Dear Neighbor,
Happy 2025! I hope your new year has gotten off to a great start and everyone had a wonderful, relaxing holiday season with family and friends, as I did with all our children at home (it was relaxing because all four kids helped cook)! But I also felt super excited to get back to work upon their departure. To that end, my colleagues and I returned to the Capitol on Jan. 8 for the opening day of the 103rd legislative session. We were each allowed to bring a few guests and were administered the Oath of Office by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden. Now, two weeks into the new term, I am excited to continue to work hard to better the lives of all Michiganders, but am also proud to announce that my fellow Democratic legislators voted for me to be Minority Whip.
The role allows me to be part of the four-person Democratic leadership team in the House — which helps set priorities for our caucus – but also gives me a great opportunity to work across the aisle with Republicans. Though it was hard to lose the majority in the state House this past election, I am optimistic that we can work on great bipartisan legislation together with the state Senate and executive branch still in Democratic control. As someone who was already working in a bipartisan manner, I look forward to continuing working with all my colleagues.
Policy Update:
Last month, the 102nd Legislature came to an end and, with that, all the bills every House and Senate Member were working on that had not yet passed through both chambers. Now, in the 103rd Legislature, we have to reintroduce any bills we hope to continue working on and essentially restart the process. I will be honest; it is frustrating to see many of the policies I was working tirelessly on not succeed across the finish line of the legislative process. However, I plan to re-introduce many of these bills again this term and look forward to continuing to push for policies that will benefit Michiganders.
I was able to get the four bills below passed and signed into law:
HB 4062 prohibits landlords from attempting to bar tenancy based on a prospective renter’s source of income. This includes clarifying the language surrounding denying, terminating, restricting or discouraging renters from certain properties.
HB 4199 amended the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Act to allow eligible National Guard service members to transfer their Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program benefits to an eligible spouse or dependent.
HB 4343 requires the Department of Insurance Finance Services to submit an annual report on payday lending to the Legislature and post it on the department’s website.
HB 5211 amended the Paternity Act to remove the determination of parentage for children born through assisted reproduction or surrogacy from the Paternity Act.
District Updates:
I have heard from many community members over the last few months regarding the proposal by Ann Arbor Public Schools to build a new building for Thurston Elementary School, which will expand into the Thurston Nature Center. Please know that I support building a new school, as our students and staff deserve a new and improved building. However, I have concerns about the lack of community input and engagement with the proposed project and the potential unintended consequences the current proposal will have on the Nature Center, which is a vital community landmark. Below is the letter I shared with the Board of Education to express my support for increased community engagement:
As we have officially closed out the 102nd legislative term and begun the 103rd, I wanted to share a recap of some of the events I attended in the last few months of 2024.
October:
I had the opportunity to attend the Michigan Veteran Harm Reduction Summit in Eaton Rapids at the incredible VFW National Home. I learned so much about the concerning relationship between medication and veterans’ suicide from experts and veteran panelists who bravely shared their personal stories of negative outcomes from medication prescribed to them. I have had the privilege of getting to know many of those who participated today as chair of the House Military, Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee.
I attended and participated in the Lake Trust Credit Union’s volunteer day at Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor. Though I have toured the facility before, this was the first time I helped sort fresh produce that goes to more than 100 food pantries and nonprofit organizations across Washtenaw County. If you have not volunteered before, sign up to help, as it is an inspiring experience to witness the incredible work they do.
LACASA hosted its first annual gala in October, where we celebrated the success they have had with building a new shelter for those facing domestic abuse. LACASA has been doing this work for ages and the testimony of those who have benefited from their services is truly inspiring. I would like to thank LACSA for the work they do and the bravery of their clients who find them and are able to start a new life because of the resources they provide.
I attended an important, beautiful event on farmland in Dexter that we hope will one day soon be the location of the Many Hands Lifesharing Community, a residential co-living space for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers. The founder, Kerry Kafafian, has been working hard to make this a reality for her son and all in need in the area. Wonderful to support this alongside state Sen. Sue Shink.
November:
Even though the Michigan Legislature was on “Hunting Break” for part of the month, it allowed me to spend time attending some very inspiring events. First up was the inaugural “Together We Rise Breakfast Benefit — A Morning of Compassion and Change,” which aims to support the creation of pathways to permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness in our community.
The second was an SOS Maternity Network program run by Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists and Obstetricians from 14 leading universities and hospital systems across Michigan. All are participating in a new model for the delivery of care and rigorous research. The network is the first of its kind in this region to protect the lives and health of our pregnant women and infants. I was honored to speak on a panel discussing a package of maternity health bills I hope will pass the state Senate and make it to the Governor’s desk to be signed this year.
December:
I was pleased to be invited to speak at the Michigan Environmental Council priorities meeting and share my support for community solar, polluter pay and a better bottle bill. Our community cares a great deal about conservation and clean drinking water, as do I as their representative. Let’s continue to work on great legislation. Thanks to Conan Smith, president and CEO of the board; Charlotte Jameson, chief policy officer; and Tamara El-Khoury, development officer, for organizing this important evening of discussion.
To kick off the holiday season, I attended “Light up Dexter” and saw all the kids lining up to talk to Santa. They lit up 85 trees with incredible decorations sponsored by local businesses. They are gorgeous at night and during the day!
I got to sing Christmas carols with friends at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, visited Santa at the Webster Township Historical Society Village, cheered on the floats in the Dexter Light Parade, and then attended the closing ceremony of Ann Arbor’s Bicentennial year.
After a busy few months, It was great to catch up with everyone at the Dexter Forum. Though it was my first Lame Duck, I answered questions as best I could as to the process of the next two weeks. Then, I headed to the Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston for their Holiday Pop-up Market celebrating the creativity of artists with disabilities. The crafts and arts on display were amazing. I picked up some gifts and met some hard-working people behind the organizations!
I had the honor to present a tribute to Dexter school board member Dick Lundy. Dick is the longest, continuously serving, locally elected school board member in the state of Michigan and is retiring after 45 years of service. Our community is grateful for your exceptional service and commitment to Dexter schools and the community!
Upcoming District Events:
Join me at my next coffee hour in February. We will talk about upcoming legislation and answer any questions you have on topics most important to you.
When: Friday, Feb. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Hamburg Township Library
Click the link below to complete the RSVP Form:
Community Initiatives:
As we kick off the 2025-26 Legislative Term, I am starting a new community initiative and am asking community members to nominate their favorite teacher for my “Teacher of the Month” recognition program. Over the last two years, I have had the opportunity to meet some incredible teachers, and I want to honor their hard work and dedication to our students. Please nominate a terrific teacher from our community at the link below!
Teacher of the Month Nominations
Helpful Community Resources:
Do you know of any potholes that need fixing or road issues that need to be solved? Jackson, Livingston and Washtenaw County all have resources available for residents to report needed road repairs or hazards on their respective websites or by phone.
Jackson County Road Commission:
Report Road Issues: (517) 788-4230
Current Projects: www.co.jackson.mi.us/3044/Current-Projects
Livingston County Road Commission:
Report Road Issues: seeclickfix.com/web_portal/MAw7iBstUbn7iKNEwLg6hNKc/report/category
Current Projects: livingstonroads.org/projects/
Washtenaw County Road Commission:
Report Road Issues: www.wcroads.org/residents/report-an-issue/
Current Road Work and Construction: www.wcroads.org/road-work-construction/projects/
Weekly Road Work Schedule:www.wcroads.org/weekly-road-work-schedule/
Outside of House District 48:
For areas across Michigan, MDOT also has a reporting tool for potholes.
www.michigan.gov/mdot/travel/commuters/potholes
Community Mental Health Services of Livingston County (CMHSL)
Provides emergency services, assessment, health and medication services, client services management, individual and group therapy, assertive community treatment, older adult services, respite, substance abuse services, community-supported living, wraparound and psychosocial rehabilitation to residents of Livingston County.
Emergency Services: (517) 546-4126
Website: www.cmhliv.org/index.htm
Washtenaw Community Mental Health (CMH)
A 24-hour crisis services and mobile crisis team that can assist in navigating mental health care services. Call or text the CARES team at (734) 544-3050.
Website: www.washtenaw.org/839/Community-Mental-Health
Sincerely,
Jennifer Conlin
State Representative
House District 48