Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are staying warm in this cold Michigan weather! Be sure to take extra care when going outside or traveling this month. Bundle up and stay warm, watch out for ice, and pay attention to the changing conditions. Below, you’ll find updates on how to keep yourself safe from another dangerous counterpart of our notorious Michigan winters — influenza.
You’ll also find updates on how I’m continuing to advocate for the needs of our residents in the Michigan Senate. I’m excited about the road ahead and remain committed to serving our community by working on the issues that matter most to you. Stay tuned for more updates as we begin advancing our legislative priorities for 2026!
If you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening, or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. 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
- Last month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed 36 bills into state law, including my legislation to support local food producers, protect family farms, boost health and dental care coverage for Michigan National Guard members, and more. Learn more below.
- Join me for my next community conversation THIS Monday, Jan. 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the DeWitt Public Library. Find more info on my event webpage.
- Flu season is officially here, so it’s important for you and your loved ones to take the proper precautions to stay healthy and safe. Read on for more information.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered! — Slew of Legislation Championed by Senate Democrats Signed into Law
Last month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed 36 bills into state law, including my legislation that:
- Enables honey and maple syrup producers to better grow their businesses and boost our agricultural economy (Senate Bill 93, Public Act 42 of ‘25);
- Allows our state’s breweries and taprooms to serve more Michiganders who are seeking out non-alcoholic options through updates to the Liquor Control Code (Senate Bill 512, Public Act 65 of ‘25);
- Improves Michigan’s farmland preservation program and protects family farms (Senate Bill 687, Public Act 70 of ‘25); and
- Creates a reimbursement program for Michigan National Guard members’ Tricare health and dental insurance premiums (Senate Bill 370, Public Act 36 of ‘25).
Other legislation signed into law last month includes bills to:
- Lower the cost of online event tickets by prohibiting bot scammers from purchasing tickets in bulk and inflating the price in unfair resale markets;
- Help keep Michigan students and child care workers safe by allowing these facilities to install automatic door locks;
- Cut red tape for auto repair businesses;
- Speed up funding for improvements at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and help the airport better access federal funds;
- Tackle the state’s housing shortage;
- Improve breast cancer detection standards; and
- Allow eleventh-graders to opt out of the work skills standardized test, giving parents and students more flexibility in their educational journey.
I was proud to work across the aisle to get these bills passed and signed into law in 2025 and am honored to be recognized as Senator of the Year by MIRS News as a result of these wins and other critical legislation I advanced through the Michigan Legislature. In 2026, I remain committed to fighting for more meaningful legislation on behalf of my constituents and Michiganders across the state.
“Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh, the lead negotiator on the earned sick time and tipped wage package early in the year, was named the MIRS News Senator of the Year Monday, a recognition given annually to the Senator who exhibits high levels of impact, effectiveness and activity in the calendar year.” – MIRS
Community Conversation in DeWitt
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 26, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: DeWitt Public Library, 13101 Schavey Rd., DeWitt, MI 48820
Virtual Community Conversation
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 9, from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Virtual — Check back here for a link to RSVP
To stay up to date on all of my upcoming events, check out the event page on my website.
Care Free Medical, Inc. has Reopened!
My office was honored to participate in Care Free Medical’s recent ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of their new location (1115 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 101, Lansing, MI 48912)! Congrats to Dr. Bhatti and the entire Care Free Medical team on this exciting milestone. We are incredibly grateful for your continued service in providing quality health care for local residents and look forward to witnessing your impact grow as you settle into your new space.
Michiganders Continue to Feel Relief from Senate Dems’ EITC Expansion
While the costs of housing, utilities, and everyday essentials remain sky-high, legislation that my Senate Democratic colleagues and I championed back in 2023 continues to deliver relief for Michiganders across the state today. As part of the largest tax relief initiative in Michigan history, we quintupled Michigan’s match of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 6% to 30% to help families who need it most.
With EITC Awareness Day around the corner, we’re uplifting the power of fair tax policy to help residents make ends meet. For the 2025 tax filing season, an average state EITC of $890 was delivered to approximately 665,000 recipients. When combined with the average federal EITC of $2,966, eligible families received a total average credit of $3,856. These are real dollars we are putting back in the pockets of hard-working Michiganders, helping alleviate the costs of rent, groceries, gas, and everything in between.
To learn more about this historic tax break and other ways we are lowering costs for you and your family, click here. To see if you qualify for the EITC, click here.
Protecting Yourself During Flu Season
As you may have noticed in your community, flu season has hit Michigan at full force. The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDDHS) recommends these steps in order to protect you and your loved ones from this serious illness:
- Take time to get the flu vaccine — the most effective way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated every year!
- Take everyday preventative actions, such as:
- Avoiding close contact with other people who are sick;
- Staying home when you are sick;
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth;
- And practicing other good health habits, like getting plenty of sleep, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and eating nutritious foods.
- Take flu antiviral drugs to combat illness if your doctor recommends them.
For more information and resources about flu season, click here.