a.m. (Contact: Brenda Haskill, 989-370-9557).
Forest Management Advisory Committee – Wednesday, July 17, 1 p.m. (Contact: Kimberley Korbecki, 517-582-3204).
Nonmotorized Advisory Workgroup – Thursday, July 18, 10 a.m. (Contact: Annalisa Centofanti, 517-331-6219).
Pigeon River Country Advisory Council – Thursday, July 18, 5 p.m. (Contact: Mark Monroe, 989-983-4101).
Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council – Friday, July 19, 8:30 a.m. (Contact: Kimberley Korbecki, 517-582-3220 or 517-284-5876).
Western Upper Peninsula Citizens Advisory Council – Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m. EDT (Contact: Stacy Welling Haughey, 906-226-1331).
In the Community
Constituent Outreach
I recently joined the Democratic Caucus Services Team to talk with residents in Jackson. You will see us in your neighborhoods as we connect with constituents across the district this summer!
Upcoming Events
Senior Resource Fair in Jackson – August 16th
On Friday, August 16, I’m hosting my annual Senior Summit event at the Crouch Senior Center in Jackson. Please come anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to learn about your legal rights, services available to seniors, how to avoid scams, and how to avoid having your identity stolen, among other topics and free resources from various organizations and agencies.
This annual event is incredibly informative and a great way for you to ask questions and share updates on issues that are important to you. Hope to see you there!
WHEN: Friday, August 16, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Crouch Senior Center, 1715 Lansing Ave. #672, Jackson, MI 49202
Resources
AG Nessel Issues Consumer Alert on Alternative Gas Suppliers
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is issuing a Consumer Alert regarding Alternative Gas Suppliers (AGSs) following numerous complaints about deceptive practices. Since the beginning of 2024, over 125 complaints have been filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) concerning AGSs.
AGSs are third-party companies authorized to sell natural gas to residents in the Consumers Energy, DTE, SEMCO, or Michigan Gas Utilities service territories. While these suppliers can offer competitive rates, AGS rates are not regulated by the MPSC, unlike rates from local utility companies.
All AGSs must be licensed by the MPSC. If a consumer encounters a company that is not licensed, the Attorney General advises them not to engage in their services and to file a complaint with the MPSC.
Consumers interested in AGS services should:
- Ask AGS representatives to include details on how savings are calculated, the contract length, the per unit rate, and any associated fees;
- Understand the duration of any promotional pricing, the process, and fees for switching AGSs or returning to the local utility, and contract terms after promotional periods expire;
- Be aware of any cancellation fees and how the process works; and
- Check eligibility for budget plan customers and those with past due balances.
If a consumer believes an AGS has engaged in a misleading or deceptive promotion leading them to sign a contract, the Attorney General encourages them to file a complaint with the MPSC online or by calling 1-800-292-9555.
Consumers considering an AGS can learn more at the MPSC’s Natural Gas Customer Choice webpage, which includes information on licensed suppliers in each utility’s service territory. The Attorney General also encourages consumers to visit the MPSC’s Compare MI Gas website, which has answers to frequently asked questions about gas customer choice.
Tips to Help Protect Your Animals Over the Summer
As we experienced during the heat wave of late June, summer can be an especially dangerous time for not only our families and communities, but also our pets and animals. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has coordinated helpful tips to help keep your pets safe and cool over the warm summer months:
- Provide unlimited, cool, clean, fresh water: Just like people, animals can quickly become parched in hot temperatures. No matter the species, animals should always have access to unlimited cool, clean, fresh water to prevent dehydration. If you bring your pet in public, be sure to bring along hydration options and avoid using communal water bowls.
- Know your animal’s limits and ability to tolerate heat: An animal’s age, breed, type of coat, and health history — among other factors — can all play a role in their ability to tolerate heat. Keep an eye out for signs of heat stress, including increased panting or drooling and being more lethargic. If they are displaying any signs of heat stress, immediately move your animal to a cooler area.
- Test surfaces to ensure they won’t burn paws: Surfaces like asphalt, concrete, and sand can really heat up in the sun, which can burn paws or make a walk extremely uncomfortable for your pets. To test if a surface is too hot, touch it with the palm of your hand. If the surface is too hot for you, it means that it’s too hot for your pet as well. Consider taking a different route that is mostly grass or waiting until the evening when everything has had a chance to cool down.
- Avoid harmful algal blooms (HABs) in bodies of water: HABs form due to a rapid growth of cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, which are naturally found in lakes, rivers, and ponds. To prevent illness in your pets, keep them out of areas with scum or discolored water, rinse them off after contact with any lake water, and bring clean, fresh water for them to drink. If your animal becomes sick after contact with a suspected HAB, please call your veterinarian immediately. Animal illnesses due to HABs are also reportable to MDARD. To report cases, submit a Reportable Disease Form or call 800-292-3939. In addition, to report any suspicious looking algae, please email algaebloom@michigan.gov.
- Do not leave animals in parked vehicles: Even when temperatures outside feel more moderate, vehicles often heat up very quickly, creating unsafe conditions for animals left inside. Leaving windows cracked open and/or parking in the shade does little to improve the situation. In these conditions, it is best to leave pets at home when you need to go out and about.
- Ensure animals have a place to cool down: Animals know when they are too hot and will usually try to seek out a place where they can safely cool down. Make sure your pets have access to shades, fans, misters, pools, cooling mats, and/or air-conditioned spaces to help them stay comfortable and healthy.