Dear Neighbor,

Here is some information that I hope you will find helpful, including news and resources from your state government.

📈 House Votes Cause for Cautious Optimism as Budget Deadline Nears
On Thursday, Sept. 25, the House voted to approve three budget implementation bills that lay some of the groundwork for a 2025-26 budget. With the deadline for a complete budget looming on Oct. 1, this is cause for cautious optimism. If the deal goes through as described, the state will avoid a government shutdown.

While the Governor and leaders in the House and Senate touted their agreement, most details of the deal have not been released, even to legislators. Here is what I know right now: the House has agreed to create a new source of tax revenue while making other technical changes that protect Medicaid from the full impact of federal cuts and mitigates other losses from federal tax cuts. Specifically, the bills we approved will:

  • Charge a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana estimated to generate $420 million a year for roads. House Bill 4951 creates the Comprehensive Road Funding Tax Act, which would provide funding for road construction, preservation and maintenance. Most of the revenue created by this tax will go into a new Neighborhood Road Fund for local roads and bridges.
  • Protect Medicaid through changes to the Insurance Provider Assessment Act, a tax on private insurers and others that supports Medicaid. House Bill 4968 will also make the state compliant with new federal regulations.
  • Separate the Michigan tax code from the federal tax code, preventing major revenue loss caused by the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s” corporate tax cuts. House Bill 4961 does not raise taxes. Instead, it will prevent a new federal tax cut from applying to Michigan corporations.

There is still a lot of work to do, but this progress is encouraging. House Democrats are committed to preventing a state government shutdown while creating a fair budget that protects schools and health care. I look forward to sharing more information as it becomes available.

đŸ˜ïž Tenants’ Rights Package Would Protect Michigan Renters

I am proud to share that I am part of a 17-bill package to modernize Michigan’s landlord-tenant laws, reduce unnecessary evictions and strengthen renters’ protections. Taken together, this Michigan House Democrats’ legislation would:

  • Require timely repairs and empower courts to reduce rent or award damages when landlords fail to fix unsafe conditions;
  • Waive tenants’ obligations to pay rent when a property loses its certificate of compliance due to safety hazards;
  • Increase penalties for illegal lockouts and make it easier for survivors of domestic violence or stalking to safely end their leases;
  • Modernize the security deposit process by requiring faster returns and allowing electronic communications; and
  • Update the tenant application screening process to curb discriminatory practices and reduce application costs.

The bill I am sponsoring would increase the possible damages awarded to a tenant when their landlord illegally locks them out or attempts an eviction outside the legal process. And it would allow the court to award additional damage payments to tenants in certain situations.

đŸȘ§ House Passes Legislation Penalizing Peaceful Protest

The Michigan House recently passed legislation to restrict Michiganders’ First Amendment rights. House Bill 4664 would criminalize assembling for a protest on a public roadway or highway. Protesters could be charged with a misdemeanor and required to pay a $2,000 fine and possibly serve jail time. I voted no on HB 4664.

The U.S. Constitution protects the people’s right to speak, assemble and petition. If the First Amendment doesn’t protect everyone’s rights, it doesn’t protect anyone’s rights. That is why we as a nation have historically tried to follow the rule of law. 

Watch my floor speech in opposition to HB 4664 here.

đŸ©ș Executive Directive Ensures COVID-19 Vaccines Remain Available in Michigan
 

Last week, the Governor signed an executive directive to ensure COVID-19 vaccines remain available to Michigan residents. This comes after Michigan’s chief medical executive issued a standing recommendation that all Michiganders ages 6 months and older are eligible to receive the updated 2025-2026 shot. The Ingham County Health Department recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older.

The executive directive instructs state departments to do the following:

  • Issue clear, accessible guidance to pharmacists, providers, and the public about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Issue guidance instructing pharmacists and providers to encourage prescribing and administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients.
  • Identify, review, and remove barriers to vaccine access.
  • Ensure to the extent possible that all health insurance plans under state regulatory authority cover COVID-19 vaccines. This includes Medicaid and insurance plans in the individual, small group, and large group markets.

Visit the state of Michigan’s COVID-19 resource website for more information and to locate a vaccine near you.

📝 Make Your Voice Heard in the House Dems Vision Project Survey

Michigan House Democrats are working on a vision for the future of Michigan that reflects the needs and aspirations of all Michiganders. Please fill out our brief Vision Project Survey to share your concerns and ideas about the future of our state. 

Anyone who lives anywhere in Michigan is welcome to participate, so please forward the survey to friends and family members who you think might want to weigh in. The survey can be found here.

Follow my official Facebook account for the most up-to-date information. E-news contains a lot of good information, but it takes several days – up to a week – to get it approved and sent.

Sincerely,
Rep Kara Hope's Signature

Kara Hope
State Representative
House District 74