PRESS RELEASE:
Conlin Applauds Funding For School Safety, Literacy Bills Signed Into Law LANSING, Mich. Oct. 10, 2024 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three historic education bills into law today, investing in school safety and supporting student literacy. The school aid supplemental, House Bill 5503, ensures school systems across the state will receive a total of $150 million to invest in the safety and mental health of Michigan’s kids. Plus, there is an additional $1 million specifically allocated for gun violence [...]
Conlin Delivers AED to Whitmore Lake High School During Homecoming
State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor) delivers an automated external defibrillator to Whitmore Lake High School before the fall Homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. WHITMORE LAKE, Mich., Oct. 10, 2024 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor) presented a new automated external defibrillator (AED) to Whitmore Lake High School last week during the homecoming football game. Legislation signed into law this year ensures schools have well maintained and accessible AEDs — ensuring the device is available within [...]
Conlin Celebrates Final Budget Passage
Lawmaker highlights improvements to M-14 and New Waterfront Park State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) speaks on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., July 10, 2024 — The Michigan Legislature passed the final state budget for the 2025 fiscal year ahead of the legally required July 1 deadline. State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) prioritized strategic, targeted investments that improve the lives of people in her district without [...]
Legislature Passes Renter Discrimination Prevention Bills
State Representative Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) testifying on behalf of HB 4603 LANSING, Mich., July 2, 2024 — A set of bills to address renter discrimination was passed in the House of Representatives last week. The set of bills, House Bills 4062 and 4063, and Senate Bills 205-207, were brought to the House by state Reps. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) and Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) and state Sens. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township), Rosemary Bayer [...]
Conlin on Final Budget Passage
Lawmaker highlights veteran support, natural resources State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) speaks on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., June 28, 2024 — The Michigan Legislature passed the final state budget for the 2025 fiscal year ahead of the legally required July 1 deadline. Democratic leaders crafted a budget focused on strategic, targeted investments that improve the lives of people and hometowns across Michigan without raising taxes. After the [...]
House Dems Pass Legislation for Veterans’ Mental Health
Bipartisan bill package increases support for current, former service members State Reps. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township), Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township) and Christine Morse (D-Texas Township) on the House Floor on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the State Capitol in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., June 20, 2024 — Today, a bipartisan bill package aimed at providing mental health and substance abuse resources for service members, veterans and their families passed the House. House Bill 5276 will statutorily establish [...]
House Dems Move Bills to Support Veterans
State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) testifies in the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday, May, 14, 2024, at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., June 11, 2024 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin’s (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) bill package aimed at bolstering mental health and substance abuse resources for service members, veterans and their families passed a vote today in the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee, which she [...]
McFall Bill Expands Disabled Veteran License Plates
LANSING, Mich., May 22, 2024 — State Rep. Mike McFall’s (D-Hazel Park) House Bill 5127 to expand eligibility for disabled veteran license plates passed the Michigan House of Representatives yesterday. Current law enables honorably discharged veterans who have a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to apply for special license plates inscribed with the letters "DV" and the words "disabled veteran." McFall’s bill would allow veterans with an honorable discharge and at least a 50% disability rating to also qualify. [...]
House Dem Legislation to Increase Access, Combat Housing Discrimination Advances
LANSING, Mich., May 15, 2024 — In a significant stride toward ensuring fairness and equality in housing, House Bills 4062 and 4063, legislation aimed at ending housing income discrimination and addressing the housing crisis, passed out of the Judiciary Committee today. Sponsored by state Reps. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) and Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), these bills are set to improve the landscape of tenant rights in Michigan. State Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) speaks in support of his bill in the House Judiciary Committee [...]
Conlin’s Committee Hears Testimony on Veterans’ Mental Health Package
LANSING, Mich., May 14, 2024 — Today, the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee heard testimony on a Mental Health Package, House Bills 5276-80 and House Bill 5720, establishing the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention within the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. This comprehensive legislative effort reflects a commitment to providing essential support to Michigan’s service members and veterans, addressing critical issues such as mental health and suicide prevention. “This legislative victory marks a significant step forward in bolstering mental health [...]
Conlin on Passage of People-Focused House Budget
State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor) speaks on the House budget at the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. LANSING, Mich., May 8, 2024 — Today, the Michigan House of Representatives passed its budget. It includes substantial investments at the local level in education, infrastructure and public safety, backing pledges House Democrats have made to build strong hometowns and support the needs of families and workers. After the vote, state Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor), House Military, [...]
Conlin Resolution Declares February as American Heart Month
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 7, 2024 — To raise awareness about the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and promote heart health, the Michigan Legislature has passed a resolution declaring February 2024 as American Heart Month and designating Feb. 7, 2024, as National Wear Red Day throughout Michigan. The resolution recognizes the significant impact of cardiovascular disease on individuals of all ages and backgrounds across the U.S. With heart disease being the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than [...]
Conlin on Governor’s SOTS Address
Lawmaker has positive focus on education, health care State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor) was joined by her husband, Daniel Rivkin (right), and former editor for the New York Times, Stuart Emmrich (left), at the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. LANSING, Mich., Jan. 24, 2024 — Before a joint legislative session today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered this year’s State of the State address. In her speech, the governor discussed her agenda for the new term, which includes [...]
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 [...]
Democrats on Mid-Michigan Materials’ Withdrawal of Permitting Request
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 14, 2023 — Mid-Michigan Materials has withdrawn its application to raise its water withdrawal limit at its Vella Pit property in Ann Arbor Township after a public outcry over concerns that their plan would continue to dry out local residents’ wells and pollute surrounding water sources. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) conducted an inspection of the Vella Pit property on Sept. 6, which resulted in a violation notice. Several Ann Arbor legislators [...]
Conlin Commends Michigan’s Lowest Unemployment Since the Turn of the Century
LANSING, Mich., July 21, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan’s unemployment rate has decreased to 3.6% in June, demonstrating again Michigan’s economic momentum. This decrease now places Michigan’s unemployment rate below the 3.7% national average. The rate is at its lowest point since 2000 and remains below 4% for only the third period in nearly 50 years. State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Township) issued the following statement on the historically low unemployment numbers: “These record-low unemployment numbers [...]
Democrats Deliver Budget that Reinvests in Michigan
LANSING, Mich., June 28, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget today. This is the first budget in 40 years crafted by a Democratic trifecta. It makes the largest investment in education in the state’s history, including free breakfast and lunch for every public school student and affordable pre-K, as well as substantial investments in workforce recruitment and retention, water infrastructure, and public safety. The legislators worked in a bipartisan fashion to deliver a [...]
House Passes Concurrent Resolution to Prioritize Veterans’ Mental Health Treatment
LANSING, Mich., June 27, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives adopted House Concurrent Resolution 5 today, urging Congress, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve veterans’ mental health care. State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Township), chair of the Michigan House Committee on Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security and sponsor of the resolution, issued the following statement upon its passage: “It’s so important that we provide veterans with the support they need and deserve. [...]
Conlin Introduces Bill to Ensure Prompt Pay for Construction Workers
LANSING, Mich., June 23, 2023 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Township) introduced House Bill 4837 this week to require prompt pay for construction contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers. Currently, Michigan and all other states require prompt pay on public construction projects. Michigan is, however, one of only 16 states that does not require prompt pay for private construction projects. “We have done incredible work this year to restore and protect the rights of workers. It’s important that we continue [...]
Conlin’s Payday Lending Bill Passes the House
LANSING, Mich., June 22, 2023 — The Michigan House passed House Bill 4343 today. The bill would require the Department of Insurance and Financial Services to submit an annual report on payday lending to the Legislature and post it on the department’s website. Predatory lenders impose unfair or abusive loan terms on borrowers, including high interest rates and narrow time windows for repayment. Many states already prohibit high-cost payday lending. The sponsor of the bill, state Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann [...]
Conlin Testifies in Support of Resolution to Prioritize Veterans’ Mental Health Treatment
State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Township) testifies in the Michigan House Committee on Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security in Lansing on June 13, 2023. LANSING, Mich., June 13, 2023 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Township), chair of the Michigan House Committee on Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security, testified in support of her resolution urging Congress, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve veterans’ mental health care. “Veterans have made heroic [...]
Michigan House Committee on Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security Hears Testimony on Veteran Mental Health
State Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield), Psy. D., MSW, testifies in the Michigan House Committee on Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security at the Anderson House Office Building on May 23, 2023. LANSING, Mich., May 24, 2023 — The Michigan House Committee on Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security heard testimony yesterday on the state of veterans’ mental health care in Michigan. It was the second part of a two-part series of hearings on veterans’ mental health. “Surviving with Post-Traumatic Stress [...]
Conlin Introduces Resolution to Support Pay for Disabled National Guard Members and Reservists
LANSING, Mich., May 18, 2023 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) introduced a resolution today to allow National Guard members and reservists to receive full or partial active-service pay in tandem with disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Disabled people who want to serve their nation face a tough choice: keep their disability benefits or opt into active-duty pay,” Conlin said. “The least we could do is offer our veterans the opportunity to serve [...]
Conlin-led Committee Holds Hearing on Veteran Mental Health
LANSING, Mich., May 16, 2023 — The House Committee on Military, Veterans and Homeland Security heard a presentation today from the National Guard Association of Michigan on the mental health challenges veterans in the state are facing. They discussed difficulties veterans have identifying the resources available to them and finding social support, as well as common mental illnesses that veterans struggle with, including depression, PTSD and anxiety. State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) issued the following statement on [...]
Conlin Testifies in Support of Annual Payday Lending Study
LANSING, Mich., May 12, 2023 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Township) testified yesterday in the House Committee on Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) in support of House Bill 4343. The bill, sponsored by Conlin, requires DIFS to submit an annual report on payday lending to the Legislature and post it on the department’s website. “Victims of predatory payday lenders are often members of low-income, disadvantaged communities,” Conlin said. “This annual study will help ensure that we are vigilant [...]
Conlin on Passage of House Budget
LANSING, Mich., May 11, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed its recommended fiscal 2023-24 budget yesterday. It includes the largest investment in education in Michigan’s history, including free lunch and breakfast for every student and affordable pre-K for all, as well as substantial investments in workforce recruitment and retention, water infrastructure, and public safety. State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Township) issued the following statement on the budget: “This budget remedies decades of underinvestment. It finally prioritizes our [...]
Expanded Tuition Assistance for National Guard Service Members’ Families Passes the Senate
LANSING, Mich., April 27, 2023 — The Michigan Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass House Bill 4199 today. The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township), would amend the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Act to allow eligible National Guard members to transfer their Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program benefits to an eligible spouse and/or dependent. Currently, the National Guard Tuition Assistance Program helps only eligible members of the Michigan National Guard pay for vocational [...]
Conlin Introduces Bill to Hold Payday Lenders Accountable
LANSING, Mich., March 27, 2023 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Township) introduced a bill last week to require the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services to conduct an extensive study and issue a yearly report on payday lending practices in Michigan. “We’ve all heard stories about how payday lenders take advantage of their already struggling customers,” Conlin said. “Their victims are often members of low-income, disadvantaged communities who have the least political and financial power. This study [...]
Expanded Tuition Assistance for National Guard Service Members’ Families Passes the House
State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Township) prepares to speak in support of House Bill 4199 at the state Capitol on March 22, 2023. LANSING, Mich., March 22, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to pass House Bill 4199 today. The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor), would amend the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Act to allow eligible National Guard members to transfer their Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program [...]
Conlin Testifies in Support of Tuition Assistance for Veterans’ Families
State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) testifies in support of House Bill 4199 in the House Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security Committee on March 14, 2023. LANSING, Mich., March 14, 2023 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) testified today in support of House Bill 4199 in the House Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security Committee. The bill would amend the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Act to allow eligible National Guard service members to [...]
Conlin Introduces Bill to Cap Insulin Prices
LANSING, Mich., March 13, 2023 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) recently introduced a bill to cap the co-pay on insulin at $50. “House Democrats have fought for years to bring down the price of insulin,” Conlin said. “Finally, we have an opportunity to ensure this lifesaving medication is made available at an affordable price.” Nearly 1 in 10 Michiganders has diabetes, and nearly 3,000 people die from diabetes-related complications in Michigan every year. Since the drastic [...]
Conlin Introduces Resolution to Honor Non-Profit Less Cancer
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 28, 2023 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) introduced a resolution today to honor Less Cancer, a nonprofit devoted to preventing cancer through education and public policy. The resolution passed the House with unanimous support. “Less Cancer has done pioneering work on cancer prevention,” Conlin said. “Their innovative use of social media and new media has made cancer prevention resources more accessible than ever. I applaud them for all they’ve done to keep Michiganders [...]
Conlin on Whitmer’s State of the State Address
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 25, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered the State of the State address tonight 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. State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) issued the [...]
Conlin Named Chairwoman of Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security Committee
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 12, 2023 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) was assigned the following committees in the Michigan House of Representatives: Chairwoman of Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security; member of Health Policy; member of Education; and member of Transportation, Mobility, and Infrastructure. In response, she issued the following statement: “I am delighted to be the chairwoman of the House Committee on Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security for the 102nd Legislature, and to be assigned to a [...]
Conlin Sworn in as Representative for 48th House District
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Bolden (left) swears in state Rep. Jennifer Conlin, who was joined by her husband, at the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. LANSING, Mich., Jan. 11, 2023 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) was sworn in today as state representative for the 2023-24 legislative term. The swearing-in ceremony marked the formal opening of Michigan’s 102nd Legislature and the first day of House Democrats having the majority in over a [...]