Last night, we passed the state budget … around 2:30 a.m.!  

Marathon days like yesterday are exhausting, but today I am back at it because there is so much we need to do. 

I am excited to have helped secure $100 million for the Wayne State University Karmanos Cancer Institute which will create a home for medical education, cancer research and community services in Detroit.  I also secured $1 million for a local port decarbonization effort that will help ensure a clean, green port. The budget also includes funding for the Downtown Boxing Gym, which has incredible youth sports and academic programs in Detroit. There are several other project priorities I will continue to advocate for with the next opportunity in the fall.

We are thrilled about the largest investment in our schools in Michigan’s history. It contains an increase in per-pupil funding, transformative changes to the way education is handled for special education students and money dedicated to recruiting and retaining teachers and school support staff.  We listened to students, parents and educators and voted for a budget that includes funding for school-based healthcare services including mental health services and training to support evidence-based practices when it comes to identifying and supporting students' emotional well-being.  

The budget also includes so many other highlights related to blight funding, language access, job training, support for our universities, and clean water.

In other exciting news, we passed bipartisan legislation that I led, too! This year I led a package of bipartisan and bicameral legislation to help Michigan’s maritime economy grow and better compete with surrounding states in an environmentally sustainable manner while creating jobs and easing supply chain issues. These bills passed yesterday and are on their way to Governor Whitmer for her signature. 

My team and I are working hard and getting things done. And with your help, we will be able to keep doing this work for another term. Click here to help our reelection campaign with a $10, $25, $50, or $100 contribution today.

With gratitude,