Dear Neighbor,
Happy New Year!
I hope you are having a good start to 2025. Jan. 8 marked the beginning of the 103rd Legislature. A new legislative session means a renewed opportunity to work on issues that impact our communities. I will continue working hard to get things done that will help improve the quality of life for District 3 residents and the state of Michigan. I recognize that with the change in the make-up of the legislature, with a Republican majority in the House and Democratic majority in the Senate, it is critical that we find bipartisan solutions that uplift everyone.
My mantra for 2025 is “Compassion and commitment to community — getting things done.” What’s your mantra for the new year?
In this update, you will find legislative updates, upcoming events, and community resources.
As always, if you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing, or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can contact me by sending an email to senschang@senate.michigan.gov or calling our Lansing office at 517-373-7346. Our district office number is 313-922-6949.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 3
- In the final days of 2024, the Senate tackled important legislation to improve the lives of Michiganders, from boosting benefits for Michigan workers to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Now, we’re back at the Capitol to begin our work in the 103rd Legislature!
- Join me for my upcoming event, Coney and Conversation, at Unique Coney Island in Sterling Heights this Friday, Jan. 24 at 12:00 p.m.
- With the drastically low temperatures upon us, I want to make sure folks in my community have the information they need to stay warm! My office compiled a list of warming centers in and around District 3 that you can check out on my website or at the bottom of this email.
Coney & Conversation with Senator Chang
WHEN: Friday, January 24, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Unique Coney Island, 33102 Dequindre Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310
Community Conversation with Rep. Mike McFall
WHEN: Friday, February 7, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: We Juice, 906 E. 9 Mile Rd., Hazel Park, MI 48030
Community Conversation
WHEN: Friday, February 21, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Tim Hortons, 25100 Ryan Rd., Warren, MI 48091
Reflecting on the 2024 Legislative Session
During the last days of the 2023-2024 legislative session, the Michigan Senate passed critical legislation to support all Michiganders. Unfortunately, many important bills, including our bills related to police improvement and community trust, maternal health, voting rights, juvenile justice data, preschool teachers, and special license plate policy did not receive votes in the House, which was very disappointing.
I am committed to working as hard as I can this term to pass priority legislation on water affordability, police improvement, housing, and maternal health. I also wanted to acknowledge some important legislation that passed and is on the Governor’s desk:
- Improvements to the Name Change Process — HB 5300-5303:
- Eliminates a presumption in law that a person who is seeking to change their legal name must be doing so for a fraudulent reason if they have a criminal record. It also removes the requirement that a person who is 22 years or older who is seeking a name change must submit fingerprints for state and federal criminal background checks. The legislation also expands the reasons for which a court can waive publication requirements regarding a name change. This bill package gets rid of the requirement for a doctor’s affidavit of surgery before a new birth certificate that shows a sex designation other than the one the person was assigned at birth can be issued. House Bill 5300 has just recently been signed into law.
- Unemployment Benefits Increase — SB 40:
- SB 40 increased the number of weeks from 20 to 26 weeks as the maximum number of weeks an individual could qualify for unemployment benefits per benefit year. It will also increase the maximum weekly benefit rate a person could receive over the next 3 years from $362 to $614. Gov. Whitmer has signed this into law.
- Freestanding Birth Centers — HB 5636:
- Under this new law, freestanding birth centers are required to be licensed. The birth centers would provide services such as midwifery care, newbornand postpartum care, and reproductive healthcare. The legislation also outlines and further defines what qualifies as a freestanding birth center and what requirements they must meet for licensure. This legislation was signed into law this week.
- Innovation Fund — HB 5651-5653:
- Together, these bills help create the Michigan Innovation Fund, which will provide grants to select venture capital funds and nonprofits to promote venture capital investment. This program will help attract new businesses to Michigan and help create a positive economic impact in our state. I’m excited to report that this package was just recently signed into law.
- Ground Emergency Medical Transportation — HB 5695:
- HB 5695 amends the Social Welfare Act to allow the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services to amend Medicaid to create a program that would provide supplemental reimbursement to qualifying ground emergency medical transportation providers who provide services to Medicaid recipients. This will help many of our cities across the state to recover these costs.
- Sentencing Commission — HB 4173
- House Bill 4173 creates the Michigan Sentencing Commission. The legislation creates a Criminal Sentencing Commission tasked with collecting information on criminal sentencing in Michigan, evaluating the effectiveness of Michigan’s sentencing guidelines and making recommendations. This important legislation would ensure our criminal justice system is working properly. Michigan previously had established a sentencing commission and its re-establishment is a positive step for our justice system.
Michigan’s 103rd Legislature Kicks Off with Focus on Accountability and Affordability
On the first day of Michigan’s 103rd Legislature, Senate Democrats wasted no time in introducing legislation to address important issues, from increasing government transparency to improving access to affordable health care.
- Senate Bills 1 and 2 would expand the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include the Michigan Legislature and governor. I voted in favor of similar legislation in the past; these bills passed the Senate in the 102nd Legislature with bipartisan support.
- Senate Bills 3-5 would establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) in Michigan — an independent body designed to lower prescription drug costs and hold big pharmaceutical companies accountable. These bills build on Michigan Senate Democrats’ efforts during the 102nd Legislature to lower costs and grow opportunities for working families here in Michigan. I am proud to support these bills.
- Senate Bills 6–7 would address payroll fraud by strengthening wage theft laws. In 2022, the Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economy Opportunity recovered more than $2.6 million in stolen wages. The bills would enhance wage transparency for workers, allow workers to file anonymous complaints against employers, strengthen penalties for wage theft and prohibit employers from misclassifying workers as independent contractors.
Upcoming EGLE Public Hearing on Sulfur Dioxide Air Quality Standards
There will be a public hearing on Jan. 28, 2025 for the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) proposal to request to redesignate a portion of Wayne County back to attainment for sulfur dioxide (SO2). For many years, this area was out of compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for sulfur dioxide. Based on various changes over the years, EGLE is proposing a redesignation. I encourage you to attend the hearing, listen to the information, and share your thoughts. Details on how to attend the hearing are included below.
The public is encouraged to review the redesignation request document for more detailed information before commenting.
Comments may be given at any time before the end of the comment period on January 28th. You may provide comments on the proposal in any of these ways:
- At the virtual public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 28
- You can join the broadcast at: https://bit.ly/4acTGxU or call 636-651-3142 and use conference code 374288.
- By email: ShuffE@Michigan.gov
- By mail: EGLE, Air Quality Division, Attn: Erica Shuff, P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, Michigan 48909- 7760
Learn more about this issue here.
Free Contraceptive Resources
I am happy to share that our district office, located at 11521 Joseph Campau Ave, Hamtramck, MI 48212, now offers free contraceptives as a part of the Take Control of Your Birth Control Program. Last fall, Governor Whitmer announced that through the Take Control of Your Birth Control Program, over 300 locations would be providing contraceptives resources at no charge to Michiganders. This includes, but is not limited to birth control bills, emergency contraceptives, condoms, and educational resources. My office is excited to participate in this program. No appointments are required, and materials will be given on a first come first serve basis. For more information on where else you can find these resources, please use this link.
Warming Centers
As temperatures continue to drop, many community organizations have opened their doors to ensure that everyone can stay warm during the day. My team has compiled a list of warming centers that are open in or near Senate District 3. Please check out those resources below or you can also now find them on my website. Hours may vary and change, so please call to verify the hours of operation for these warming centers.
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries – Mack Warming Center (For families and single women)
- 11037 Mack Ave., Detroit, MI 48214
- (313) 331-8990
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries – Third Street Warming Center (For single men)
- 3535 Third Ave., Detroit, MI 48201
- (313) 993-6703
Butzel Family Center
- 7737 Kercheval St., Detroit, MI 48214
- Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- (313) 628-2100
Covenant House Michigan (For youth between 18-24)
- 959 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Detroit, MI 48208
- 24 Hours/7 Days a week
- (313) 463-2000
Detroit Public Library Branches
The Main Library
- 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202
- Monday and Thursday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Sundays from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- (313) 481-1400
Elmwood Park Branch
- 550 Chene St., Detroit, MI 48207
- Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- (313) 481-1730
Douglass Branch
- 3666 Grand River, Detroit, MI 48208
- Monday – Friday, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- (313) 481-1700
Hamtramck Senior Plaza
- 2620 Holbrook St., Hamtramck, MI 48212
- Monday – Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- (313) 873-7878
Sterling Heights Public Library
- 40255 Dodge Park Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313
- Monday – Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Friday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- (586) 446-2665
Sterling Heights Senior Center
- 40200 Utica Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313
- Monday – Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Friday – Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- (586) 446-2750
Sterling Heights Community Center
- 40250 Dodge Park Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313
- Monday – Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- (586) 446-2700
Southwest Health Service Center
- 27690 Van Dyke Ave., Warren, MI 48093
- Sunday and Saturday: Closed
- Monday – Friday, from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- (586) 465-8090