Featured in the Newsletter
- State Budget Review and Legislative Action from June
- Activities in the District
- Upcoming Coffee Hours
- Resources for State Parks and Keeping Our Animals Safe this Summer
Legislative Updates
Senate Democrats Pass State Budget Dedicated to Building Up Michigan
Last year marked a significant milestone for Michigan Democrats as we capitalized on our first trifecta in 40 years to spearhead a transformative budget — directing vital resources into historically neglected sectors like infrastructure, education, and local communities.
Two weeks ago, Senate Democrats successfully finished negotiations with the House on the state budget. The Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget builds on last year’s transformative budget by continuing to invest in children and families, students and workers, public safety, community development, and more.
This Democratic majority views the state budget as both a values statement and a financial plan. Our cornerstones for the 2025 budget — transformational, innovative, equitable, and intentional — reflect the priorities established last year. Read more here.
Michigan Senate Passes Legislative Package to Establish a State-Based Health Insurance Exchange
Michigan Senate passed Senate Bills 633-638 to transition Michigan away from the federally managed health insurance marketplace to a State-Based Exchange (SBE), helping to provide the state with greater flexibility to meet the health care needs of Michiganders.
In the past decade, the ACA has grown in popularity across the country and here in Michigan. During the 2024 open enrollment period, for example, 418,000 Michiganders purchased coverage through the federal marketplace, which was a 30% increase from the previous year and the highest enrollment rate in the state’s history.
This six-bill package amends Michigan’s insurance code to establish an SBE and lays out the parameters and duties of the exchange and governing board. As a result, the state would provide the infrastructure, website and support for individuals and small businesses to purchase plans beginning January 1, 2026.
This legislation now heads to the Michigan House for their consideration.
Senate Passes Legislation to Expand Freedom of Information Act to Include Governor, Legislature
The Senate took a historic vote in support of bipartisan legislation to expand the application of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the Michigan Legislature and the governor’s office, a significant step forward to increase transparency within state government. Senate Bills 669 and 670 each passed with a 36-2 vote.
Enacted in 1976, Michigan’s FOIA law is one of the few in the nation that exempts state lawmakers and the governor’s office from records requests. This significant gap in the law contributed to Michigan receiving an “F” grade in government integrity from the national Center for Public Integrity’s 2015 report, where the state ranked last overall, failing in 10 out of 13 categories, including public access to information, executive accountability, and legislative accountability.
The bills now move to the House.
Legislation Introduced to Enhance Protections for Vulnerable Adults
Elderly individuals and vulnerable adults are at high risk of being subject to abuse and exploitation at the hands of family members, friends, or other close associates. To keep Michiganders safe from harm, Sens. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), and Jeff Irwin(D-Ann Arbor) introduced Senate Bills 922–925 last month to better protect those who are unable to protect themselves because of advanced age or a mental or physical impairment. This comprehensive legislative package would enhance protections for vulnerable adults by strengthening penalties for abuse and financial exploitation offenses and developing programs to bolster prevention efforts.
This package has been referred to the committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety.
In the District
Lansing Pride
It was energizing to attend the third annual Lansing Pride Festival in Old Town in June, where members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies cultivated a safe, joyful space to uplift the Lansing area as a place where all are welcome and belong, no matter who they are or who they love. I’m looking forward to next year’s celebration!
The People vs. Dobbs Demonstration
June 24 marked the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade in the Dobbs ruling, dismantling five decades of legal precedent and ending guaranteed access to safe and legal abortions across all states. In acknowledgement, I spoke at the “People vs. Dobbs” demonstration on the capitol lawn to discuss the impact of that decision and the ongoing fight for women’s rights in Michigan. My Senate colleagues and I have worked hard to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare statewide, and we will continue to prioritize that important work going forward so that Michiganders can get the healthcare they need, when they need it.
Upcoming Events
Summertime Coffee and Conversations
I love being able to regularly connect with constituents at my Coffee and Conversation events and hear about the issues you care about. I hope you can join me at two more coming up this month and next, where you will also have the chance to get updates on what my Senate colleagues and I have moved forward at the Capitol so far this year.
WHEN: Monday, July 22 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Community District Library, 210 E Corunna Ave., Corunna, MI 48817
WHEN: Monday, August 12 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Virtual — Register online
Resources
Accessibility in Michigan State Parks
Michigan is going above and beyond in inclusive outdoor exploration. Whether you envision cruising along sandy shores or winding through forest trails, Michigan’s famous outdoor spaces are becoming more inclusive to visitors with disabilities thanks to the efforts from Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its Accessibility Advisory Council.
In 2023, the DNR reached its fundraising goal of over $400,000 to expand access to track chairs at state parks, beaches and trails. Track chairs are all-terrain, electric wheelchairs that can handle rugged terrain and up to 8 inches of water. These are an integral resource for visitors navigating the diverse landscapes of state parks, and Michigan now proudly boasts the most track chairs for public use in any state park system.
The DNR’s commitment to inclusivity across its parks and recreation areas allows everyone to enjoy a quintessential part of the Great Lakes State. Click here for more information on accessibility in Michigan’s state parks.
Tips to Help Protect Your Animals Over the Summer
As we experienced during last week’s heat wave, summer can be an especially dangerous time for not only our families and communities, but also our pets and animals. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has coordinated helpful tips to help keep your pets safe and cool over the warm summer months:
- Provide unlimited, cool, clean, fresh water:
- Just like people, animals can quickly become parched in hot temperatures. No matter the species, animals should always have access to unlimited cool, clean, fresh water to prevent dehydration. If you bring your pet in public, be sure to bring along hydration options and avoid using communal water bowls.
- Know your animal’s limits and ability to tolerate heat:
- An animal’s age, breed, type of coat, and health history — among other factors — can all play a role in their ability to tolerate heat. Keep an eye out for signs of heat stress, including increased panting or drooling and being more lethargic. If they are displaying any signs of heat stress, immediately move your animal to a cooler area.
- Test surfaces to ensure they won’t burn paws:
- Surfaces like asphalt, concrete, and sand can really heat up in the sun, which can burn paws or make a walk extremely uncomfortable for your pets. To test if a surface is too hot, touch it with the palm of your hand. If the surface is too hot for you, it means that it’s too hot for your pet as well. Consider taking a different route that is mostly grass or waiting until the evening when everything has had a chance to cool down.
- Avoid harmful algal blooms (HABs) in bodies of water:
- HABs form due to a rapid growth of cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, which are naturally found in lakes, rivers, and ponds. To prevent illness in your pets, keep them out of areas with scum or discolored water, rinse them off after contact with any lake water, and bring clean, fresh water for them to drink.
- If your animal becomes sick after contact with a suspected HAB, please call your veterinarian immediately.
- Animal illnesses due to HABs are also reportable to MDARD. To report cases, submit a Reportable Disease Form or call 800-292-3939. In addition, to report any suspicious looking algae, please email algaebloom@michigan.gov.
- Do not leave animals in parked vehicles:
- Even when temperatures outside feel more moderate, vehicles often heat up very quickly, creating unsafe conditions for animals left inside. Leaving windows cracked open and/or parking in the shade does little to improve the situation. In these conditions, it is best to leave pets at home when you need to go out and about.
- Ensure animals have a place to cool down:
- Animals know when they are too hot and will usually try to seek out a place where they can safely cool down. Make sure your pets have access to shades, fans, misters, pools, cooling mats, and/or air-conditioned spaces to help them stay comfortable and healthy.
Stay in Touch
As always, if you or someone you know would like to provide feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or needs assistance, feel free to contact my office. You can email us at SenSSingh@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-3447.
Sincerely,
Sam Singh
State Senator
District 28