Dear Neighbor,
As May flowers bloom, spring is now well underway! I hope you get can get outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather and brighter blue skies. It always makes me happier when I am outside! Michigan has so much to offer in the springtime — from the annual Holland Tulip Time Festival and America’s national pastime at Comerica Park to world-class freshwater coastlines, rivers, and lakes perfect for fishing, boating, or kayaking.
Both in Lansing and throughout District 14, our team has stayed busy crafting a balanced state budget, making progress on legislative priorities, and connecting with constituents. I’m energized to continue delivering results for our community and the entire state.
As always, if you need assistance of any sort, or have questions or concerns you’d like to share, please reach out. You can reach us by emailing SenSShink@senate.michigan.gov or calling (517) 373-2426. Also, please visit my official Facebook page or website for the latest updates.
Sincerely,
Sue Shink
State Senator
14th Senate District
- Please join me for my Voter Rights Town Hall at Dexter District Library on Thursday, May 14, at 7:00 p.m. Find more details below, and I hope to see you there!
- Michigan Senate Democrats passed our 2027 budget proposal last week, which works to lower costs, protect residents from harmful federal decisions, support our public schools, and grow an economy that works for everyone. Learn more below.
- Happy Mother’s Day to all the loving, caring women who hold our families and communities together! Read on to learn how Senate Democrats are honoring Mother’s Day with action and support.
Voter Rights Town Hall in Dexter
Join me next week on Thursday, May 14, for my Voter Rights Town Hall! We’ll be discussing recent changes to our state’s election laws and how Michigan leaders are protecting your right to vote. This event is a great opportunity to learn more about Michigan elections and to ask any questions you may have.
Joining me for this conversation will be Aghogho Edevbie, Deputy Secretary of State, and Mika McAskill, Director of Public Engagement. I hope to see you there for this important discussion!
WHEN: Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine St., Dexter, MI 48130
Michigan Senate Passes 2027 Budget
Last week, the Senate voted to advance a future-facing plan for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. With the costs of gas, groceries, utilities, and other essentials on the rise, Senate Dems’ 2027 state budget proposal works to make life cost less for Michigan residents by:
- Continuing to invest in programs that work, including the widely popular free school meals program, tax credits for working families, and Rx Kids to support more moms and babies.
- Ensuring transparency and fair pricing for Michigan consumers, taking steps to address the high costs of everyday essentials like car insurance, prescription medications, and the ever-increasing utility rates.
- Investing in our workers and local economies by increasing wages for direct care workers, boosting benefits for corrections officers, establishing a new payment fund for childcare providers, securing resources for small business development, and strengthening scholarships to help Michiganders get the education they need to land the career they want.
In the face of economic uncertainty, rising costs, and federal funding gaps, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I are working to make your lives less expensive, because we are committed to delivering real solutions for the people of Michigan.
These proposals now head to the House for further consideration. Read more here.
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 prioritizing Michigan students and teachers over tax cuts for the wealthy. Last week, the Senate voted to advance a record education proposal that builds on our efforts to ensure our educators and students have the support they deserve.
The education budget passed the full Senate last week and now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Michigan Senate Passes Package to Put Kids Over Clicks
As digital and AI advancements accelerate, our young people are bearing the brunt of the harmful consequences of Big Tech’s exploitive algorithms. That’s why Senate Democrats championed legislation that would implement stronger safety measures to prevent social media companies and AI platforms from targeting and exploiting minors.
Last week, the Senate passed this package in full, sending it to the House for their consideration. While we wait for them to schedule a vote, I encourage you to take our survey and let me know your thoughts on how social media is impacting our youngest generation — your input can help shape what the final package looks like to ensure we meet the needs of Michigan families.
Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month with Action
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we can all raise public awareness, reduce stigma, and promote compassion for those struggling with their mental health. My Senate colleagues and I have worked hard to address the mental health crisis here in Michigan by:
- Expanding access to mental healthcare coverage – Senate Bill 27, now signed into law, requires insurance companies to cover treatments for mental health and substance use disorders at the same level as physical health services. This is a really big deal for Michiganders!
- Preventing suicide through commonsense gun safety legislation – Firearms account for over half of all suicide deaths, and 90% of suicide attempts with firearms are successful. That’s why my colleagues and I passed an 11-bill gun violence prevention package in 2023, including a “red flag” law that helps temporarily remove firearms from the homes of people who pose an immediate threat to themselves or others. In the first year since this law took effect, 30% of the Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) filed mentioned threats of self-harm or suicide.
- Banning conversion therapy for minors – The practice of attempting to change someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation has long been discredited, as it has been consistently linked with negative mental health outcomes and greater risk of suicide. Michigan became the 22nd state to ban conversion therapy when the legislation to eliminate this harmful practice was signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2023.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a 24/7 toll-free nationwide hotline for compassionate care and accessible support, available via call, chat, or text. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
Community Conversation in Brooklyn
My community conversation event in Brooklyn was a great opportunity to connect with residents for thoughtful discussions on the issues that matter most. I appreciated hearing from each person who attended. From infrastructure and small business support to environmental protection and public safety, your voices help guide the work we do every day in Lansing!
Thank you to Rep. Carrie Rheingans for joining me and sharing her insights. And a special thank you to Kate and her husband, Matt, for opening their beautiful space at Choate Marketplace for the event. We truly appreciate their hospitality in bringing the community together.
Washtenaw County Conservation District
The Washtenaw County Conservation District provides helpful resources to farmers and anyone with land. I’m a longtime supporter of this amazing organization, and I’ll keep working to get them the funding they need. I bought a few plants at this year’s tree sale — nectarine, raspberry, and nannyberry. You can learn what the Conservation District does here.
Community Violence Intervention Summit
One life lost to violence is too many! Our Constituent Services Director, Sydney, attended the 4th Annual Community Violence Intervention Summit. Thank you to the CVI team of Washtenaw County for creating intentional spaces for healing and learning — from breakout sessions to wellness spaces like yoga. The summit welcomed over 50 students who showed up to be honest and transparent about their day-to-day experiences, plus keynote remarks from Principal Cory Chairs of the Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences and Dr. Monique Williams of Cure Violence Global Chicago.
Northfield Township Historical Society
The Northfield Township Historical Society highlights our historic farmsteads and gives residents the tools to preserve them. Congratulations to the Northfield Township Historical Society, Washtenaw County Historic District Commission, and Firefly Preservation Consulting, LLC on winning the 2026 Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation! I’ve been able to support this work over the years in a variety of positions, and the award means a lot to me!
Skyline High Student Honored
We can’t allow history to be erased. Taylor Phillips, a junior at Skyline High School, earned an Honorable Mention in the C-SPAN Student Cam Competition for her project on the Tulsa Race Massacre, using her voice to ensure these stories are told and remembered. Our Administrative Assistant, Sam, was on-hand to present a tribute. Congratulations, Taylor!
Grand River Farmers Market & Grow Jackson
Improving food access and creating local food systems that benefit farmers and small businesses are why I’ve worked to support Grow Jackson with state dollars. Our Constituent Services Representative, Nancy, presented a legislative tribute on the exciting occasion of Grand River Farmers Market’s first day at the new River & Rail Food Hub in Jackson.
Library Advocates Visit Capitol
Librarians from across District 14 came to Lansing to advocate for local libraries and their users. I am proud to support our libraries!
Supporting Michigan Moms on Mother’s Day & Beyond
Happy Mother’s Day to Michigan’s hardworking moms, grandmothers, and all who serve as loving maternal figures across the state. Moms hold our families and entire communities together with patience, resilience, and care — and they deserve to have that same support poured back into them. Senate Democrats are investing in the health, well-being, and economic security of Michigan moms by:
- Expanding Rx Kids to communities all over the state, providing expectant and new moms with no-strings-attached cash assistance to reduce poverty, tackle food insecurity, and improve maternal and infant health. Check if Rx Kids is available in your community here;
- Passing our Momnibus bill package to improve integrity and accountability in Michigan’s maternal healthcare system;
- Championing legislation to address the childcare crisis from both the supply and demand sides;
- Tackling the gender wage gap by passing legislation to ban employers from requiring applicants to disclose their past pay or credit history, practices that disproportionately harm women and people of color; and
- Quintupling the state’s match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to help working moms and families save an average of $890 every year.
Flood Damage Support and Resources
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), floods are the most common, and most costly, natural disaster. If you or someone you know is facing extensive flood damage following last month’s severe storms, tornado conditions, and record flooding across the state, the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) has a slate of resources to assist those navigating filing insurance claims.
If you know someone in Southwest Michigan who is struggling with severe flood or tornado damage, MI 211 directs them to the Disaster Relief Center for emergency housing, crisis counseling, utility assistance, and more resources.
Stay Up to Date on Spring Construction
As road work starts to pick back up across the state, the Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) encourages drivers to remain vigilant, minimize distractions, slow down, and follow posted signage in work zones. For more information on work zone safety, click here.
To view an online map of ongoing road projects near you that may impact your commute, click here.
If You Need Help
If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, my office is available to help resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to help direct you to the appropriate person or organization for help.
As always, feel free to email me at SenSShink@senate.michigan.gov. You can also call our office at (517) 373-2426.
Keep Up to Date
Our bi-weekly newsletters are full of updates on what Team Shink has been working on in Lansing and District 14! To keep up to date with what we’ve been up to — sign up here to receive my bi-weekly newsletter, or access previous editions online here.
For more frequent updates, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.