Rep. Brixie’s News

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 15, 2023 — Last night at midnight, the United Auto Workers (UAW) officially went on strike. With a lack of consensus on negotiations, this is the first time UAW workers have struck simultaneously at all Big Three automakers — about 300,000 Michigan workers are hourly workers connected to the auto industry. The union has been in contract negotiations with the automobile companies fighting for fair pay and better benefits. This strike comes on the heels of others [...]

LANSING, Mich., July 31, 2023 — The Michigan Supreme Court affirmed in the Andary v. USAA case today that more than 18,000 Michiganders injured in catastrophic car accidents will maintain the unlimited, lifetime benefits and care they were guaranteed at the time of their accidents. This decision sides with a bicameral, bipartisan amicus brief filed by state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) and former state Rep. Gary Howell (R-Deerfield Township), who worked with Marla Linderman Richelew of Linderman Law PLLC [...]

LANSING, Mich., March 30, 2023 — State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) introduced a resolution last week to urge the federal government to expand pathways for legal immigration as a way to help solve Michigan’s agricultural labor crisis. House Resolution 66 would help Michigan fill legal immigrant positions and increase the availability of H-2A (nonimmigrant) temporary work visas.  “Farmers in my district and throughout the state have told me over and over again that they need more workers,” said Brixie, [...]

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 14, 2023 — A mass shooting took place on the Michigan State University campus beginning around 8:20 p.m. last night. Campus police have confirmed that three students were killed and five remain in critical condition at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Two of the three victims’ names were released today — Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner. The shooting triggered a manhunt that continued for hours, ending with the gunman dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The [...]

Bipartisan, bicameral group of 96 current and former lawmakers show support amicus brief in case before Michigan Supreme Court MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, Mich., Feb. 3, 2023 — State Representative Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township), along with former state Rep. Gary Howell (R-North Branch), worked with Marla Linderman Richelew of Linderman Law PLLC to file a bipartisan, bicameral amicus brief in a lawsuit involving Ellen Andary, a crash victim injured before auto no-fault reforms took effect. In the memo, lawmakers state they do [...]

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 9, 2022 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced earlier this week 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. Lake Lansing Park North Boardwalk and Trail received a grant of $500,000 to support renovations. State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement on the grant:  “The [...]

LANSING, Mich., Oct. 20, 2022 — State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) sent a letter today to Auditor General Doug Ringler requesting an audit of all stateside financial transactions under the control of former House Speaker Lee Chatfield and his office. News broke earlier this week that Chatfield was under investigation for, “an alleged ‘criminal enterprise,’ potentially involving embezzlement, bribery, campaign finance violations and controlled substances.” Previous reporting had also raised questions about the funding sources for Chatfield’s extensive cross-country [...]

LANSING, Mich., Oct. 14, 2022 — Samuel Stanley Jr. resigned as President of Michigan State University yesterday. Stanley expressed in a video message that he had lost confidence in the Board of Trustees, who had previously pressured him behind closed doors to step down from his position. The board’s action prompted statements of support for President Stanley from student and faculty groups. State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement on Stanley’s resignation:  “I applaud President Stanley for [...]

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 13, 2022 — According to reporting by the Detroit Free Press, Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees has given an ultimatum to President Samuel Stanley Jr. to tender his resignation by today or risk termination. State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement on the attempt to oust Stanley:  “I condemn the efforts to remove President Stanley from his position. Just as the president begins to earn back the trust of the public with the [...]

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 8, 2022 — The 2022-23 state budget included $100 million for the Community Revitalization and Placemaking Grants Program (RAP Program). This program provides grants to eligible real estate rehabilitation and place-based infrastructure projects, public space improvements, and local or regional partners coordinated subgrant programs. East Lansing received $1 million to support the revitalization of underused spaces and park improvements. State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement:  “I applaud this $1 million investment in our [...]

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. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement on the delivery of the signatures:  “I applaud the hard work of volunteers [...]

LANSING, Mich., July 1, 2022 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed a budget that includes significant investments in education, infrastructure and the economy. Specifically, the state budget increases the per-pupil educational allocation by over 5% and pays up to $10,000 in tuition fees per year for aspiring teachers. It also invests $3 million in the Office of Rural Development. In response to the budget approval, state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement:  “This budget makes a [...]

LANSING, Mich., June 7, 2022 — State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township), along with the late state Rep. Andrea Schroeder (R-Independence Township), initiated a bipartisan, bicameral effort to convince the appellate courts that Michigan’s new no-fault benefit cuts should not be applied retroactively to victims injured before the new law was passed. Rep. Brixie today issued the below statement following a hearing in the Michigan Court of Appeals in the pending Andary litigation:    “We appreciate the Michigan Court of Appeals [...]

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 26, 2022 — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her fourth State of the State address from Detroit Diesel. Her remarks highlighted her efforts to fund education, reform taxes and lower prescription drug costs. In response, State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement:  “Gov. Whitmer hit on the dinner table issues tonight and presented a bold agenda that should garner broad bipartisan support. Lowering the cost of insulin will help 1 million Michiganders who need [...]

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 4,000 jobs. Both projects are part of GM’s effort to shift to 100% electric vehicle production by 2035. State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement celebrating the news: “This was [...]

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 30, 2021 — Today, survivors of late University of Michigan athletic doctor Robert Anderson testified in support of HB 4306 and HB 4307 in the House Oversight Committee. State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township), the democratic vice chair of the committee, issued the following statement: “Today, we heard the tragic stories of survivors who were failed by Michigan’s exceedingly narrow statute of limitations. For decades, survivors were given only three years to file civil claims. This meant [...]

LANSING, Mich., March 25, 2021 — A bipartisan and bicameral group of legislators led by State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) and State Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. (D-East Lansing) sent a letter to the Michigan State University Board of Trustees calling on them to release nearly 6,000 documents related to the Larry Nassar investigation to the Attorney General’s office. “Full transparency is essential to this investigation, and an impartial investigation is essential to restoring public trust,” said Brixie. “We owe [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, February 1, 2021 Contact: Dan Opsommer, 517-281-6034, dopsommer@house.mi.gov Rep. Brixie supports up or down vote on MI House Democrats’ pandemic recovery plan Rep. Brixie urges vote on $5 billion in federal stimulus dollars LANSING, Mich. — Rep. Julie Brixie, D-Meridian Township, today joined Michigan House Democrats in supporting a pandemic recovery 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. [...]

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 27, 2021 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her State of the State address tonight, outlining her vision for Michigan and calling for bipartisan collaboration to address the ongoing issues facing communities during the pandemic. In response, state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp.) issued the following statement: “I appreciated Gov. Whitmer’s message of unity, strength, and compassion as it’s been a difficult year for everyone. It's time to come together so we can get our children back in [...]

Landmark Supreme Court decision allows autonomy over reproductive medical decisions LANSING — State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) introduced a resolution today to recognize the 47th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. The Roe decision enshrined protections nationwide for a woman’s freedom to make her own medical decisions about her body and health, without intrusion from the government. “Reproductive freedom is vital to a woman’s health, economic security and ability to participate equally in society, [...]

LANSING — Gov. Whitmer announced today the appointment of law professor, author, and East Lansing resident Renee Knake to the MSU Board of Trustees. Knake will be filling the spot on the board that has been vacant since former board member Nancy Schlichting resigned in October. In response, state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement: “Our students, their families and the entire MSU community deserve a Board and administration that will listen, instill accountability, and act transparently [...]

LANSING — The State of Michigan submitted an emergency application today to stay the injunction issued by the Court of Claims against Gov. Whitmer’s ban on flavored vaping products, and also requested that the Michigan Supreme Court bypass the Court of Appeals and immediately consider the matter. In response, state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement: “I applaud the actions of Governor Whitmer and Attorney General Nessel today and will continue to do all I can to [...]

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed 147 line items from the Republican’s completed budget that was sent to her just four days before the start of the new fiscal year. The State Administrative Board then transferred $625 million across 13 budgets. “I didn't hear anyone running on managing the decline of Michigan last year, yet the Republican budget does just that,” said state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township). “Talking points don’t solve real problems that have lingered for decades. Real [...]

LANSING — The United Auto Workers called for a nationwide strike against General Motors following the expiration of the union contract at midnight Saturday after talks stalled in the negotiation process. In response, state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement: “I was raised on picket lines and am always proud to stand with UAW members fighting for affordable healthcare, fair wages and to keep jobs here in Michigan. I’m hopeful the UAW and General Motors can negotiate [...]

LANSING — The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights recently concluded that Michigan State University violated Title IX during its handling of the Larry Nassar and William Strampel cases. As a result, the university will be required to pay $4.5 million in fines and take several corrective actions to better protect its students. In response, state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement: “I stand with the survivors of sexual assault at MSU and all across [...]

LANSING — State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) announced her support for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s three emergency rules today banning flavored vaping products and related misleading advertising in Michigan amid what Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaidun has declared a “public health emergency.” “As a mother, I want to thank Gov. Whitmer for taking bold action to protect the health of our children who are being deceived by the false advertising that vaping is healthy or safe — it’s not,” [...]

LANSING — State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) announced today her opposition to bonding against the state’s pension system for teachers, known as MPSERS, which is being floated as a way to fix the roads by one organization in Michigan. “Gambling our future on this bonding scheme is fraught with financial peril and won’t fix the roads,” said Brixie, the former treasurer of Meridian Township. “The markets are at historic highs right now, and when there is a market correction [...]

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presented her budget recommendations today for the 2019-20 fiscal year to a joint meeting of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Gov. Whitmer’s recommendations included programs to make college affordable and increasing pre K-12 education funding by $507 million — the largest increase since 2002. In response to the recommendations, state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement: “We have to make college affordable again if we’re going to close the skills gap. [...]

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presented her budget recommendations today for the 2019-20 fiscal year to a joint meeting of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Gov. Whitmer’s recommendations included a real plan for fixing Michigan’s roads and bridges. In response to Gov. Whitmer’s road funding plan, state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement: “I didn’t run for this office to manage the decline of our roads, which are already the worst in the nation. I’m hoping [...]

LANSING — A coalition of House and Senate Democrats announced legislation at a press conference today to establish extreme risk protection orders as a critical first step toward curbing gun violence in Michigan. State Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D-Huntington Woods), chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Caucus, led the group in developing this legislation alongside members of law enforcement, medical professionals, and community stakeholders. House Bills 4283-85 and Senate Bills 156-158 would allow judges to issue protective orders for individuals when [...]

LANSING — Tonight, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave her first State of the State address, outlining her vision for the state and calling on everyone to help build bridges and work collaboratively to address the issues we face as fellow Michiganders. In response, state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement: “I commend Gov. Whitmer on her call for bipartisanship. It is time to get back to building bridges and working collaboratively to address the issues we face as [...]

EAST LANSING, Mich. — State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) released the following statement regarding the resignation of Michigan State University Interim President John Engler: “I want to thank the MSU Trustees who stepped up and did the right thing in asking for President Engler to resign as Interim President of Michigan State University. Students, faculty and the entire MSU community deserve a president who will lead with compassion, empathy and the capacity to heal. Most of all, I hope [...]