State Rep. Natalie Price (center) is sworn in to her second term by Justice Kyra Harris Bolden (left). Accompanied by guests Dallas Oliver and Brian Burnett (right).
Happy New Year Neighbor,
I hope that 2025 has been off to a great start for you and your loved ones! Whether you are working on your New Year’s resolutions or are looking for a fresh start, I wish you well on any endeavor you may embark upon in 2025.
I’m excited to share information on events and updates with you in this latest edition of my newsletter. Also included in this issue are a few resources I hope you find helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-0823 or email at NataliePrice@house.mi.gov for questions about this or any other state-level issue. You can follow me on Facebook to get regular legislative updates. I look forward to hearing from you!
In Service,
Natalie Price
State Representative
6th House District
In this Issue
- District Events
- Berkley Community Conversation: Thursday, Jan. 30
- Virtual Town Hall: Tuesday, Feb. 11
- Legislative and District Updates
- State Updates and Resources
- Important Dates
District Events
Community Conversation
I will be hosting the first of my monthly Community Conversations on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 5:30 p.m. in the Berkley Public Library. These conversations are an opportunity for me to share legislative updates from Lansing, and for you to ask questions about policies and legislation that are important to you. I look forward to having these discussions with all of you each month and sharing my insight into the policies that will impact our neighborhoods. My staff and I hope that you and your neighbors can join us for an engaging discussion.
State Rep. Natalie Price presenting to the Berkley City Council
Virtual Town Halls
This year I will also continue hosting regular Virtual Town Halls. Like the Community Conversations, these monthly events will give constituents the opportunity to connect with my office and catch up on the latest updates. The first of these town halls is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11, at noon over Facebook Live. More information about the event will be available through my official social media pages as the date approaches.
Legislative and District Updates
New Year, New Session
Before the start of the new legislative session, my House colleagues and I worked to pass several pieces of important legislation during the lame duck period. This included crucial public safety bills, legislation to support public employees and protections for renters. While we have made great progress for Michigan over the last two years, there is still much work left to do. I remain committed to championing causes that will help make Michigan an economic leader in the Midwest and an example for sustainability, quality public education and worker protections in the United States.
With the New Year comes changes, big and small, to the Michigan House of Representatives. This year I am honored to represent you and our communities in the new House District 6. As the 103rd Legislature prepares to address the multitude of issues that we are facing throughout the state, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve you in my second term. In this new Legislature, I also look forward to working with my House colleagues to pass sensible legislation that will fund vital state departments and protect working families. This session will present unique challenges and opportunities for our collective growth as residents of Michigan, and I am ready to continue these important conversations on behalf of our community.
Since December, I have been proud to work for you on the following legislative successes:
- Before the New Year, my House colleagues and I voted to pass school safety legislation (HBs 4095–96, 5549, 5659–60) that will require Michigan State Police and school districts to design and implement uniform response terminology and specialized response teams in the case of emergencies. This legislation was recently signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
- I voted yes on renters‘ rights bills (HBs 4062–63) sponsored by Rep.Jennifer Conlin and Rep. Jason Morgan that will prohibit landlords from discriminating against renters based on their source of income. The bills were signed into law just before the New Year, marking an important step in the advancement of renters’ rights.
- I also co-sponsored and voted yes on Rep. Julie Rogers’ bill codifying the medical loss ratio (HB 5825) into Michigan law. This will ensure that the premiums you pay go toward enhancing the quality of care you receive.
- In December, my House colleagues and I voted in support of Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou’s bill package (HBs 6052–54) that will update early voting laws in the state of Michigan to ensure that our elections are both accessible and secure.
- The gun buyback package (HBs 6144–46), sponsored by former Rep. Felicia Brabec and myself, was passed in both the House and Senate and has just received the Governor’s signature. These public acts will ensure that firearms that are surrendered to law enforcement will be properly disposed of.
- I proudly supported bills to expand the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (SBs 353, 880 and 881) to help ensure that low-income Michigan families maintain access to utilities even when they are experiencing hardship.
Please note this is not an exhaustive list of all the issues our office is working on. Stay tuned for updates as we continue working on critical legislation.
State Updates and Resources
Winter Ready
Spring is still months away and we are now experiencing consistently cold temperatures here in Michigan. Now is a good time to brush up on winter safety tips for the weeks ahead. Both at home and on the road, it is important to take precautions regarding your health and safety to make sure you have an enjoyable winter season. If you must travel, make sure that your vehicle is in good condition by checking the tire tread and maintaining an emergency kit with blankets in case of unexpected weather conditions. Also, slow down while driving and leave additional stopping time and space between yourself and other vehicles.
At home, stock up on water, batteries and non-perishable food items in case of power outages. If you have or plan to use a generator, make sure that the generator remains outside and away from any windows. Check to confirm that carbon monoxide detectors within your home are also functioning properly.
For additional information on winter preparedness visit ready.gov/winter-ready
Pre-K For All
If you are looking for an early education placement for your child, there is still time to apply. Through the MI PreK for All program, there are options for no-cost pre-kindergarten education for 4-year olds throughout the state of Michigan. This includes HeadStart and Great Start Readiness programs provided by school districts and community organizations. Information shared by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) and local school leaders shows that early childhood education can have a great impact on a child’s overall development. This includes the development of emotional and intellectual skills that children will need throughout school and into adulthood. To find a suitable early education program for your child visit MIPreKforAll.Org.
For more information into available programs and the data behind early education check here.
Family Planning Resources
While my colleagues and I have worked hard to protect and expand access to quality family planning information and resources in Michigan, there are still many Michiganders who lack proper access and support. In a collaboration between MDHHS and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the Take Control of Your Birth Control program continues to provide valuable resources to all members of our communities. More than 300 locations, hosted by community organizations and partners, continue to offer free contraceptive supplies to support and empower individuals. Access to these resources ensures that Michiganders have the information and supplies they need to make the decisions on family planning and reproductive health that are right for them. To find a location near you MDHHS has created an interactive map with information on available resources.
For more information on access to contraception and reproductive care in the State of Michigan, including coverage through Medicaid, click here.
Important Dates
Berkley Community Conversation: Thursday, Jan. 30
Virtual Town Hall: Tuesday, Feb. 11