Dear Neighbor,The first 100 Days of working in this new majority have been full of major successes that protect, advocate, and uplift Michiganders!
In case you missed it, we’ve taken action to: roll back the unfair retirement tax; expand the Working Families Tax Credit; amend ELCRA to ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ Michiganders; repeal the outdated 1931 abortion ban; restore workers’ rights to negotiate for safer workplaces and fair pay; require universal background checks for all firearm purchases; require safe storage of firearms to prevent child access; allow Extreme Risk Protection Orders to temporarily intervene to suspend a person’s access to firearms if they show clear warning signs of violence; and reinstate the prevailing wage. We’re just getting started!
As we move forward, please know that I am listening to you. I represent you and I am always available to hear your concerns and ideas. The best methods of connecting with my office can be found below. For more frequent updates on what I am working on and where I am in the district, please follow my official Facebook page.
Email: sensshink@senate.michigan.govPhone: (517) 373-2426U.S. Mail: P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909Sincerely,
Sue ShinkState SenatorDistrict 14
UPCOMING EVENTSJackson ELCRA Happy Hour
Join Senator Shink and the Jackson Pride Center for a happy hour celebration in honor of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent signing of Senate Bill 4, which expands the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to provide protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
Here are the details:
WHAT: ELCRA Happy Hour CelebrationWHEN: Monday, May 15, 2023, from 6 – 7:30 pmWHERE: Chase Bar, 105 E Michigan Ave Jackson, Michigan 49201
For the health and safety of yourself and others, if you have felt sick or been in contact with someone who has, please do not attend.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Correctional Officers Week May 1st through 7th
In honor of Correctional Officers Week, I introduced Senate Resolution 47 to recognize every correctional officer that serves in Michigan. We thank them for the essential role they play in helping to protect the people of Michigan. Corrections officers working in our state facilities play an important role in assuring the safety and well-being of all Michigan citizens, and we recognize the need to support these public safety employees for the difficult and dangerous work that they do.
On April 28th, I took part in a meeting with corrections officers from the Parnell and Cotton facilities to hear about the challenges faced in their profession, including mandatory overtime and shrinking benefits. Earlier this year, I introduced Senate Bill 167 as part of the Hybrid Officer Retirement Program, which received a hearing this past Thursday. I truly appreciate these officers spending their very limited personal time speaking with me, and I will continue to advocate for these hard-working and committed public servants.
Senate Passes Corrections and Judiciary Budgets
This week the Michigan Senate voted to pass its first set of budget bills, including the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and Judiciary budgets, Senate Bills 191 and 192. As Chair of the Corrections and Judiciary Appropriations Subcommittee, I helped craft budgets that balance the needs of the state’s courts and prisons as well as those of justice-involved individuals and their families as they work toward rehabilitation. The MDOC and Judiciary budgets, as with all the budgets my Senate Democratic colleagues and I are moving, are about how we can help people.
The passage of the MDOC, Judiciary, and other budget bills by the full Senate marks the culmination of months of work and a turning point in the budget process. The proposed budgets will continue to be negotiated with the House and governor’s office to reach final funding decisions.
IN THE COMMUNITYJoint Happy Hour with Representative Carrie Rheingans
On April 21st, I hosted a Happy Hour in Ann Arbor alongside my colleague from the House, Representative Carrie Rheingans. It was a pleasure to meet everyone who came out to share a drink and talk about all the work we’ve done in our first 100 Days in office. It was great to hear all of your amazing thoughts, questions, and local insights on the needs of the 14th Senate District. Thank you to everyone that came and to Homes Campus for sharing their exciting venue.