Dear Neighbor,
Over the past weeks and months, my colleagues and I have been working hard to craft a fiscally responsible state budget to ensure that while chaos and confusion comes from Washington, our communities can find security at the state level. Last week marked an important milestone in the process as we passed our budget proposal out of the Senate! Full of people-first investments, this budget will help strengthen local communities, protect vital services, and expand opportunity for every Michigander.
In this newsletter, read more about how this budget will support you and your family, as well as catch up on the other actions we’ve taken to help lower costs, protect workers, and advance the ideals of justice.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can contact us by calling (517) 373-2417 or emailing SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov. We are here to assist you!
Sincerely,
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
District 13
- Along with the busy work of crafting the state budget for next year, Senate Democrats have recently advanced legislation to protect workers from wage theft, provide economic relief for Michigan parents, and uphold justice for survivors of sexual assault.
- Thank you to all who made our recent Senior Summit Town Hall and Resource Fair a success — the presenters, organizations that shared resources, and of course the attendees who joined us with questions, comments, and enthusiasm!
- Medicaid provides a lifeline for 2.6 million Michiganders around the state, ensuring seniors, children, folks with disabilities and others can access the essential health care they need, when they need it. Congress’ threats to gut this crucial program would hold serious, harmful consequences on Michigan’s people, communities, and economy. Learn more below.
A Snapshot of Legislative Activity
Along with our work to wrap up the state budget plans for the next year, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have also been advancing a slew of legislation at the Capitol to protect Michigan workers, support parents, and give survivors of sexual assault greater access to the criminal justice system.
Protecting workers from wage theft — Last week, the Senate Labor Committee passed legislation to protect Michigan workers and taxpayers by ensuring bad actors cannot continue to game the system and shrink workers’ paychecks. These bills now head to the Senate floor for consideration.
Lowering the cost of parenting — Senate Democrats have officially introduced bills to implement the recently-unveiled “Building Blocks” plan that seeks to provide economic relief for Michigan parents. This legislative package would support parents by establishing a new Working Parents Tax Cut, expanding the widely popular RxKids program statewide, and helping tackle the cost of child care from both the demand and supply side. These bills now head to the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services Committee for deliberation.
Ensuring justice for survivors of sexual assault — This week, Senate passed bipartisan legislation to support and protect survivors of sexual assault while ensuring abusers — and the institutions that shield them — are held accountable. These bills would fix Michigan’s broken statute of limitations for civil claims and repeal immunity for educational institutions that conceal systemic abuse. This package will now advance to the House.
Protecting Michiganders exercising their reproductive rights — Building on a mountain of work we’ve done to expand Michiganders’ right to manage their own reproductive health, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed legislation this week to enhance protections for those exercising their reproductive rights. More specifically, the legislation would prohibit an individual from intentionally attempting to injure, intimidate, or interfere with someone because they are obtaining or providing reproductive health services. These bills now head to the Senate floor.
Michigan Senate Passes 2026 Budget to Support All Michiganders
Efforts to finalize our state budget for next year are moving swiftly! Last week, the Senate passed our proposal for the 2026 State Budget. Crafted through months of collaboration with constituents, community leaders, and key stakeholders, this proposal invests in the people, places, and projects that make our state extraordinary. It’s a bold budget that stands up for the people of Michigan by delivering high-impact, targeted investments that will deliver real solutions to the challenges facing our communities.
This proposal now heads to the House for further consideration. Learn more here.
2025 Senior Summit Town Hall and Resource Fair
I’d like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who made our recent Senior Summit Town Hall and Resource Fair a success! Sens. Cavanagh, Polehanki, and I are deeply grateful to all the presenters who shared their time and expertise, the resource fair participants who provided invaluable information and support, and of course, the many attendees who joined us with questions, comments, and enthusiasm! Thank you to the City of Farmington Hills as well, for allowing us to use the beautiful William Costick Activities Center for this event!
Michigan Working Families, Seniors See Benefits of Senate’s Tax Cuts
Back in 2023, Senate Democrats delivered a historic $1 billion in tax cuts for Michiganders who need relief most. Our Lowering MI Costs plan repealed the unfair retirement tax and expanded tax credits for working families. As folks begin to receive refunds, more Michiganders can see more money being put back in their pockets with the average individual income tax refund hitting $843 — a 50% increase from 2022!
This filing season, 207,000 retiree tax returns saw an average jump of $600 because of the retirement tax changes, and our quintupling of the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit has also provided an average refund of $900 for working families. This means Michiganders have extra money to pay their bills, put food on the table, and grow their savings. To learn more about how my colleagues and I are working to lower costs for you and your family, click here.
Medicaid Matters to Michiganders, Impact of Proposed Cuts
Recently, Republicans in Congress announced their plan to slash $880 billion from Medicaid so they can hand over $4 trillion in tax cuts for the country’s wealthiest individuals. If passed, this would be the largest cut to Medicaid in its 60-year history. Medicaid is a lifeline for residents around the state, including seniors, folks with disabilities, children, veterans, and expectant parents. If approved, 750,000 Michiganders are at risk of losing their health insurance, hospitals will close, and it will be harder for everyone to access care. It would also cost us thousands of jobs, and our state economy would take a huge hit by potentially losing hundreds of millions — and even billions — in federal funding.
Long story short: Congress’ threats to gut this crucial program don’t just impact the millions of folks state- and nationwide who rely on the program — they threaten all of us. To stand up to these cuts, this week, Senate Democrats passed a resolution calling on Congress to protect Medicaid and ensure those who need assistance with affording health care can receive it without worry or extra burdensome red tape. Learn more here.
What You Need to Know About Measles: Symptoms and Vaccination Information
With recent reports of rising measles cases across the U.S., it’s important for you and your families to stay informed about the ongoing outbreak. Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads via direct person-to-person contact and through the air. It’s also preventable through vaccination.
Symptoms usually appear 7–14 days after exposure but may take up to 21 days. Common ones can include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, tiny white spots inside the mouth, and rash.
Measles can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Awareness and timely vaccination are key to preventing further spread. If you have not received a second dose or if you are unsure of your vaccination status, we encourage you to contact your health care provider. If you or someone you know may have been exposed or is experiencing symptoms, please contact your health care provider right away.
For more information about measles, visit the state’s webpage.