Dear Neighbor,
October has arrived, and with that, the leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and autumn is fully underway! We hope you’ll take advantage of everything the Mitten State has to offer this month, whether that be trick-or-treating with the kids, visiting a local pumpkin patch or cider mill with some friends, or exploring our scenic state parks brimming with peak fall foliage.
My legislative colleagues and I have been hard at work in the Capitol advocating on your behalf and implementing more practical solutions to support both our local communities and the entire state. And just this week, the historic state budget that we passed over the summer took effect, delivering record investments that build up Michigan’s schools, families, infrastructure, and so much more.
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
Featured in This Newsletter
- Legislative Updates
- Upcoming Events
Legislative Updates
Historic State Budget Now In Effect with New Fiscal Year Underway
October 1 marked the beginning of a new fiscal year for the state of Michigan, meaning our Democratic Majority’s transformative 2025 state budget has officially taken effect! From continuing the universal free school meals program to investing in affordable housing initiatives, this budget was intentionally crafted to support the needs and desires of Michiganders in every corner of the state.
Bipartisan Bills to Implement Dyslexia Screening, Improve Literacy Head to Governor’s Desk
Affecting up to one in five children in each classroom, dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that can impact the ability to read, write, spell, and pronounce words. Data suggests that students with dyslexia who receive high-quality, phonics-based instruction early on can go on to become successful readers.
That’s why Sens. Jeff Irwin and Dayna Polehanki have fought for the better part of a decade to implement comprehensive dyslexia screening for Michigan students. Senate Bills 567 and 568, which passed out of the Michigan Senate last week with nearly unanimous support, will require schools to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and provide evidence-based interventions to help students achieve literacy. This bipartisan legislation now heads to Gov. Whitmer’s desk for her signature.
Learn more about these bills here.
Michigan Senate Democrats Pass Budget Supplemental and Other Legislation to Bring More Dollars Back to Classrooms and Teachers
Since assuming the majority, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have remained committed to strengthening Michigan’s public education system. While our new 2025 state budget included a one-time decrease in the rates school districts pay into the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System (MPSERS), we recently took action to make that change permanent by passing Senate Bill 911. This redirects over $600 million from MPSERS — which is currently funded at 140% — back to our schools every year, which is equivalent to about a $400 per student increase statewide.
This legislation also eliminates the 3% payroll deduction that some employees contribute toward their retiree health care costs, putting more money back into the pockets of more than 100,000 hardworking educators and support staff. This bill has been returned to the House of Representatives for their consideration before it heads to the governor’s desk for her signature.
Similarly, the Legislature passed a school budget supplemental bill last week, investing millions of extra state dollars into school safety and mental health supports. This gives school districts the flexibility to determine where those funds are needed most — whether it be more school resource officers, counselors, therapists, or infrastructure upgrades. We’re proud to have put even more funding toward one of the most important causes we can: the safety and well-being of Michigan students.
Advancing the Freedom to Plan on World Contraception Day
For over six decades, contraception has been an integral component of women’s healthcare, giving them the power to plan their own course in life by allowing them to determine whether to have children and the number and spacing of their children.
Last week, on World Contraception Day, the Senate Health Policy Committee heard testimony on Senate Democrats’ Freedom to Plan package, composed of Senate Bills 973, 974, 987, 988, and 1006, that seeks to expand Michiganders’ access to contraception.
The first half of the package, introduced by Sens. Mary Cavanagh and Jeff Irwin, would break down financial barriers to over-the-counter oral hormonal contraceptives and emergency contraceptives. Additionally, legislation introduced by Sen. Mallory McMorrow would ensure more inclusive access to immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception.
But to get this legislation over the finish line, we need your help. Your voice is crucial in this fight. Use this toolkit to learn how you can talk with friends and family about these bills and find content you can share on social media to help us shape a future where everyone has the fundamental freedom to make decisions about their own body.
To hear the testimony provided at the committee hearing, you can watch the recorded livestream here. To learn more about our continued work to protect Michiganders’ reproductive freedom, click here.
Upcoming Events
Ovid Coffee Hour
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 7, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Ovid Library, 206 N. Main St., Ovid, MI 48866
Virtual Coffee Hour
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 25, from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Virtual – Register here
Early Fall Community Events in District 28!
East Lansing Farmers Market
WHEN: Every Sunday in October, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Valley Court Park, 300 Valley Ct., East Lansing, MI 48823
Heritage Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Meridian Historical Village, 5151 Marsh Rd., Meridian Charter Township, MI 48864
Uncle John’s Cider Mill Fall Festival Weekend
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 5 – Sunday, Oct. 6, from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Uncle John’s Cider Mill, 8614 North US-127, St. Johns, MI 48879
Fall Fest at The Market
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Dewitt
HarvestFest
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 5, from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Durand
Ghoul’s Night Out
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 11, from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Owosso