House Passes MI Innovation Fund
Bipartisan legislation will boost economic growth State Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) testifies in committee at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., Nov. 14, 2024 — In a significant move to strengthen Michigan’s economy and promote innovation, the House passed House Bills 5651-53 yesterday. The Michigan Innovation Fund package creates a new state fund to invest in early-stage businesses — including historically geographically disadvantaged small businesses — qualified nonprofit programs, and start-up support services across Michigan. [...]
Michigan House Democrats Travel to Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
Legislators share Michigan’s story on the road with fellow Black lawmakers and leaders from across the U.S. LANSING, Mich., Sept. 11, 2024 — Several Michigan House Democrats will travel to Washington, D.C., to attend the Congressional Black Caucus’s (CBC) 53rd Annual Legislative Conference from Sept. 11-15. This year’s conference theme, “From Vision to Victory: Amplifying Black Voices,” gives House Democrats a chance to highlight the work of putting people first in Michigan. “Michigan’s voice on the national stage is one [...]
LGBTQ+ Caucus Responds to New Title IX Regulations
Members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing, June 12, 2024 LANSING, Mich., Aug 2, 2024 — Earlier this week, new Title IX regulations were imposed by the U.S. District Court in Kansas. These regulations strip more than 100+ Michigan public schools of the expanded Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ and pregnant students. The court ruled that the Title IX protections cannot be enforced at schools attended by the children of certain conservative organization members, including [...]
RELEASE: Michigan Dems Stand with LGBTQ+ Michiganders
House Passes Pride Month Resolution Members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing, June 12, 2024 LANSING, Mich., June 12, 2024 — Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) presented House Resolution 279 declares June 2024 as Pride Month in the state of Michigan, celebrating the contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) people to Michigan Historically, Michigan Democrats have made passing a Pride resolution a priority to underscore support for LGBTQ+ communities across [...]
Hoskins Celebrates Passage of Surrogacy Bills
State Rep. Jason Hoskins speaking on the House Floor, Feb. 14. 2024. LANSING, Mich., March 20, 2024 — The Access to Fertility Healthcare bill package, House Bills 5207-15, passed the Senate yesterday. These bills eliminate barriers to parentage in fertility health care and legalize contractual surrogacy in Michigan. State Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) issued the following statement today about the passage: “I am thrilled about the passage of these bills. As one of the bill sponsors of the Access to Fertility [...]
Democratic Resolution Brings Parties Together
Michigan House of Representatives passes anti-hate measure on bipartisan vote LANSING, Mich., Feb. 14, 2024 — Democrats and Republicans in the Michigan House of Representatives came together today to pass a resolution denouncing hateful rhetoric from members. House Resolution 191 succeeded by 98-5 with every Democrat voting in favor and only the most radical Republicans opposing it or refused to vote. “There are certain things that should transcend political boundaries, and denouncing racism is one of them. The House performed its duty [...]
Laws Taking Effect Protect Michiganders’ Personal Freedoms
House Democrats prioritize safeguarding individual rights Lawmakers pose at the signing of Reproductive Health Act bills on Nov. 21, 2023, at Schoolcraft College in Livonia. LANSING, Mich., Feb. 8, 2024 — For the first time in 40 years, Democrats gained control of the Legislature and the governor’s office last year. With majority, they led a remarkably productive year, passing and signing into law a historic number of bills. A significant number of those laws go into effect on Feb. 13. [...]
Hoskins on State of the State Address
Lawmaker focused on continuing economic momentum LANSING, Mich., Jan. 25, 2024 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered this year’s State of the State address yesterday before a joint legislative session. In her speech, the governor discussed her agenda for the new term, which includes lowering costs for Michiganders, expanding educational opportunities and strengthening the state’s economy. State Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) issued the following statement on Whitmer’s address: “I am excited to continue working with Gov. Whitmer and my colleagues in the Legislature to improve [...]
House Dems Applaud Priorities Outlined in State of the State Address
Dem trifecta committed to making positive change for Michiganders LANSING, Mich., Jan. 24, 2024 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered the 2024 State of the State address tonight. This annual event brings together Michigan’s three branches of government and their leaders. During the governor’s speech, she touched on many important priorities to positively change the lives of Michiganders and to spur future momentum for the state. Democrats are focused on lowering costs of the biggest expenses Michiganders face by building [...]
Governor Whitmer Announces Over $73 Million in Support for Entrepreneurial Hubs Across the State
Note: This release was originally sent by the Executive Office of the Governor. LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce that 27 organizations have been selected to serve as entrepreneurial hubs across the state of Michigan, providing comprehensive resources and support to the state’s small businesses. The Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) program received approval by the Michigan Strategic Fund in June, following the passage of the $75 million [...]
Governor Whitmer Statement on Growing Michigan Workforce
State ranks No. 3 in the nation, No. 1 in the Midwest in percentage of workers added to the workforce, boasts more than 124k total workers added in the last six months. Note: This release was originally sent by the Executive Office of the Governor. LANSING, Mich.— Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement today highlighting new data from the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics that ranks Michigan No. 3 in the nation, No. 1 in the Midwest in percentage [...]
Michigan Democrats Unveil New Community-Based Approach to Economic Development
New bill package will modernize and transform Michigan’s biggest economic development tools into the Make It In Michigan Fund — an investment accelerator to grow people and communities, not just companies LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 4, 2023) — Today, Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) and Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) introduced a legislative package — Senate Bills 559-562 and equivalent House Bills — to grow and diversify Michigan’s economy by dramatically transforming Michigan’s Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund into the [...]
Michigan House Democrats Travel to Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
Legislators hit the road to share Michigan’s story with fellow Black lawmakers and leaders from across the U.S. LANSING, Mich., Sept. 20, 2023 — Several Michigan House Democrats will travel to Washington, D.C., to attend the Congressional Black Caucus’s 52nd Annual Legislative Conference from Sept. 20-24. While there, House Democrats expect to discuss the historic significance of this moment of what can be done with a Democratic trifecta, showing the nation how real trailblazers make real change for real people [...]
Hoskins Responds to CNBC Ranking Michigan Top 10 State for Business
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., July 12, 2023 — This week, CNBC released its rankings of America’s top states for business, and Michigan is ranked 10th. In response, state Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) issued the following statement: “As chair of the House Committee on Economic Development and Small Business, I am very encouraged at Michigan’s position within the top 10 in this ranking. It’s easy to connect the dots and see that our landmark investments in education, housing and advanced manufacturing — as [...]
Brabec’s, Hoskins’ Conversion Therapy Ban Bills Pass the House
Ban on damaging anti-gay practice moves out of the House chamber LANSING, Mich., June 15, 2023 — The House of Representatives passed House Bill 4616, sponsored by state Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield), and House Bill 4617, sponsored by state Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) yesterday. These bills would prohibit mental health professionals from performing conversion therapy on a minor. The bills would also ban any practice or treatments by licensed mental health professionals who seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation [...]
Michigan Democrats Reintroduce Legislation to Ban Conversion Therapy on Minors
LANSING, Mich., May 22, 2023 — Michigan Democrats reintroduced legislation this week that would prohibit mental health professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with a minor. House Bills 4616 and 4617, sponsored by state Reps. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield) and Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield), and Senate Bills 348 and 349, sponsored by state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), would ban any practice or treatments by licensed mental health professionals that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. “Protecting the [...]
House Dems Applaud Michigan’s Historically Low Unemployment
Smart, responsible investments pay dividends for state’s economy LANSING, Mich., May 18, 2023 — House Democratic leaders are celebrating today’s news that Michigan’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.8% in April, the lowest level in three years and a rate only seen three times in the last 50 years. “The numbers don’t lie — Michigan is stronger than ever,” said Speaker of the House Joe Tate (D-Detroit). “Fiscally responsible tax cuts, investments in housing and community development, and smart job-creation [...]
House Democrats Secure Rights for LGBTQ+ Community
Legislation adds sexual orientation, gender identity to civil rights law LANSING, Mich., March 8, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed landmark legislation today adding protections for LGBTQ+ Michiganders to the state’s civil rights law. House Bill 4003 and its companion Senate Bill 4 expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) as a response to overwhelming public support for protections for all citizens of the state to live freely as their full, authentic selves. “It is a new day [...]
Hoskins Agrees, Bigotry is Bad for Business
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 26, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered the State of the State address last night before a joint session of the Legislature at the Capitol in Lansing. In the speech, the governor discussed her legislative agenda for the new term, which includes bolstering the economy, increasing public safety, lowering costs for families, protecting fundamental rights, supporting Michigan workers, investing in early childhood education and attracting talent to Michigan. “As the chair of the Economic Development and Small [...]
Rep. Hoskins’ Chair Statement
During my time as a Southfield City Councilman I worked to preserve Southfield’s status as the premier business address in Michigan. I am pleased to announce that Speaker of the House, Joe Tate has tasked me the with the responsibility of chairing the Economic and Small Business Development committee. As a freshman State Representative this is a great honor I do not take lightly. Economic Development and supporting our Small Businesses are two of several passions that first called me [...]
Hoskins Introduces Bill to Add LGBTQ+ Protections to Michigan’s Anti-Discrimination Law
Legislation would codify court ruling in Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act LANSING, Mich., Jan. 11, 2023 — Michigan House Democrats unveiled the first set of bills of the 2023-24 legislative term that sets the stage for what to expect with a Democratic majority. State Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) introduced House Bill 4003, which would expand civil rights protections to include members of the LGBTQ+ community. “Michigan needed to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include the LGBTQ+ community decades ago,” [...]