I'm still feeling a little bit like a miracle happened.

Yesterday evening, the Republican-led Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 241, my bill to place in statute a statewide moratorium on water shutoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. I worked tirelessly on this issue for many months with a coalition of water warriors, environmental advocates, nurses, social workers, water providers and faith leaders.

Clean drinking water is a basic human right, and I’m glad that the Michigan Senate took action yesterday to protect everyone’s health and safety. During this pandemic, access to clean water is more important than ever to ensure that Michiganders in big cities, suburban towns, and small villages can all wash their hands with soap and water. So many Michigan families are still struggling financially and with their health.

With the COVID-19 third wave underway, we need to ensure that we are protecting Michigan families’ health and economic security, and after the bill is signed into law, we must have a serious conversation about how to address water affordability in the long-term. I will be eternally grateful to the advocates who have pushed for change for more than a decade – solutions are long overdue.

Over 317,000 Michigan households were behind on their water bills during the pandemic, and the numbers have likely only gone up. This bill will make a giant difference for many vulnerable Michiganders! The bill moves on to the Michigan House and I will keep working as hard as I can to get this done.

Thank you for your ongoing support -- it is truly an honor to be able to do this work and lift up the voices of vulnerable Michiganders.

Sincerely,

P.S. "Getting Things Done" is our slogan for a reason -- and we will keep working hard until the last second of lame duck.