Michigan Senate Democrats

09/05/2026

As new tariffs on Canada take effect, a state like Michigan, with deep ties to our largest trading partner, is especially vulnerable to higher costs and economic disruption. Whether it's manufacturing, agriculture, or everyday goods, Michiganders are the ones being asked to pay the price.

CBS News Detroit is looking into the impact tariffs between the U.S. and Canada will have on Michigan wallets.

09/04/2026

The Great Lakes State is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, from our rivers and forests to the shores of the Great Lakes.

Protecting these species helps preserve the natural resources that support our communities, our economy, and our way of life.

Happy National Wildlife Day. 🌲🦉🐟

09/03/2026

When childcare is affordable, families are stronger, businesses can retain workers, and children have access to stable care.
That's why Michigan is making the successful MI Tri-Share program permanent. It's a practical solution that helps lower childcare costs, supports working parents, and strengthens our economy.

Michigan's Tri-Share program is a first in the nation childcare cost-sharing program that lawmakers recently made permanent with bipartisan support.

09/02/2026

Election officials are warning that a new USPS mail ballot requirement could create confusion and logistical challenges for voters ahead of this year's elections.
That's why Michigan's voter-approved protections, including early voting, absentee voting, and secure ballot drop boxes, remain so important. Every eligible voter deserves a clear, accessible path to making their voice heard.

Election officials warn a new USPS mail-in ballot rule is a 'logistical nightmare' impossible to meet by November's midterms.

08/31/2026

Michigan workers and families shouldn't be caught in the middle of economic policies that drive up costs and create uncertainty.

As one of the states most impacted by tariffs, Michigan's auto industry, manufacturers, and consumers are feeling the effects. Costs are rising because of decisions made by the Trump administration, and everyday Michiganders shouldn't be the ones paying the price.

We will continue fighting for policies that lower costs, strengthen Michigan manufacturing, protect good-paying jobs, and help families get ahead.

Local industries dictate how much cost a given state takes on from the executive tariffs

08/31/2026

International Overdose Awareness Day is a reminder that compassion matters, recovery is possible, and every person deserves access to the support and care they need.

While there is still more work to do, Michigan continues to make progress through investments in prevention, treatment, recovery services, and harm reduction. Recent bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Sylvia Santana and Paul Wojno, along with broader efforts led by senators including Senator Kevin Hertel to expand access to treatment and overdose prevention tools, reflects our continued commitment to saving lives and supporting recovery.

https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2026/07/23/whitmer-signs-bills-to-address-the-opioid-crisis-support-public-health

https://senatedems.com/hertel/2025/07/01/opioid-crisis/

08/30/2026

As students head back to class, schools across Michigan are implementing new rules on cell phone use. Keeping phones out of the classroom will help students stay focused, improve learning environments, and reduce distractions during the school day.

New Michigan cell phone laws take effect for the school year

08/29/2026

ICYMI: Michigan will receive at least $171 million through a landmark settlement with Meta, alongside new child safety requirements for Facebook and Instagram, including screen time limits, stronger parental controls, and protections designed to make these platforms safer for young people.

Michigan kids should always come before corporate profits.

The Great Lakes State joins dozens of others who will receive millions of dollars as the social media giant implements stricter rules for its youngest users.

08/28/2026

Today, we remember the March on Washington and the people who marched for jobs, freedom, and equal rights. Their work helped secure landmark civil rights protections, including the Voting Rights Act. More than six decades later, efforts to weaken voting rights and reduce representation have renewed the fight to ensure every voice is heard.

In Michigan, we've fought to protect and expand access to the ballot through the Michigan Voting Rights Act, taking a major step toward state-level protections against discrimination in elections.

The lessons of the March on Washington are just as relevant today as they were in 1963 and we won't stop fighting to protect the fundamental right for every voice to be heard.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/thousands-march-washington-leaders-warn-voting-civil-rights-rollbacks-2026-08-28/

08/27/2026

Brownfield redevelopment helps communities turn blighted properties into places where people can live, work, and thrive.
In East Jordan, a vacant site is being transformed into 17 new homes and commercial space, expanding housing options, creating local jobs, and bringing new life to the community's downtown.

A Brownfield Redevelopment Grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is going to help turn a contaminated, vacant site into a mixed-use building with new housing and jobs in East Jordan.