Dear Neighbor,
Between severe weather events hitting northern Michigan and continued chaos at the federal level hitting our entire state’s economy, there are a lot of events making folks feel uncertain and anxious about the road ahead. Please know that our team in Lansing is working diligently to support our community through these challenging times.
In this newsletter, you can find information about our efforts to provide economic relief to Michiganders, protect seniors from abuse and financial exploitation, and more. Also, with new improvements to our state’s unemployment benefits having gone into effect earlier this month, you can find more information and resources surrounding these changes at the bottom of this email.
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 SenSSingh@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-3447.
Sincerely,
Sam Singh
State Senator
District 28
- I’m proud to serve you at the state Capitol, where I’ve been hard at work alongside my colleagues advancing legislation to strengthen protections for vulnerable adults, improve maternal health outcomes, and boost businesses for local food producers while crafting a state budget to address challenges Michiganders are facing. Read on to learn more.
- Join me for my next virtual community conversation this Friday, April 25, from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Register here.
- Last session, Senate Democrats secured improvements to Michigan’s unemployment benefits. As of earlier this month, workers can now qualify for up to 26 weeks of benefits versus 20. The maximum benefit amount has also increased from $362 to $614 over the next three years — a nearly 70% rise.
Boosting Business for Local Honey and Maple Syrup Producers — Senate Bill 93
This year, I’ve reintroduced legislation to increase the annual sales cap for honey and maple syrup producers from $15,000 to $25,000, matching the limit under the Cottage Food Law. Now over to the House for consideration after unanimously passing the Senate floor last week, this bipartisan legislation will break down a critical barrier for these producers and allow them to grow their business beyond what has so far been possible.
Making State Boards & Commissions More Accessible — Senate Bill 129
Last week, Senate Democrats advanced legislation to make participating in public bodies more inclusive. Sponsored by Sen. McCann, Senate Bill 129 would ensure that people with disabilities who request accommodation to participate and vote in public bodies, such as state boards, are able to do so. This bill also passed the Senate last week and awaits the House’s consideration.
Improving Health Outcomes for Michigan Moms & Babies — Senate Bills 29–34 & 36–39
All expectant parents deserve a health care system that truly hears, sees, and meets their needs. Unfortunately, too often for Black mothers and other moms of color, that hasn’t been the case. That’s why my fellow Senators have introduced the comprehensive “Momnibus” bill package this year — to enhance prenatal and maternal care for Black moms, helping ensure all our moms and kiddos have a safe and healthy birthing experience and are effectively cared for in the days surrounding. This legislation was advanced out of the Senate last week and is over to the House.
Michigan Senate Passes Legislation to Protect Seniors and Vulnerable Adults
Elderly individuals and vulnerable adults are at high risk of being subject to abuse and exploitation at the hands of family members, friends, or other close associates. According to the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General, more than 73,000 older adults in the state are victims of these crimes, which can lead to serious physical and psychological effects such as depression, increased hospitalization, and premature death.
To protect older and vulnerable Michiganders from these threats, I joined my colleagues this week to pass Senate Bills 111–114, which would increase protections by:
- Creating an elder and vulnerable adult personal protection order (PPO).
- Increasing the amount of time prosecutors have to recover property in embezzlement cases where criminals have taken advantage of vulnerable adults.
- Protecting vulnerable adults even after death, treating those offenses the same as if the exploitation had occurred during the victim’s lifetime.
- Taking an all-in approach to preventing, intervening, investigating, and prosecuting abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of older and vulnerable adults by bringing together local teams of experts.
This legislation now heads to the Michigan House for their consideration. Read more about this legislation here.
Virtual Community Conversation
WHEN: Friday, April 25, from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Virtual – Register here
Community Conversation in Williamston
WHEN: Monday, May 5, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Williamston Library, 3845 Vanneter Rd. # 1, Williamston, MI 48895
Virtual Community Conversation
WHEN: Wednesday, May 21, from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Virtual – Registration Link Coming Soon
Visit my website to stay up to date on all of my upcoming events. Hope to see you soon!
Reading at Green Elementary
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of joining Ms. Rumsey at Green Elementary in East Lansing to read my favorite book, Green Eggs & Ham. Although Reading Month is over, every opportunity to read to students is an exciting and valuable one!
Connecting with Ingham County Health Dept. Leadership
Last week, leaders from the Ingham County Health Dept. stopped by my office to discuss upcoming legislative priorities. I greatly appreciated my time with Ali Rogers, Dr. Adenike Shoyinka, Dr. Brenda Gray, Anne Barna, Amanda Darche, and Rod McNeil, who shared their thoughtful insights with me — thank you!
Joint Community Conversation with Rep. Tsneroglou
Rep. Tseronoglou and I recently held a community conversation at the Bath Library to discuss local issues regarding our upcoming 2026 budget, federal funding, and fixing our roads.
League of Women Voters Earth Day Event
The League of Women Voters held an event in honor of Earth Day this past Monday in Haslett. We discussed clean energy legislation that, unfortunately, was not able to pass in the last legislative term, and how we will move forward this session.
Owosso Community Conversation Hour
My team and I were thrilled to engage with the 50 folks who came out for our community conversation in Owosso last week, where we discussed everything from education and federal funding to local recycling issues and the upcoming state budget. I’m grateful to those who were able to attend and hope to see them — and you! — at my next event.
YMCA Advocacy Day
Right: Senator Singh pictured alongside Laura Archer, CEO of the Shiawassee Family YMCA
I was excited to speak at YMCA’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol earlier this week, where they also honored me with their 2025 Champions Award. Through their 69 locations throughout the state, the YMCA makes a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of the nearly half a million members and program participants they serve.
Michigan’s Unemployment Benefits Now in Effect
Unemployment benefits have long been a critical lifeline for Michigan workers — helping them put food on the table, pay their rent, and afford other essential items in times of difficulty. Unfortunately, our state’s unemployment system has too often prevented people from accessing those benefits at the time they need it most. That’s why my colleagues and I worked to improve Michigan’s unemployment system to remove barriers that claimants have commonly experienced, boost the maximum number of weeks workers could receive benefits, and increase the maximum dollar amount of weekly benefits.
I’m excited to share that earlier this month, many of these improvements took effect. To learn more about this new law, click here. And if you or a loved one are currently needing to apply for unemployment benefits while in search of a new job, please click here to find a six-step guide to applying for and understanding benefits.