Dear Neighbor,
It is so nice to be out and about in the better weather and longer days! It has been great to see so many of you at community events lately! If you are having an event and would like to invite me, I will try to make it!
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can email me at sensshink@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-2426. Also, please visit my official Facebook page for the latest updates.
Sincerely,
Sue Shink
State Senator
14th Senate District
- Last month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her annual State of the State address, outlining her priorities for the year ahead, such as tackling the housing crisis, lowering costs for working families, and ensuring all Michiganders have what they need to thrive.
- Join me for my upcoming Prescription Drug Affordability Board town hall at the Traverwood Branch of the Ann Arbor District Library on Thursday, April 10th at 6:00pm.
- The Senate continues to hear about the impacts of federal funding freezes and job cuts from community and state organizations, and I am speaking out about it while working to protect Michiganders from harm as best I can.
2025 State of the State Address
In February, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her annual State of the State address, outlining her priorities for the year ahead. She highlighted plans to make housing more affordable, lower costs for working families, and ensure every Michigander has the opportunity to build a secure future.
In her speech, Gov. Whitmer highlighted the shortage of affordable housing, an issue I have consistently championed during my time in the Legislature. I was glad to hear her emphasize its importance, and I agree that we must do more to invest in building new homes and fixing up existing structures.
I’ve brought back tax dollars to increase the housing supply here in our district, securing $4.5 million for the City of Jackson Downtown Development project, which will redevelop the historic Hayes Hotel building, plus $1 million in grant funding to support affordable housing projects in Jackson, including reinvestment that’s bringing 94 new homes to the Health District neighborhood. I also helped secure $3 million to expand drug treatment housing at Andy’s Place and dollars for supportive services at Avalon Housing. I remain committed to increasing access to decent, affordable housing, and will continue working to ensure real progress on this issue.
As the legislative session continues, I look forward to working with the governor and my colleagues in the Legislature to address these challenges and deliver real solutions for Michiganders. If you missed the address, you can watch the full recording here.
It was my pleasure to host Aidan Sova, Ann Arbor District Library Board Trustee, as my special guest at this year’s State of the State Address.
Community and State Organizations Share Local Impact of Federal Funding Freeze on Michiganders
Earlier this month, the Senate Oversight Committee heard testimony from leaders of early childhood education programs, health and nutrition experts, disability advocates, and other nonprofits and institutions who are having a hard time providing crucial services to Michigan children, seniors, students, families and more as a result of the Trump-Musk administration’s January memo ordering a pause to funding for federal grants and loans.
Though a federal judge temporarily blocked the order, the effects of the administration’s initial announcement caused confusion and chaos as well as ongoing uncertainty. This has resulted in devastating consequences for Michiganders. This committee hearing was an opportunity to hear firsthand about the on-the-ground impact this directive has had here in Michigan.
You can watch the recording of the hearing via the Michigan Senate TV page, here.
I’ve been speaking in the community and on the Senate floor recently about the unprecedented and chaotic federal funding cuts and job purges and their impact on real people. Slashing funding and gutting programs without any consideration of its effect on peoples’ lives is not normal nor is it acceptable. I will continue to speak out about this — if you or your loved ones are being impacted by funding cuts or job eliminations, please reach out to my office. I am keeping track of personal stories in my district, and of course we would be happy to help you find resources. You can see my floor speech from February 25, here. If you or someone you know has been recently terminated from a federal job, you can find unemployment resources here.
Michigan Senate Wins Lawsuit, Upholding Constitution & Securing Wins for Teachers, First Responders, & Corrections Officers
We won! On February 27, Court of Claims Judge Sima Patel ruled in favor of Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and the Michigan Senate in Michigan Senate v. Michigan House of Representatives, making it clear that the Michigan Constitution says every bill passed by the Legislature is required to be presented to the governor — and no one — especially an elected public servant in legislative leadership — is above the law.
The lawsuit was brought by Leader Brinks after House Speaker Matt Hall failed to present nine bills that passed both chambers to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The bills — House Bills 4177, 4665-4667, and 4900-4901 of 2023 and House Bills 5817-5818 and 6058 of 2024 — improve retirement benefits for state corrections and conservation officers as well as lower health care costs for firefighters, teachers, and other public sector employees.
Prescription Drug Affordability Board Town Hall
To lower costs for Michigan families, my colleagues and I introduced legislation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Michigan (PDAB) — an independent board to lower prescription drug costs and hold Big Pharma accountable for gouging residents. Please join me to learn more about this bill and others I’m working on, and any other questions and concerns too!
WHEN: Thursday, April 10, from 6:00 to 7:30p.m.
WHERE: Traverwood Branch, Ann Arbor District Library, 3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor MI 48105
Meeting with Corrections Officers
I sat down with corrections officers from Jackson to hear how chronic worker shortages are negatively impacting their personal lives. We spoke about recently passed bills to secure their retirement benefits and address the shortages, and how those bills continue to be held illegally by the GOP-controlled Michigan House instead of being sent to the Governor to become law.
Renters’ Rights Town Hall
Thank you to all the presenters at my renters’ rights town hall! — the MSU Law Housing Justice Clinic, Community Action Agency, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, and to the Jackson District Library.
If you rent, whether it’s a house, apartment or mobile home, there are resources available to help you understand and advocate for your rights, including these:
Reference book for tenants and landlords in Michigan: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/…/Pub…/tenantlandlord.pdf
MSU Housing Justice Clinic: https://www.law.msu.edu/clinics/housing.html
Legal Services of South Central Michigan: https://lsscm.org/
Community Action Agency: https://www.caajlh.org/
Online Legal Help Site: https://michiganlegalhelp.org/
Legislative Black Caucus Celebration
It was an honor to be part of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus’ Black History Month Celebration! The event showcased the power, resilience, and brilliance of Black leadership in Michigan.
Ezra Eby School Visit
Thank you, students, staff, and parents from Ezra Eby Elementary of Napoleon for coming to the Senate. It is the best part of our day to visit with our local school students. Keep following your dreams.
Portage Lake Association Dinner
Portage Lake Association held a wonderful neighborhood dinner at the Zukey Lake Tavern. I appreciated meeting neighbors and hearing about the issues that lakefront residents experience. State Rep. Jennifer Conlin and Washtenaw Water Resources Commissioner Gretchen Driskell also attended.
Celebrating Free School Meals for Michigan Students
I’m proud that in the last two state budgets we passed, my colleagues and I secured funding to provide free breakfast and lunch for all public-school students, saving Michigan families approximately $850 a year on food costs, and keeping kids fed and focused in the classroom. I’ve heard from lots of students and their parents about how helpful free meals for all are.
As one of only eight states that offers a statewide free meal program for all public-school students, the Michigan Dept. of Education recognized the week of March 3-7 as National School Breakfast Week, an opportunity to highlight this widely popular and successful program. Since the start of Michigan School Meals in the 2023-24 school year, 31% more students are eating breakfast at school and 25% more are eating lunch there as well. The program doesn’t just benefit students and their families but also purchases food from local farmers and food producers. I’m glad to see Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has called for its continuation in the 2026 state budget — I’ll be fighting to make sure that happens!
Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council Survey Opportunities
Do you rely on Medicaid-funded services or supports? Considering proposed federal cuts to Medicaid, the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is asking individuals with disabilities who use Medicaid-funded services and supports, and their family members, to share their Medicaid stories. Click this link to complete their survey.
The MDDC is also conducting a survey on people’s experiences with community mental health services, also known as behavioral health services and supports. Fill out this survey if you or a loved one receives these services, and you’d like to share your thoughts.
March is Food and Ag Month
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed March as Food and Agriculture Month to honor and celebrate Michigan’s farmers, the diversity of products grown and processed in our state, and the partnerships that keep our food and agriculture industry thriving.
“This March, we recognize all the Michiganders who work hard every day to make us a global food and agriculture powerhouse,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Thanks to our family farmers and cutting-edge businesses, we’re home to a more than $100 billion food and ag industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people in good-paying jobs. This month, let’s celebrate Michigan food and ag, which helps millions of families put food on the table while growing our economy.”
Throughout Michigan Food and Agriculture Month, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) will highlight unique parts of Michigan’s food and agriculture sector while featuring how the industry positively impacts, improves, and protects the lives of Michiganders. “At MDARD, we want everyone to know Michigan is the place to be for food and agriculture. Throughout March, you’ll see posts across our social media channels spotlighting Michigan’s diverse crops, local food and agriculture entrepreneurs, and events about our growing industry,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “Governor Whitmer’s commitment to Michigan’s food and agriculture industry is evident through her recommended FY26 budget, which supports MDARD in our efforts to protect our food supply, encourage environmental sustainability, and foster economic development across the state.”
March also marks the launch of the 2025 Michigan Agriculture magazine, a guide to Michigan s farms, forests, food, and exports. It features stories about the state’s top crops, environmental innovation, livestock, agribusinesses, tourism, food safety, local products and more.
Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship
Youth exhibitors who are getting ready to graduate high school or are newly graduated are encouraged to apply to the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund (MYLSF) cycle for 2025.
The scholarship program provides funding awards for applicants that are residents of Michigan and are graduating seniors or graduated students that are continuing their education at an accredited institution in the year in which they are applying. The awards are given as either a general scholarship or a statewide scholarship. Applications for the scholarships are due on May 1, 2025.
Proceeds from the Michigan Livestock Expo Sale-Abration auction, held annually in mid-July, as well as charitable donations help fund the scholarships. The fund is governed by an 11-member board comprised of volunteers from Michigan’s agricultural community, including representatives from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
Since its inception in 2000 at the Michigan State Fair, MYLSF has awarded $840,255 in scholarships and educational awards to outstanding youth who have exhibited at premier livestock events in the state of Michigan. In 2024, a total of $50,500 in scholarships was awarded to 43 deserving students.
In 2025, a select number of applicants will be offered an opportunity to interview prior to the Sale-Abration event for a larger scholarship with awards up to $5,000. The decision is made at the discretion of the MYLSF Board.
For the general MYLSF scholarship, the applicant must have been a youth exhibitor at the Michigan Livestock Expo or the Michigan Dairy Expo for a minimum of three calendar years prior to the year of application. For the statewide scholarship, an applicant must have been a youth exhibitor at a local, county, or statewide exhibition for a minimum of three years prior to the year of application. Apply for this scholarship opportunity via the online 2025 MYLSF Scholarship Application.
Stay Protected and Slam the Scam
With National Slam the Scam Day happening on March 6, the Social Security Administration wants to spread awareness about Social Security-related scams and tips on how to stop scammers from stealing your money and personal information. Help protect yourself and your loved ones by:
- Learning about the most recent scams. Signs of a scam include:
- An unexpected problem or offer of a prize or benefit increase,
- Pressure to act immediately, and
- A request for an unusual payment like cryptocurrency, gift cards, gold bars, and wire transfers, potentially along with the promise of keeping your money “safe.”
- Reporting scams as soon as possible. Everyone is vulnerable — victims shouldn’t be embarrassed.
- Sharing their Scam Alert fact sheet and helping inform others on how to protect themselves.
Report Social Security-related scams to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.