House Dems Pass Legislation for Veterans’ Mental Health
Bipartisan bill package increases support for current, former service members State Reps. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township), Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township) and Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) on the House Floor on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the State Capitol in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., June 20, 2024 — Today, a bipartisan bill package aimed at providing mental health and substance abuse resources for service members, veterans and their families passed the House. House Bill 5276 will statutorily establish [...]
Morse Celebrates Public Health Investments in House Budget
LANSING, Mich., May 13, 2024 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed its recommended fiscal 2024-25 budget last week. It includes substantial investments in the welfare of Michigan children with over $40 million for children in foster care and juvenile justice facilities. House Dems are reinforcing their commitment to building stronger hometowns and investing in the health of Michiganders. After the vote, state Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) issued the following statement on the budget: “As chair of the DHHS Subcommittee, I am [...]
Morse DHHS Budget Champions Michigan Public Health
LANSING, Mich., April 24, 2024 — State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township), chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services (DHHS), celebrated potential funding increases across key areas of behavioral health, child welfare, aging services and public health. Her recommendations passed out of the subcommittee. These initiatives are aimed at building stronger communities and supporting Michigan’s most vulnerable populations. “This budget recommendation reflects our commitment to not just sustaining but significantly improving the health and welfare of [...]
O’Neal, Morse and Rogers Recipients of Friend of Public Health Award
Democratic lawmakers put people first with public health support LANSING, Mich., April 11, 2024 — Three House Democrats, state Reps. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) and Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) were bestowed Michigan Association of Local Public Health’s (MALPH) 2024 Friend of Public Health Award yesterday for their efforts toward promoting the wellbeing of Michiganders. “I am blessed beyond words, truly — to be honored by this award,” O’Neal said. “My job as a state representative is my [...]
Progressive Women’s Caucus Recognizes the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 22, 2024 — Today marks the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a landmark 7-2 Supreme Court decision that granted abortion rights for people across America. This case reaffirmed basic principles of equality, reinforced the fundamental right to privacy and assured individuals that they could control their own lives by making deeply personal decisions free from political interference. “It is important to acknowledge the anniversary of this case — even though it’s been overturned, it stands as [...]
Progressive Women’s Caucus, Bill Sponsors Celebrate the Signing of Reproductive Health Act
Laws making reproductive health care more accessible and affordable in Michigan House Speaker Pro Tem Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), chair of the Progressive Women’s Caucus, speaks during the Reproductive Health Act signing ceremony at Schoolcraft College in Livonia on Nov. 21, 2023. LIVONIA, Mich., Nov. 21, 2023 — Governor Gretchen Whitmer the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) bills into law, today — House Bills 4951, 4953, 4954, 4955 and 4956, alongside Senate Bills 474, 476 and 477. This historic day marks a [...]
Morse Applauds Passage of Budget, Reinvesting in Public Health and Michigan’s Wellbeing
LANSING, Mich., June 28, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed the state’s fiscal year 2023-24 budget today. This is the first budget in 40 years crafted by a Democratic trifecta — it reflects Michigan’s values by making the largest investment in education in the state’s history, provides free breakfast and lunch for every public school student and affordable pre-K, as well as makes substantial investments in workforce recruitment and retention, water infrastructure, and public safety. The legislators worked [...]
Kalamazoo County Legislators Deliver Historic Investments to Community in State Budget
New budget will provide major investments in infrastructure, schools and higher education, quality of life amenities and more LANSING, Mich. (June 28, 2023) — Kalamazoo-area legislators — state Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), state Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) and state Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) — announced today major local investments as a part of the overall Michigan state budget agreement passed by the Legislature. Among the investments in Southwest Michigan included in the budget are: $20 million to complete the U.S. 131 Interchange Business Loop. [...]
Morse Introduces House Resolution to Raise Sexual Assault Awareness in Michigan
LANSING, Mich., April 27, 2023 — State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) introduced House Resolution 89 today. The resolution declares April 2023 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the state of Michigan, calling attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts women, children and men of all racial, cultural and economic backgrounds. “Sexual assault is an intolerable violent crime that has public health implications for all Michigan residents,” Morse said. “It’s essential to raise awareness around [...]
Morse Presents Health and Human Services Budget Recommendations
LANSING, Mich., April 26, 2023 — The House Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee voted out its budget recommendation yesterday. State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township), chair of the subcommittee, introduced House Bill 4310, which will benefit Michigan’s most vulnerable families and includes funding for mental health services, investments in public health and medical services programs, as well as support and protections for senior citizens, crime victims, and children and families. “Creating this budget was not about checking boxes just [...]
Michigan Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention Caucus Applauds New Gun Laws
LANSING, Mich., April 13, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the first firearm safety reforms in more than a decade into law today. House Democrats passed the bills, which require universal background checks on all gun sales and establish safe storage requirements, last month after the tragic shooting at Michigan State University, where the signing took place. “Secure storage requirements have been a personal priority of mine, ever since I first stepped foot in the House,” said state Rep. Felicia [...]
Michigan Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention Caucus Supports Immediate Action on ERPO Legislation
LANSING, Mich., March 30, 2023 – In response to the horrific mass shootings at Michigan State University, the Covenant School in Tennessee, and throughout the U.S., state Reps. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield) and Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) are making known their support for immediate action on extreme risk protection order (ERPO) legislation. “Gun violence is a major threat to public health, and we need to use every tool in our toolbox to protect our students and communities,” said Brabec, chair of [...]
Morse Strongly Supports Gun Violence Prevention Bills
LANSING, Mich., March 1, 2023 — House Democrats have introduced common-sense gun reform legislation yesterday. The bill package focuses on tackling gun violence via three central reforms — universal background checks, safe storage laws and extreme risk protection orders. Democrats have previously introduced gun reform legislation; however, after the fatal mass shooting at Michigan State University, there is an urgent call for bipartisan support to end gun violence and increase public safety. State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) issued the [...]
Morse on Whitmer’s State of the State Address
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 25, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered the State of the State address tonight before a joint session of the Legislature at the Capitol in Lansing. In the speech, the governor discussed her legislative agenda for the new term, which includes bolstering the economy, increasing public safety, lowering costs for families, protecting fundamental rights, supporting Michigan workers, investing in early childhood education, and attracting talent to Michigan. State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) issued the following statement [...]
Morse on Committee Assignments, Taking Majority and Legislative Priorities
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 12, 2023 — With the 102nd legislative term underway, committees for the 2023-24 legislative session have been announced, and representatives are settling into new offices. House Democrats are also gearing up for holding the majority, and, as they do so, many are defining their legislative priorities. State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township), now serving her second term in the House, has been appointed to the Appropriations Subcommittees for the Departments of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and Insurance [...]
Morse and Rogers Express Enthusiasm for Kalamazoo County Park Improvement Funding
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 7, 2022 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that they recommended 13 community parks, trails and sports facilities and a state lock and dam to receive a combined $7.4 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants. Included in the recommended funding is $500,000 for improvements at the Lexington Green Park in Kalamazoo County. In response to the announcement, state Reps. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) and Julie Rogers [...]
Morse Introduces Public Service Safety Bill
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 22, 2022 — State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) introduced a public service safety bill — House Bill 6407. The bill would appropriate almost $25 million to fund the purchase and installation of bulletproof windows and doors for the Michigan State Police cruisers. The legislation would also create a competitive grant program for the same installation process for local police department vehicles. “With the death of Sgt. Ryan Proxmire in August of 2021, our community sought [...]
Morse Applauds the Reproductive Freedom for All Ballot Initiative
LANSING, Mich., July 11, 2022 — Organizers for the Reproductive Freedom for All petition delivered signatures to the Bureau of Elections today. The petition would amend the Michigan Constitution to ensure that no one goes to prison for providing safe medical care as well as ensure access to a broad range of reproductive health care, including abortion. State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) issued the following statement on the delivery of the signatures: “I have said it before, but [...]
Morse Applauds a Successful Budget
LANSING, Mich., July 1, 2022 — Today, the Michigan House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2023 state budget. The finalized budget is the successful result of much negotiation and collaboration on the part of legislators and the administration — the work has paid off, as the budget agreement includes expenditures that will help Michigan grow and improve the quality of life for Michiganders. In response to the budget approval, state Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) issued the following statement: [...]
Morse Responds to SCOTUS Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade
LANSING, Mich., June 24, 2022 — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The ruling overturns Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. This means that each individual state can set its own laws on abortion. Michigan abortion law now reverts to a 1931 law making it a felony for a doctor to perform an abortion or for a person to assist in one. Justice Alito stated in his opinion, “The [...]
Morse Introduces Resolution To Fund Gun Violence Research
LANSING, Mich., May 27, 2022 — Yesterday, state Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) introduced House Resolution 306, which urges Congress to fund scientific research on gun violence and its effects on public health. Along with funding research, this resolution would require the U.S. Surgeon General to issue annual reports to the public on the current state of gun violence in the country. Collectively, these two parts of the resolution aim to address the gun violence epidemic. This legislation has already [...]
Morse, Special Guest Panelists Hold School Safety Town Hall
LANSING, Mich., May 26, 2022 — Today, state Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) is hosting a school safety town hall. The representative will be going over updates on gun violence prevention legislation, talking with school administrators and educators about the steps they have taken to improve safety in schools and discussing how the Legislature can aid in those efforts. Morse will be joined by special guest panelists who have experience responding to school safety issues, including a presentation from Moms [...]
Morse on Supreme Court Overturning Roe
LANSING, Mich., May 2, 2022 — According to a report, the U.S. Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, effectively ending a nationwide right to an abortion. In Michigan, a 1931 law criminalizes performing an abortion except to save the life of the pregnant person. State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) issued the following statement: “I am absolutely devastated by this news. I once had to make the choice between continuing with a wanted pregnancy and [...]
MI House Votes in Favor of Morse’s Bipartisan Bills Protecting Opioid Settlements Funds
LANSING, Mich., April 28, 2022 — Today, the Michigan State House of Representatives passed House Bill 5970, introduced by state Rep. Christine Morse, as part of a three-bill bipartisan package alongside state Rep. Mary Whiteford. This package, which earned broad bipartisan support, creates the Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund and ensures the funds from opioid lawsuit settlements are spent on opioid-related health costs. HB 5970 specifically creates the Opioid Liability Litigation Act to codify the multidistrict settlement agreement as [...]
Morse Introduces Bill to Allow Early Middle College Students to Play Collegiate Sports
LANSING, Mich., April 20, 2022 — State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) recently introduced House Bill 6040 as part of a two-bill bipartisan package that would increase participation in early middle college (EMC) programs offered by community colleges across Michigan.An EMC is a Michigan Department of Education-approved, five-year program of study. EMCs work closely with postsecondary partners to provide students with an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and one or more of the following: 60 transferable college credits.An associate [...]
Morse, Rogers Applaud STEM Grant Award for KRESA
LANSING, Mich., March 16, 2022 — Earlier this week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that Kalamazoo RESA will receive roughly $900,000 in funding to support the statewide K-12 expansion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. This grant will specifically allow Kalamazoo RESA to elevate mathematics as the language of STEM and provide a tool for STEM exploration. In response to the announcement, state Reps. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) and Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) issued the following joint statement: “Exposing [...]
House Democrats Support Resolution to Affirm Griswold v. Connecticut Supreme Court Decision
LANSING, Mich., March 8, 2022 — Today, state Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield) introduced a resolution affirming that the Griswold v. Connecticut Supreme Court decision was decided correctly. Griswold v. Connecticut bars states from restricting access to contraceptives and set the precedent used in the Roe v. Wade decision. “Overturning Roe v. Wade begins with undermining the decisions that paved the way for it,” Brabec said. “Griswold v. Connecticut played a pivotal role in the fight for gender equality and [...]
Morse, McMorrow Introduce Legislation Allowing School Districts to Fund Electric School Buses
Legislation proposes school districts use sinking funds to purchase electric school buses and related infrastructure upgrades LANSING, Mich., Feb. 1, 2022 — Today, Michigan legislators introduced House Bill 5721 and Senate Bill 859 which would allow school districts to purchase and make infrastructure upgrades related to electric vehicle (EV) school buses. “It is abundantly clear that the time to take action on climate change is now,” said state Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township). “Electric vehicles are not just the future [...]
Morse on General Motors’ Announcement, Bringing 4,000 New Jobs to Michigan
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 25, 2022 — Today, General Motors announced a $7 billion investment in electric vehicle manufacturing in Michigan, including the construction of a new electric vehicle battery plant in Delta Township and a $4 billion investment in its Orion assembly plant that will together create more than 4,000 jobs. Both projects are part of GM’s effort to shift to 100% electric vehicle production by 2035. State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) issued the following statement celebrating the news: [...]
Morse Applauds Passage of House Budget That Improves Infrastructure and Helps Working Families
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 22, 2021 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed a budget that includes historic investments in health care, child care and infrastructure. Included in the budget is $14.3 million for high water infrastructure grants, $1.5 billion in COVID-19 public child care assistance and fully funds Futures for Frontliners. State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) issued the following statement in support of the budget’s passage: “The budget makes vital investments in working families and provides the necessary funds [...]
Morse Talks Water, Green Infrastructure and Flooding at Tuesday’s Town Hall
PORTAGE, Mich., Sept. 2, 2021 — On Tuesday, state Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) held a town hall regarding green infrastructure, water and flooding issues in the community. Morse also took the time to discuss proposed legislation that would create a grant/loan program for local governments to fund water management and infrastructure projects. Grant applicants would be required to match at least 20% of the project cost and have a climate resiliency plan in place. The plan would help communities [...]
House Democrats Propose Comprehensive Solution to Michigan Teacher Shortage
LANSING, Mich., June 23, 2021— Citing the need for decisive action to remedy Michigan’s ongoing teacher shortage crisis, state Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) and thirteen other Democratic representatives in the House today introduced a comprehensive package of bills to improve teacher benefits, training and more. The legislation, dubbed the Respecting Educators package, includes nearly 20 bills that range from improving teacher health benefits to creating new pipelines for public school teachers. “We pay a lot of lip service to [...]
Morse Seeks to Expand Access to High-Speed Internet
LANSING, Mich., June 18, 2021 — State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) has introduced legislation as part of a broad package to help bring high-speed internet to more Michigan homes and businesses. House Bill 5039 would provide resources needed for broadband mapping to ensure we have accurate information about where improvements are needed. “We can’t begin to fix an issue until we understand the full scope of the problem,” Morse said. “Broadband mapping will allow us to identify underserved [...]
House Democrats Announce Plan to Expand High-Speed Internet Access
Legislation will increase access and affordability Lansing, MI, June 2, 2021 — House Democrats set out their plan today for legislation that would help bring high-speed internet to more Michigan homes and businesses. The plan coincides with today’s announcement by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist of the creation of an Office of High-Speed Internet within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. “Since I first came to Lansing, I have been working to expand high-speed internet [...]
PWC, Allies Renew Call to End Gender Wage Gap in Michigan, Recognize Equal Pay Day
In observance of this year’s Equal Pay Day, a bicameral coalition of Michigan Democratic legislators led by members of the Progressive Women’s Caucus (PWC) unveiled legislation during a virtual press conference aimed at closing the gender pay gap in Michigan. “Every American and Michigander deserves to have the freedom and opportunity to provide economic security for themselves and their family, regardless of their gender,” said state Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Twp.). “But for too long, women have been facing an [...]
Legislators Seek to Expand Bottle Bill Law, Modernize Recycling System
LANSING, Mich. (Feb. 24, 2021) — Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) and Rep. Christine Morse (D-Portage) have introduced legislation to update and expand Michigan’s 40-year-old “Bottle Bill” law. Senate Bill 167 and House Bill 4331 would expand the state's current 10-cent deposit on certain soft drinks, beer, and other carbonated beverages to all other non-carbonated beverages, except for milk containers. “Michigan’s four decade-old ‘Bottle Bill’ was an innovative approach to promote recycling and prevent littering,” said Sen. McCann. “It is the [...]
Morse to Greet Biden Ahead of Pfizer Plant Tour
PORTAGE, Mich., Feb. 18, 2021 — President Joe Biden will be visiting Portage on Friday to tour the Pfizer plant, which produced and shipped the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The visit comes following the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ announcement of their plan to purchase an additional 100 million COVID-19 doses from the Michigan-based company as part of their nation-wide effort to accelerate vaccine distribution. Ahead of the tour, state Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) will [...]
Morse: Governor’s budget prioritizes economic recovery, education, clean water
Rep. Morse supports investment in Michigan’s economic recovery, schools LANSING, Mich., Feb. 11, 2021 — State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) joined Michigan House Democrats in applauding the economic and education priorities outlined by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in her budget presentation to the Legislature Thursday. The executive budget, which will now be reviewed by the Legislature, calls for significant increases in funding for economic recovery and education – marking the largest investment in K-12 schools in Michigan to date. The [...]
MI House Democrats unveil pandemic recovery plan, call for vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 Contact: Stephanie Cepak, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, 517-862-2036, scepak@byrumfisk.com MI House Democrats unveil pandemic recovery plan, call for vote House Democrats want vote on $5 billion in federal stimulus dollars LANSING — Michigan House Democrats today unveiled a plan that would immediately unleash $5 billion in federal dollars to help Michigan workers, small businesses, families and schools impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic. House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski, D-Scio Twp., called on [...]
Morse on the Governor’s State of the State Address
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 27, 2021 — Gov. Whitmer delivered her State of the State Address tonight, touching on the need for bipartisan efforts as Michigan continues to face the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts. Whitmer also applauded pharmaceutical company Pfizer, which was the first business to take advantage of the Good Jobs for Michigan Program to create 450 new jobs at their Portage manufacturing plant, which went on to produce and ship the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. In [...]
Morse Appointed to House Energy and Health Policy Committees
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 21, 2021 — State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Twp) was appointed to the House Committees on Energy and Health Policy today. Morse is serving her first term representing Michigan’s 61st House District, prior to which she practiced as an attorney and served as a Kalamazoo County Commissioner. Morse issued the following statement: "As a cancer survivor, I have a unique understanding of the challenges Michiganders face when navigating health care systems. I will work to enact [...]
Morse Sworn in as Representative for 61st House District
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 13, 2021 — State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Twp) was sworn in today as representative for the 2021-2022 legislative session. The swearing-in ceremony marked the formal opening of Michigan’s 101st Legislature. “It’s an honor to serve the community which I call home and I will always strive to be a leader who listens,” said Morse. “I am here to represent the values of my neighbors, and what I’ve heard is a strong desire for fully funding [...]