Dear Neighbor,
Warmer weather is finally here! 🌞 The seasonal changes are welcome and energizing, as my Senate colleagues and I develop and advance critical budget bills and legislation on behalf of our constituents and Michiganders statewide.
Read on to learn more, including our introduction of the Green Amendment, plus how we’re supporting our nurses and working to address human trafficking in the state. And whether you’re excited to fish or start some projects around the yard, we’ve got resources below to support you with these springtime activities.
As always, if you need assistance of any kind, or have questions or concerns you’d like to share, please reach out. You can reach me and my team by emailing us at SenSShink@senate.michigan.gov or calling (517) 373-2426. Also, you can visit my official Facebook page or website for the latest updates.
Sincerely,
Sue Shink
State Senator
14th Senate District
- Please join me for my upcoming Community Conversation at Choate Marketplace (on the 2nd floor) in Brooklyn on Wednesday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. Find more details below, and I hope to see you there!
- On Earth Day, I introduced a resolution to enshrine the right to clean air and water in the Michigan Constitution — the Michigan Green Amendment. You can read more about it below!
- From working to narrow the state’s gender wage gap and improve working conditions for nurses to taking on human trafficking, Michigan Senate Dems have advanced several pieces of important legislation in recent weeks. Learn more below.
- During Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17), Senate Dems shined a light on the glaring systemic injustices that cause real harm in our maternal care system, along with our bipartisan solutions underway that seek to tackle them.
Community Conversation in Brooklyn
Big changes start with local conversations! I’m excited to host my next Community Conversation on Wednesday evening, April 29, in Brooklyn. Please join me to share your thoughts and ideas and hear what’s going on in Lansing.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 29, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Choate Marketplace (upstairs!), 102 N. Main St., Brooklyn, MI 49230
The Michigan Green Amendment
On Earth Day, together with Rep. Donovan McKinney, I introduced the Michigan Green Amendment. Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) H would place an amendment to the Michigan Constitution on the ballot, allowing Michigan voters to choose whether to include the right to clean air and water — a healthy environment for all residents — in our state constitution.
Michiganders believe that we have a right to clean water and air. Often, however, our laws only require a permit to pollute and do not adequately protect residents, our air, or our water. By guaranteeing an inalienable right to a clean environment in our state constitution, we can legally ensure Michiganders have the right to safe drinking water, clean air, and healthy lakes and rivers while preserving the great outdoors our state is known for.
“With this proposal, Michigan is placing itself at the forefront of the U.S. environmental rights movement,” said Maya K. van Rossum, Founder of Green Amendments for the Generations. “Michigan is now poised to be the fourth state in the nation to give the strongest constitutional-level standing to environmental rights. Currently, three states have constitutional protections that give environmental rights the same high-level protection as is proposed by the Michigan Green Amendment. 20 more states are advancing similar proposals, with Michigan’s effort being among the most robust.”
A Snapshot of Senate Activity
Along with working to craft a balanced state budget on time that delivers meaningful relief for Michiganders, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have also been busy working on legislation to address important issues facing residents and communities across the state. Within the last few weeks, I’m proud to report that we’ve made some progress advancing bills to:
Narrow the gender wage gap — The gender wage gap in Michigan isn’t only one of the worst in the country — it’s growing. To help address this issue, my Senate colleagues and I passed legislation to ban employers from seeking irrelevant information about an applicant’s past pay and credit history while making hiring and compensation decisions. For too long, these practices have contributed to unfair employment-related decisions that unfairly impact women and prevent them from accessing the opportunities and wages they deserve. It will take a lot of effort to close the gender pay gap in Michigan, and the legislation we passed last week is a solid step in the right direction.
Support Michigan nurses — Despite already working long shifts, nurses are often forced to work overtime, which could mean staying for shifts of 16 or more hours. Unable to say no, mandatory overtime isn’t only grueling for nurses, contributing to high burnout rates, but it also poses risks to patients and the care they are provided. To improve working conditions for our nurses and protect Michiganders seeking care, the Michigan Senate recently passed bipartisan legislation that would end this dangerous practice while also implementing additional safeguards to ensure nurses can get the rest they need so they take care of us when we are sick or injured.
Combat human trafficking — Building on our previous efforts to address human trafficking in Michigan, Senate Dems are ushering forward a new bill that would help tackle the issue by requiring every hotel, motel and short stay rental in the state to prominently display the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline number. With Michigan positioned at the intersection of many highway corridors and crossing points, this legislation would help victims connect with critical support while also signaling a warning to traffickers. Passed on the Senate floor last week, this life-saving legislation now heads to the House for consideration.
2027 Budget Proposals for Corrections and Judiciary
Last week, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections and Judiciary, of which I chair, successfully passed budget recommendations for the Dept. of Corrections (MDOC) and the Michigan court system, advancing vital investments to increase public safety and ensure a fair, effective legal process statewide.
Ensuring Michigan is a just place for every resident remains the driving factor for these budget decisions. I’m proud to advance these investments through the Senate, which would provide support for our hardworking corrections officers, continue programming to reduce recidivism, and protect constitutional rights. This is about keeping our people and communities safe, and ensuring Michiganders have a fair shot in our court systems.
Major investments include:
- Providing funding for corrections officer pensions to promote staff retention and recruitment;
- Preserving higher education (MiCHEP) and vocational programming in correctional facilities to reduce recidivism;
- Funding for reentry programming, paving the way for offender success;
- Ensuring residents’ access to the State Appellate Defender Office (SADO), solidifying their constitutional right to due process;
- Continuing support for the case management system, increasing court efficiency; and
- Operating more than 200 problem-solving courts, which address the problems that led to people breaking the law, in offenses involving substance abuse, mental health treatment, veterans, and more.
The full Senate Appropriations Committee voted these and all of the other subcommittee budgets to the floor.
Michigan Senate Advances Record Education Budget
While Washington Republicans have proposed multi-billion dollar cuts to education for the coming school year, Senate Democrats are stepping up and prioritizing Michigan students and teachers over tax cuts for the wealthy. Last week, the Senate committee that oversees the PreK-12 education budget voted to advance a record education proposal that continues to build on the caucus’ work to ensure all those in the classroom have the support they deserve.
For the fourth consecutive year, Senate Dems’ proposal includes a per-pupil increase for a total of $10,300. This investment is paired with a new weighted funding formula that would provide more predictable school funding for years to come, giving districts the ability to make strategic, long-term plans to support student success. Also included are resources to provide free school breakfast and lunch for all students, strengthen school safety and mental health efforts, and ensure every child can become a confident, capable reader.
The Appropriations Committee voted to report the proposal to the full Senate for further consideration.
Manufacturing Training Center Grand Opening
Strong economies need cutting-edge skills! The AMTC — Advanced Manufacturing Training Center — will prepare workers for today’s manufacturing jobs that drive Michigan’s economy. I was excited to provide a tribute congratulating the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and the Shop Rat Foundation on this significant investment in the workforce of South-Central Michigan.
Infant and Maternal Health Conversation
Improving outcomes for moms and babies in our communities is a high priority. We were excited to attend a panel discussion on the State of Infant and Maternal Health in Jackson, sponsored by the League of Women Voters Jackson Area.
Child Advocacy Center at the Capitol
Children who have been hurt need caring and trained adults to help them heal. I was glad to meet with the Child Advocacy Center of South-Central Michigan. I’m grateful that we have dedicated professionals working to ensure compassionate, trauma-informed care for children in our District 14 communities.
New Report Highlights Positive Impact of Literacy Coaches
Michigan State University’s Education Policy Innovation Collaborative recently released a report showing that teachers who receive literacy coaching produce better instruction in the classroom. The report states that their findings “…provide compelling evidence that Michigan’s investment in early literacy coaching is producing measurable gains in classroom instruction for the teachers who receive it.”
Thanks to state funding we’ve secured in recent years, we’ve been able to triple the number of literacy coaches here in Michigan. And our 2027 budget proposal continues to build on this tremendous progress by funding a comprehensive approach to boost literacy rates among Michigan students. Early literacy coaches, school libraries, LETRS training, and curriculum supports are among the critical resources receiving funding, so that every child has the opportunity to become a confident, capable reader.
Learn more about this exciting news here.
Boosting Health Outcomes for Michigan Moms of Color
For too long, women of color have systematically faced worse outcomes in their birthing experiences due to maternal care systems that fail to truly listen and understand their needs, leading to preventable complications and high mortality rates for both them and their babies. During Black Maternal Health Week earlier this month, Senate Dems once again joined with the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to shine a light on the glaring systemic injustices in our maternal care system, along with solutions underway that seek to tackle them.
To ensure Black and Brown moms are treated with the care they deserve, the Michigan Senate passed a comprehensive slate of legislation last year that would improve maternal health outcomes in Michigan through equitable data requirements, anti-discrimination measures, patient protections, and more. Despite being passed out of the Senate with bipartisan — and some, even unanimous — support last April, these commonsense bills remain stalled in the Republican-controlled House. My Senate colleagues and I will continue to demand better for moms across Michigan, including by passing a Resolution this month that highlights the need for these critical bills.
Spring Fishing Season is Here!
Spring fishing is finally here. April 1 marked the official kickoff to the new fishing license year in Michigan. With Michigan hotspots offering some of the best fishing in the country, don’t miss out — grab your gear and hit the water!
Before you do, though, make sure to thoroughly review the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations to learn any new regulations that apply to your favorite fishing spots. And of course, make sure your fishing license is up to date. Licenses are affordable and can be bought at many stores or online at Michigan.gov/Fishing.
If you are looking for a great group of people who love to fish, check out Ann Arbor Trout Unlimited at AnnArborTU.org. They work to maintain great fishing in our area and are very welcoming!
Planning Spring Yard Projects? Call Before You Dig
Whether you want to install a fence or plant a tree, if spring fever has you itching to do some landscaping projects around the yard that involve digging, please remember to first reach out to MISS DIG 811 beforehand so that underground utility lines can be marked for safety.
April is Safe Digging Month, an annual reminder for Michiganders’ legal responsibility to call 811 or head to MISSDIG811.org at least three days before they start a project that involves putting a shovel in the ground. Contacting MISS DIG 811 is free and allows crews to mark buried utility lines in advance to prevent costly damage, service disruptions, and risks of serious injury or death. You can learn more here, and happy Spring!