Hi all!

I’m excited that warmer weather and sunnier days are coming our way! In this update, I plan to cover my community conversations and happenings in Lansing concerning the House Dems’ newly introduced labor bills. Please contact my office at ReginaWeiss@house.mi.gov or (517) 373-0844 if you need any help from the state government, and I hope to see you around the district soon!

 

All the best-

Regina

Community Conversations

Community conversations are chances to connect directly with me in the district. If you have any issues or want an update on what has been happening in Lansing, these are fantastic opportunities to meet in person. Here is a list of community conversation dates to mark on your calendar for the coming months!

  • Thursday, May 22, from 5-6 p.m. at the Detroit Northwest Activities Center 

18100 Meyers Road, Detroit, MI 48235

  • Monday, June 2, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Oak Park Library

14200 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237

  • Friday, June 20, from 1-2 p.m. at the Tindal Activity Center

10301 W. Seven Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48221

Fighting for Workers’ Rights: New Labor Bills Introduced

This month, House Democrats and I introduced a package of labor bills to strengthen protections for Michigan’s workers and ensure safe, fair and dignified workplaces across the state. These bills are part of a broader effort to safeguard workers’ rights, promote collective bargaining and hold employers accountable to higher standards.

Key provisions of the bills include protections against retaliation for employees who report safety hazards, note health concerns or engage in union activity. The legislation would also align Michigan’s workplace safety penalties with federal OSHA standards, while establishing protections for workers who refuse unsafe assignments.

The package further expands collective bargaining rights by preventing employers from shutting down operations to avoid unionization and promotes fair union elections in the public sector. It also bans exploitative practices such as the use of replacement workers during strikes, taxpayer-funded union-busting in health care and discrimination based on off-duty conduct, appearance or family health status. Finally, the bills restore local control by repealing state laws that have prevented communities from setting stronger worker protections, such as prevailing wages and paid leave.

These measures reflect a commitment to building safer, more equitable workplaces and supporting workers’ rights to organize and advocate for better conditions. I’ll continue to fight for and follow this legislation closely to keep our community informed as it progresses.

House Republican Budget 

Every House Republican voted for a budget earlier this year that could take away school meals from kids — hurting families and increasing your grocery bill. On March 6, without advance notice, House Republicans pushed through a partial budget that did not fund essential supports for students and eliminated $5 billion in education funding.

Their budget did not fund critical departments and programs that Michiganders depend on — including funding for health care, senior services and education. Specifically, it reduces the school aid budget by $5 billion, the general budget by 92% and the transportation budget by 95%.

I voted no on these bills because they represent a complete disinvestment in Michigan and our people. They would dismantle programs that thousands of families rely on every day. I will stand firm to support hardworking Michiganders, and House Dems will continue fighting for the success and well-being of our state.

Adding to the concern, a full budget alternative has yet to even been formally introduced by Republicans in the House. The Speaker has referred to the passed budget bills as a backup budget in case the full budget isn’t ready by the end of the fiscal year, but I am not aware of progress toward a full budget. In past years, budgets were already introduced by this point and had usually gone through the sub-committee process at the very least. This delay raises serious concerns about a rushed, incomplete or chaotic budget process in June. We need Republican House members to start working with a purpose now to ensure a responsible, timely budget for Michigan families.

HJR B

Michigan’s House Joint Resolution B (HJR B), similar to the federal SAVE (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) Act, was a Republican-led effort to amend the state constitution by imposing strict new voter ID requirements and tightening access to the ballot. The proposal sought to mandate government-issued photo ID at the polls, restrict the use of absentee ballots without verified ID and make same-day voter registration more difficult — measures critics viewed as deliberate barriers to voter participation, especially for young, elderly and low-income Michiganders. 

Framed by Republicans as an election security measure, HJR B was widely seen by opponents as an overreach aimed at suppressing votes under the guise of safeguarding elections. It can also be viewed as a poll tax because obtaining the necessary documents to vote can cost citizens money and time to apply for free documentation due to hardship. This resolution required 2/3 approval by members of the House to pass, but did not meet that threshold and has been tabled for the time being.