Greetings!
Summer is finally here and has come in like a fiery dragon! The ‘heat dome’ was nothing to play with. During extreme heat events like this it is critical to stay hydrated, for both people and all outdoor pets.
In this newsletter, you’ll find information about an important opportunity for you to make your voice heard. I will be hosting a special community conversation focused on the Democratic Vision Project. This is YOUR chance to let lawmakers know what YOUR priorities are and what my colleagues and I should focus on in Lansing.
As Democratic Caucus Chair this legislative term, I’ve been working with colleagues internally to refocus and reunite around our shared values. Now more than ever, we must move forward — not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come.
Please join me and bring a neighbor as we discuss our collective future during my special Community Conversation on Monday, July 14, at 5:30 p.m. Every voice matters. Every action counts.
Peace and Blessings,
Rep. Steph
Stephanie A. Young
State Representative
House District 16
Love Is the Work!
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
It’s Budget Season!
Right now, it’s budget season in Lansing and there are looming deadlines for state budgets, especially important for the School Aid Fund. House Democrats unveiled their vision first for the School Aid Fund budget June 10, 2025, in an effort to jumpstart budget negotiations ahead of the July 1 statutory deadline for their completion.
The budget recommendations included a record $24 billion for schools while protecting critical funding components like universal free meals, special education funding, transportation for rural school districts and at-risk funding.
On June 11, the House passed a K-12 spending plan on a party-line vote, with all Democrats present voting “no” because it did not include dedicated funding for free school meals, mental health and school safety resources, targeted support for transportation that many students, especially in rural schools, rely on or career and technical courses that prepare students for good paying jobs, just to name some of the changes. Negotiations are underway, so stay tuned as budget season continues to unfold!
Job Corps Detroit: Fighting for our Youth
On June 11, I introduced House Resolution 127, urging the United States Department of Labor to reverse its decision to pause operations at Job Corps centers across the country and specifically in Detroit. We were mortified to learn that Job Corps participants — who receive housing through the program — were given large trash bags to pack their belongings, displacing many of them to rely on relatives or friends and city-wide resources, including homeless shelters.
As developments continue related to Michigan’s Job Corps centers in Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids, program participants have been allowed to return to the Job Corps Centers in all three cities.
A New York-based federal judge provided a third extension stating that the Labor Department’s decision to pause Job Corps operations violated the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act because the agency failed to seek notice and comment or notify Congress. A great win for now, but the fight continues!
June Community Conversation Recap
Last month’s community conversation topic was “Juneteenth: Not a DEI Holiday.” My special guests gave us some hidden gems in the community that focus on civility and anti-racism. Special thanks to our guest Delisha Upshaw with Sunup Livonia, which focuses on repairing the legacy of institutional racism and dismantling the infrastructure that it was built on.
At one point in time, Livonia was known as a “sundown town” — which meant all non-white people needed to vacate the city before the sun went down or face dangerous consequences from residents and law enforcement alike.
Through the work of Sunup Livonia, citizens are united in ridding Livonia of the residue of racism, by creating a “sunup” town where everyone feels welcome and safe at any hour of the day. For more information about the work of Sunup Livonia, reach out by email: info@sunuplivonia.com.
I also want to thank trailblazer and Redford Charter Township Trustee Linda Jackson for her words of wisdom about her path to becoming trustee and making history by becoming the first African American elected to the board in its history. She decided to serve, not to make history, but because she saw a gap in communication from some board members. Her favorite quote from Mahatma Gandhi, “You must be the change you want to see in the world,” helped guide her decision into public service, and she has never looked back!
The BIG INVITE: Your VOICE is Needed
I’ve been working with colleagues in the House on creating a unified vision for public policy that keeps the needs of Michiganders at the heart of our work as lawmakers. We cannot accomplish this goal without hearing from folks like you! We have been working with national partners to drill down on several focal areas that we need to get your input on:
- Health and Wellness
- Clean Air, Water and Energy
- Affordability and Lowering Costs
- Labor and Neighborhood Development
- Creating Strong Communities through Quality Public Education
Please join me for dinner and this important working discussion on charting a clear, unified path forward for all of us!
Rep. Stephanie A. Young’s Town Hall
The Democratic Vision Project
A Special Community Conversation
Monday: July 14, 2025,
Doors Open at 5:00 p.m.
5:30-6 p.m.: FREE Community Dinner
6-7:30 p.m.: Town Hall & Discussion
James E. Tate Jr. Community Center
(formerly the 8th DPD Precinct Annex)
21511 W. McNichols Road, Detroit
Photo Gallery:
Each week people come to the Capitol to speak about things that matter to them and their communities. Advocacy Days are highlights of my work in Lansing. It is always good to have groups from the district stop by and educate me about an issue that is pressing them and/or the community. Here are a few highlights from June visits:
Community Violence Intervention Advocacy Day…
Eric Anderson and his group stopped by to talk about policies that affect justice-involved individuals and their families.
Scouting Day at the Capitol…
I’m proud to be a Scout mom! When my boys were growing up, the Scouts provided them with a pathway to explore and appreciate nature, teamwork and being good citizens. I’m glad so many youth can continue this experience.
Affordable Housing…Safe Places to Live…advocates speak to me about their issues.
I spend time with the people I represent. When I say I live by “Love is the Work” — I mean it.
I ENJOY working alongside and seeing the people I have the honor to represent in the community we all LOVE!
