Diwali recognition bill, MiABLE savings expansion, and more

Diwali recognition bill, MiABLE savings expansion, and more

E-Newsletter | Rep. Sharon MacDonell | April 29, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to this month’s Capitol and Community Update!

Please encourage your neighbors and friends in House District 56 — Troy, Clawson, Royal Oak, Birmingham and Bloomfield Township — to sign up for these updates at RepMacDonell.com. Let us know if you have any thoughts on state-level issues or would like to meet with me. Reach out to us by phone at (517) 373-2617 or email at [email protected].

I can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky. I would be happy to hear from and work with you to make our community a better place!

In service,

In this newsletter, you will learn about:

• My upcoming Community Conversation in Troy – May 11
• My funding request for the Shir Tikvah Synagogue in Troy
• My work with House Democrats on our Vision for a Brighter Michigan
• Submissions for my Small Business and Nonprofit of the Month awards

Please join me early next month for a Community Conversation at the Troy Community 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 legislative developments.

When: Monday, May 11, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Troy Community Center, 3178 Livernois Road, 48083

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.

Last month, I submitted a Legislatively Directed Spending Item (LDSI) request for Shir Tikvah, a Reform synagogue in Troy.

Antisemitism has increased significantly across the United States in recent years, leading to serious threats against the lives of American Jews. Due to these safety concerns, many religious centers are now forced to prioritize security over their primary community missions. According to the Jewish Federation of North America, synagogues now spend an estimated $765 million annually on security. This creates an immense financial burden on local institutions that should be able to dedicate those resources to education and social support for their members.

Everyone should be free to practice their religious beliefs without fear of violence, and no community should be forced to divert essential resources to ensure basic safety. That is why I am requesting this $150,000 LDSI to assist Shir Tikvah in fortifying its security infrastructure. This request is important to me because I want to ensure that every congregant feels safe and welcome in their place of worship. Supporting these upgrades is important to protect religious freedom and help ensure that all residents in our community can gather in peace.

In the House, Michigan Democrats are focused on delivering a Michigan that truly works for everyone. Announced earlier this spring, our caucus’ Vision for a Brighter Michigan is a plan to fight back against federal overreach and protect the fundamental rights that safeguard our democracy. The Vision is our roadmap for making the state government accountable and focused on the practical needs of your daily life. By prioritizing opportunity and growth, we are working to build a state where families can thrive, and our local economies are strong.

I’m working alongside my fellow House Democrats to ease the financial pressure on Michigan families by reducing costs to make life more affordable. We are also focused on breaking down health care barriers so every resident can access the quality primary, preventative and specialized care they need. We believe that public schools are essential to the strength of our communities, which is why we are continuing to fight for every Michigan student to have a world-class education and a clear path to success. These efforts are all about making sure that every neighborhood in Michigan is a place where people feel safe, supported and ready to succeed.

My fellow House Democrats and I will share more information about our policy vision in the coming weeks, so please follow VisionForMI.com for more updates.

This week I introduced a bipartisan bill package concerning MiABLE, the tax-free savings account for Michiganders with disabilities. People with disabilities and their loved ones use MiABLE accounts to store funds for future disability-related expenses without exceeding the income or asset limit for Medicaid. Since Medicaid funds many disability services and supports, MiABLE accounts are a critical tool that lets people save for the future without losing the benefits they depend on.

Our legislation removes two barriers that have deterred some Michiganders with disabilities from opening these accounts. First, it will remove the requirement that after a MiABLE beneficiary dies, the state garnishes some of the assets in their MiABLE account to reimburse it for the Medicaid funds spent on them. And second, it will allow MiABLE beneficiaries to designate a successor beneficiary who will inherit the account when they pass away.

Together, our bills will encourage more Michiganders with disabilities to use MiABLE, helping them save for crucial expenses while remaining eligible for Medicaid. Michiganders with disabilities deserve to live lives of autonomy and financial security.

Last week, I introduced legislation to formally recognize Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, in Michigan. This bill is part of a broader House Democratic package honoring the holidays of our state’s Asian American and Middle Eastern communities, reflecting Michigan’s diversity and shared traditions.

My Small Business of the Month for April was Great Lakes Pot Pies, a family-run business in Clawson that has grown exponentially in the six years since it opened, one delicious pie at a time.

Each month, I recognize a small business in the community as our Small Business of the Month. To nominate your favorite business for this recognition, please fill click on the button below:

My Nonprofit for the Month for March was the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit, headquarter in Troy, that gives to charities, funds scholarship programs and promotes Scottish cultural traditions.

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:

I am also excited to recognize a Teacher of the Month! Teachers are the backbone of this nation, and our district has the BEST! Please fill out the following form to recognize a Teacher of the Month:

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!