Community conversation in Royal Oak, putting serious guardrails on data centers, and more

In this newsletter, you will learn about:

• My upcoming Community Conversation – Sept. 8
• House Democrats’ “Data Center Guardrails” legislation
• Submissions for my Small Business, Nonprofit, and Teacher of the Month awards

Please join me early this Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 6-7 p.m. for a Community Conversation at the Royal Oak Senior Center. Events like these are a great way for you to learn about your state government and share your thoughts with me. I’m excited to take your questions and update you on the latest developments in the State House.

When: Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 6-7 p.m.

Where: Royal Oak Senior Community Center, 3500 Marias Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48073

The following are highlights from my recent work in the Legislature. All the sponsored and cosponsored legislation I work on this term (2025-26) is available here. All my legislation from my first term (2023-24) is available online. Additionally, you can see my press releases page for additional updates.

Earlier this month, the President of the United States wrote the following on his Truth Social site: “The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor.” I disagree, and so do many of my fellow House Democrats who’ve introduced legislation that would put rigorous standards in place for any company looking to build a hyperscale data center in Michigan.

Residents across the state have legitimate concerns around data centers’ impacts on our environment, job market, electricity bills, property values, and overall quality of life. In response, House Democrats have introduced legislation that would do each of the following, and more:

• Limiting large data centers’ water usage (House Bill 6138)
• Requiring large data centers to provide their own power (HB 6135)
• Requiring large data center projects to invest in local communities (HBs 6136 and 6137)
• Repealing the tax exemptions given to large data center developers during the 2023-2024 legislature (HBs 5396–5398)

I am a proud supporter and co-sponsor of all of these bills. If any company wants to build a data center in Michigan, they need to pay their own way, pull their own weight, and invest in the communities they want to build in. Michigan families, not trillion-dollar companies, must come first.

Each month, I recognize a small business in the community as our small business of the month.

Last month I recognized Barb’s Pizza and Pasties, a family-owned restaurant in Clawson. To nominate your favorite company for this recognition, please fill out this form for Small Business of the Month.

I am also excited to recognize a Teacher of the Month!

Teachers are the backbone of this nation, and our district has the BEST! If you know an amazing educator who deserves the spotlight, please nominate them for a future Teacher of the Month award by filling out the nomination form below.

Know a nonprofit in our community that’s doing great work? Nominate them to be my office’s Nonprofit of the Month!

Click the button below to get started:

Do you know someone in the district who is retiring and would like a legislative tribute to celebrate their years of service? Has a local team or group reached a milestone that they would like to be acknowledged with an official certificate for each member? Our office can provide legislative tributes, letters and certificates on a wide range of recognitions for constituents.

If you would like to request any of these materials for yourself or others, please email my office at [email protected] with as much information as possible on the requested recognition, and we will work with you to arrange delivery or presentation of the recognition!

Recent honorees include the facilitator of Troy’s Constitutional Cafe and the Troy Baseball Boosters.