Featured in This Newsletter
- Legislative Update
- In the District
- Upcoming Coffee Hour
- News and Resources
- Stay in Touch
Legislative Update
Senate Democrats Pass Michigan Voting Rights Act to Bolster Election Protections
On National Voter Registration Day last week, my colleagues and I passed legislation to establish the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA). Building on the progress of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, the MVRA would set additional protections at the state level, shielding voters from attacks on exercising their right to vote that have been witnessed in this state and across the country.
Outlined in the legislation are protections for Michiganders across race and place, including those with limited-English proficiency and voters with disabilities.
Learn more here.
Senate Democrats Take Action to Increase Access to Mental Health Resources
From gun violence prevention efforts to investments in suicide prevention programs, my Senate colleagues and I remain committed to working toward practical solutions to help mitigate suicide in our Michigan communities. With suicides accounting for more than half of gun deaths in the United States in 2021, our Senate Democratic Majority worked hard to deliver a slate of gun violence prevention legislation in 2023, helping to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of those at risk of harming themselves or others. We also secured the following budget investments to help address the issue of suicide in Michigan:
- $9.4 million to provide statewide coverage for 988, the suicide and mental health crisis line.
- $750,000 in federal fund authorization to utilize a grant under the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, helping to provide resources toward community-based suicide prevention efforts to meet the needs of veterans, service members, and their families.
- $250,000 to support Six Feet Over’s suicide loss survivor program, a nonprofit that provides mental health education, advocacy, and support to individuals with lived experiences of suicide.
Read more about our work to build a healthier Michigan for all here.
Supporting the Families of Michigan’s Fallen Public Safety Heroes
Our public safety officers selflessly put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. When a public safety officer makes the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, Michigan currently provides their surviving family with just $25,000 — a benefit that has not been increased in over two decades. Michigan Senate Democrats believe it’s time to better honor those who have fallen while serving their communities, and as such, my colleagues and I passed Senate Bill 834 last week.
This bill will double the benefit to $50,000, providing greater financial support to the families of our first responders in their time of need. Learn more here.
In the District
Owosso Coffee Hour
It was great to be out and about in Owosso on Sept. 9, where I was able to sit down with constituents and discuss local issues over a cup of coffee.
MSU Dems Tabling
I recently visited the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing to meet up with the MSU Dems at Case Hall and see first-hand their hard work in helping get the MSU student body registered to vote! This is incredibly important work, and I’m grateful to this group for the leadership they’ve displayed in encouraging Michiganders to be civically engaged.
Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commision Leaders’ Forum & Appreciation Dinner
I was honored to recently attend the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commision Leaders’ Forum and Appreciation Dinner alongside fellow members of the legislative Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus. Along with the Governor’s Michigan Asian and Pacific Island American Affairs Commission, we gathered to highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of members of the community.
Upcoming Event
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 soon in Ovid, where you will also have the chance to get updates on what my Senate colleagues and I have been working on at the Capitol to get things done for Michiganders.
Coffee Hour in Ovid
WHEN: Monday, October 7 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Ovid Public Library, 206 N. Main St., Ovid, MI 48866
News and Resources
New Funding for Farmers Market, Library Renovation in Central Michigan
I’m excited to pass on exciting news from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Development who recently announced $798,000 for a farmers’ market and library renovation in Central Michigan. The Briggs District Library, located in St. Johns, will use a $598,000 grant to remodel its building with a larger meeting/conference room, a new children’s area, a more accessible entrance, and updated circulation desk. Richfield Township, in Roscommon County, will use a $200,000 grant to construct a farmers’ market pavilion in St. Helen. Libraries, and farmers markets help build community. I’m looking forward to watching these projects unfold!
City of Corunna Awarded Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Grant
The Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has awarded a grant totaling $7,046,955 to the City of Corunna from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. This program is designed to assist water suppliers in satisfying the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act by offering low-interest loans to eligible water suppliers. Using these resources, grant recipients can execute critical water infrastructure projects, including lead water service line replacement, treatment plant upgrades, and distribution system improvements, among others. Congratulations to the Corunna community!
Eagle Spruce Becomes State of Michigan’s 38th Christmas Tree
The Michigan Dept. of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) has selected the official 2024 state Christmas tree, a 60-foot spruce from Eagle in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Thank you to the Eagle residents who generously donated the tree, Rich and Dorcas Albertson. The spruce will arrive in downtown Lansing to grace the Capitol lawn for the 2024 holiday season Saturday, Nov. 2. Read more here.
New Report Shows Democrat-led Clean Energy Legislation Will Lower Costs, Create Thousands of Good Paying Jobs, and Stimulate an Economic Boom
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer highlighted a new report from 5 Lakes Energy, projecting that the historic clean energy package signed into law last year, combined with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), will drive significant economic growth and cost-savings in the state. According to the report, by 2030, the nation-leading package and federal investments will drive household energy bills down by $297 a year, secure $15.6 billion in federal funding, save $7.3 billion in public health costs, and make progress towards the MI Healthy Climate Plan.
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich culture and histories of Latino Americans across the United States and here in Michigan. The month-long observance commemorates the independence days of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.
In Michigan’s history, fewer than 20 Hispanic individuals have been elected to serve in the state legislature, including Sens. Mary Cavanagh, Darrin Camilleri and Erika Geiss. Their backgrounds and lived experiences make our caucus and our state stronger. Learn more about them and Hispanic Heritage Month here.
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