Rep. Rogers’ News

Bills would create enhanced penalties for drivers who injure or kill a vulnerable roadway user, such as cyclists, pedestrians, and wheelchair users LANSING, Mich. (April 17, 2025) – Today, Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) along with Sen. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell), Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), and Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet), reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand the statutory provision that provides enhanced penalties for a moving violation that causes injury to a “vulnerable roadway user.” Senate Bills 216–217 and House Bills 4334–4335 would expand protections afforded to vulnerable roadway users including pedestrians, bicyclists, individuals [...]

State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) testifies in the House Health Policy Committee on May 22, 2024, at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., Jan. 28, 2025 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced her first legislation of the new term, House Bill 4037 today with bipartisan support to update Michigan’s health data sharing by implementing a health data utility to aggregate and communicate information. This would also improve the current system of secure [...]

LANSING, Mich., June 13, 2024 — The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled today that a group of anti-abortion physicians has no legal basis to challenge access to mifepristone, one of two medications commonly prescribed for medically induced abortions. Mifepristone will continue to be accessible to people in states where abortion is legal, including Michigan. In response, state Rep. Julie M Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), who is the House Health Policy Committee Chair, released the following statement: “Today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling is [...]

Kalamazoo, Mich., Dec. 28, 2023, - State Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) will welcome participants to the 41st John Daley Memorial One One Run on Jan. 1 and offer congratulations on this historic anniversary. Named in honor of the late John Daley, founder of Borgess Run for the Health of It, the One One Run has become a celebrated tradition in Kalamazoo to ring in the new year with a focus on fitness and movement. “My family and I have participated [...]

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 14, 2023 — State Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) will host an event in partnership with Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health on Saturday, Dec. 16, to distribute holiday food boxes to veterans and their immediate families. In addition, veterans will receive a resource guide to assist them in identifying and obtaining benefits and assistance they qualify for as a result of their military service. “As families come together to celebrate the holidays, it is important that we remember our [...]

LANSING, Mich., Oct. 27, 2023 — Yesterday, state Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) chair of the House Health Policy Committee, introduced House Bill 5283 alongside Minority Vice Chair state Rep. Curt VanderWall’s (R-Ludington) HB 5284, which would create a Michigan Health Data Utility (HDU) to combine, enhance and exchange electronic health data for various purposes, including treatment, care coordination, quality improvement and public health. The bills move beyond a simple health information exchange model as currently operated by the Michigan Health Information Network (MiHIN) [...]

Bills would create enhanced penalties for drivers who injure or kill a vulnerable roadway user, such as cyclists, pedestrians or wheelchair users. LANSING, Mich., Oct. 26, 2023 — State Sens. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) and Veronica Klinefelt (D-Macomb), alongside state Reps. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and Bill Schuette (R-Midland), reintroduced legislation this week to expand the statutory provision that provides enhanced penalties for a moving violation that causes injury to a “vulnerable roadway user.” Senate Bills 617-618 and House Bills 5223-5224 [...]

LANSING, Mich. Oct. 12, 2023 — In October 2019, STS Hydropower lowered water levels around the Morrow Dam to make repairs deemed necessary by federal regulators, creating a man-made disaster. Marking the four-year anniversary of this disaster, legislation has passed out of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation allowing state environmental regulators to order responsible parties to conduct immediate cleanup. “Today, I am encouraged that my bill, House Bill 4832, which addresses man-made disasters in our [...]

LANSING, Mich., July 31, 2023 — The Michigan Supreme Court released its ruling today in the Andary v. USAA Casualty Insurance Co. case. In a 5-2 opinion, the court ruled that the changes enacted in 2019 to Michigan’s auto no-fault system do not apply retroactively. In response, state Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) issued the following statement: “Today’s ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court finding — that changes made by no-fault auto insurance legislation do not apply to those catastrophically [...]

LANSING, Mich., June 23, 2023 — State Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) applauded the passage of bipartisan legislation by both the  Michigan House and Senate. This package of bills will help prevent sexual assault, protect survivors and improve accountability by closing legislative gaps in Michigan law. Next, the legislation is headed to the governor to be signed into law. “I’ve been fiercely committed to working with Senator Chang to finally see this bipartisan legislation cross [...]

Bills would give environmental officials tools to compel cleanup of harmful sediment by responsible parties  LANSING, Mich. (June 22, 2023) — Yesterday, Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) and Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) reintroduced legislation that would strengthen the authority of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to protect Michigan’s water and natural resources from damage by dam operators and other polluters. The bills are in response to environmental damage from a release of choking sediment from a Kalamazoo-area dam.  In [...]

Bill signed on 75th anniversary of women serving in US Armed Forces  LANSING, Mich. – On the 75th anniversary of women being allowed to serve as equal members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4555 establishing Women Veterans Recognition Day on June 12 in Michigan. Women Veterans Recognition Day honors Michigan’s estimated 44,000 living women veterans and the many more who served before them. “For 250 years, women have proudly served alongside men in our military,” [...]

LANSING, Mich., April 20, 2023 — State Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) today applauded passage of bipartisan legislation through committees in both the Michigan House and Senate that would prevent sexual assault by closing loopholes in Michigan law. “I am proud that this bipartisan group of legislators from both chambers is working together to fight for these brave survivors. Yesterday’s vote is an important step forward to finally getting these bills signed into law,” said [...]

LANSING, Mich., March 30, 2023 — State Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), chair of the House Health Policy Committee, issued the following statement after a federal judge in Texas ruled today that some Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates cannot be enforced nationwide, including those that require insurers to cover several preventive care services at no cost to the patient:  “Access to affordable health care is a top priority of mine. Preventative care, like breast cancer and heart screenings, should never be [...]

LANSING, Mich., March 14, 2023 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 4224 last Thursday to repeal the workforce engagement requirements language currently included in the Healthy Michigan Plan. Adopted in 2018, these requirements are no longer enforceable since the federal government rescinded the waiver for Michigan to impose such provisions in April 2021. Under Rogers’ proposed bill, the outdated and unenforceable statute language about workforce engagement requirements — which also undermine the state’s efforts to drive [...]

LANSING, Mich., March 6, 2023 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 4184 on Thursday, which would require an adult to be present when minors use pneumatic guns outside their own home or yard. Examples of pneumatic guns include BB, paintball and pellet guns. “Allowing kids to use BB guns unsupervised can have life-threatening consequences,” Rogers said. “All too often, these guns are treated as toys, without regard to the dangers they pose. As with all types of guns, [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday February 14, 2023 State Representative Julie M. Rogers Issues Statement on MSU Shooting Heartbroken is not a strong enough word to describe how I feel after the devastating violence inflicted upon the campus of Michigan State University. It is absolutely disturbing that, as a nation, we are continuing to let this happen. Time and time again, including in my own district, without warning and with regularity, the peace of our communities is broken by senseless [...]

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 10, 2023 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 4083 with bipartisan support yesterday to phase out perchloroethylene dry cleaning solvent. Perchloroethylene (known as PERC or TCE) is a carcinogenic and neurotoxic solvent that has been released into the air, groundwater and soil at the sites of most dry cleaners past and present. Working at or living near a dry cleaner that uses PERC is associated with negative health effects including decreased cognitive performance.  [...]

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 investing in early childhood education, lowering costs for families, protecting fundamental rights, bolstering the economy, supporting Michigan workers, investing in early childhood education, attracting talent to Michigan, and increasing public safety. “Kalamazoo County has a long [...]

Speaker Tate announces Rogers’ committee assignments for 2023-24 legislative term Lansing, Mich., Jan. 12, 2023 — Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) announced today that he has selected state Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) as chair of the House Committee on Health Policy.  “As a practicing health care provider, I am humbled and honored to chair the Committee on Health Policy in the Michigan House of Representatives,” Rogers said. “My over 20 years of experience as a physical therapist uniquely prepares me [...]

Lansing, Mich., Jan. 10, 2023 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) was named co-chair of the Biosciences Legislative Caucus for Michigan’s 102nd Legislature today. The Biosciences Legislative Caucus was formed in 2007 to serve as a bipartisan, bicameral body whose membership is open to any legislator committed to education and the advancement of the bioscience industry in Michigan. “I am incredibly grateful and humbled to be appointed as a leader of this unique bipartisan, bicameral caucus,” Rogers said. “I [...]

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 12, 2022 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) honored veterans at a Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Michigan Capitol today. This is the second annual wreath-laying Rep. Rogers attended at the Capitol.  “It’s important to remember those who have served in our Armed Forces year-round, not just on Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day,” Rogers said. “The winter holiday season can be especially tough for families who have lost loved ones. I am grateful to be [...]

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 5, 2022 — Pfizer announced today that it would be investing $750 million in Kalamazoo County, creating an estimated 300 jobs. State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) released the following statement in response: “I am thrilled to see this additional investment in Kalamazoo County and in our scientists, manufacturing and health. Pfizer’s longstanding commitment to Kalamazoo County has been productive for the company and our community. As a high school student, I attended the Kalamazoo Area Math [...]

LANSING, Mich., Nov. 15, 2022 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 6511 with bipartisan support last Thursday to phase out perchloroethylene dry cleaning solvent. Perchloroethylene (known as PERC or TCE) is a carcinogenic and neurotoxic solvent that has been released into the air, groundwater and soil at the sites of most dry cleaners, past and present. Working at or living near a dry cleaner that uses PERC is associated with negative health effects, including decreased cognitive [...]

LANSING, Mich., Nov. 10, 2022 — State Reps. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and Graham Filler (R-Clinton County) introduced House Bills 6509 and 6510 to clearly mark the exterior of school buildings for first responders. Under HB 6509, school administrators would install high-visibility markers to identify doors, classrooms and other rooms from the outside of the building. House Bill 6510 provides a space for an appropriation to support school districts in implementation. “Installing these markers is a simple, low-tech way to [...]

A White House event highlights federal resources to meet community needs  KALAMAZOO, Mich., Oct. 12, 2022 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) attended a summit at the White House today to learn about the positive impact recent federal legislation will have on Michigan and advocate on behalf of her constituents. The event, Communities in Action: Building a Better Michigan, featured invitees including local and state elected officials, and leaders from labor and community organizations.  “I am honored to be [...]

House Bill 6446 would ensure license portability and accountability among 22 other states LANSING, Mich., Oct. 3, 2022 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 6446 last Wednesday with bipartisan support. The bill would enter Michigan into the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact and enact the compact into state law. The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact is currently composed of 22 other states and is intended to increase provider mobility, enable telehealth and protect consumers by sharing disciplinary information [...]

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 29, 2022 —  State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 6447 on Wednesday which would require an adult to be present when minors use pneumatic guns outside their own home or yard. Examples of pneumatic guns include BB, paintball and pellet guns. “Allowing kids to use BB guns unsupervised can have tragic consequences,” Rogers said. “All too often, these guns are treated as toys. Similar to any other type of gun, it makes sense to [...]

House Bill 6414 extends civil rights law to ban discrimination on military status LANSING, Mich., Sept. 22, 2022 — State Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced a bill Wednesday to prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of military or veteran status. House Bill 6414 amends the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) to extend protections to veterans and service members in all types of real estate transactions, both rentals and home purchases. “We all owe a special debt to those who serve [...]

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 7, 2022 – State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 6366, which would allow individuals to obtain a 12-month supply of birth control at one time. In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs, the bill was introduced to help ensure that contraception and other reproductive health services remain accessible to the Michiganders who count on them. “As a health care provider, I understand that people deserve access to adequate health care, and [...]

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Aug. 31, 2022 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) hosted Attorney General Dana Nessel at several stops around Kalamazoo to talk with members of the community. The first stop was held at the Ecumenical Senior Center, which included a panel discussion on what is being done to combat elder abuse; it was followed by a stop at the new Walnut & Park Diner to discuss its partnership with the Kalamazoo County Drug Court. “I was honored to [...]

LANSING, Mich., Aug. 25, 2022 — The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled today that the changes made to no-fault auto insurance, which took effect in July 2021, should not apply retroactively to people who purchased policies and were injured prior to the changes taking effect.  “I am thrilled that the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Michigan's no-fault auto insurance reform laws do not apply to those catastrophically injured in a crash prior to the changes made in 2019,” said [...]

LANSING, Mich., July 21, 2022 – State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Resolution 330 to urge the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to facilitate FDA-approved research on hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to better serve the veteran population. The resolution was introduced with bipartisan support and referred to the House Committee on Health Policy.  “As a physical therapist, I have firsthand knowledge of this sort of [...]

LANSING, Mich., July 11, 2022 — Organizers for the Reproductive Freedom For All petition delivered signatures to the Bureau of Elections today. The petition would amend the Michigan Constitution to ensure that no one goes to prison for providing safe medical care as well as ensure access to a broad range of reproductive health care, including abortion. State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) issued the following statement on the delivery of the signatures: “The organizers of this petition have gathered [...]

LANSING, Mich., July 1, 2022 — Today, the Michigan House of Representatives passed the 2023 fiscal year general and school aid budgets, which make significant investments in education and the environment. Included in the general budget is $1 million for the Northside Association for Community Development (NACD) to build new affordable, high-quality single-family homes on the Northside of Kalamazoo and $550,000 for the Asylum Lake Policy & Management Council for a treatment system designed to effectively address pollution from stormwater [...]

U.S. Supreme Court Issues Official Opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson LANSING, Mich., June 24, 2022 — Today, the United States Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, effectively ending a person’s right to abortion in half the country. This comes after a leaked draft revealed the Supreme Court’s intention to overturn Roe in early May. State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) issued the following statement:  “Taking away a person’s right to bodily autonomy is a violation of our human [...]

LANSING, Mich., June 15, 2022 – State Rep. Julie M. Rogers’ (D-Kalamazoo) bill, House Bill 5560, was passed unanimously by the Michigan House of Representatives today. The bill clarifies that law enforcement and prosecutors may engage in survivor-centered coordinated outreach by providing a domestic or sexual violence service provider agency with certain information to facilitate contact with a victim for the purpose of offering supportive services.  “While this sort of outreach has proven successful in many Michigan communities across the [...]

LANSING, Mich., June 10, 2022 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) sponsored House Resolution 312 to declare June 12, 2022, as Women Veterans Recognition Day in the state of Michigan. Women Veterans Recognition Day is the anniversary of the day the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948. The resolution was adopted with bipartisan support by the Michigan House of Representatives. “Women have proudly served their country throughout [...]

  LANSING, Mich., May 17, 2022 – State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 6100 to address forgiveness days for schools and staffing shortages caused by COVID-19. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education.  “As the sister of an educator, I know just how challenging the COVID-19 pandemic has been on our teachers, students, administrators and schools,” Rogers said. “To say this situation has been disruptive is an understatement. This is why I introduced House [...]

  LANSING, Mich., May 11, 2022 – State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Resolution 294 to declare May 2022 as Bike Month in the state of Michigan. The resolution was adopted with bipartisan support for the second year in a row by the Michigan House of Representatives. “As a former county commissioner, I worked on a resolution in Kalamazoo County regarding complete streets to try to make it safer for multimodal transportation and cyclists,” Rogers said. “Riding a [...]

LANSING, Mich., April 7, 2022 — Today, the United States Senate voted to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Jackson is the first Black woman, and only the sixth woman overall, to hold this position in the Supreme Court’s more than 200-year history. State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) issued the following statement in support:  “Today is a historic day worthy of tremendous celebration. Judge Jackson is extraordinarily qualified to hold this [...]

LANSING, Mich., March 17, 2022 — Members of the House Democratic Caucus held a press conference yesterday to continue the fight to protect the right to vote and eliminate unnecessary barriers between Michiganders and their franchise. State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced one of the bills in the package that would codify the ability for voters to request an absentee ballot through the Secretary of State’s website. “Back in 2018, Michigan voters made it clear when they passed Proposal 3 [...]

Rogers thanks Proxmire family and Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office for their support of the Bill LANSING, Mich., March 8, 2022 — Today, House Bill 5720, sponsored by state Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by the Michigan House of Representatives. The bill would designate a portion of highway U.S. 131 in memory of Sgt. Ryan J. Proxmire, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty when he succumbed to a gunshot wound that [...]

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 17, 2022 — Today, members of the Michigan House Democratic Caucus joined a coalition of labor voices in downtown Lansing in support of the United Six — a group of electricians formerly employed by United Electric Contractors. In a lawsuit filed last month, the group alleges that UEC maintained a retaliatory and hostile work environment where racial slurs and discrimination against Black and brown workers were commonplace. They held the demonstration in front of the Associated Builders [...]

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 25, 2022 — Today, General Motors announced a $7 billion investment in electric vehicle manufacturing in Michigan, including the construction of a new electric vehicle battery plant in Delta Township and a $4 billion investment in its Orion assembly plant that will together create 4,000 jobs. Both projects are part of GM’s effort to shift to 100% electric vehicle production by 2035. State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) issued the following statement celebrating the news: “Michigan's success depends on [...]

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 4, 2021 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) was appointed to serve as a member of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for the remainder of the 2021-2022 legislative term. Rogers has released the following statement on her new appointments: “It is truly a privilege to be appointed by Speaker Wentworth to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, as well as the Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment, Great [...]

LANSING, Mich., December 16, 2021 — On Tuesday, state Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 5656 to extend the successful initiative that directs existing revitalization dollars that brings grocery stores to downtowns and commercial corridors in urban areas. The program was initially established through legislation in 2017, but it is set to sunset in 2022. The bill was introduced with bipartisan support.  “The 2021 County Health Rankings were announced yesterday, and Kalamazoo County was ranked 27 out of [...]

LANSING, Mich., Nov. 30, 2021 — Today, state Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 5585 to designate a portion of highway U.S.-131 in Kalamazoo County as the “Sergeant Ryan J. Proxmire Memorial Highway.” On Aug. 15,  Kalamazoo County Deputy Sheriff Ryan J. Proxmire made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty when he succumbed to a gunshot wound that he sustained the previous night while involved in a vehicle pursuit. For his actions and his leadership, he [...]

This narrowly tailored bill package addresses some of the most pressing and serious concerns related to Michigan’s new auto insurance law.  Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 LANSING — State Reps. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), Robert Bezotte (R- Marion Township), Lori Stone (D-Warren), Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), and Doug Wozniak (R-Shelby Township) announced narrowly tailored legislation today to provide immediate and necessary triage for the auto-accident survivors in Michigan. “Recently, many auto-accident survivors, along with their families, caregivers and providers have come forward with [...]

LANSING, Mich., Oct. 7, 2021 — This week, state Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 5374 , which would regulate the lead leachate levels for tableware. Leaching occurs when a chemical substance, such as lead, moves from an object or surface to a liquid when exposed. This includes lead leaching into drinks or food after coming in contact with tableware. “As a practicing physical therapist, I have firsthand knowledge of the dangers that leaching can cause,” Rogers [...]

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 22, 2021 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed a budget that includes historic investments in health care, child care and infrastructure. Included in the budget is $3 million to fund the reconstruction of the U.S. 131 interchange with the business route U.S. 131 in Kalamazoo, $10 million toward a Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund, and $1.5 million for a new senior facility in Portage. State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) issued the following statement in support of [...]

Lead paint continues to pose a considerable challenge to cities KALAMAZOO, Mich., Aug. 6, 2021 — Yesterday, state Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) held a town hall concerning lead abatement and various other community resources. She was joined by state Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) and a panel of local community and state experts: Matt Milcarek from the Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services Inc.; Dr. Carolyn Whatley, chief medical officer at Family Health Center; Dr. Kathy Jackson, a longtime pediatrician at Family [...]

LANSING, Mich. (July 1, 2021) — Sens. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) and Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), along with Reps. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian), introduced bipartisan legislation this week that would protect vulnerable road users in Michigan. Senate Bills 580 (McCann) and 581 (McBroom), and House Bills 5181 (Kahle) and 5182 (Rogers) would create enhanced penalties for drivers who injure or kill a vulnerable roadway user, such as cyclists, pedestrians, or wheelchair users. “Historically, Michigan law has specifically placed little [...]

Representatives introduce bipartisan bills targeting sexual misconduct Following a recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, Michigan House legislators today introduced a bipartisan plan to protect sexual assault survivors. House Bills 4851-4858 were crafted to correct several legal shortcomings highlighted by the 2018 investigation into Larry Nassar. “Sexual assault survivors deserve protection and justice, and Michigan law must provide real accountability for both abusers and enablers,” said state Rep. Julie Alexander (R-Hanover), sponsor of HB 4851. “Our plan will [...]

LANSING, Mich., April 20, 2021 - Today, after 12 hours of deliberation, the jury for the Derek Chauvin murder trial released a unanimous guilty verdict on all three counts of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter charges. State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) released the following statement: “After repeated injustices, today’s verdict is long overdue. Last summer, the world witnessed the unacceptable use of excessive police force as George Floyd took his final breaths. Police officers are supposed [...]

Bills would allow finance classes to fulfill Algebra II graduation requirement  LANSING, Mich. —Today, Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D–Flint) and state Representative Julie M. Rogers (D–Kalamazoo) announced legislation to broaden the range of math classes that can count towards students’ graduation requirements. The bills would allow two additional credits to be taken in courses other than Algebra II, including accounting, business math, trigonometry, precalculus, financial literacy, or approved curriculum in a CTE program. Currently, Michigan students must complete Algebra [...]

State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) invites community members of the 60th House District to attend a virtual town hall on Thursday, April 8, from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The representative will be joined by local and state experts for updates on vaccine distribution efforts and resources for small businesses and those facing economic hardship. The town hall will “open” to the public at 5:15 p.m. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact so many aspects of our daily lives, [...]

The plan released today will help Michigan continue its road to recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic     Lansing, Mich., Feb. 11, 2021 — State Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) was pleased to see that the governor’s budget plan continues to address the ongoing public health crisis while making sure our local communities, businesses and schools have the resources they need to navigate a path toward recovery. Notably, the plan includes $10 million to help eliminate lead poisoning in homes through remediation [...]

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 4, 2021 — Today, state Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and House Democrats opposed House Republican legislation that would leave COVID-19 vaccine funding and other money in Washington, D.C. Earlier this week, House Democrats announced a pandemic recovery plan that would immediately unleash over $5 billion in federal dollars to help Michigan workers, small businesses, families and schools impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday, House Republicans pushed through a short-sighted appropriations package that falls far short [...]

Rogers calls for vote on $5 billion in federal stimulus dollars KALAMAZOO, Mich., Feb. 1, 2021 — Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) joined Michigan House Democrats today in supporting a pandemic recovery plan that would immediately release $5 billion in federal dollars to help Michigan workers, small businesses, families and schools impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is critical to Michigan’s recovery from the pandemic and any further delay will put the well-being of Michigan families and communities in [...]

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 28, 2021 — State Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) was appointed this week to serve as the Assistant Democratic Floor Leader for the 2021-22 legislative term. Rogers is serving her first term representing the 60th House District, prior to which she served on the Kalamazoo County Commission for 8 years, including serving as Board Chair.   “I am honored to receive this position and appreciate the confidence Democratic Floor Leader Rabhi has placed in me,” said Rogers. “I [...]

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Jan. 26, 2021 — The Michigan Department of Transportation announced this week that the City of Kalamazoo has been awarded a $375,000 Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) Category F grant for Fiscal Year 2022 to cover the construction costs and repair of Miller Road. Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) and Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) both welcomed the news and noted the importance of this project. “I am thrilled to see these state grant dollars awarded to the City of [...]