Hello Neighbor,

It’s hard to believe we’re almost halfway through 2025. It’s been a hectic first half of the year, especially with the uncertainty created by unprecedented actions at the federal level. But through it all, I’ve stayed focused on fighting for the issues that matter most to our Downriver and Western Wayne communities — from hazardous waste and wage theft to the rising cost of prescription drugs.

In this update, you’ll find highlights of the work my team and I have been doing to make our communities safer, more affordable, and full of opportunity — plus details on my upcoming senior summit and a new statewide college scholarship contest.

As always, my office is always available to answer your questions and provide any assistance that you may need. Please do not hesitate to contact us or call my office at 517-373-7918 if you are in need of help.

In Solidarity,

Darrin Camilleri

State Senator

District 4

I joined Rep. Reggie Miller to announce our hazardous waste legislation that modernizes Michigan’s hazardous waste management system and strengthens environmental protections for communities across the state.
On Friday, May 16, I’m hosting a Senior Summit event at the Romulus Athletic Center. You can come anytime between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. This event will be incredibly informative and a great way for you to ask questions and share your perspective on issues that are important to you. More information below.
A new statewide contest offers a chance for forty first-time FAFSA filers to win $10,000 and ten winners to receive $50,000. Find the details below!

Defending our Communities from the Flood of Hazardous Waste
Last week, I joined Rep. Reggie Miller to announce our hazardous waste legislation that modernizes Michigan’s hazardous waste management system and strengthens environmental protections for communities across the state.

Sen. Darrin Camilleri joined by lawmakers and advocates during the announcement of the Hazardous Waste Protection Act

Our communities are sick and tired of being the go-to dumping grounds for some of the most hazardous waste in North America. This legislation will modernize our decades-old waste management framework to reflect current science and will put safeguards in place to ensure facilities operate at appropriate scales and locations. Given the proposed federal cuts to the EPA, it’s now even more important that we create a statewide waste management system that prioritizes public health and environmental protection.

I introduced similar legislation last year, but it didn’t reach the governor’s desk before the legislative session ended. But I’m not giving up! That’s why I’ve reintroduced my Hazardous Waste Protection Act, but I need your help to get it across the finish line.

Join the fight to protect our communities from hazardous waste by becoming a citizen co-sponsor of this legislation! Click here to learn how you can become a co-sponsor and help stop Michigan from becoming the nation’s dumping ground.

Bold New Education Budget Proposal Focused on Putting Students and Teachers First
As Chair of the PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, I was proud to announce a record education budget proposal that prioritizes Michigan students, invests in safe and healthy learning environments, and strengthens public schools.

Michigan’s students are our future, and this budget reflects the responsibility we have to provide them with the safe, supportive, and high-quality education they deserve. By investing in mental health resources, modernizing our school facilities, and helping students focus in school through free school meals, we are setting up every child for success. We’re also making critical investments to ensure teachers are paid fairly and classrooms remain small, so that every student gets the attention and support they need to thrive.

Sens. Darrin Camilleri, Dayna Polehanki, and Kevin Hertel with Lakia Wilson, President of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, during a press conference to announce a bold, new education budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026

With federal funding for education facing unprecedented uncertainty, Senate Democrats stepped up to deliver a bold, future-focused plan for the Fiscal Year 2026 education budget. In addition to raising per-pupil funding to $10,008, the proposal includes $2.5 billion in investments for student mental health, critical upgrades to school infrastructure — including clean and functional HVAC systems — and a continued commitment to free breakfast and lunch for every Michigan public school student.

Click here to hear what I had to say when I announced this bold, new budget proposal

Michigan Senate Advances Bills to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Michiganders

While Big Pharma raked in over $29 billion in net profits in just three months, nearly a third of Michigan residents were forced to stop taking their prescriptions because they simply couldn’t afford them. Even more alarming, 60% of older adults in our state are worried they won’t be able to pay for the medications they rely on. That’s not just unfair — it’s unacceptable.

Everyone deserves access to affordable, life-saving medication — no matter their age, income, or background. That’s why my Senate Democratic colleagues and I took action. We passed legislation to create the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) here in Michigan — a powerful, independent body that will work to lower prescription drug prices and hold Big Pharma accountable.

The PDAB will be made up of experts in health care, economics, and supply chain management. They’ll be tasked with analyzing drug pricing trends, identifying cost drivers, and setting upper payment limits — essentially, capping how much can be charged for medications sold in our state.

As the lead sponsor of this legislation, I’m committed to continuing this fight to ensure Big Pharma doesn’t keep profiting off the backs of Michiganders while our parents, grandparents, and neighbors struggle to afford the medicine they need to survive.

You can learn more about this legislation here.

Fighting Wage Theft to Protect your Paychecks
Michigan workers show up every day, putting in long hours to support themselves and their families, and they deserve to be paid every dollar they’ve earned. But right now, too many employers are cutting corners and stealing wages through payroll fraud, misclassification, and other shady tactics. That’s why my Senate Democratic colleagues and I are stepping up to put an end to wage theft in our state.

The Senate Committee on Labor recently heard testimony on legislation I introduced alongside Sen. Kevin Hertel to strengthen Michigan’s wage theft laws and hold bad actors accountable. In 2022 alone, Michigan’s Department of Labor recovered over $2.6 million in stolen wages — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This kind of fraud doesn’t just hurt workers; it cheats taxpayers, drains public resources, and creates an uneven playing field for honest businesses.

Sen. Darrin Camilleri joined Sen. Kevin Hertel and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights to call for action against wage theft

When bad actors steal wages from hardworking people, we all pay the price. That’s why, as a co-sponsor on this package, I’m committed to ensuring that every Michigander — no matter their job or background — is paid fairly and treated with the dignity they deserve. Our economy should reward hard work, not exploitation, and it’s time to stop protecting the bad actors and start standing up for Michigan workers who power our state.