
Dear Neighbor,
Spring is well underway now, and I hope you’ve taken some time to enjoy Michigan’s warmer weather and brighter blue skies. Our state has so much to offer during the spring season, from the beautiful blooms at the Holland Tulip Time Festival to enjoying America’s national pastime at Comerica Park.
And while spring is certainly bringing some much-needed joy after a long winter, just know that you are not alone if you’re feeling confused or anxious about the chaos and uncertainty that continues to unfold in our federal government. We’re all in this together, and we’ll continue to support one another in these trying and unprecedented times.
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 email me at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or call 517-373-7800.
Sincerely,

Erika Geiss
State Senator
District 1

- The Senate passed a record education budget proposal that prioritizes Michigan students, invests in safe and healthy learning environments, and strengthens public schools.
- Join the Detroit Dept. of Transportation on Thursday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m. for an open virtual forum to discuss services, fares, routes, and more.
- With recent reports of rising measles cases across the U.S., including right here in Michigan, it’s important for you and your families to stay informed about the ongoing outbreak. Continue reading for more information regarding measles, vaccinations, and updates on the outbreak.

Michigan Senate Passes 2026 Budget Proposals to Support All Michiganders
This week, the Senate committee that oversees the state budget voted to advance budget proposals from their subcommittees to make strategic investments in public education, public health, mental health, community safety and more.
In the face of rising costs, economic uncertainty, and in some cases helping to alleviate federal funding gaps where doing so is possible, my colleagues and I in the Senate have put forward a future-facing plan for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The proposal includes high-impact, targeted investments, reflecting our commitment to delivering real solutions for the people of Michigan. In other words, these proposed strategic investments will show how our tax dollars work for us and our communities demonstrating a tangible return on investment in Michigan and Michiganders.
The Senate budget proposals now head to the full Senate for further consideration.
Michigan Senate Advances Bold New Education Budget Proposal Focused on Putting Students and Teachers First
The Senate committee that oversees the PreK-12 education budget has passed a record education budget proposal that prioritizes Michigan students, invests in safe and healthy learning environments, and strengthens public schools.
With federal funding for education facing unprecedented uncertainty, Senate Democrats stepped up to deliver a bold, future-focused plan for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. In addition to raising per-pupil funding to $10,008, the proposal includes $2.5 billion in investments for student mental health, critical upgrades to school infrastructure — including clean and functional HVAC systems — and a continued commitment to free breakfast and lunch for every Michigan public school student.

The budget proposal is part of Senate Democrats’ ongoing commitment to ensuring every child, regardless of zip code, has access to a safe school, a strong support system, and the opportunities they need to thrive.
The Appropriations Subcommittee voted to report the proposal to the full Senate for further consideration.
Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month with Action

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote understanding and compassion for folks struggling with their mental health. My Senate colleagues and I have worked hard to help address the mental health crisis here in Michigan by:
- Expanding access to mental health care coverage – Last spring, Senate Bill 27, championed by Sen. Sarah Anthony, was signed into law, requiring insurance companies to cover treatments for mental health and substance use disorders at the same level as physical health services.
- Preventing suicide through commonsense gun safety legislation – Firearms account for over half of all suicide deaths, and 90% of suicide attempts with firearms are successful. That’s why my colleagues and I passed an 11-bill gun violence prevention package in 2023, including a “red flag” law that helps temporarily remove firearms from the homes of people who pose an immediate threat to themselves or others. In the first year since this law took effect, 30% of the Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) filed mentioned threats of self-harm or suicide.
- Investing in mental health care and suicide prevention – The state budget is an impactful tool us lawmakers use to uplift and support the mental health needs of our communities. In the 2025 budget, we secured:
- $48.2 million to support substance use disorder treatment and prevention efforts;
- $30 million to increase access to 24-hour crisis services, outpatient behavioral health care, and psychiatric rehabilitation;
- $9.4 million to provide statewide coverage for 988, the suicide and mental health crisis line;
- $1.2 million to support suicide prevention programs for veterans and their families;
- $750,000 to provide resources for community-based suicide prevention efforts to meet the needs of veterans, service members, and their families; and
- $250,000 to support Six Feet Over’s suicide loss survivor program, a nonprofit that provides mental health education and support to individuals with lived experiences of suicide.

Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) Virtual Community Input Meeting
Join DDOT on Thursday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m. for an open forum to discuss services, fares, routes, and more. This is a great opportunity to make your voice heard regarding the community’s transportation. For additional information, click here.
Zoom Call-in Number: 1 (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 962-6808-2855
Direct Zoom link: Click to join

Taylor Recreation’s Wild Weekend
Join Taylor Recreation on May 17-18 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for Wild Weekend at the Heritage Park Petting Farm. For additional information, click here.


Prevent Hot Car Deaths – Look Before You Lock
May 1 marked National Heatstroke Prevention Day, a critical reminder that leaving a child alone in a vehicle — even for a minute — can be deadly. Since 1998, over 1,000 children in the U.S. have died from pediatric vehicular heatstroke, including 11 in Michigan. Every one of these tragedies was preventable.
As temperatures rise, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) urges parents and caregivers to stay alert: a car can heat up by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, and heatstroke can happen even on days as cool as 60 degrees.
Most hot car deaths occur when a caregiver forgets a child is in the back seat. To help prevent this:
- Always check the back seat before locking your vehicle.
- Place a personal item you’ll need — like a phone or bag — in the back seat as a reminder.
- Set a unique alarm on your phone as a daily child care reminder.
- Have your child care provider contact you if your child doesn’t arrive.
- Communicate clearly with others during any change in routine.
It only takes a moment to “Look Before You Lock”— but that moment can save a life.
To learn more, review the Look Before You Lock flyer and It’s Never Safe Card.
And don’t forget, these same principles apply to pets in vehicles in warmer weather.
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. Find more information below regarding measles, vaccinations, and updates on the 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.
Measles Symptoms
Symptoms usually appear 7–14 days after exposure but may take up to 21 days. Symptoms can include:
- High fever (can exceed 104°F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
- Red, blotchy rash starting on the face and spreading to the body
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 like a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash, please contact your health care provider right away.
For more information about measles, visit the state’s webpage.
Prepare for Upcoming Road Closures
Over 55 road projects across the state have recently kicked off, requiring closures on several major roadways, according to the Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT). Drivers should be aware of closures on U.S. 127 in Ingham, Gratiot, and Isabella counties, U.S. 131 in Kalamazoo County, I-75 in Wayne County, U.S. 23 in Genessee County, and M-58 in Saginaw County.
MDOT encourages drivers to remain alert and vigilant, minimize distractions, follow posted signage in work zones, slow down to the posted speed limits in work zones, and don’t tailgate. For more information on work zone safety, click here. To view an online map of ongoing road projects, click here.
