Dear Neighbor,
Labor Day has now come and gone and so has another beautiful Michigan summer. As the leaves start to change colors, I encourage you to take advantage of everything our great state has to offer. From cider mills and pumpkin patches to scenic hiking trails and bountiful state parks, there’s so much fall fun to be had here in the Mitten State!
My legislative colleagues and I have continued working to connect with our constituents in the district and hear their valuable insight — and also negotiate a responsible state budget that supports our schools, roads, first responders, local government, parks maintenance and all the other services Michiganders take for granted. I won’t stop fighting until we reach a budget deal that delivers on the priorities that matter most to our communities.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or get help 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 or website for the latest updates.
Sincerely,
Sue Shink
State Senator
14th Senate District
- On Labor Day, we celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of Michigan workers while continuing the fight for workforce protections.
- September is Suicide Prevention Month, which is a great opportunity to spread awareness and resources to help reduce suicide in our communities. Read on to learn more.
We’re making plans for another Coffee Hour event soon. You can look for announcements about upcoming events on my official website as well as on my Facebook page.
Honoring Michigan Workers This Labor Day and Always
I hope you had a fun, restful Labor Day! We honor the hardworking labor force that powers our state every day! The people who came before us worked hard and risked their safety to win worker protections we enjoy today, like the 40-hour work week and safety regulations.
Since the onset of our Senate Democratic Majority over two years ago, my colleagues and I have worked hard to strengthen workers’ rights, from repealing the state’s harmful anti-union law to reinstating prevailing wages, and:
- Investing in the creation of the Community and Worker Economic Transition Office, which develops proactive strategies to help companies and Michiganders take full advantage of the high-tech, high-paying jobs coming to the state in the auto and energy sectors.
- Enabling workers to go back to school to pursue a degree or skilled trade certification through investing in the Michigan Reconnect scholarship.
- Passing legislation to strengthen Michigan’s child labor laws and protect our youth from unsafe working conditions.
- Restoring collective bargaining rights for 35,000 independent home care workers, giving them the choice to form a union, create access to training for caregivers, and more.
- Extending prevailing wage protections to statewide wind and solar projects, ensuring fair compensation and protecting the skills and safety of our workforce.
- Advocating for workforce development investments that support everyone from graduating seniors to veterans.
We’ll continue doing everything in our power to make Michigan a great place to work and live.
Senate Democrats Continue Holding the Line for a Responsible State Budget
Long after the statutory July 1 deadline, House Republicans finally passed a state budget plan just before Labor Day. However, their half-baked proposal makes dangerous, catastrophic cuts to vital services and programs that Michigan residents rely on and fund with their hard-earned tax dollars. In fact, Speaker Matt Hall and House Republicans are actively working to defund critical state agencies and programs, including the Michigan State Police, Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services, Dept. of Corrections, Dept. of Natural Resources, and Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, among others.
The very real consequences of House Republicans’ recklessness are starting to be felt in districts across the state with kids already back to school. With House Republicans proposing sweeping cuts to the critical funding that schools and families need, school administrators are left scrambling to plan without knowing how much funding they’re set to receive for the academic year.
Michigan students, teachers, and all residents deserve better. The Senate passed an education budget months ago, well before the July 1 deadline, that protects the universal school meals program, mental health and safety initiatives, and smaller class sizes. The irresponsible plan proposed by the House GOP puts these investments — and so many others — at risk. It’s unacceptable, immoral, and plain bad governance. For the sake of our students and the prosperity of our state, we must reach a fiscally responsible budget agreement before irreversible harm is done. As the clock continues to tick, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I remain at the negotiating table ready to deliver a budget that doesn’t shortchange Michigan students or their families.
Learn more by watching our recent press conference here.
Senate Democrats Advance Bipartisan Bills Only for Them to Stall in the House
In addition to keeping us from getting a state budget done, Speaker Matt Hall and House Republicans are stalling action on 49 bills that my Senate colleagues and I passed with unanimous and bipartisan support. Through extensive conversations with community members, stakeholders, and subject-matter experts, we crafted these bills to deliver real progress for Michigan families. Among these bills that are stacking up is legislation that would:
- Address Michigan’s opioid crisis by expanding access to support services and treatment options;
- Strengthen protections for our retired service members and their families, while also improving veterans’ access to the benefits they’ve earned; and,
- Allow survivors of sexual assault the opportunity to get the justice they deserve by fixing Michigan’s broken statute of limitations for civil claims and repealing immunity for educational institutions that conceal systemic abuse.
Here in the Senate, we’ll keep doing the work you sent us here to do — working together with anyone who’s serious about tackling the challenges facing our state. And we’ll continue to try and engage with our House counterparts to get them to do the same. In the meantime, you can learn more about these bills here.
Local Student Wins Civics Bee Finals
It was my pleasure to honor Ashley Tall, winner of the National Civics Bee Michigan State Finals. She will represent Michigan at the National Civics Bee competition in Washington, D.C. in November. Ashley, you are an inspiration to us all. Good luck in Washington, D.C.
Flag Tribute at Civil War Muster
I had an amazing time at the Civil War Muster in Jackson. I honored Douglas Hinton III for supporting Michigan’s Save the Flags Effort. Thank you to head historian Matt VanAcker for showing me flag replicas and talking about efforts to preserve our history.
Rosie the Riveter Turns 102
The U.S. flag flown over the State Capitol on August 28 honored Chelsea resident, Sue Crittenden, on her 102nd birthday. Sue is a real Rosie the Riveter — during WWII, she worked for four years in Alexandria, VA making torpedo parts to support the war effort. I was honored to present Sue with a special tribute thanking her for her amazing service to our country.
Honoring September as Suicide Prevention Month
The devastation of suicide is far-reaching, impacting families and communities across our state and beyond. But suicide is preventable — and September, National Suicide Prevention Month, serves as a great opportunity to spread awareness and resources to connect residents with the help they may need.
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, toll-free, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
- The Veterans Crisis Line provides free 24/7, confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their loved ones. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Call 988 and press “1” to speak with a qualified responder, or text 838255.
- Find a suicide prevention coalition, support group, or crisis line near you by scrolling down this page and finding a listing in your county.
- Get help for yourself or a loved one, learn the facts and warning signs, locate advocacy resources, and much more through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
How to Save With the Home Heating Tax Credit
The Home Heating Tax Credit is a way the state of Michigan helps low-income families pay some of their heating expenses. This year, the average qualifying household received $180 in assistance, which is most often applied directly to residents’ utility bills. Some energy providers automatically provide claimants with a residential income assistance credit worth up to $20 monthly. With these savings, more Michiganders can have additional money in their pockets to put food on the table, afford medication, pay bills, and more.
Residents can apply for the Home Heating Tax Credit until the Sept. 30 deadline. To qualify, residents must be a renter with a contracted lease or a homeowner and meet income requirements. You can apply for the Home Heating Tax Credit here.
September is Food Safety Month
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed September as Michigan Food Safety Education and Awareness Month, encouraging Michiganders to celebrate the importance of food safety with educational activities and observances.
“”Food safety is a team effort, and every Michigander plays a crucial role in keeping food safe, wholesome, and nutritious,” said Tim Boring, Director of the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). “MDARD encourages all Michiganders to promote proper food safety practices to help protect themselves, their families, and their communities from foodborne illness.”
Here are five simple food safety practices to stay healthy this September and beyond:
- Wash Your Hands Regularly – Handwashing is the first line of defense against food borne illnesses. Always wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food, especially raw meat, poultry and seafood.
- Avoid Cross-Contamination – Keep raw meats separate from ready-to-eat foods. Use separate cutting boards for raw proteins and other ingredients such as fruits and vegetables. Make sure to always clean utensils and surfaces after use.
- Use a Food Thermometer to Cook Foods to Safe Temperatures – Use a food thermometer to ensure foods are cooked to the proper internal temperature. Poultry should reach 165°F, while ground beef requires 160°F. Just because food looks done doesn’t mean it’s cooked properly.
- Refrigerate Promptly – Keep perishable foods safe by storing them in the refrigerator within two hours. Ensure your refrigerator is set to 40°F or below.
- Teach Food Safety to Others – Share these tips with family and friends to promote safe food handling practices. Food safety is a shared responsibility, and knowledge is a powerful tool in preventing illness.
Protecting the food supply, reducing the risk of foodborne illness, and responding to foodborne illness outbreaks are high priorities for MDARD, the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services, the state’s local health departments and federal agencies. MDARD inspects over 18,000 licensed food retailers, food processors and warehouses across the state and accredits Michigan’s 45 local health departments, which regulate over 38,000 foodservice establishments.