Dear Neighbors,
Welcome to my e-newsletter! Here, I will do my best to communicate with you about the happenings in Lansing and around our district.
While our office is still settling in and hiring our full staff, we will begin scheduling regular coffee hours throughout the district to ensure we remain accessible to you. You’ll be able to see more details on those events on our website as well. With the newly drawn Senate District lines, you may have questions about who represents you. You can find a map of our district by visiting our website.
In the meantime, if you have questions or need assistance you can email my office at SenSSingh@senate.michigan.gov or call 517-373-3447.
Sincerely,
Sen. Sam Singh
Majority Floor Leader
District 28
IN THE LEGISLATURE
Last week, the 102nd Legislature was sworn into office. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to represent the residents of the 28th State Senate district — encompassing Clinton, Ingham and Shiawassee counties — for the next four years.
I had the additional honor of being elected by my colleagues as the Senate Majority Floor Leader. My office will direct what happens on the Senate floor, positioning my team to take the lead on moving many of the important policy priorities that will have a real impact on Michigan’s families, children and seniors.
With a historic opportunity to pass legislation, Senate Democrats introduced an initial slate of bills that reflect the values we committed to our constituents.
Tax Relief for Seniors
For too long, millions of Michigan seniors have been feeling the squeeze of a misguided and partisan tax on their retirement. Retirement is the time when Michigan residents should be able to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor. These retirees worked hard and planned for their future, committing their lives, time, and energy to building a life here and making Michigan a great state for us all.
But a happy future after leaving a career was tied to that careful, decades-long planning — a plan that did not include paying unexpected taxes, especially at a time in life when no other income is coming in. Our seniors are some of our most financially vulnerable residents, living on minimal and fixed incomes and struggling to keep up with rising food costs, expensive prescriptions, medical bills, and more. For these, providing tax relief for senior will go a long way to show Michigan retirees they are valued and supported.
Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Increasing Michigan’s EITC from its current rate of 6% of the federal credit to 30% of the federal credit would give around $600 more to working people. This same change would return around $553 million to local economies and small businesses, as the EITC is often spent on necessities like childcare, car repairs, new appliances, groceries and more. The EITC is one of the best bipartisan policies to support work and pull families out of poverty, making it a win-win for Michigan workers and employers.
Repealing the 1931 Abortion Ban
Almost 2.5 million Michiganders (56.7%) voted this fall to create a constitutional right to reproductive freedom and protect women’s rights to make decisions about their bodies and health care. The most urgent and pertinent part of doing the people’s work to fulfill Proposal 3 is repealing the 1931 ban on abortion, as it had no exceptions for rape or incest. I am proud to support the repeal of this outdated law.
Amending the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act
Expanding our civil rights law to include the LGBTQ+ community is vital in ensuring we send a message loud and clear that Michigan is a welcoming place for all. A critical component to the growth and success of our state is the commitment to creating an inclusive and safe environment for all our residents and families by ensuring all people have equal protections when seeking housing, employment and healthcare.
Repealing So-Called “Right-to-Work”
It is a key responsibility for our state government to protect people’s rights and promote equity, whether they are at home, in public, or in the workplace. I am committed to upholding and restoring workers’ rights to benefit them, their families, our communities and our economy. The repeal of the so-called Right to Work policy will help families by guaranteeing workers’ rights to negotiate for pay raises, lifting worker pay to help deal with rising costs, and helping create good-paying jobs that are available to all workers. Skilled trades have become an increasingly popular and lucrative career, and this proposal will help create great jobs for Michiganders without college degrees, giving more workers access to a quality standard of living.
Restore Prevailing Wage
While Michigan is known for its grit and hardworking people, for too long, our state policies have undermined Michigan workers instead of supporting them. In 2018, the Michigan Legislature wrongfully repealed the state’s Prevailing Wage Act, which had existed since 1965 and intentionally circumvented the will of the people to generate legislation instead of sending the issue to the ballot and before voters. Prevailing Wage ensures that when our state builds roads, bridges, and schools, we contract the highest skilled workers available and pay them a fair wage. Reinstating Michigan’s nearly six-decade-old prevailing wage law will strengthen our infrastructure, better manage the state’s funds, and ensure our highly skilled tradespeople are paid a livable wage.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
I will have the honor to serve on the following committees, focused on policy areas and budget priorities that reflect the needs of our communities:
- Energy and Environment
- Government Operations
- Natural Resources and Agriculture
- Chair of Oversight
- Appropriations Subcommittees on:
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- General Government
- Universities and Community Colleges
- Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
- Department of Education
To sign up for alerts and updates on Senate committees you can do so by visiting the Legislature’s website.