Capitol and Community Updates: Oct. 31

Dear Neighbor,

The start of fall is finally here, and as we welcome a new season, I encourage you to take a look at how October has been wrapping up and what we have on the radar for this upcoming November. The closer we get to the end of the year, the more we need to remind ourselves of what we’ve accomplished so far in 2025, and the work we still have ahead of us to continue supporting our community.

This past month, I had the opportunity to stop by and visit some of the seniors in our community, at both Sisson Manor and O’Reilly Manor! These visits were a wonderful opportunity to hear from the seniors first-hand and learn about their needs and concerns. During these visits, I spoke with seniors about the work we’re doing in Lansing, shared updates on key legislative issues, and answered a wide range of thoughtful questions. I’m grateful for the warm welcome and the opportunity to stay connected with these important voices in our district.

Below are a couple of updates on the community as well as an update on the legislative work being done in Lansing. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-0144 or through email at [email protected]. Have a great fall!

Sincerely,

Alabas A. Farhat
State Representative
House District 3

When: Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 | 11 a.m.-noon

Where: Shibam Coffee, 5461 Schaefer Road, Dearborn, MI 48126

Please join me for an informal conversation over coffee. Share your thoughts, ask questions, and hear updates on state and local issues directly from your state representative.

I am pleased to share that the governor has signed Michigan’s balanced, bipartisan FY26 budget. This budget allocates $81 billion to address the everyday issues that matter most to our families and delivers real results for Dearborn and Detroit.

Notably, this budget includes nearly $2 billion in sustainable funding for roads and infrastructure. With this funding, we will be able to continue supporting strong, reliable infrastructure and meet the needs of our local communities. This long-term investment will ensure that people throughout the state can get to the places they need to go on safer, stronger roads.

This budget also provides meaningful tax relief by completing the rollback of the retirement tax, which will save 500,000 senior households an average of $1,000 annually. Additionally, it expands the Working Families Tax Credit to put money back into the pockets of 650,000 families. With the aim to support hardworking families across the state, this budget also eliminates state taxes on tips, overtime pay and expands certain Social Security income deductions.

We are also protecting Medicaid coverage for over 2 million Michiganders and maintaining the core health services that families depend on, despite federal uncertainty. For public safety, the budget includes $95 million in new funding for local law enforcement, firefighting equipment, and community violence prevention, allowing Michiganders to feel much safer in their communities. This budget also provides pay raises for state troopers and increased revenue sharing for local communities.

Finally, this budget makes significant investments in workforce training programs as well as protects universal free school meals for our kids. This ensures our children and workers have the support they need to succeed.

This bipartisan agreement shows that when we come together, we can get things done.

While there is still more work to be done to ensure we carefully craft bipartisan budgets in the future, I will continue working toward meeting the needs of our state and District 3.

Beginning Nov. 1, SNAP benefits are due to be suspended due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This would affect nearly 1.4 million Michiganders, including more than 50,000 residents here in District 3.

SNAP provides Michigan families with an average of $335 per month and supports about 492,000 children; 38,500 veterans; and hundreds of thousands of seniors and people with disabilities. In addition to feeding families, the program brings nearly $300 million each month into Michigan’s grocery stores, farmers markets and small businesses.

I believe this federal shutdown is taking food off the tables of thousands of my constituents and millions of working Michiganders who are already struggling to make ends meet. With grocery prices continuing to climb, cutting off SNAP pushes families even further to the limit.

I will keep fighting to ensure our communities don’t pay the price for dysfunction in Washington.

City of Dearborn Annual Veterans Day Ceremony
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025 | 10 a.m.
Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, Michael A. Guido Theater

Come and join the annual Veterans Day Ceremony to honor the Americans who have sacrificed much to protect the rights and freedoms of the people of this country.

If you know an individual, business, or community landmark that you believe deserves special recognition in the form of a tribute, please reach out to my office or submit a request here. One of my favorite parts of serving as your state representative is visiting teachers, small-business owners, and others to offer our gratitude for the work they do to support our community daily.

Our teachers and business leaders are pillars of the community and deserve recognition for their hard work. If you would like to nominate a teacher and/or business for me to recognize on social media, please fill out the forms below.

Stay connected on social media . . .