Rep. O’Neal’s News

SAGINAW, Mich., Sept. 11, 2023 — The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced last week that it is awarding a $1 million Brownfield Redevelopment Grant to support the development of a high school campus in downtown Saginaw, at 1741 and 1930 N. Niagara St. and 211 Congress Ave. After the announcement, state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued the following statement: “These funds are not only impactful for the development of this new high school. These funds [...]

Bills would keep firearms out of hands of convicted abusers LANSING, Mich., Sept. 8, 2023 — State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) reintroduced legislation yesterday, House Bills 4945 and 4946, to strengthen domestic violence protections. These bills prohibit people convicted of domestic violence from using and possessing firearms.  “As it stands now, Michigan law does not prohibit those convicted of domestic violence from possessing guns — narrowly, it limits the gun ban on convicted felons,” O’Neal said. “It’s time that we [...]

Legislation would close dangerous gaps in state law by keeping deadly weapons out of the hands of convicted abusers LANSING, Mich., Sept, 7, 2023 — State Rep. Amos O'Neal (D-Saginaw) and Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) introduced House Bills 4945 and 4946 and Senate Bills 471 and 472 to modify the state’s penal code to protect domestic violence survivors by preventing those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes from possessing, using, purchasing or carrying a firearm in Michigan for eight years. This [...]

Saginaw Area Organizations Receive Funding for Conservation and Education Efforts SAGINAW, Mich., Aug. 17, 2023 —  The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy announced 19 grant recipients, earlier this week. The grants totaled roughly $600,000  and are allocated to projects that will support watershed organizations with both conservation and educational efforts. Two Saginaw-based organizations received grant awards — Saginaw Conservation District, which was allocated about $16,000, and Saginaw County Health Department, which received nearly $20,000. After the announcement, [...]

SAGINAW, Mich., July 31, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the 2023-24 budget into law today. With this historic budget, Saginaw received over $30 million for the development of Saginaw medical infrastructure and $25 million for essential local public health. After the signing, state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued the following statement: “Folks need and deserve up-to-date and accessible health care centers. I am proud I could support a budget that helps these needs become a reality. This will develop [...]

SAGINAW, Mich., July 21, 2023 — Thanks to the most recent round of Going PRO Talent Fund grants, four businesses in the Great Lakes Bay Region will receive over $76,000 in funding to help more than 45 local workers receive the training they need to gain and retain high-skill, high-wage careers. Statewide, approximately $13.5 million in grants from the second cycle of fiscal year 2023 Going PRO Talent Fund were awarded to nearly 300 Michigan businesses to help approximately 8,500 [...]

LANSING, Mich., June 30, 2023 — The Michigan 102nd Legislature has passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget. This is the first budget in 40 years crafted by a Democratic trifecta — it reflects Michigan’s values by making the largest investment in education in the state’s history, including free breakfast and lunch for every public school student and affordable pre-K, as well as substantial investments in workforce recruitment and retention, water infrastructure, and public safety. “I am proud of the work [...]

  SAGINAW, Mich., March 30, 2023 — State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) is thrilled with the news that the Saginaw Spirit hockey team will host the Canadian Hockey League’s 2024 Memorial Cup tournament at Dow Event Center in Saginaw. The tournament will take place from May 22 to June 3, 2024. This is the first time in the 104-year history that the Memorial Cup will be hosted in Midwest America.  “What an honor it is for Saginaw to host this [...]

LANSING, Mich., March 9, 2023 — State and community partners, alongside the Michigan Department of State (SOS), held their first Road to Restoration Clinic in Saginaw yesterday. The statewide clinics help drivers with suspended licenses complete the required steps to become relicensed. In 2022, more than 4,000 Michigan residents were served at 18 different clinics held in 11 cities. About 300 Saginaw area residents with suspended licenses attended the first clinic. State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued the following statement regarding the [...]

LANSING, Mich. Mar. 3, 2023 – Earlier this week, Senate and House members introduced bipartisan legislation that abolishes juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) in Michigan to align our state with 26 other states that have taken steps to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Miller v. Alabama that declared automatically sentencing a child to life without parole was unconstitutional. Additionally, these bills comply with recent Michigan Supreme Court decisions by eliminating mandatory life without parole sentences for 18-year-olds and [...]

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 24, 2022 — A draft restoration plan for the Tittabawassee River, Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay was presented yesterday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This plan is now available for public review and comment through March 27. The draft restoration plan lists 16 different projects for consideration for Saginaw-area waterways. The projects include fish spawning; fish passage improvements; restoration of thousands of acres of wetlands and other habitats; creation of multiple public nature areas with [...]

LANSING, Mich. Feb. 13, 2023 — State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) is elated that Saginaw has been awarded two grants from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for clean water infrastructure. Saginaw was awarded both the Drinking Water Asset Management (DWAM) grant and a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act. DWAM will invest over $116,000 to help communities in Saginaw upgrade drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, while $15 million from the second grant will be used [...]

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 8, 2022 — State Reps. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) and Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced a bill package focused on reestablishing the good time credit system in the Michigan Department of Corrections. Michigan ranks number one in the country for longest sentences served by those incarcerated. These bills create an incentive for incarcerated Michiganders to earn time off their sentence with good behavior. “Michigan is one of only six states that lack a good time policy in the [...]

BAY CITY, Mich., Nov. 29, 2022 — Today, President Joe Biden visited SK Siltron, a mid-Michigan manufacturer of semiconductor wafers used in electric vehicle production. President Biden touted the federal CHIPS and Science Act, a package amounting to $280 billion to increase U.S. semiconductor production, which he signed into law in August. He also addressed the many positive economic shifts taking place in the U.S. in the last two years. State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) attended the event and issued [...]

LANSING, Mich., Nov. 16, 2022 — Speaker-elect of the Michigan House of Representatives Joe Tate (D-Detroit) announced yesterday the members of the House of Representatives leadership team. In this announcement, Tate named state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) as Democratic Caucus chair. Previously, O’Neal served as vice chair of the Democratic Caucus and will transition to his new position in the upcoming 102nd Legislature. In response, Rep. O’Neal issued the following statement:   “I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. It [...]

SAGINAW, Mich., Nov. 10, 2022 — The ribbon cutting for the new Saginaw County Veteran Service Office took place today. This new Veteran Service Office will provide a variety of resources to veterans in the area. Some of the support veterans can receive includes legal guidance, emergency funds and education resources. After the ceremony, state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued the following statement:  “It has been a goal of mine to get Saginaw veterans the support they deserve. I am [...]

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 28, 2022 — The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) approved grant funding yesterday to retain jobs at the Nexteer Automotive Corp. site in Buena Vista Township. State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) strongly advocated to secure these funds. The funding will help Nexteer purchase more equipment needed to support and retain Nexteer’s only U.S.-based manufacturing site.  “This award is not just an investment in one company — it is a major step toward securing our economic future. With the [...]

SAGINAW, Mich., July 20, 2022 — State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) held a press conference at the Saginaw Sheriff’s Office yesterday to commemorate the budget allocation of $1 million to the Bridge the Gap Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to strengthen the bonds between law enforcement and the community.   “I was honored to recognize and congratulate this wonderful foundation,” O’Neal said. “The work Bridge the Gap does strengthens our community. These funds will support their work — contributing to [...]

LANSING, Mich., June 30, 2022 — Today, the House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2023 state budget. The budget allots funds specifically for teacher recruitment for career and technical education (CTE). In response, state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) made the following statement:    “Today’s approved budget directly supports the future education and future leaders of Saginaw. The state has awarded the CTE program a total of $10 million for teacher recruitment. These funds carve out and contribute to the [...]

LANSING, Mich., June 30, 2022 — Today, the Michigan House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1028. The bill provides $45.6 million from the Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) to support land acquisition and development to improve parks and recreation. Saginaw County will receive funding for two trail projects: one in Tittabawassee Township to connect the existing trails to the Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail; and development of a trailhead along the Iron Belle Trail in Carrollton Township. Saginaw Riverfront Park [...]

LANSING, Mich., May 26, 2022 — State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) is one of 40 lawmakers chosen to participate in the annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) training program. The BILLD is named in honor of the late James Bowhay, longtime director of The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Office.     “I am beyond grateful to take part in the 27th year of the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Development,” O’Neal said. “The seminars and skills taught throughout these [...]

LANSING, Mich., May 26, 2022 — State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) introduced House Bill 6141 to provide further funding for public health services. This is an appropriation bill providing $11 million in additional funding to the Essential Local Public Health Services.    “Since stepping into office, advocating for increased health funding has always been a top priority. Increased funding is necessary for the wellbeing and health of our growing communities,” O’Neal said. “As our health programs recover from the COVID-19 [...]

LANSING, Mich., May 10, 2022 —  State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) voted today to send a proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution to the November ballot. The amendment would require annual financial disclosure from legislators and state officers and change the number of years an individual can serve in the Legislature. After the vote, O’Neal issued the following statement:   “I voted yes for this proposed amendment because I believe it will make Lansing a more ethical and effective place. [...]

LANSING, Mich., April 19, 2022 — Yesterday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) announced that 20 businesses in 19 communities across the state would receive grants of up to $25,000 as part of the Match on Main program to support economic development in Michigan’s downtowns. Saginaw’s grant will go toward the READ Association of Saginaw County. “It’s hard to imagine an organization more fitting to receive an award such as this than the READ Association,” said [...]

LANSING, Mich., April 8, 2022 — Yesterday, the United States Senate voted to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Jackson is the first Black woman and the first public defender to hold this position in the Supreme Court’s more than 200-year history. State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued the following statement in support of the justice’s confirmation: “I thoroughly applaud the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. We’ve needed [...]

LANSING, Mich., March 18, 2022 — Yesterday, state Reps. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids), Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian) and Tenisha Yancey (D-Harper Woods) introduced four bills banning life sentences without parole for individuals under the age of 18. They would also provide a minimum sentence of 10 years, provide a maximum sentence of 60 years and allow for parole review after 10 years.  “‘Juvenile’ is really a legal term for ‘child,’” O’Neal said. “We are introducing these bipartisan bills [...]

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 17, 2022 — Today, members of the Michigan House Democratic Caucus joined a coalition of labor voices in downtown Lansing in support of the United Six — a group of electricians formerly employed by United Electric Contractors. In a lawsuit filed last month, the group alleges that UEC maintained a retaliatory and hostile work environment where racial slurs and discrimination against Black and brown workers were commonplace. They held the demonstration in front of the Associated Builders [...]

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 10, 2022 — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Senate Bill 694 as Public Act 8 of 2022 to maintain the current circuit court judgeship in Saginaw County, which had been previously scheduled to be eliminated. State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) and state Sen. Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) sponsored the legislation at the request of Chief Judge Darnell Jackson. “Losing a circuit court judgeship in a county as populous as Saginaw would have slowed proceedings and decreased [...]

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 26, 2022 — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her fourth State of the State address from Detroit Diesel. Her remarks highlighted her proposals to repair infrastructure, expand skills training and reduce costs for working families. In response, State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued the following statement:  “The governor has laid out a vision that works for the state and works for Saginaw. She’s already brought thousands of great auto manufacturing jobs to the state. I applaud her [...]

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. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued a statement celebrating the news: “This is a victory [...]

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 17, 2021 — Yesterday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer awarded over $1 million to 41 small businesses in 28 communities across the state as part of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Match on Main grant program. The program aims to support small, local businesses to create resiliency and strengthen downtowns while ensuring continued job growth in the state. Saginaw business Gee'Ques LLC is among the recipients of the $25,000 grants. State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued the following statement [...]

LANSING, Mich., Nov. 3, 2021 —  Yesterday, the Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bill 5097 banning the teaching of racial injustice in public schools. State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued the following statement condemning the passage of the legislation:  “Let’s be clear: No students in Michigan are learning critical race theory. Let’s also be clear: Our outstanding teachers are not teaching students to feel guilty about their race or any other aspects of their identity that they cannot change. [...]

SAGINAW, Mich., Oct. 28, 2021 — Yesterday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited Saginaw’s YouthDevelopment Corporation to participate in a roundtable focusing on public safety with state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), local police chiefs and community groups. The YouthDevelopment Corporation offers practical, hands-on job training and job placement to those suffering the damaging effects of poverty. “I was immensely gratified to see Gov. Whitmer recognize the fantastic work that the YouthDevelopment Corporation is doing for our community,” O’Neal said. “The causes of [...]

SAGINAW, Mich., Sept. 23, 2021 —  Last week, Carrollton Township Manager Craig Oatten and State Administrator Kelly Green signed a grant of over $600,000 provided by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Clean Water Plan to ensure the safety of Saginaw’s drinking water. The plan aims to strengthen water infrastructure and to ensure the safety of tap water across the state. State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued the following statement in support of the signing of the grant: “What happened in Flint [...]

SAGINAW, Mich., Sept. 22, 2021 —  The Michigan House of Representatives passed a budget for the upcoming fiscal year with historic investments in health care, child care and infrastructure. The budget includes a substantial sum to support the YouthDevelopment Corp., an urban nonprofit located in Saginaw. State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued the following statement in support of the budget’s passage:  “This budget is great for Saginaw. It supports job training programs, a pathway for more Michiganders to attain higher [...]

LANSING, Mich., Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021 — State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) issued the following statement after today’s passage of legislation based on unfounded claims of election irregularities or fraud: “These bills are a solution seeking a problem and ultimately do much more damage to our democracy than their proponents realize. The facts are clear and have been reaffirmed over 200 times — our election system is safe, secure and accurate. We’ve spent several months wasting time on this political [...]

SAGINAW, Mich., June 4, 2020 — The Michigan Department of the Treasury and the State Land Bank Authority (SLBA) selected the city of Saginaw to be a recipient of funding from the 2021 Blight Elimination Grant. State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), who represents Saginaw, issued the following statement:  “Addressing blight in our communities is an important and necessary endeavor to reinvigorate our communities. I am so glad that the SLBA decided to back the city of Saginaw’s application, and I am looking forward to seeing [...]

SAGINAW, Mich., May 24, 2021 — Local officials have cited a drop of pressure at the Water Treatment Plant that could have lead to bacterial contamination in the water system. The bacteria is not considered to be dangerous but residents are advised to bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using. Bottled or boiled water should be used for making ice, brushing teeth, drinking, washing dishes and preparing food until [...]

The House passed House Bill 4184 today, sponsored by state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw). The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act and allow district court magistrates to hear and preside over certain marijuana civil infractions or civil fines.   “Over the last few years the Legislature has been doing great work decriminalizing non-violent offenses and reforming our criminal justice system,” said O’Neal. “Expanding the authority of our district court magistrates is another crucial part of that process. I am [...]

LANSING, Mich., March 23, 2021 — The House Judiciary Committee unanimously reported House Bill 4184 with recommendation today. The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act to allow district court magistrates to hear and preside over certain marijuana civil infractions or civil fines. State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), the sponsor of the bill, issued the following statement: “The recent decriminalization of marijuana use for adults means that we have to update many systems and adjust judicial authority to match. This [...]

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 25, 2021 — Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) introduced House Bill 4340 today as part of House Democrats’ Hardworking Michiganders Recovery Plan, which will provide immediate relief for Michigan residents and help make sure no worker is left behind during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “We have to restore our social safety net so that those struggling to make ends meet have the support they need to take care of themselves and their families,” O’Neal said. “That means expanding [...]

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 11, 2021 — Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), joined Michigan House Democrats in applauding the economic and education priorities outlined by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in her budget presentation to the Legislature Thursday. The executive budget, which will now be reviewed by the Legislature, calls for significant increases in economic recovery and education funding – marking the largest investment in K-12 schools in Michigan to date. Last week, O’Neal proposed an amendment to the supplemental budget to include $5 [...]

O’Neal calls for vote on $5 billion in federal stimulus dollars SAGINAW, Mich., Feb. 1, 2021 — Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) joined Michigan House Democrats today in supporting a pandemic recovery plan that would immediately release $5 billion in federal dollars to help Michigan workers, small businesses, families and schools impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic. O’Neal and Michigan House Democrats called on legislative Republicans to stop holding hostage the funding critical to Michigan’s recovery from the pandemic. “It’s past [...]

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 28, 2021 — State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) was appointed this week to serve as the Democratic Caucus Vice Chair for the 2021-22 legislative term. O’Neal is serving his first term representing the 95th House District, prior to which he served for 4 years on the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners and 13 years on the Saginaw City Council, including serving as Mayor pro tem.   “It’s humbling to receive an appointment to this position during my [...]

SAGINAW, Mich., Jan. 26, 2021 — The Michigan Department of Transportation announced this week that the Saginaw County Road Commission has been awarded a $375,000 Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) Category F grant for Fiscal Year 2022 to cover the construction costs and repair of N. Michigan Avenue. Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) and Sen. Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) both welcomed the news and noted the importance of this project. “I cannot overstate the importance of this project to our community,” said [...]