Dear Neighbor,
It’s already mid-August, and we’re nearing the end of another beautiful Michigan summer. I hope you and your loved ones have the chance to get out and savor everything this wonderful season has to offer in our great state.
Throughout the summer, my colleagues and I have been busy at work, connecting with residents across Michigan and in our districts. I’ve had some great conversations that have given me a better understanding of what the pressing issues that need our attention are when we return to Lansing this fall.
If you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or needs assistance, 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
- Upcoming Events
- Resources
Legislative Updates
Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Give Michiganders the Freedom to Plan
While other states work to restrict individuals’ reproductive rights, Michigan Senate Democrats are leading the fight to protect freedom of choice for all.
The Freedom to Plan Act was recently introduced in the Senate and, if passed into law, would break down financial barriers to over-the-counter oral hormonal contraceptives and emergency contraceptives — providing Michigan residents with the autonomy, power and freedom to make their own medical decisions.
For over six decades, contraception has been an integral component of women’s health care. Named as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contraception has played a pivotal role in expanding women’s bodily autonomy. Giving people who can become pregnant the ability to determine whether to have children and the number and spacing of their children, contraception provides Michiganders with the power to plan their own course in life.
These newly introduced bills build on a series of actions taken by the Michigan Legislature to ensure Michiganders — not politicians — possess the power to determine if and when they would like to begin a family. After repealing the state’s archaic and dangerous 1931 abortion ban, Senate Democrats championed the Reproductive Health Act which breaks down barriers to accessing reproductive care by repealing medically unnecessary regulations that are only imposed upon abortion care facilities. Additionally, the Legislature passed the Family Protection Act to modernize the state’s surrogacy laws and protect other forms of assisted reproduction, such as IVF.
Back-to-School Budget Signed
Last month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put her stamp of approval on the K-12 budget for the 2024-25 school year. This budget continues putting Michigan students and educators first and foremost, helping to set our kids up for futures full of success and opportunity.
Thanks to an innovative and strategic approach to school funding, Senate Democrats are enhancing the quality of education by providing schools with the necessary resources for students to thrive.
The new budget delivers significant relief to schools, by providing school districts with increases to their general operating funding. Currently, school districts are charged an annual contribution toward the pension and retiree health care legacy debts of the school employee pension system (MPSERS). The budget allocates $598 million to reimburse districts for a portion of that contribution, thus freeing up existing discretionary funding for other essential needs. On average, this allocation is equivalent to approximately an additional $400 per student or a 4.16% increase in school funds. The graphics below give detailed information on funding increases for specific school districts in our area.
Senate District 14: School Districts in Washtenaw County and Bordering Districts
Senate District 14: School Districts in Jackson County
Last year, our Democratic Majority began the popular free breakfast and lunch program for all Michigan public school students — and in this year’s budget, we continued this critical program to ensure that Michigan’s 1.4 million public school students are well-fed and able to focus on learning. More information about the free breakfast and lunch program can be found here.
Our education budget also implements the state’s first-ever “Opportunity Index” equity funding formula that strategically invests more dollars into districts based on their concentration of poverty, prioritizing students and schools with the highest level of need.
We also delivered on the promise of two years of free community college for high school graduates, helping improve access to higher education and better paying jobs. This ensures that every Michigan high school graduate, beginning this year, can obtain an associate degree or skilled certificate tuition-free, saving over 18,000 students up to $4,820 annually.
Michigan Senate Democrats remain committed to meeting the needs and interests of students, educators, and families in every corner of our state, and we look forward to another school year full of learning, growth, and opportunity for our kids.
In Recent News
Senate Democrats Celebrate Water Quality Month — Continuing the Fight to Protect Michigan’s Water Quality
Michigan’s 76,439 miles of rivers and streams and 11,000 inland lakes are an incredible treasure contributing to Michigan’s legacy of an abundance of clean, fresh water. The best way to preserve these exceptional resources, which also provide important ecosystem services like flood storage and corridors for wildlife, is to protect them from pollution. Senate Democrats have championed the fight to protect the quality of Michigan’s water — investing in water infrastructure, combatting pollution, and ensuring all residents have access clean drinking water.
Motivated by the devastating impact of the Flint water crisis — exacerbated by the inaction of previous Republican administrations — this Democratic Majority has worked tirelessly to combat lead contamination in drinking water and ensure clean water for schools.
Senate Democrats’ commitment to protecting Michigan’s water quality and providing clean water for every resident paved the way for significant investments in water infrastructure, including securing funds for innovative projects like wastewater treatment plants. In the latest state budget, Senate Democrats secured more than $509 million for these projects that will help improve the quality of our water infrastructure.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) also plays a crucial role in protecting Michigan’s water and waterways. However, a 2004 law has prevented the agency from updating standards for water testing and controlling pollutant discharge from farms and factories for nearly 20 years. Senate Bill 663, which I sponsored and the Senate passed, removes this provision, enabling the agency to update its standards in line with federal regulations.
Through these collective efforts and more, the Senate Democrats are showcasing their commitment to improving and protecting water quality in our state. They are crafting legislation to safeguard Michigan’s natural resources, ensuring clean and accessible water not just during Water Quality Month, but throughout the entire year.
Honoring World Breastfeeding Week
In an effort to inform the public and engage action on breastfeeding advocacy, we recognize World Breastfeeding Week annually from August 1-7. This week and beyond, let’s continue working to promote inclusive environments that support breastfeeding parents, including adequate protections and resources to encourage one of the most effective methods of improving maternal and infant health.
Our caucus is working to support every Michigan parent in their breastfeeding journey, which is why Sen. Jeff Irwin introduced Senate Bill 351. This bill would expand Michigan’s Public Breastfeeding Nondiscrimination Act to ensure parents are protected from discrimination for pumping breastmilk in public, which is often necessary when parents are away from their breastfeeding baby for several hours. Senate Bill 351 successfully passed out of the Senate and now awaits further action in the House of Representatives.
Also, did you know that last year the Henry Ford Milk Bank-Jackson opened in Jackson, becoming only the second human donor milk bank in Michigan, and the most convenient location for donors in central and southeast Michigan? The Milk Bank provides a safe and healthy option for when a mom is unable to provide her baby with her own milk.
In the Community
Dexter Senior Center Rising
The Dexter Senior Center is rising from the ground thanks to the work of residents, local and county officials, including Washtenaw County Commissioner Jason Maciejewski, Dexter Schools Superintendent Chris Timmis and the Dexter School Board, State Representative Jennifer Conlin, myself, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. Everyone brought what they had to the project. It’s incredible what we can do working together!
MDOC Vocational Village
We celebrated the grand opening of the Vehicle Technology Center at the SMT Vocational Village at Parnall Correctional Facility. I joined Director Heidi Washington, State Representative Amos O’Neal and Warden Noah Nagy. During the tour, Director Washington thanked MDOC staff and the employers who were present for believing in the Vocational Village’s vision. I consistently support development of vocational and educational opportunities as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Corrections and Judiciary Budget Subcommittee. The new center will provide skilled trades training for incarcerated individuals in a field where employers need skilled employees and are excited about hiring graduates of the program.
Grow Jackson
I enjoyed a lunch meeting with Grow Jackson’s Jacob Inosencio and six urban agriculture workforce development interns. They described all they’ve learned this summer about the environment, agriculture, food justice, water systems, waste management, transportation, and financial literacy. Grow Jackson provides young people with the tools to engage in their community and build a better future. The interns were excited about their experience and their future plans!
Upcoming Events
Senior Resource Fair in Jackson – It’s Finally Here!
This 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 several organizations and agencies. The Michigan Secretary of State, AARP, Henry Ford Health and Veterans’ Affairs are expected to be there to meet your needs! Meals on Wheels will also be serving lunch.
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
Apply for Free PreK Today!
The 2025 state budget gives access to free PreK for many Michigan four-year-olds, prioritizing those who need it most. This saves families around $10,000 per year.
It’s not too late for families to enroll their four-year-old in PreK this fall!
If you have a child who will be 4 years old by December 1, there are seats available this fall. Go to MiFreePreschool.org to find programs near you.
WIC (Women, Infants, & Children) Program Expands Eligibility Requirements to Serve More Families
Michigan’s WIC program has updated their guidelines to now allow even more families to qualify and receive benefits. Participants can use their WIC EBT card to purchase essential foods like fresh produce, milk, bread, eggs, and infant formula at select stores. Find out if you’re eligible and how to access benefits here.
Find the Help You Need with Michigan 2-1-1
Michigan 2-1-1 is an all-in-one resource for Michiganders. Call 2-1-1 or go to their website to find information and resources pertaining to utility assistance, housing programs, food assistance, HIV/STI services, COVID-19, home visiting, grief and bereavement resources and services and much more. The 2-1-1 line is open 24/7 and offers help in over 180 languages. You can also use this link to find your local number to text.