State Representative Phil Skaggs

1 week ago

Special Weekend Hours: The Michigan Capitol will be open for guided tours on Saturday, June 7! 👋

Tours begin on the hour from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM—please enter at 100 N. Capitol Avenue.

If you cannot make it on Saturday, the Capitol is open Monday through Friday as well!

For more info, visit www.capitol.michigan.gov ... See MoreSee Less

State Representative Phil Skaggs

1 week ago

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great week. Here are some updates from a busy week in Lansing:

Denouncing Hate:

Last week, Republican House Leadership refused to allow a vote on a resolution censuring Rep. Josh Schriver for the racist comments he recently made on the House floor. His words didn’t come from nowhere — they reflect a tendency that has chosen division over inclusivity. His statements on the House floor were a disgrace to American values and a betrayal of the people we serve. I urge all my colleagues to unequivocally condemn the hateful rhetoric he voiced.

Threats to Medicaid:

Everyone deserves access to quality, affordable health care, but Republicans from Lansing to D.C. are looking to cut funding for health care. A new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) report shows that proposed federal cuts to Medicaid would kick hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Michiganders off their health insurance and reduce access to providers for all state residents.

This federal action should sound familiar: Michigan Republicans have already been operating from that playbook by including no funding for MDHHS in their supplemental budget, which would take away health care from one in four Michiganders. While Republicans endanger health coverage and raise costs for all, Democrats are fighting to lower costs and ensure all Michiganders can get the care they need.

Budget Delays:

A few months ago, House Republicans passed House Bill 4161, which would be disastrous for our state. It would reduce the school aid budget by 25%, cut transportation funding by 95% and eliminate nearly 92% of state investments in the rest of the general budget.

Now, it appears House leadership will choose to ignore the July 1 deadline to pass a final budget. The July 1 deadline is a law the Legislature set for ourselves to ensure school districts and local governments know their budget when they begin their fiscal year. Republican inaction comes at the expense of Michigan families. True leadership means bringing people together to serve the public good, not leaving school districts and city councils who need to set their budgets hanging. The Republican-led approach risks taking away health care from 1 in 4 Michiganders and eliminating free school meals. I will do all I can to prevent Draconian cuts to programs Michiganders rely on to stay healthy, safe, and prosperous. ... See MoreSee Less

State Representative Phil Skaggs

2 weeks ago

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Michigan House Republicans are planning to "defund the DNR into oblivion" -- closing our state parks this summer and beyond.

Democrats are fighting back to keep our beloved parks -- from Saugatuck Dunes to Belle Isle to Mackinac Island -- open for the people. ... See MoreSee Less

State Representative Phil Skaggs

3 weeks ago

Hello everyone! Here’s a quick update on what you might have missed last week in the state legislature and in House District 80. I’m looking forward to another great week representing our community!

Victory in Europe Day:

Last week, I introduced a bill to forever commemorate May 8 as Victory in Europe Day in Michigan. Last Thursday marked the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945. Victory in Europe Day celebrates the end of World War II in the European theater and honors the victory of America and our Allies over fascist forces, tyranny, genocide and aggression.

“Gulf of America” Resolution:

On Wednesday, Michigan House Republicans passed a resolution urging state and local governments in Michigan to use “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico” in all official communications and references. The Republican majority thinks there’s plenty of time to rename faraway bodies of water, but I believe we should talk about what matters most to Michiganders: protecting free school lunches, decreasing the cost of prescription meds, ending medical debt and protecting workers’ paychecks.

Upcoming Virtual Town Hall:

Join me next Monday, May 19, right here on my Facebook page for a virtual town hall. I will be going live on Facebook at 7 p.m. to give an update on what’s been happening in Lansing, let you know where to find me at upcoming community events in House District 80 and answer your questions. Drop in, listen and ask your questions! Keep an eye on this page for more information as we get closer to the event. ... See MoreSee Less

State Representative Phil Skaggs

3 weeks ago

My statement on the Schurr mistrial: ... See MoreSee Less