Legislative Update

It goes without saying, the last few months were trying in a number of ways. The tail end of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session, also known as “lame duck,” was very busy and, as you know, very uncertain during the last few days of session.

As our time in majority comes to an end, we will continue to work hard for our constituents and are committed to advancing legislation that will benefit Michigan residents for years to come. 

Reflecting on our wins for the state of Michigan this year, I am incredibly proud of our accomplishments. We passed another balanced budget for fiscal year 2024-25 that focused on local investments, public safety, education, infrastructure and working families. 

We have enacted essential, people-centered policies including: 

  • Lowered costs via the working families tax credit and by repealing the retirement tax. 
  • Repealed the anti-worker so-called “right to work” laws and restored prevailing wage, strengthening worker and union rights. 
  • Made health care and insurance more affordable by making aspects of the Affordable Care Act part of Michigan law. 
  • Reduced gun violence with common-sense gun reforms — universal background checks, safe storage and extreme risk protection orders/red flag laws. 
  • Addressed the housing crisis by expanding land banks, funding an affordable housing tax credit, adding an annual revenue stream for the Michigan housing and development fund. 
  • Improved Michigan’s infrastructure with investments in safer roads, cleaner water, improved local bus operations and a more reliable energy grid. 
  • Protected the sanctity of democracy and free and fair elections by expanding early voting, improving access to absentee voter materials, expanding pre- and automatic voter registration, better protecting poll workers, safeguarding truth against AI political deepfakes and cracking down on campaign finance violations. 
  • Secured reproductive rights by repealing the 1931 criminal abortion ban, securing the Reproductive Health Act and expanding IVF and surrogacy laws. 
  • Setting up Michigan as a leader in clean energy and environmental justice with the Clean Energy and Jobs Act, introducing polluter pay bills and working to restart the Palisades nuclear plant. 
  • Improved civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ Michiganders by expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, banning conversion therapy, introducing the Hate Crimes package and prohibiting the gay or trans “panic defense” in Michigan law. 
  • Passed two fiscally responsible budgets and did so on time — made monumental investments in people, communities and schools.
  • We marked a new chapter for Michigan’s future with our school aid budgets by making record-breaking investments in kids.
  • Our budgets were people-centered and reflected core democratic values — keeping residents safe, creating equitable housing and making life more affordable so families can flourish.
  • Provided universal lunches for public school kids and put dollars into classrooms for school safety & mental health. 
  • Reformed the teacher retirement system to better support educators. 
  • $75 million for the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Trust Fund 
  • $9.2 million to support a nursing school student loan repayment program
  • Helping to decrease food deserts and increase breathing room in families grocery bills with improvements in Double Up Food Bucks and making fresh fruits and vegetables more available for SNAP recipients
  • Addressed the housing crisis — $100 million GF/GP (one-time) for housing programs, which include specific project allocations and general programs. Plus, the existing $50 million from the Corporate Income Tax earmark for a total of $150 million in housing. 

 

As Detroit Caucus chair, I was proud to deliver big wins for Detroit and surrounding areas again this year, investing millions into public safety, education, community development, infrastructure and more (see graphic below). 

Looking ahead, I am excited for the opportunity to continue to serve as your state representative in House District 1 and remain committed to prioritizing the needs of Michigan residents. 

 Last week, the Legislature took a major step forward for Michigan workers and families by passing bills to expand unemployment benefits — this is 20+ years overdue. The bill package expands the maximum duration of unemployment benefits from 20-26 weeks and increases the maximum weekly pay from $362 to $614 phased in over 3 years. These changes will give Michiganders the breathing room they need during tough times. 

On Dec. 10, the governor signed House Bills 4928-30 (School Bus Safety legislation), which I was proud to sponsor along with Rep. Nate Shannon. Riding the bus to school should be a safe and fun experience for our children, plain and simple. We’ve worked hard to discourage people from dangerously driving around school buses during the pick-up and drop off period. We’ve put traffic laws and fines in place and now violators will not only pay fines, but schools will receive a portion of those fines that can be put to use in the school district. Every step we take to make sure our kids get to and from school safely is a step in the right direction, putting them and their protection first.

Rep. T. Carter testifies in the House Regulatory Reform Committee on peer-to-peer car sharing on Nov. 12, 2024.

House Bills 5949, 5950 and 5951 would establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for peer-to-peer car sharing in Michigan. 

Peer-to-peer car sharing is growing in worldwide popularity — and right here in Michigan. Peer-to-peer car sharing utilizes internet-based platforms that connect Michigan car owners with drivers seeking affordable, convenient, accessible and locally sourced mobility options and creates important benefits by allowing car owners to generate income as a microenterprise through sharing vehicles. For customers, it allows flexible access to different sizes and classes of vehicles to meet their specific needs.

These bills implement important ground rules and requirements for car sharing platforms, mandate consumer protections for vehicle owners and drivers, mandate insurance coverages for shared vehicles and ensure public safety by specifying the legal responsibilities of car sharing platforms.

On Nov. 12, I had the opportunity to provide testimony in the House Committee on Criminal Justice, on HB 4658 alongside colleagues state Reps. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit) and Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids). This bill would require people accused of non-serious misdemeanors who are not a threat and therefore eligible for interim bond to be released without paying money.

We Want to Hear from You

Rep. Carter would like to hear from you! Use the link below to let us know your concerns about both legislation and issues within the district. Additionally, we would love to hear what you would like to see included in future monthly newsletters.

District 1 Concerns/Suggestions

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE

Tyrone Carter

State Representative

House District 1

tyronecarter@house.mi.gov  (517) 373-0154