BRITE Act Bills See Movement in Committee
State Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) testifies in the House Ethics and Oversight Committee on Nov. 14, 2024, in the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., Nov. 15, 2024 — Two bills out of BRITE Act have passed out of the House Ethics and Oversight Committee yesterday. House Bills 5581 and 5586 ensure transparency and reduce the influence of special interests. “This is a ‘brite’ day in the state of Michigan,” said state Rep. Erin Byrnes [...]
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 [...]
Wilson on Final Budget Passage
Lawmaker highlights investments in judicial system State Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) speaks in support of the House budget on May 8, 2024, on the House floor in the Michigan Capitol Building. LANSING, Mich., July 1, 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 [...]
Wilson, Jr. on Bringing Justice Home in House Budget
LANSING, Mich., May, 8, 2024 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed its fiscal 2024-25 budget today. It includes substantial investments in Michigan students, local economies and the safety and wellbeing of Michiganders. House Dems are reinforcing their commitment to building stronger hometowns and investing in working Michiganders. After the vote, state Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti), chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Judiciary, issued this statement: “I am proud to support a budget that solidifies our commitment for a [...]
House Dems Introduce Legislation to Improve Justice for Michiganders
Bills to enhance Michigan jury process, strengthening Sixth Amendment protections LANSING, Mich., April 25, 2024 — State Reps. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), Kara Hope (D- Holt), Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) and Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit) introduced a jury reform bill package yesterday. These bills enhance Michigander criminal defendants’ right to an impartial jury. “I originally started working on this package with the Jury Task Force, a task force put together by former state Sen. Jim Ananich, [...]
House Dems Continue Smart Public Safety Reform
Legislation addresses Michigan’s longest-in-the-nation prison sentences LANSING, Mich., March 19, 2024 — House Dems testified on the Second Look sentencing bill package today in the House Criminal Justice Committee. House Bills 4556-60 would allow an incarcerated individual the opportunity to petition to their judge, after they have served at least 10 years on their sentence, to petition the court for resentencing. Michigan is known for some of the longest sentences in the county, and it has been found that sentence [...]
House Dems Deliver Public Safety, Criminal Justice Reform
State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), right, and state Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Township), left, stand with Michigan State Police officers and others after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation that bans convicted domestic abusers from owning firearms for a set number of years on Nov. 20, 2023, in Kalamazoo. Legislation taking effect keeps survivors safe and kids on the right path LANSING, Mich., Feb. 12, 2024 — For the first time in 40 years, Democrats gained control of the [...]
Wilson Kicks Off Black History Month by Celebrating Black Business Wins
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 1, 2024 — The first day of February marks the start of Black History Month, which recognizes the many struggles and triumphs of Black communities across the nation. In Washtenaw County this week, three Black-owned businesses were chosen to receive an award of $15,000 each from Hyundai Motor America. State Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) was in attendance at the award ceremony. After the event, and in recognition of Black History Month, he issued the following [...]
Wilson on Governor’s State of the State Address
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 uplifting Michigan’s education system, growing our population and protecting people's hard-earned money. State Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) issued the following statement on Whitmer’s address: “Tonight's event demonstrated that there are lots of exciting plans in the works for Michigan. The House, Senate [...]
Wilson on Bills to Secure Over $42 Million for Ypsilanti Signed Into Law
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 18, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed supplemental bills, House Bill 4292 and Senate Bill 174, into law today. These bills allocate funds to make monumental investments in Michigan school districts, community colleges and universities — from district debt forgiveness to project outlay. Ypsilanti Community School District received $25 million forgiven for the defunct Willow Run School District. State Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) issued the following statement on these impactful allocations: “In 2012, voters sought to consolidate the Willow Run School District with [...]
Legislators Celebrate “Huge Win for YCS”
Over $42 million appropriated to boost student achievement and pay debt left over from Willow Run-Ypsilanti schools merger LANSING, Mich., Nov. 3, 2023 — State Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and state Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) celebrated the passage of over $42 million in supplemental funding Thursday that would pay off inherited debt that still burdens the Ypsilanti Community Schools district and provide additional resources for students. The YCS district was created in 2013 in a merger of the Willow [...]
Wilson Legislation Protecting Student-Athletes Passes House
Bill allows high school athletes to benefit from name, image, likeness LANSING, Mich., Oct. 19, 2023 — In the spirit of the start of Michigan’s high school playoff season and all Michigan’s talented high school athletes, the Michigan House of Representatives voted in favor of House Bill 4816 today. At the core of this bill is the compensation of Michigan high school athletes for the use of an athlete’s name, image and likeness. HB 4816, sponsored by state Rep. Jimmie [...]
House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Juvenile Justice System
Bills improve children’s lives, maintain public safety LANSING, Mich., Oct. 17, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed bills to make the juvenile justice system in Michigan more effective and fair. These bills were informed by the recommendations from the bipartisan Juvenile Justice Task Force in 2021. The legislation within this package focuses on six issue areas: to enhance the Child Care Fund; to provide juveniles with legal counsel; to expand the Juvenile Diversion Act; to require each juvenile [...]
Wilson and Wegela Announce Re-introduction of Jayden’s Law
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 29, 2023 — While the State of Michigan has allowed access to medical marihuana for minors as registered pediatric patients since 2008, they cannot receive their state-approved medical marihuana products while at school or at school events. To address this, state Reps. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) and Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City) announced the re-introduction of “Jayden’s Law,” House Bills 5063 and 5064. These bills will protect a student’s ability to access medical marihuana while on school campuses. [...]
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 [...]
Wilson Supports Michigan Auto Workers
State Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) delivers a speech on the House floor in support of repealing anti-worker “right-to-work” laws. YPSILANTI, Mich., Sept. 14, 2023 — United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain announced tonight that a strike will commence at midnight. Hundreds of thousands of auto workers’ contracts expired at this time, with no consensus on negotiations. Other Michigan workers have also gone on strike this week, including workers at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Ascension Health. [...]
Wilson, Jr. Secures Over $20 Million for Eastern Washtenaw County Communities
YPSILANTI, Mich., June 30, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget this week. This is the first budget in 40 years crafted by a Democratic trifecta — it reflects Michigan’s values by making 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 [...]
Wilson, Jr. Celebrates the House FY 2023-24 Budget
LANSING, Mich., May 12 2023 — State Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) issued the following statement after voting for the fiscal 2023-24 budget on Wednesday. Wilson, Jr. is part of a total of four Appropriations subcommittees and serves as chair of the Judiciary Appropriations Subcommittee. The house voted out the most comprehensive budget in Michigan history yesterday, with significant investments in education, workforce sustainability, public safety and infrastructure. “This year’s House budget proves our dedication to Michiganders of every walk [...]
Hope, Wilson on Final January 6th Conviction
LANSING Mich. May 4, 2023 — On Jan. 6, 2021, the Proud Boys, the far-right neo-fascist organization, then led by Enrique Tarrio, fomented an attack on the U.S. Capitol. Four members of the organization were convicted today of seditious conspiracy for plotting to keep then-President Donald J. Trump in power after his election defeat. Following the announcement, state Reps. Kara Hope (D-Holt) and Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) issued the following statement: “We are pleased to see democracy prevail today. Those [...]
Coalition Launches Initiative to Restore ‘Good Time’ Credits to Incarcerated Individuals
LANSING, Mich., April 20, 2023 — Advocacy and policy groups from across Michigan gathered on the Capitol lawn today for a rally on behalf of “good time” legislation, a monumental initiative that allows people incarcerated in the state’s prisons to earn time off their sentences, rewards good behavior and program participation, and creates a safer, more purposeful prison environment. Seeking to address the vast sentencing disparities between Michigan and the rest of the country, state Reps. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), [...]
Sens. Chang, Wojno, Rep. Wilson Introduce Second Look Sentencing Act
LANSING, Mich. (April 20, 2023) — Yesterday, Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Sen. Paul Wojno (D-Warren) and Rep. Jimmie Wilson (D-Ypsilanti) announced the Second Look Sentencing Act, legislation that would provide an opportunity for incarcerated individuals to petition their sentencing judge for a reduction of their sentence after serving at least 10 years and if they are no longer a risk to the community. The bills were announced on the Capitol steps yesterday morning alongside advocates, former justice-involved residents and their [...]
House Dems Give Final Passage to Pro-Worker Bills
Repeal of ‘right-to-work,’ restoration of prevailing wage go to governor LANSING, Mich., March 21, 2023 — House Democrats gave final approval today to bills to strengthen workers’ rights and ensure Michigan’s trained and talented workers are paid what they’re worth. Together, House Bill 4004 and Senate Bill 34 repeal the so-called “right-to-work” bills that sapped unions’ ability to negotiate on their members’ behalf for better compensation and working conditions. “On day one, Michigan Democrats set the restoration of workers’ rights as our top priority,” [...]