Capitol and Community Updates

Hello friends,

It’s great to be back in Lansing after our spring in-district work period! Before we dive in, I want to send warm wishes to everyone celebrating this season: Eid Mubarak to our Muslim neighbors as Ramadan comes to a close; Chag Sameach to our Jewish community who recently observed Passover; Happy Holi to our Hindu neighbors celebrating the festival of colors; and Easter blessings to our Christian community who recently observed Holy Week.

Back at the Capitol, budget season is underway and the stakes are high. What we decide in the coming weeks will directly affect our schools, roads, public safety and essential services. I’m committed to making sure our district’s needs come first, and I’ll keep you updated along the way.

As always, if our office can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Ranjeev Puri

State Representative, 24th District

Proudly serving Canton Township

In this Issue:

• Upcoming Time with Ranjeev
• Legislative Updates
• What We’ve Been Up To
• Resources
• Community Events

Save the date for our next conversation hour – Saturday, May 16 – more details to come.

Gov. Whitmer signs bipartisan bill preserving licenses for thousands of doctors in Michigan

I voted yes on House Bill 5455 that was recently signed into law by the governor. This new law ensures Michigan’s participation in a nationwide medical licensure compact. This compact allows out-of-state doctors the ability to practice in Michigan, helping expand access to care for patients across our state.

Gov. Whitmer and MiLEAP Announce Record Enrollment in Pre-K for All!

The governor recently announced nearly 55,000 children statewide are enrolled in the Great Start Readiness Program, Michigan’s PreK for All program, as of Jan. 2026. This is the largest enrollment in the program’s history, doubling the number of children enrolled since 2021. PreK for All is available to all Michigan families, regardless of income level, saving them an estimated $14,000 per year on child care costs.

Teacher of the Month – Ms. Gilikin

Congratulations to Ms. Gillikin, our March Teacher of the Month!

A dedicated and beloved Kindergarten teacher at Eriksson Elementary, Ms. Gillikin is described by students and parents alike as incredibly patient, kind, loving, inclusive and fun. She listens to what her kids need and goes above and beyond to make every learning experience the best it can be. Thank you for your incredible work in our community! 

Tribute to Dance Team

This month, I had the pleasure of presenting the P‑CEP Varsity and JV Dance teams with tributes celebrating their outstanding success. The finals were held in Orlando, Florida, and both teams brought home national championships. These talented student‑athletes have filled their community with pride.

No Kings

I was honored to stand alongside more than 2,600 neighbors in Canton for the No Kings rally, which is part of a nationwide movement sending a clear message: democracy matters, and we will defend it.

End Gun Violence Advocacy Day

On March 19, I stood with survivors, students, parents and advocates, because the work is far from over. Gun violence remains the leading cause of death for children in America. That reality demands action, not excuses. We won’t stop fighting until every person and child feels safe to show up to school, practice their religion freely in their place of worship and live their daily life free from gun violence.

March is Reading Month

March was National Reading Month, a nationwide celebration dedicated to promoting literacy and nurturing a lifelong love of books. It’s the perfect moment to slow down, unplug from our busy routines and rediscover the joy of reading. But the love for reading should not stop when the calendar flips to April. I encourage you to stop by our local library and explore its many resources. Whether you’re diving into a novel, learning something new or simply taking a quiet moment for yourself, reading is a wonderful way to reduce stress and reconnect with what inspires you.

Detroit State of the City

On March 31, I had the honor of attending the Detroit State of the City address. I had the opportunity to listen to Mayor Mary Sheffield deliver her first State of the City address, and I left feeling encouraged and hopeful about the great things on the horizon for Detroit!

Art in Bloom: Spring Artisan Market

Saturday, May 2

This annual Spring Artisan Market in Cherry Hill Village features Village Arts Factory’s studio artists, coffee, live music and face painting. This event is free and open to the public. Come spend a beautiful day with your loved ones on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Village Arts Factory (50755 Cherry Hill Road).

Mother’s Day Tea and Ballet

Saturday, May 9

Celebrate the mothers in your life at a Mother’s Day Tea and Ballet event on Saturday, April 9, from 2-4 p.m. at Summit on the Park (46000 Summit Parkway). This event is perfect for Ballet lovers, families, grandparents and anyone seeking a magical afternoon at the ballet, especially younger audiences who are not quite ready to enjoy a multi-act ballet but enjoy the familiar highlights. Be sure to check out Canton’s Parks, Recreation & Community Services site for more information on registration.

Mother’s Day Spring Fling

Saturday, May 9

Moms, aunts, grandmothers and more are welcome for an evening of dancing and memory-making in the Summit on the Park’s Gymnasium on Saturday, April 9, from 6-8 p.m. at Summit on the Park (46000 Summit Parkway).  There will be light refreshments and a popular balloon-drop finale! Make this a tradition with the special little person in your life!  NEW THIS YEAR: The dance theme is SPORTS! Adult and child participants are encouraged to dress the part. Be sure to check out Canton’s Parks, Recreation & Community Services site for more information on registration.

Family Fishing Frenzy

Saturday, May 9

A beloved Canton tradition, families are looking forward to this event held annually at the ponds of Heritage Park. Whether you want to participate in the fishing derby or prefer to watch, be sure to check out Canton’s Parks, Recreation & Community Services site for more information on registration. This family-friendly event will occur on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Heritage Park Amphitheater (1150 S. Canton Center Road).

Planning Spring Yard Projects? Call Before You Dig

Whether you want to install a fence or plant a tree, if spring fever has you itching to do some landscaping projects around the yard that involve digging, remember to first reach out to MISS DIG 811 beforehand so that underground utility lines can be marked for safety.

April is Safe Digging Month, an annual reminder for Michiganders’ legal responsibility to call 811 or head to MISSDIG811.org at least three days before they start a project that involves putting a shovel in the ground. Contacting MISS DIG 811 is free and allows crews to mark buried utility lines in advance to prevent costly damage, service disruptions and risks of serious injury or death. Learn more here, and happy spring!

Severe Weather Resources & Tips

In response to recent severe weather across the state, our first responders and officials are working hard to ensure there is a swift delivery of resources to the affected areas. We applaud this effort and our dedicated first responders who have been working tirelessly around the clock. To ensure you’re prepared for future severe weather events, please review the following safety tips:

General Storm Safety Tips:

• Prepare a kit of emergency supplies for your family and pets.
• Create a family emergency plan.
• For college students, create a campus emergency plan.
• For guides and checklists, visit Plan Ahead (michigan.gov).

Tornado Safety Tips:

• Sign up for The Emergency Alert System or your community’s warning system.
• Identify a place to take shelter.
• Look for danger signs, such as a dark or greenish sky, large hail, a dark, low-lying cloud, and a loud roar that sounds like a freight train.
• Ensure all doors and windows are shut.
• Be careful when exiting the building after the storm.
• For more information, visit Tornadoes (michigan.gov).

Thunderstorms & Lightning Safety Tips:

• To prepare, cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home.
• Consider purchasing surge protectors or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances, and electronic devices.
• When thunder roars, go indoors! Move into a building or car with a roof.
• Avoid running water and using electronic devices connected to an electrical outlet.
• Do not drive through flooded roadways. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately.
• For more information, visit Thunderstorms & Lightning (michigan.gov).

To Report Downed Power Lines:

• DTE: outage.dteenergy.com/report-down-line
• Consumers Energy: consumersenergy.com/outages-and-safety/report-an-issue

Visit the Michigan Prepares website to find a variety of resources on this topic, including guidance on how to create your emergency plan. You can also stay informed when severe weather strikes by signing up for emergency alerts from your county or city.

Our office is always here to answer any questions, concerns, or listen to any thoughts you have on any particular issue. The best way to reach us is by email at [email protected]. We also hope you will join us for upcoming coffee hours so that we can meet and I can hear what’s on your mind.