Capitol and Community Updates

Dear Neighbor,

This e-newsletter is designed to keep you updated on the latest activities in the Michigan House of Representatives and will include an overview of this year’s budget process, which recently wrapped up. It’s an honor to serve as your state representative for the 15th state House District, which includes the west end of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights.

If you ever need to reach me, please call my office at (517) 373-0847 or email me at [email protected].

In Service,

Erin Byrnes

State Representative

Michigan’s 15th District

Upcoming Events:

Community conversations are a chance to discuss the issues facing our state with your legislator. Here are my upcoming constituent events:

October Community Conversation with Rep. Erin Byrnes

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 20, from 2-3 p.m.

WHERE: JFK Library of Dearborn Heights, 24602 Van Born Road, Dearborn Heights, MI 48125

Save the Date:

Monday, Nov. 17, from 2-3 p.m. at JFK Library of Dearborn Heights

Legislative Updates:

Our New State Budget

In the late hours of Oct. 3, after months of gridlock, late-night negotiations and a House Republican budget plan that sat idle for weeks before finally being brought to the floor on Aug. 26, the Legislature passed the full state budget for Fiscal Year 2026.

This is not how the budget process should work. Michiganders deserve a transparent, timely process that reflects their priorities, not one driven by political gamesmanship. I’ll continue working to ensure future budgets are delivered on time, with input from the people we represent.

That said, while this budget isn’t perfect, it delivers real wins for our community and our state. I fought for and secured the inclusion of critical investments that were missing from the earlier House Republican proposal I voted against in August. The final budget:

Protects Medicaid and SNAP benefits
Retains food safety and inspection programs
Increases funding for K–12 schools, community colleges and universities
Guarantees free breakfast and lunch for all K–12 students
Preserves funding for special education, literacy coaches and school mental health programs
Funds sexual assault testing kits and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants
Removes anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-DEI language
Secures $800,000 for Wayne Metro Community Action Network’s Head Start and shelter facilities in Dearborn Heights
Supports HYPE Athletics programs in Dearborn Heights and throughout Wayne County
Invests in road repairs and infrastructure
Maintains funding for the Arab American National Museum
Supports lead line replacements across the state
Ends wasteful corporate handouts

However, there’s still work ahead. I’ll continue fighting to address the areas where this budget falls short:

Expanding maternal and infant support programs
Restoring job cuts across departments
Ensuring adequate funding for the Department of Health and Human Services
Increasing fees on out-of-state trash and hazardous waste dumping that harms Wayne County communities

This budget moves Michigan forward, but there’s more to do and I’ll never stop fighting for a state government that works for everyone.

Our Bills Are Too Damn High!

I was proud to stand with my colleagues and community advocates to announce that we are working on legislation to reign in the high prices DTE, Consumers Energy and other utilities charged while providing worse services compared to other Midwest states.

As a forced DTE customer myself, I lost power not long ago, a common refrain. I also lost most of my groceries right along with it. Once my power was eventually restored, I bought new groceries, only for the power to go out again that exact same day. And I am absolutely not alone in that experience. That’s why I was eager to join the Ratepayer Bill of Rights.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Attorney General’s office uncovered the fact that DTE was charging us, the ratepayers, for executives to fly around on private jets, fine dining, other trips, and swanky conferences, just to name a few of the things that they enjoy. The Ratepayer Bill of Rights puts an end to this blatant corporate greed, and it’s about damn time.

Sept. 9, 2025 – Speaking at the “Our Bills Are Too Damn High” Press Conference with Representatives Kristian Grant (left) and Donavan McKinney (right) and other advocates.

Requesting Michigan’s Congressional Delegation to Address the Ongoing Genocide in Gaza

State Reps. Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City), Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) and I came together with a broad coalition of Michigan elected officials and community organizations to sign a letter to our state’s congressional delegation urging immediate action to end U.S. support for Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

We call on Congress to:

Vote for any and all future joint resolutions of disapproval to block the deliveries of specific weapons shipments to Israel.
Support the Block the Bombs Act (H.R. 3565) to restore congressional oversight of arms transfers.
End U.S. taxpayer funding and commercial arms sales to Israel until the genocide ends.
Demand accountability for those responsible.
Restore humanitarian aid and medical-humanitarian visas for Palestinians in urgent need of care.

To read the letter and see the signatories, please visit my Facebook page.

News and Community Updates:

9/11 Memorial Ceremony

On Thursday, Sept. 11, the Michigan House of Representatives hosted the 24th annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at the Capitol building. I was honored to host Lt. Adam Ferrell of the Dearborn Fire Department. We honor the first responders who answered the call then, and the local first responders who continue that mission of service in our community today.

Sept. 11, 2025 – Hosting Lt. Adam Ferrell of the Dearborn Fire Department at the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony

District 15 Summer Community Connect

Over the summer, my staff and I visited over 1,550 homes to ensure we are hearing from our constituents, taking concerns back to Lansing and letting people know how we can assist you!

Sept. 8, 2025 – Engaging with the community on the Ratepayer Bill of Rights with the Our Bills Are Too Damn High coalition.

As always, my office is here to serve you by:

Assisting with Unemployment, Treasury and other state agencies.
Listening to your concerns and suggestions.
Answering questions.
Advocating for policies.
Presenting tributes and certificates.
Hosting students and groups who visit and tour the Capitol.

Vaccine and Immunizations Updates

Vaccinations are a tried and tested way to ensure you, your family, and your neighbors are protected from hospitalization, loss wages and death. Winter in Michigan sees increased cases of Influenza, Covid-19 and RSV, and vaccinations help stop the spread. With the disinformation from the federal government, there is a lot of unnecessary confusion around the safety and efficacy of these immunizations.

The state of Michigan has taken the important step of issuing a standing recommendation to ensure that Michigan has access to the Covid-19 vaccines and boosters this season.

To learn more if your health insurance plan still covers vaccinations at no extra cost to you, please call the number on the back of your member ID Card. If you cannot find it, please use the list below:

Aetna Better Health of Michigan: (866) 316‑3784
Ambetter from Meridian: (833) 993-2426
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network of Michigan:
- Individual
  - PPO: (888) 288-2738
  - HMO: (888) 227-2345
- Group:
  - PPO: (313) 225-9000
  - HMO: (800) 662-6667
- Medicaid/Healthy MI Plan/MIChild: (800) 975-7630
CareSource: (833) 230-2102
Health Alliance Plan of Michigan:
- Individual
  - HMO Plans: (800) 759-3436
  - PPO Plans: (800) 944-9399
- Group
  - HAP HMO: (800) 422-4641
  - HAP PPO: (888) 999-4347
Healthy Michigan Plan: (313) 456-1000
Humana: (800) 457-4708
McLaren Health Plan: (888) 327-0671
Meridian Health Plan of Michigan
- Meridian: (888) 437-0606
- Meridian Healthy Michigan: (888) 437-0606
Molina Healthcare of Michigan
- Medicaid/Healthy MI Plan/MIChild: (888) 898-7969
- Health Insurance Marketplace: (888) 560-4087
- Dual Options MI Health Link: (855) 735-5604
- Medicare: (844) 526-3195
Oscar Insurance Company: (855) 672-2788
Physicians Health Plan: (517) 364-8400
Priority Health: (800) 942-0954
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan: (800) 903-5253
University of Michigan Health Plan: (517) 364-8400
Upper Peninsula Health Plan: (906) 225-7500
Wellcare Simple: (866) 892-8340

2024’s Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommendations

Dearborn Heights and Dearborn Calendar:

Dearborn Heights

Oct. 14, 6 p.m. – City Council Meeting
Oct. 28, 6 p.m. – City Council Meeting
Oct. 30, 6-8 p.m. – HYPE Athletics Trunk or Treat

Dearborn

Oct. 17, 4-8 p.m. – Downtown Dearborn Fall Bazaar at Dearborn Peace Park East
Oct. 18, noon-2 p.m. – Dearborn Fire Open House at Dearborn Fire Station 2
Oct. 21, 7 p.m. – City Council Meeting
Oct. 25, 1-2 p.m. – Halloween Skate at the DISC
Oct. 26, 4-6 p.m. – SODA Track or Treat at Penn-Vassar Park

House Democrats Vision Project:

My colleagues and I are developing a vision for the coming years, and we want you to be part of the process. If you want to share your thoughts to help guide Democratic priorities in Lansing, now is your opportunity!

I look forward to your feedback as I work with my colleagues to develop policy priorities that center Michiganders’ needs. Please consider filling out the short survey at this link: Michigan House Democrats Vision Project Survey. Thank you!