Dear Neighbor,
It’s been an eventful November with the election of a new president and legislative leaders at the state and federal levels. Whether you voted early, absentee, or in person on Election Day, you played your part in our democracy and helped us set a new state record for ballots cast during a general election.
As temperatures continue to drop and winter approaches, I hope you and your loved ones are staying warm. Now is an excellent time to winterize your home (Weatherization Assistance Program) and vehicle (Be Prepared), and to prepare an emergency plan for extreme cold and other winter weather events.
If you or someone you know wants to provide feedback on what’s happening in Lansing or needs help of any sort, please feel free to contact my office. You can send an email to sensshink@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-2426. Also, visit my official Facebook page for the latest updates.
Sincerely,
Sue Shink
State Senator
14th Senate District
- Senate Democrats vote for legislation to serve Michigan workers and build a healthier future for residents.
- Nov. 11 was Veterans Day, a time to honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who have served in our armed forces. Thank you to all those who served and their families for your service and sacrifice. Learn more about our work to support Michigan veterans here.
Serving Michigan Workers of All Ages
- Improving Michigan’s Unemployment System: Unemployment benefits have long been a critical lifeline for Michigan workers — helping them put food on the table, pay their rent, and afford other essential items in times of difficulty. Last week, the Senate Labor Committee voted to advance a package of bills that would make updates to Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). These bills improve the processes for unemployed workers in the state. Now they will head to the Senate floor.
- Improving Child Labor Laws: My colleagues and I passed Senate Bills 963–965 recently, which would increase penalties and fines for businesses found employing minors illegally or subjecting them to unsafe working conditions. These now head over to the Michigan House for their consideration.
- Improving Retirement Benefits for Officers: The Michigan Senate recently passed Senate Bills 165–167, which I have been working to get passed, along with Sens. John Cherry and Kristen McDonald Rivet. This legislation would allow new corrections, conservation, and other certain state officers to become members of the Michigan State Police hybrid retirement system and would allow current officers to choose to move retirement systems. These bills now advance to the House for consideration.
Building a Healthier Michigan
- Improving Breast Cancer Detection Standards: Too many people in Michigan and across the country, including me, know the pain of losing a loved one to breast cancer. Recognizing the ability to save lives with early detection, Sen. Sarah Anthony introduced Senate Bill 1042 to improve the quality of communication with women following their mammograms. Senate Bill 1042, which was voted favorably out of the Senate Committee on Health Policy, will now head to the Senate floor for a vote by the full chamber.
- Preventing Youth Tobacco Use: The Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs recently advanced legislation that would require tobacco retailers to be licensed and repeal the penalties against minors for tobacco use, purchase, or possession — which are shown to be ineffective. All my grandparents died young in part because they started smoking young. My grandma would say she didn’t know there was anything wrong with it! Today, vaping and other tobacco use are leading causes of preventable death in Michigan and across the country, and my colleagues and I are trying to protect Michigan’s youth from tobacco’s serious health risks.
Investments in Our Community
I was proud to work with Gov. Whitmer to bring projects directly to our district. Together, we’ve secured 33 projects, over $23 million in public investments, and over $130 million in private investments. Here’s what these investments go toward:
PMBC Access & Certification Grants – Offers Michigan small businesses funding to improve competitiveness and more.
Community Revitalization – Supports structural renovations and redevelopment of historic preservation sites and more.
Brownfield TIF State Mill – Aids the redevelopment of contaminated, blighted, or underutilized properties.
SmartZones – Assists small businesses and startups by providing financial support for research and development, product promotion, and more.
Revitalization & Placemaking Program – Funds projects aimed at creating vibrant, attractive, and inclusive spaces in Michigan communities.
MI State Trade Expansion Program (MI-STEP) – Helps small and medium-sized businesses expand their reach into international markets.
MI Innovate Capital Program – Provides early-stage funding to Michigan-based startups and technology-driven small businesses.
SSBCI 2.0 – CAP – Gives financial support opportunities to small businesses that may have difficulty securing traditional loans.
Groundbreaking for Jackson’s East Side
I was excited to take part in a groundbreaking celebration on Jackson’s East Side, where historic reinvestment will soon bring 94 new homes to the Health District neighborhood. The funding for the public-private partnership came in part from federal and state sources. I’ll continue working to secure funding that will increase affordable housing and reduce homelessness!
Veterans Day Observances
I enjoyed spending Veterans Day with veterans at the Chelsea Senior Center and the Jackson College Veterans Center. To all who served, thank you for what you’ve done and continue to do to serve our nation and our communities. If you want to talk about what benefits are available for veterans, please give us a call!
Housing Conference
At the Housing Solutions Conference in Tecumseh, hosted by Housing Lenawee, my constituent services team, B VanderPloeg and Nancy Smith, learned about the many ways that public and private groups are working to solve Michigan’s housing shortage.
Freedom Township Meeting
My Chief of Staff, Jeffrey Hillman, and I attended the Freedom Township Planning Commission meeting to learn about the proposed anaerobic digester that has residents worried, as well as issues with solar siting and aggregate mining. Please let us know if you have issues coming up in your community and you would like us to learn more about them.
Grow Jackson Harvest Dinner
Grow Jackson is a non-profit that teaches hundreds of schoolkids how to garden and advocates for fresh food access in the community. I attended their annual Harvest Dinner and had many good conversations with community members.
NAACP Awards Dinner
The NAACP of Ann Arbor honored 268 young scholars with an awards dinner. Congratulations to the young scholars — I appreciate all the effort you have put into your education!
Temple Grandin in Jackson
Dr. Temple Grandin gave the keynote talk to a huge crowd at disAbility Connections’ annual fundraiser and 100th anniversary celebration in Jackson. Her positive message focused on recognizing and developing the talents of kids and young adults with autism, setting them up for productive, independent lives. My constituent services aide, Nancy Smith, attended this wonderful event.
Winter Hazards Awareness Week
As winter approaches, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared Nov. 3-9 as Winter Hazards Awareness Week, urging Michiganders to prioritize emergency preparedness.
The Michigan State Police recommend weatherproofing homes, insulating pipes, cleaning gutters to prevent ice dams, and ensuring heating systems are safe. Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors and create an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, and blankets. Drivers should winterize vehicles and carry emergency supplies, including a flashlight, jumper cables, and extra warm clothing. For more tips, visit Michigan.gov/miready. If you need help knowing where to go for these items, please give us a call!
Honoring Our Veterans on Nov. 11, Veterans Day
Every year on November 11, Americans come together to express profound gratitude for those who honored our country through the highest form of service. From soldiers and sailors to pilots, Coast Guard members, and Marines, these are individuals who sacrifice their safety from here in our backyards to some of the most dangerous corners of the earth to defend the ideals of freedom and democracy.
My colleagues and I have worked to pass legislation and secure investments in the Michigan Legislature to better serve veterans. Some of this work includes:
- Lowering costs for families of disabled veterans by eliminating red tape and ensuring spouses can maintain property tax exemptions.
- Establishing a special registration plate for women veterans in the state of Michigan, helping to raise recognition of their contributions to our nation.
- Securing funds for suicide prevention programs that help veterans and their families address the trauma related to military service.
On Veterans Day and beyond, I am committed to providing our service members, veterans, and their families with meaningful recognition and essential support. To learn more about the Senate’s efforts to meet the needs of Michigan veterans, click here. To learn more about the various resources available to veterans, click here.
Deer Hunting Begins Nov. 15
Michigan’s 2024 firearm deer hunting season started Friday, Nov. 15. The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources has a page to help hunters have a successful season — find licenses, regulations, maps, and more here.
Recognizing the importance and tradition of hunting here in Michigan, my colleagues and I have been working to reduce red tape for hunters and restore our game species, while also protecting Michigan’s many outdoor spaces, which offer ample opportunities for residents to explore, unwind, and enjoy nature.
If you are planning to take part in this tradition this year, good luck! I hope you bag a big one!!