Hello Neighbor,

I’m sure you have questions on the headlines surrounding what has happened in Lansing within the last week. I hope to explain what we know so far surrounding these unprecedented circumstances — and assure you that my colleagues and I are laser-focused on fighting for programs that improve the lives of all Michiganders.

Last week, in a gross and dangerous political stunt, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall and his Republican colleagues exploited a rarely used provision in state law to slash over a half billion dollars in crucial funding for Michigan kids, families, small businesses, and more. Among the $645 million in bipartisan passed, already agreed upon funding promised were resources to:

• Provide wigs for kids undergoing cancer treatment;
• Uplift new moms and their babies at the most vulnerable stage of life;
• Tackle our state’s opioid epidemic;
• Invest in affordable housing solutions;
• And so much more.

More specifically, these funds support organizations and programming through our Downriver community, including:

• Downriver Community Conference’s Consolidated Dispatch Center for Police and Fire
• Wayne Metro Community Action Agency;
• Lead line replacement in Taylor; and
• Wyandotte Center for the Arts.

In the middle of the holiday season, at a time when Michiganders are already feeling the financial hardship from federal policies, Matt Hall and his Republican colleagues have pulled the rug out from under them, claiming to rid our government from “waste, fraud, and abuse.” Protecting the lives of Michigan families should never be considered “waste” or “abuse.”

But Senate Democrats are fighting back.
While we work to understand the full impact of this action on people and programs around the state, you can rest assured that Senate Democrats will continue serving with actual integrity and leadership, doing everything we can to hold Lansing Republicans accountable and ensure every Michigander knows what they did.