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. 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,
State Representative
Michigan’s 15th District
Legislative Updates
Budget Updates
On July 3, the Michigan Legislature passed an $84 billion budget. I fought for a budget that did not cut any Medicaid benefits, ensured free school meals for another year and funded public safety. While costs continue to rise due to the federal government’s policies, I worked to make sure that the legislature passed a budget that eases financial burdens and supports all Michiganders.
The City of Dearborn received $1 million to make improvements to public safety facilities. The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) received $500,000, and Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities (LAHC) received $500,000 to continue and expand several of their community programs. Women of Tomorrow, an organization that provides mentorship and resources to young women, received $250,000, and HYPE Athletic Center was awarded $500,000 to help support their youth programs.
The full budget bills can be viewed here.
Reintroduction of Nine Bills
On July 29, House and Senate Democrats reintroduced the nine outstanding bills from the 2024 legislative session. After a year-and-a-half legal battle, the courts ruled that House leadership had an obligation to present the bills to the governor. The governor vetoed the bills a few months ago, and we are now reintroducing them so they can once again move forward. These bills are lifelines for working families, and I am proud to support their reintroduction.
I believe the nine bills provide much needed relief and protection to services and employees across the state. One bill in the package prevents massive healthcare cost increases for public servants, teachers, nurses and other school employees. Two bills include a shield for working families against debt collection on their essential property. Several bills strengthen benefits and retirement security for public safety professionals and expand the definition of public safety professionals, so more people are covered by these benefits. Other bills create the history museum tax authorities.
I stand with my Democratic colleagues in the fight to get these bills passed and signed into law.
Line 5 Updates
Last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a key permit for construction on the Line 5 oil pipeline that crosses the Straits of Mackinac. This follows the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) approval for permits last month. Construction on the pipeline is hotly contested since any construction would disrupt the environment and potentially destroy tribal lands.
In my opinion, Enbridge, the owner of the Line 5 pipeline, has not done its due diligence to minimize the effect of construction. The Michigan Supreme Court handed down a ruling that returned an approved permit to state regulators, reasoning that the full range of environmental impacts were not examined. Our beautiful state should not suffer the consequences of poorly planned projects that have the potential to destroy our land, water and wildlife.
We must also respect the treaty rights and sacred land of the Anishinaabe peoples. Tribal representatives have argued that construction could disturb ancestral remains. In effect, the tribe would have to remove their buried ancestors from the land before the construction begins. While regulators consulted with tribes and considered tribal input, tribal nations dispute whether that input has been meaningfully incorporated and have continued to raise concerns regarding the pipeline.
There are still several court cases challenging the construction of Line 5 and several outstanding permits that need approval, and I will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
Ratepayer Bill of Rights Interview
I was recently interviewed by Channel 4 News regarding my “No Lavish Lifestyles Bill” which would prevent utility companies from using our customer dollars on private jets, corporate suites at entertainment venues and lobbying. In 2022, DTE spent more than $200,000 on private jet flights for its CEO, executives and board members. This is an unacceptable use of ratepayer dollars.
The “No Lavish Lifestyles” bill is one of the latest bills introduced in the House that looks to curb ever-increasing utility rates for lackluster service. Other bills in this round of the Ratepayer Bill of Rights reduce utility return on equity and require third party audits of utility companies.
News and Community Updates
Data Center Rally
On July 30, I attended a press conference protesting the development of “The Barn” data center site in Saline. Data centers can be tremendously harmful to the environment and surrounding communities, and I was proud to stand with the residents of Saline in their calls for transparency in data center dealings. As your state representative, I’ve fought to repeal tax incentives for these data centers, and I’ve called for a one-year moratorium on all hyperscale data centers. I’ll keep fighting against utilities and corporations that seek to push their data centers on communities.
July Community Conversation
On July 20, I held a Community Conversation at the JFK Jr. Library. Community Conversations are a great opportunity for me to speak with constituents about the issues facing our community. I spoke with residents about the budget, the bills vetoed by the governor and the Line 5 permit.
Please stay tuned for details on our upcoming Community Conversations taking place this fall. Please note that we will not be hosting a Community Conversation in August.
Sharing the Spirit of America at the Henry Ford
On July 8, I participated in a Reading of the Declaration of Independence at Greenfield Village. This was a nationwide effort to commemorate the anniversary of the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was read in English, Arabic, Urdu and Spanish and was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity we have here in Michigan.
You can view the reading here.