Dear Neighbor,
As the leaves continue to fall, our legislative schedule is ramping up. In Lansing, our team has been hard at work delivering solutions to the everyday issues families face. In recent weeks, we have advanced legislation to protect consumers from price gouging, improve literacy rates among students, increase access to quality health care, and more.
As the Senate continues to work through a robust agenda, please find here a legislative update, as well as some helpful resources and information on upcoming events we have planned.
If you or someone you know would like to provide feedback on what’s happening in Lansing, or needs assistance of any sort, please reach out to my office. You can send an email to sensshink@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-2426. And please visit my official Facebook page for the latest updates.
Sincerely,
Sue Shink
State Senator
14th Senate District
- Please join me for my upcoming Happy Hour event at the Grateful Crow in Chelsea on October 23 at 6:00 p.m.
- We celebrated budget appropriations: $4.5 million for rehabilitation of Hayes Hotel into apartments and mixed-use retail and $3 million for Andy’s Place for 22 units of supportive housing for people recovering from opioid use disorder.
- Legislation to protect home care workers’ rights, expand access to healthcare in rural communities, and more was signed into law.
- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, help is available — you can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or utilize additional resources here.
Chelsea Happy Hour
WHEN: Wednesday, October 23, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Grateful Crow, 420 N. Main St., Chelsea
I’m excited to invite you to a Happy Hour I’m hosting tomorrow, October 23, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Grateful Crow. This will be a great chance for us to sit down, enjoy some free appetizers, and talk about the issues that are most important to you. I’m looking forward to hearing what’s on your mind and providing updates on our progress in Lansing.
After the Happy Hour, stick around for live music and continue the evening with our community. I hope to see you there!
$4.5 Million for Hayes Hotel Redevelopment
I was excited to present a check for $4,500,000 to the City of Jackson for the revitalization of downtown’s historic Hayes Hotel. After sitting vacant for more than 20 years, the Hayes will soon undergo a $40-million redevelopment into 84 apartments, plus retail and restaurants. Thanks to Jackson Mayor Daniel Mahoney, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Consumers Energy, and to Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Sarah Anthony for your help in securing this important investment in the local economy. I can’t wait to see the positive impact it will bring to our community!
Andy’s Place Phase 2 Groundbreaking
For countless Michiganders, addiction is a daily battle, and it’s not a disease that can be treated with a simple cure. Addiction is complex, requiring a network of community, compassion, and ongoing support. That’s exactly what Andy’s Place provides — a safe space where recovery is nurtured through connection and care. This $3 million investment in the next phase of their continued expansion in Jackson will extend that lifeline, allowing Andy’s Place to offer hope and help to those who need it most.
Slate of Legislation Championed by Senate Democrats Signed into Law
From increasing access to vital health services and putting more money back in Michiganders’ pockets to protecting our natural resources and celebrating our state’s automotive legacy — my colleagues and I have been busy working to pass legislation to build a stronger, more prosperous future for our state.
In recent weeks, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a slate of these bills into law, including legislation to:
- Strengthen Michigan’s home health care system by allowing individual home help caregivers to unionize. More specifically, these bills will support workforce development, expand training, and restore bargaining rights for 35,000 home care workers in Michigan.
- Improve health outcomes in rural communities by ensuring rural hospitals are equipped with the resources necessary to provide quality care services. Read more here.
- Lower costs for Michiganders by extending families’ access to cash assistance from the Family Independence Program (FIP) from 48 months to 60 months, helping put money back into the pockets of hard-working Michiganders so they can care for their children.
- Preserve Michigan’s unmatched natural resources by providing supplemental funding for outdoor recreation opportunities.
- Support breastfeeding moms and their babies by strengthening protections against discrimination for individuals who are currently breastfeeding.
- Bolster treatment services for addiction by providing $4 million more per year in funding towards expanding Michigan’s gaming and gambling prevention programming.
- Expand access to health care by repurposing Medicaid funding to allow low-income Michiganders access to a broader range of care centers.
- Celebrate Michigan’s proud automotive history by providing historical vehicle owners the opportunity to obtain personalized license plates.
Read more about these bills and other signed into law here.
Trunk or Treat at Whitmore Lake
I had fun at the Whitmore Lake Trunk or Treat with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, State Representative Jennifer Conlin and Northfield Township Trustee Tim Saville. Thank you to Tammy Averill and everyone involved in pulling it together.
Jackson Economic Summit
My team attended Jackson’s 1st Annual Economic Summit, with a panel on workforce development, a keynote address on economic trends and the JAXPO Business Showcase. Thank you, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce!
Food Gatherers
Did you know October is Tackling Hunger Month? Members of my team volunteered with the Lake Trust Credit Union team at Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor. Food Gatherers does amazing work around hunger relief in Washtenaw County.
Border 2 Border Trail Tour
I’ve been supporting the B2B Trail development for many years in various roles and helped bring back $3.5 million to finish more segments. My Constituent Services Director, B, walked along part of the Border 2 Border Trail with county and state officials to hear about all the ways our FY 2025 state budget allocation will be used. It was a beautiful hike, and we look forward to seeing the B2B trail completed in the next few years!
4-H Leaders at the Capitol
It was exciting to meet with young 4-H leaders at the Capitol recently, along with the State Coordinator and Executive Director of the 4-H Foundation! Being a 4-H member and having my children in 4-H have led to some of my most memorable experiences.
Many Hands Lifesharing Community
Many Hands Lifesharing Community will provide healthy, supportive homes and a community center for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Plans for this project in Dexter also include a farm and a bakery. It will be a blessing for families and our whole community. I enjoyed attending an event for community members to learn more about this important project.
Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating
With temperatures continuing to drop and more spooky decorations popping up, we are getting closer and closer to Halloween. While the holiday is a time for spooky thrills and imagination, it can also bring some extra risks for children and teens. Before you head out trick-or-treating, make sure to check out these tips on how to keep your little ghosts and goblins safe:
- Choose your Halloween costume wisely. Make sure to check the weather forecast in advance and dress accordingly. Do not carry toy weapons that could be confused for the real thing.
- Walk, don’t run, and stay on the sidewalks. Cross only at intersections and designated crosswalks.
- Don’t assume cars will stop just because pedestrians have the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters.
- Be sure to have a charged cell phone while you’re out.
- Plan your route ahead of time and trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods.
- Only visit well-lit houses. Don’t stop at dark houses.
- Review with your child how to call 9-1-1 if they ever have an emergency, get lost, or are prone to wander.
Jackson College Millage Request
Voters in Jackson County will see a millage proposal on the November 5 ballot that seeks to restore tax dollars for Jackson College that were reduced by Michigan’s Headlee Amendment.
This proposal will allow the College to restore its originally authorized charter millage rate of 1.33 mills on all property, with the revenue of this proposal to be used for enhancing job training, job placement and professional trades education programs. If approved, the proposal will result in a total property tax of 1.33 mill (an increase of 0.1973 mill) for a period of 10 years, from 2025 to 2034, inclusive. If this millage is approved and levied in full in 2025, it is estimated to raise approximately $1,200,000 for programs at Jackson College. For more information, follow this link.
Washtenaw County Emergency Services Millage (Prop. 1)
Washtenaw County residents will be asked to decide on Proposal 1 to renew and restore the Enhanced Emergency Communication Millage at a rate of .200 mills, which is an increase from the current rate. The purpose of the millage is to provide “funds to the County for the acquisition, renovation, maintenance, upgrade, and operation of the County’s Enhanced Emergency Communications System, including the potential construction of additional towers, upgrading the existing infrastructure, purchasing equipment, and paying for maintenance and user fees.” For a home with taxable value of $200,000, this millage would cost about $40 per year. If approved, the tax would be collected for ten years from 2026-2035.
Washtenaw County Veteran’s Relief Millage (Prop. 2)
Proposal 2 asks voters in Washtenaw County to renew funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Previously approved by voters in 2016, the .100 mill rate was rolled back to .0960 in 2023 because of the Headlee Amendment and now expires in 2024. The Washtenaw County Department of Veterans Affairs provides “financial relief and services for Washtenaw County veterans, including the payment of eligible indigent veteran claims, and to fund the administration of the department.” If approved, the mill rate would be restored to .100 for the period from 2024 through 2031. A resident whose home has a taxable value of $200,000 would pay about $20 per year.
Note: We will continue to bring you information on ballot measures that may be on your local ballot, from now until the November 5 election.