Greetings and Happy Spring!

I hope this newsletter finds you well. As we close out the first quarter of the new legislative term, I wanted to share a few updates with you. These last few months have not only been busy, but also extremely challenging at times. My colleagues and I are navigating the shift in leadership this term, while fighting for what Michiganders need most. 

This legislative term, I am in leadership, serving as the Democratic Caucus chair and the Detroit Caucus chair. Briefly, the Democratic Caucus chair works to keep the Caucus united as we move our Democratic agenda through the House. As the Detroit Caucus chair, I seek out opportunities to uplift and problem-solve around Detroit-specific issues. I was also elected to serve as the Chaplain for the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus.

I serve on two House standing committees and was appointed as the minority vice chair for the Families and Veterans Committee. This committee assignment gives me a better vantage point to continue advocating for some of our most vulnerable populations: children, seniors and veterans.  

As always, please feel free to reach out to my office with any questions or to share any thoughts or concerns by email at StephanieYoung@house.mi.gov or by phone at (517) 373-2576. My team and I are here to help!

In Service, 

Stephanie A. Young

State Representative

House District 16

Love Is The Work!

 

Policy Committees 2025-26 (103rd Legislative Session)

Families and Veterans, Minority Vice Chair

Finance 

Current Leadership Positions:

Democratic Caucus Chair 

Detroit Caucus Chair 

Michigan Legislative Black Caucus Chaplain

Rep. Steph’s Legislative and Community Update

The Battle to Support Michigan Kids

The Republican-led budget does not include critical funding for children, students and schools. It removed all funding from the Michigan Department of Education, and all Michigan House Republicans supported it. The Republican-led budget does not include 25% of funding the school aid budget relies on, giving no funding for higher education and community colleges and not providing public school meals. House Democrats have a different plan that will work if we invest in our public schools so we can inspire imagination, cultivate curiosity and prepare the next generation of students to succeed. Together with parents and allies, we will continue to organize, advocate and mobilize so that all students have well-resourced schools that allow every student to succeed.  

The Pink Poll Tax: Republicans Pass Gender-Based Voter Suppression Action 

Legislation that would jeopardize the voting rights of millions of Michigan women, by requiring proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate or passport was recently voted out of the House Elections and Integrity Committee. This measure would affect approximately 2.2 million Michigan women who don’t have birth certificates that match their current legal names. This would mean that married women with changed names would need to receive a passport to prove their citizenship. Creating barriers and obstacles to voting is nothing more than poll tax and voter suppression — plain and simple. I’ve heard from my constituents who are concerned that this Republican plan will also make it more difficult for Michigan women serving in the military, those married to an active-duty servicemember and voting-age children in military families to vote by eliminating voter registration online or by mail due to complexity to prove citizenship.  

Pay Equity STILL Matters

During Women’s History Month, I was proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues at a press conference, lifting up the continued fight for equal pay in the workplace. The bills in the package not only pertain to women, but to all individuals and their right to equal pay.  Our 10-bill Pay Equity Package provides common sense solutions to finally level the playing field. We want people to stay in Michigan, thrive in their careers and have high-quality working conditions. At the end of the day, this package is about fairness, dignity and economic justice. My bill will strengthen penalties for wage discrimination based on gender, sending a clear message to employers that their business cannot profit off discrimination and the systematic underpaying of women — which disproportionately negatively affects women of color.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS for YOU! 

Please mark your calendars for these upcoming community meetings: 

  • Thursday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m.:  A virtual town hall event with special guests U.S. Congressmember Rashida Tlaib and House and Senate Legislators to discuss what’s happening at the Federal level and how it impacts us at home. Please stay tuned to my webpage and Facebook for more information, including how to sign up to attend and how to submit your questions ahead of time.
  • Monday, April 14 at 10 a.m.: Rep. Steph’s April Community Conversation, Topic: “How are the Children?” Child Abuse Prevention Month. The special guest will be The Children’s Center. We will meet in person at the Livonia Civic Center Library, 32777 Five Mile Road, Livonia, 48154, beginning at 10 a.m. You can also join us virtually at: Facebook.com/Repstephanieyoung/. 
  • Wednesday, April 23 at 6 p.m.:  In-person town hall and resource meeting with special guest U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib at Thurston High School, 26255 Schoolcraft Road, Redford Twp., 48239

Rep. Steph Reads in the District for March is Reading Month! 

March is Reading Month happens to be one of my favorite community events! This year, I had an opportunity to visit several schools and classes from kindergarten to second grade. I love reading What If You Had Animal Teeth?!, and the children love listening and imagining if they did. I’m already looking forward to next year!