This e-newsletter aims to keep you updated on the previous month’s activities in the Michigan House of Representatives. It’s an honor to serve as your state representative for the 15th House District, which includes the west end of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. Should you ever need to contact me, don’t hesitate to call my office at 517-373-0847 or email me at [email protected].
In Service,
State Representative
Michigan’s 15th District
Legislative Updates
Ratepayer Bill of Rights
I recently introduced House Bill 6094, as a new part of the Ratepayer Bill of Rights alongside HB 6093 and HB 6095. I cosponsored the previous round of bills for the Ratepayer Bill of Rights in 2025.
My bill, the “No Lavish Lifestyles” Bill, prohibits utility companies from spending our ratepayer dollars on things like private jets, corporate suites at sporting and entertainment venues, and lobbying of elected officials. Our money should not be used to fund perks for CEOs and board members.
HB 6095 caps utility companies’ return on equity rate at 8.2%, which would put money back in the pockets of consumers instead of shareholders. HB 6093 requires utility companies to conduct third-party audits every five years to hold utility companies accountable to the consumers and assess their infrastructure and service rates.
You can watch the “Our Bills are Too Damn High” press conference here.
Budget and Community Hearings
On June 10, I had hearings for three of our Legislatively Directed Spending Items in front of the Labor and Economic Opportunity Appropriations Subcommittee. Although these hearings do not ensure that our requested items will be included in the budget, it is an important opportunity to advocate for our community.
The first hearing was for Friends of the Rouge. This project would establish recreational river access to the Rouge River at Ford Field Park.
The City of Dearborn had a hearing about the expansion of the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, also referred to as the civic center.
The City of Dearborn Heights had a hearing regarding the Best Fleet Forward Initiative that looks to purchase new municipal vehicles for the city, to directly benefit quality of life and public safety for residents.
You can watch the hearings here.
Community Updates
Presentation of Firefighter Tributes
This month, we celebrated Dearborn Heights Fire Chief Dave Brogan for his retirement after 34 years at the Dearborn Heights Fire Department. I thank Chief Brogan for his years of incredible service to the community, as lieutenant then captain, then fire marshal and ultimately fire chief. I congratulate Chief Brogan on his retirement and thank him for his many years of service to the people of Dearborn Heights.
I also congratulate our new Fire Chief, Phil Hall, on his swearing in. Chief Hall has served the department since 2005, and he has had a tremendous impact on countless residents and his colleagues. I wish Chief Hall the best in this new role and know he will continue to serve the residents of Dearborn Heights well.
Juneteenth
On June 19, we celebrated Freedom Day. Juneteenth provides us with the opportunity to reflect upon Black history, while reminding us that the fight for equality and progress continues.
Pride Month
Happy Pride Month! We must continue to support and uplift the LGBTQ community this month and every month. I hope everyone has had a joyous Pride Month!
Hyper-scale Data Centers
I recently attended and spoke at an Allen Park Planning Commission meeting where residents and Commission members said ‘no’ to a proposed hyper-scale data center. Allen Park is a neighbor to our district, and our community would have felt the effects of the proposed hyper-scale data center. I will continue to fight to safeguard our communities against invasive, loud, hyper-scale data centers.
June Community Conversation
This month, we held our June Community Conversation at the JFK, Jr. Library in Dearborn Heights. We discussed the ongoing budget process in Michigan, concerns about hyper-scale data centers, and the introduction of bills relating to the Ratepayer Bill of Rights. Community conversations are a great opportunity for residents to speak to the issues affecting their communities, and I look forward to our next Community Conversation on July 20 from 2-3 p.m., also at JFK, Jr. Library.
