Dear Neighbor,
As the leaves continue to fall, our legislative schedule is ramping up. In Lansing, our team has been hard at work delivering solutions to the everyday issues facing families across our state. In recent weeks, we have advanced legislation to protect consumers from price gouging, improve literacy rates among students, increase access to quality health care, and more.
As the Senate continues to work through a robust agenda, I hope to provide you with a legislative update, as well as share some helpful resources and provide information on upcoming events we have planned.
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
- My legislation to expand access to healthcare in rural communities was recently signed into law!
- Join me for my upcoming virtual Coffee and Conversation event on October 25 at 8:00 a.m. Register here.
- As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to understand that early detection saves lives, which is why knowing your family history and getting screened annually starting at age 40 is imperative. Take advantage of the free health screening programs available to you, such as this one shared by the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services.
Senate Democrats Push for Stronger Consumer Protections in Michigan
Sen. Singh testifying before the Senate Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee on Oct. 9 on behalf of his legislation, Senate Bills 1021 and 1022.
Michigan Senate Democrats are taking action to protect consumers and build a safer, fairer state. Last week, the Senate Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee heard testimony on a series of bills aimed at strengthening consumer protections — from cracking down on price gouging to securing your personal data to better protecting our seniors.
Led by Senators Rosemary Bayer, Jeremy Moss, and Mary Cavanagh, and myself, the bills hold businesses accountable for unfair and predatory practices. These efforts are part of a larger push by Senate Democrats to ensure Michigan families are protected and businesses play by the rules.
Specifically, the legislation I’m sponsoring, Senate Bills 1021 and 1022, work to bolster consumer protections in our state by amending the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to no longer allow exemptions for fraudulent activity by licensed and regulated entities. On top of empowering the Attorney General to issue investigative demands, this bill package also creates a new fund to support enforcement and education efforts to assist residents and reduce scams. And, following consumer protection best practices, this legislation would create increased penalties for violations against elderly and vulnerable adults.
Learn more about what Senate Democrats are doing to protect Michigan consumers here.
My Bill to Secure Funding for Rural Hospitals Signed into Law
Sen. Singh standing alongside Memorial Healthcare staff. Pictured from left to right: Ben Frederick, Associate Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations; Brian Long, President and CEO; Megan Smith, Chief Nursing Officer/VP of Patient Care Services; Sen. Singh; and Jaime Abudaya, Director of Nursing/Skilled Nursing Facility Administrator.
Someone’s zip code shouldn’t determine their ability to access quality health care. My bill, Senate Bill 701, expands the definition of which hospitals can qualify for funds distributed to the rural hospital access pool. Signed into law by Gov. Whitmer last week, this legislation will better ensure rural hospitals are equipped with the resources necessary to provide quality care to their community.
Because of these new changes, 71 locations in three additional counties — Livingston, Muskegon, and Saginaw — now qualify to receive these funds. The City of Owosso in Shiawassee County, an already eligible county, also qualifies under the new definition, allowing Memorial Healthcare — the only hospital in Shiawassee County — to be eligible for these funds.
I’m thrilled to have championed this legislation and got it across the finish line, and I look forward to seeing the impact this will have on Michigan’s rural hospitals and the surrounding communities they care for. Learn more here.
$1 Million to Support Services at Cristo Rey Community Center in Lansing
I was proud to work alongside my colleagues to secure $1 million for the Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties to support programming at their Cristo Rey Community Center in Lansing. For decades, Cristo Rey has provided food, medical care, and counseling programs to the surrounding community but in recent years, they have struggled to keep up with demand. These new funds will alleviate some of that demand by helping the center increase patient capacity and allow them to expand their mental health care services.
LARA Midwest Occupational Licensing Summit
Last week, I was honored to take part in the Midwest Occupational Licensing Summit hosted by the Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), where regulatory leaders from the Great Lakes region gathered to share innovative ideas and solutions to the challenges facing occupational licensing and enforcement. I was able to share about my role as Senate Majority Floor Leader and how LARA has been an outstanding partner to collaborate with.
Oct. 25 Virtual Coffee Hour
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 25, from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Virtual – Register here
Coffee and Conversation in East Lansing
WHERE: Monday, Nov. 4, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHEN: Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823
Early Fall Community Events in District 28!
East Lansing
MSU Homecoming Parade
I’ll be attending the MSU homecoming parade this Friday, Oct. 18. I hope you can come out and join me for this fun event and show our Spartan community that they’re loved and supported!
WHEN: Parade begins at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown East Lansing and MSU Campus
PARKING/SHUTTLE INFO: There will be limited parking available for the event. A shuttle bus will operate from Eastminster Presbyterian Church, located at 1315 Abbot Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823, to the parade staging area from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Following the parade, the shuttle will return from Abrams Planetarium to Eastminster Presbyterian Church from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Seats are not guaranteed, so attendees are encouraged to plan for alternate transportation.
For more information about this event, please click here.
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
Trunk or Treat at Haven House
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Haven House, 121 Whitehills Dr., East Lansing, MI 48823
Downtown East Lansing Great Pumpkin Walk
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 27, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown East Lansing, 410 Abbot Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823
Lansing
Fenner’s 50th Annual Apple Butter Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19 – Sunday, Oct. 20, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing, MI 48910
Meridian Township
Meridian Twp. Police Halloween Open House
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10:00 am – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Public Safety Building, 5151 Marsh Rd., Okemos, MI 48864
St. Johns
Uncle John’s Cider Mill Fall Festival Weekend
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19 – Sunday, Oct. 20, from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Uncle John’s Cider Mill, 8614 North US-127, St. Johns, MI 48879
Clinton County 4-H Fall Frenzy
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Clinton County Fairgrounds, 800 W. Sickles St., St. Johns Michigan 48879
DeWitt
Halloween Trick or Treat Trail
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Riverside Park, 405 S. Bridge St., DeWitt, MI 48820
Owosso
Downtown Owosso Trick or Treating
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 26, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Owosso
Breast Cancer Awareness & Preventative Resources
Approximately 13% of American women — or one in eight — will develop breast cancer over the course of their life. To spread awareness and honor those impacted by breast cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed every October.
Early detection saves lives, which is why knowing your family history and getting screened annually starting at age 40 is imperative. The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages residents to take advantage of the following free health screening programs to put their health into their own hands:
- The Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BC3NP), available statewide, provides free breast and cervical cancer screening services to low-income women.
- The WISEWOMAN Program helps participants understand their chronic disease risk factors and make healthy lifestyle choices. Every participant receives a free health screening.
- To learn more about the BC3NP and WISEWOMAN Programs, call 844-446-8727 or visit Michigan.gov/cancer. For Spanish resources, call 800-379-1057.