Dear Neighbor,
With half of February already behind us, we’re closer to the end of winter and the start of spring! But before the snow melts and the ice thaws for the year, make sure you don’t miss out on the beauty and fun of a pure Michigan winter — from ice skating and fishing to snowboarding and tubing, there’s no shortage of frozen fun to be had!
Our work in the Legislature is well underway for the year, and I’m honored to continue serving you and our community in the Senate. Read on to learn more about the progress we’re working to deliver for District 14 residents and our entire state.
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
- I’m hosting an information and support panel on Renter’s Rights in Jackson. Please join me at the Meijer Branch Library, 2699 Airport Rd., Jackson, February 27, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
- Please join me for my upcoming coffee and conversation event at Norvell Township Hall, 300 Mill Rd., Norvell, March 7, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
- We observed White Shirt Day on Feb. 11 to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the end of the Flint sit-down strike and honor Michigan’s hardest workers.
- February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and heritages of African Americans. My colleagues and I have worked to make Michigan a place where everyone can thrive, from our state budget investments to banning race-based hair discrimination.
Honoring the Workers Who Created the Middle Class on White Shirt Day
Tuesday, Feb. 11 was White Shirt Day marking the 88th anniversary of the end of the Flint sit-down strike when Michigan UAW members won the right to be recognized by General Motors.
Entire families — men, women and children — helped in the strike. Family members put their bodies on the line, forming a human shield around the plants to protect the strikers from violence and delivering food to the plants. They fought, and they won: higher wages, improved working conditions and better benefits — the opportunity to build a brighter future for their families.
Within a year of that strike that ended in 1937, the UAW grew from 30,000 to 500,000 members strong, and autoworker wages increased by as much as 300%.
Michigan didn’t just put the world on wheels. The courageous sacrifices these auto workers made 88 years ago changed the course of the labor movement — igniting a rallying cry for millions of workers around the country, ushering in a wave of intense union activity and ultimately unleashing the power of the middle class.
This week, we remember and honor those trailblazers whose heroic actions paved this pathway for progress in Michigan and nationwide. Their history is our history.
Investing in Michigan — Updates on the 2026 State Budget
Earlier this month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presented her recommendations for our next state budget. At this stage in the process, we’ve heard her priorities, and I’m pleased to see that we share many of the same goals — strengthening education, lowering costs for hardworking families, and driving job growth to boost our economy.
As Chair of the Senate Corrections and Judiciary Appropriations Subcommittee, I’ll be focusing especially on the Corrections and Judiciary Budgets. I also serve on the EGLE and Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittees as well.
I’ll continue to provide updates as the budget takes shape, so stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!
Celebrating Black History This Month and Beyond
February is Black History Month, a special time to celebrate and appreciate the contributions, cultures, histories, and achievements of African Americans. Michigan has long been home to a diverse range of Black historical figures whose legacies have left an indelible mark on the world, from abolitionist Sojourner Truth and civil rights activist Malcom X to the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin and the “mother of the freedom movement” Rosa Parks — whose birthday is annually celebrated on Feb. 4.
In the state Senate, we’ve worked hard to ensure Michigan is a state where everyone has an opportunity to succeed, no matter their background or the color of their skin. From banning race-based hair discrimination and combating hate crimes to making Juneteenth an official state holiday and centering equity in our state budget investments, my Democratic colleagues and I are committed to respecting people that have been historically marginalized.
Want to get involved this Black History Month? Check out local events and some ways to celebrate here.
Addressing the Needs of Our People: Updates from the First Month of the New Session
In the past few weeks, in addition to introducing legislation to lower prescription drug costs and strengthen protections for workers, we:
- Voted to expand the state’s Freedom of Information Act to include the Michigan Legislature and Governor. This legislation, Senate Bills 1 and 2, are now over to the House for consideration.
- Reintroduced bills to improve accountability and tackle racial and ethnic disparities in Michigan’s maternal health care system. Moms and babies should receive the care they need to be healthy regardless of the color of their skin.
- Heard testimony from workers on several bills that both the House and Senate passed last session but are now being held up unconstitutionally by new Republican House leadership. This bipartisan legislation, for which I’ve been working for years, would improve retirement benefits for state corrections and conservation officers as well as lower health care costs for firefighters, teachers, and other public sector employees.
I am very proud to have championed legislation alongside Sen. Rosemary Bayer and Sen. Stephanie Chang to tackle human trafficking in Michigan. Signed into law by Gov. Whitmer, Senate Bills 515-517 protect trafficking survivors by allowing statements given outside of court to be admissible in some cases, allowing victims to not have to appear in court and see their perpetrator face-to-face. With this crucial change, law enforcement authorities can better prosecute this crime and bring more abusers to justice.
Senate Democrats Stand Strong for Michigan Teachers, First Responders & Corrections Officers
On Dec. 20, 2024, House Bills 4177, 4665–4667 and 4900–4901 of 2023 and House Bills 5817–5818 and 6058 of 2024 were passed by the Senate and returned to the House for presentation to the governor. However, House Republicans illegally blocked these nine bills — which lower health care costs for teachers and first responders and improve retirement benefits for corrections officers — from being presented to the governor.
We won’t let the needs of hardworking public servants go unmet. That’s why Senate Majority Leader Brinks has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Michigan Senate to require House Republicans to abide by the constitution and send this critical legislation, which was passed by both chambers, to the governor. We won’t stop fighting for Michigan workers.
Renter’s Rights Event in Jackson
WHEN: Thursday, February 27, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Meijer Branch – Jackson District Library, 2699 Airport Rd., Jackson, MI 49202
Tenants have rights too! Whether you rent an apartment, house or mobile home, join us to learn about what rights you have as a tenant, featuring a panel presentation, Q&A, and opportunity to get resources and assistance. This event will include experts from the MSU College of Law Housing Justice Clinic, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, and the Community Action Agency.
Coffee and Conversation in Norvell Township
WHEN: Friday, March 7, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Norvell Township Hall, 300 Mill Rd., Brooklyn, MI 49230
Please join me on March 7, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at the Norvell Township Hall. This will be a great chance for us to 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.
Youth Improving Mental Health: SRSLY Dexter
SRSLY are groups of area students who gather to support each other, improve young people’s mental health and reduce substance abuse. I enjoyed spending time with SRSLY’s adult leader, Ursula Anderson, and learning about the important work that SRSLY is doing. I was able to obtain a community enhancement grant from the legislature to support this work because it is so effective!
Jackson State of the Community
My team attended the State of the Community Event in Jackson, where city and county leaders shared priorities and news, including investments in parks, housing, food access, and trails. I was proud to bring budget dollars home to improve access to healthy recreation in the Jackson area, and to increase safe, affordable housing.
Jackson County Conservation District Dinner
Michigan has 75 conservation districts that help residents with natural resource management. Whether it’s farmland, woodlots or waterways, they support our work to improve productivity while keeping the environment healthy. Congratulations to Tranquility Lavender Farm on being recognized as Farmer of the Year at the Jackson Co. Conservation District meeting.
World Cancer Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness about cancer and prevention efforts. Here are some resources:
- Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) cancer resources for diverse communities;
- MDHHS Keeping Michigan Healthy cancer webpage;
- WISEWOMAN Program helps participants understand their chronic disease risk factors through a free health screening.
- American Cancer Society Michigan local resources and events.
Request a Tribute
Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their achievements? I’d love to provide an official tribute from the State of Michigan to recognize individuals or organizations for their contributions to the community or to the state. Tributes can also honor someone on a milestone occasion such as retirement, anniversary or birthday.
Each personalized tribute is signed by me, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and possibly other elected representatives. We put the finished tribute under glass and frame it, a true keepsake suitable for presentation at your special occasion or ceremony. And if you would like me to attend your ceremony and present it in person, I’ll do my best to do it!
If you have an idea for a tribute, reach out to my office and we’ll be happy to make it happen! Please call (517) 373-2426 or email sensshink@senate.michigan.gov.