Dear Neighbor,
Hi, I’m Jason. I have the privilege of serving as your state representative for Washtenaw, Wayne and Oakland Counties.
As the Legislature leaves for the summer, we’ve been continuing to show up — both in Lansing and across the district — to fight for the resources and recognition our communities deserve. From Pride Month to Juneteenth, and a budget not yet finished, this past month is a powerful reminder that your voices matter, our values are worth defending and the future we believe in is something we have to fight to build — together.
Here’s a brief look at what we’ve been up to — and what’s still ahead:
Got a State Budget? Nope.
By law, Michigan’s budget is supposed to be completed by July 1. It’s a deadline that our schools depend on as they finalize their own budgets — from K-12 to higher education. But this year, the Legislature missed its legal deadline. Why?
After months of waiting for action in the State House, the budget remains unfinished, and Michigan families are still waiting. The House has not been able to pass all of the budgets required to fund Michigan’s government and only the education budget has moved through committee.
Without a budget, school districts don’t know what funding they’ll have for their teachers, classrooms, bus routes — or if our free school lunches will continue to be served. Local governments are left guessing on how much they can invest in road repairs or emergency services. From our health departments to our first responders — millions are impacted by these delays, and people are left wondering what comes next. In my view, that’s unacceptable.
I’m fighting for a budget that delivers for the people who feel like they’re working harder than ever but still falling behind. The people who see rent keep rising, groceries stretching thinner, childcare more difficult to pay for, and college out of reach. We need a budget that invests in the things that matter most — safe roads, strong public schools, affordable child care and health care and the tools young people need to get a good-paying job to succeed.
I’m committed to fighting for a future where everyday people aren’t just making ends meet, but finally getting ahead.
Celebrating Pride
June marked Pride Month — a time to celebrate joy, resilience and continue the fight for dignity and equality.
Alongside my colleagues, I introduced legislation that removes outdated and discriminatory language from Michigan’s laws to provide families legal protection — even if marriage equality is overturned by the Supreme Court. I also introduced a resolution earlier this year to repeal Michigan’s unconstitutional ban on same-sex marriage and continue protecting hard-fought civil rights.
Throughout the month, we tried to introduce a resolution commemorating June as Pride Month… but the Republican Speaker stated that he had no intention of taking up the resolution. We showed up and spoke anyway. At its core, Pride has always been about persistence in the face of silence. And no matter who tries to ignore or diminish that truth, we’ll keep holding space — for our LGBTQ+ friends, family, neighbors and for those who aren’t able to be open about who they are.
To any young person wondering if they belong, if they matter or if anyone in power sees them: you do, you always have and yes — there are people fighting for you.
Lifting Up Young Leaders at the Ford School
This month, I had the opportunity to speak to 24 Public Policy and International Affairs Fellows at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy — brilliant students from across the country and around the world looking to serve their communities. I shared my journey as an openly gay elected official, how Ford helped shape my path and the work we’re doing to protect LGBTQ+ rights in Michigan.
Speaking with students always reminds me of why I ran for office. They’re thoughtful, passionate and already thinking deeply about how they can serve their communities and make them a better place. Many of them come from underrepresented backgrounds and are driven by love — for justice, for their communities and for a future where everyone belongs.
The work we do today should always be centered around making it easier for the next generation to lead tomorrow.
Celebrating Juneteenth!
I joined neighbors and community leaders to celebrate Juneteenth — commemorating the day in 1865 when Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Texas and issued the order that, in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation from President Abraham Lincoln, all slaves were free.
More than just the end of slavery in the United States — it was a long overdue milestone in our country’s journey to live up to the words written in our Declaration of Independence: that all men are created equal and are endowed with unalienable rights — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Reading the Emancipation Proclamation today, you can still feel the impact it had — not just in law, but in the hearts of people who had been denied their freedom for generations.
The fight for justice didn’t end there, and it hasn’t ended now. I was proud to stand in solidarity with those who remember the legacy of the people who fought for freedom — and acknowledge the continued work to make America a beacon for the world.
Staying Connected: Community Conversations in the District
From Superior Township to Ann Arbor, I’ve been holding community conversations to hear directly from you — on everything from housing affordability and public transportation to education and landfills. This isn’t just for me to check-in and share what I’m up to — it’s a place where you can share your stories to guide the work me and my team do.
Want to know when our next one will be scheduled? Follow my Facebook page for the latest updates and events!
In solidarity,
Jason Morgan
State Representative
Michigan’s 23rd House District