Dear Neighbor,
After months of fighting for a fiscally responsible state budget, I’m excited to announce that we finally got the job done and successfully passed a budget that invests in our community and communities around Michigan! This agreement centers on people-first investments to lower costs, protect vital services, fix our roads, and expand opportunities for Michigan families. It also delivers on major priorities like free school meals and keeps harmful Medicaid cuts at bay.
Unfortunately, our counterparts in Washington have been unable to get their budget passed, leading to a shutdown of federal departments and agencies. While we continue to navigate this challenging political environment, please know that our office remains available to help you. Whether that be keeping you informed of the latest developments, answering any questions you may have, or providing assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments.
You can reach me and my team by emailing SenSSingh@senate.michigan.gov or calling (517) 373-3447.
Sincerely,
Sam Singh
State Senator
District 28
- The Legislature has passed a bipartisan budget agreement that invests in you, your family, and our community. Read on to learn more about the exciting investments we’re making to build up the future of our state.
- Join me in a couple of weeks for my next community conversation at the Owosso Armory on Monday, Nov. 3 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- With Congress unable to reach a budget agreement, the federal government has entered a partial government shutdown, causing indefinite delays and interruptions to various public services and programs millions of Michiganders and Americans rely on. Find out how you and your loved ones might be affected below.
Bipartisan State Budget Signed into Law
Budget Protects Medicaid, Counters Severe Federal Cuts, Fixes the Roads, and Keeps the State Open
Since day one, I’ve been focused on this end goal: finalizing a state budget that invests in the people who call our state home. While it was a long and sometimes arduous process of getting here, I’m excited to say that the Legislature has finally passed a bipartisan budget agreement that reflects the values I have long been fighting for — strong schools, safe communities, access to health care, and opportunity for all.
Our final budget deal works to fill critical gaps caused by cuts from the Trump administration, ensures stability in the services people rely on to survive, and protects what matters most to Michigan families. More specifically, it includes investments to:
- Support Students and Schools: Secures the highest-ever per-pupil funding, $10,050, continues the widely popular free school meals program, and increases funding for at-risk students, school safety and student mental health, and more.
- Lower Costs: Continues the retirement tax repeal to save seniors $1,000 per year, makes child care more affordable through the Tri-Share program, and supports workforce training opportunities.
- Protect Vital Services: Saves Medicaid in Michigan to ensure health care remains accessible and affordable, protects SNAP benefits and the Double Up Food Bucks program, and continues support for police and fire departments.
- Implement a Long-Term Road Solution: Requires that corporations pay their fair share, enabling a sustainable plan to fund road repairs without raiding our schools or other essential programs.
- Fight Federal Cuts: Mitigates the worst impacts of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” to prevent a $1 billion budget hit and protect health care access, public safety, schools, and more.
To read more about what this budget means for Michigan, visit SenateDems.com/budget.
How the State Budget Invests in Our Local Community
In addition to big-picture investments to help move our state forward, our final budget agreement included over $11 million for priority projects throughout our community.
These projects were identified through countless conversations I had with constituents, local leaders, and community organizations during the months-long budget process. In these discussions, I was focused on finding ways we could target state dollars in a meaningful way to ensure we could have the biggest impact on our local economy and residents’ everyday lives.
We were able to achieve that goal by securing funding to:
- Support Care Free Medical Center’s relocation and provision of oral health and optometric services — $500K
- Re-open Shiawassee County Animal Shelter, which had closed in 2011 due to budget constraints — $500K
- Ensure health care for students and support arts and agriculture programming at Michigan State University — $9M+
- Create affordable housing units by redeveloping the abandoned Owosso Middle School — $800K
- Strengthen deteriorating water infrastructure in Ingham County — $500K
Supporting Michigan’s Military Members
Currently, nearly a quarter of the Michigan National Guard don’t have access to health care and dental coverage — a troubling statistic that would be remedied under my legislation that passed the Senate last week with unanimous bipartisan support.
Now over in the House for consideration, Senate Bill 370 would require the Michigan Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs to create a Tricare reimbursement program for eligible National Guard members for a premium paid for individual coverage through the Tricare Reserve Select Program or the Tricare Dental Program. This would ultimately enable our state to strengthen recruitment and retention, improve troops’ readiness, and protect those who protect our state.
Community Conversation in Owosso
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 3, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Ollie’s Coffee & Cafe, 317 S Elm St #212, Owosso, MI 48867
Virtual Community Conversation
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 13, from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Virtual — RSVP here
Community Conversation in East Lansing
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 8, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: East Lansing Library, 950 Abbott Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823
Find all of my upcoming events on my website.
Michigan State University Homecoming Parade
Last week, we had another great year walking in the MSU Homecoming Parade! Thank you to all who came out to see us! Go Green!!!
DeWitt Fire Station Grand Opening
From left to right: Adam Cramton, Clerk; Amanda McClanahan, Township Manager; Shannon Higgins of Rep. Tsernoglou’s office; Fire Chief Dave DeKorte; myself; and Sandra Stump, Treasurer
Earlier this month, the DeWitt Fire Station had its grand opening for its new fire station building, the third in DeWitt. Previously, DeWitt Township’s two aging fire stations handled more than 1,800 calls each year but lacked adequate storage, training areas, locker rooms, and showers. The new state-of-the-art public safety building will enhance response times and help keep residents safer.
Federal Shutdown: How Will It Impact Me?
With a budget bill not passed by Congress to fund government operations before this new fiscal year, the federal government has entered a partial government shutdown starting just after midnight on Oct. 1, 2025, causing indefinite delays and interruptions to various public services and programs millions of Michiganders and Americans rely on. Find out how you and your loved ones might be affected below.
- Social Security & Supplemental Security Income (SSI): These benefits will continue to be distributed during the shutdown. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will stop benefit verifications and processing of overpayments. Local Social Security offices may be closed to in-person service, so you should check local office closures on the Social Security website before visiting.
- Medicare & Medicaid: These benefits will continue to be distributed during the shutdown. However, you will not be able to get a new or replacement Medicare card, and benefit verifications will stop.
- Food Assistance: Earlier this week, the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) was instructed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) to temporarily pause issuance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting in November due to the ongoing federal government funding lapse. To find additional food resources: Dial 2-1-1 or visit Find Help – Michigan 2-1-1 for free, confidential assistance and referrals to local food programs and support services or visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan to locate nearby food banks and learn about additional hunger relief efforts.
- Veterans Benefits: All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits.
- Mail Services & Post Offices: The United States Postal Service (U.S.P.S.) will continue to operate as normal.
- Airports & Traveling: The State Dept. will continue to issue passports and visas and assist Americans abroad. However, a reduced workforce could impact operations. If you have flight arrangements, plan for delays and cancellations due to disruptions in staffing of airport employees, air traffic controllers, and TSA agents — all who are deemed essential and expected to work, but without pay.
Please be aware that due to the reductions and disruptions in staffing caused by the shutdown, you may experience delays and other issues associated with these federally provided programs and services. Learn more here.