Breen, Koleszar, Morgan, Puri Speak Out Against Anti-Semitic Rhetoric
LANSING, Mich. Oct. 8, 2024 — There has been a recent slew of anti-Semitic materials being left on household lawns in Michigan. In response to the anti-Semitic flyers with a link to a white supremacist website being distributed in their districts, state Reps. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth), Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) and Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) issued the following joint statement: “Our communities have been flooded with disturbing flyers that convey anti-Jewish rhetoric. This bigoted, hate-filled attempt to terrorize [...]
Breen on Release of Paul Whelan, Returning Home
NOVI, Mich., Aug. 1, 2024 — The Detroit News reported today that Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine from Novi, was released by Russia in a major prisoner swap with the U.S. after five and a half years of wrongful detainment. Whelan is finally free and returning home to Michigan after being jailed by Russia and sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment on the basis of espionage charges both he and his employer denied. State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), chair of [...]
Breen on Final Budget Passage
Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) speaking on the House floor in the Michigan Capitol Building on April 18, 2024. LANSING, Mich., July 8, 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 vote, state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) issued the following [...]
Breen on Fatal Shooting of Sheriff’s Deputy
NOVI, Mich., June 23, 2024 — The Detroit Free Press reported today that Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley Reckling was fatally shot in the line of duty on Saturday night. State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement regarding the incident: “Any first responder’s death in the line of duty is a tragedy, but coming on the heels of officers coping with the recent mass shooting in Rochester Hills is horrific. While it’s poor solace, I’m glad [...]
Michigan Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention Caucus Responds to Supreme Court Ruling to Protect Victims from Domestic Gun Violence
A black graphic with an orange border and centered text reading “Together we can end gun violence.” LANSING, Mich., June 21, 2024 — The Supreme Court ruled to uphold a federal law that bans individuals with a domestic violence restraining order from possessing a gun. In response, state Reps. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township) and Kelly Breen (D-Novi), chair and member, respectively, of the Michigan Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention Caucus issued the following statement: “Today's Supreme Court [...]
Breen on Passage of Trial Court Funding Study
LANSING, Mich., May 9, 2024 — State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the final passage of House Bills 5534, which requires the State Court Administrative Office to determine a stable, just system of funding local trial courts: “There is a real or perceived conflict of interest between a judge’s impartiality and the obligation to use the courts to generate operating revenue. Historically, there have been subtle or even overt suggestions that more speeding [...]
Breen Celebrates Next Step in Stable, Fair Court Funding
LANSING, Mich., April 18, 2024 — State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, applauded the passage of House Bills 5534and 5392, which combine to extend the current funding system for local trial courts and require state officials to develop recommendations for a more just and stable source of revenue. “It was wrong of us to balance the budget of the court system on the backs of defendants, too many of whom are already struggling to get [...]
House Dems, Republicans Come Together for School Safety Hearing
Education Committee takes holistic approach to critical issue State Reps. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) and Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville) give testimony in the House Education Committee on March 19, 2024, at the House Office Building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., March 19, 2024 — The House Education Committee heard testimony today from legislators and stakeholders on a number of school safety bills. The bipartisan bills will help improve school safety and provide better mental health support systems in educational environments across Michigan. Last [...]
House Dems Ring in Women’s History Month
Former Michigan Gov. Albert E. Sleeper signs the states suffrage bill surrounded by suffragists on June 10, 1919. From left, state Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Senate staffer, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, House Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) look on as Whitmer signs the last Reproductive Health Act bill into law on Dec. 11, 2023, on the Senate floor at the Capitol in Lansing. Legislators honor past while signaling [...]
Dems Celebrate Making Michigan Better, Impactful Laws Taking Effect
Legislators commend work accomplished, look forward to continuing to put all people first LANSING, Mich., Feb. 15, 2024 — House Democrats are celebrating over 100 laws that took effect this week. These policies focus on putting people first by uplifting Michiganders from all communities and backgrounds, and 2023 was one of the most productive years in the history of the Michigan Legislature. The laws that went into effect support workers, improve education, protect elections, lower costs, safeguard rights, invest in [...]
House Dems Champion Community Advocated Initiatives, Passion Becoming Policy
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 8, 2023 — As part of a historic Legislature with a Democratic trifecta, House Democrats celebrated the official signing of legislation inspired by real issues brought forth by constituent and community advocates. As part of their Putting People First Agenda, Michigan Democrats have continuously prioritized meeting and working with grassroots and community activists on critical legislation that positively impacts countless Michiganders. Democrats are listening and putting power back where it belongs — with the people. The community-led [...]
Breen on Bills Protecting Health Care Workers
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 6, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bills 4520 and 4521 today during a ceremony at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. After the signing, state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), sponsor of HB 4521, issued the following statement: State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) speaks during the ceremony for the signing of House Bills 4520 and 4521 on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. “It’s gratifying to see work that started a decade ago finally come to fruition. With the recent rise [...]
Legislators Pass Bills to Enhance Michiganders’ Safety
Guardianship, conservatorship safeguards alongside protections for witness, survivors’ personal information legislation voted out with bipartisan support LANSING, Mich., Oct. 25, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed two bill packages yesterday, each helping to protect Michiganders. The first bill package, House Bills 4909-12 and HB 5047, amends guardian and conservator standards. Michigan’s most vulnerable people are not receiving the support and assistance they require. While most guardians and conservators work to protect their ward’s best interest, there are [...]
Breen on Passage of Fiscal 2024 Budget
LANSING, Mich., June 29, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget yesterday. It includes the largest investment in education in Michigan’s history, including free breakfast and lunch for every public school student and affordable pre-K for all, as well as substantial investments in workforce recruitment and retention, water infrastructure and public safety. The Democratic majority delivered a timely and responsible budget that ensures federal funding stays in Michigan. State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) issued [...]
Breen Lauds Committee Approval of Bills to Modernize Estate, Probate Process
Bipartisan package makes several important changes LANSING, Mich., June 7, 2023 — The House Judiciary Committee gave its approval to a four-bill package that updates Michigan law regarding estates, trusts and wills. The bills now go to the House floor. “End-of-life planning and determining a deceased relative’s wishes are already difficult and incredibly sensitive situations. Michigan law has not kept up with the times, which makes these decisions harder still,” said state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), chair of the [...]
Breen Bill Empowering Corrections Officers Passes Committee
Legislation extends binding arbitration to county sheriff’s employees LANSING, Mich., May 16, 2023 — State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) applauded the movement of her bill, House Bill 4438, out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. The legislation allows county sheriff’s deputies working as corrections officers to access binding arbitration to solve labor disputes. “Police officers, firefighters and other first responders across Michigan have taken advantage of binding arbitration for more than 50 years,” Breen said. “These brave individuals have [...]
House Follows Through on Promise, Passes More Gun Violence Prevention Bills
LANSING, Mich., April 13, 2023 — Continuing their commitment to create safer communities, and on the heels of passing universal background check bills last month, the Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation today in support of instituting extreme risk protection orders. House Bills 4145-4148 would allow courts to issue extreme risk protection orders, or ERPOs, for individuals deemed at risk of hurting themselves or others after the judge considers testimony, documents and other evidence in support of the request. Once [...]
Stronger Bills, Safer Communities: House Judiciary Committee Hears Testimony on Gun Violence Prevention Bills
LANSING, Mich., March 8, 2023 — The House Judiciary Committee, chaired by state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), met this afternoon and listened to testimony from several individuals in support of the gun violence prevention bill package recently introduced by House Democrats. “No matter what we look like, where we come from or what’s in our wallets, we all want our families and communities to be safe,” Breen said. “The diversity of stories and accounts we heard this afternoon is proof [...]
House Democrats Advance Legislation to Repeal Outdated 1931 Abortion Ban
Bills remove all trace of statute criminalizing reproductive health care LANSING, Mich., March 1, 2023 — Members of the House Judiciary Committee voted today to send bills repealing the outdated 1931 abortion ban to the full House. The move comes after Democrats took the majority in the House for the first time since 2011 and follows the passage of Proposal 3, which enshrined reproductive freedoms in the Michigan Constitution. “Michigan voters sent a clear message in 2022 — they want [...]
Breen Announced as Chair of House Judiciary Committee
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 17, 2023 — Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) announced last week the chairs and members of the Michigan House of Representatives standing committees, subcommittees and appropriations subcommittees. State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) was appointed chair of the House Committee on Judiciary and will serve as a member of the Criminal Justice; Insurance and Financial Services; Local Government and Municipal Finance; and Ethics and Oversight committees. “I’ve dedicated my life to advocating for policies that improve our collective quality [...]
Michigan Court of Appeals Brings Much Needed Relief to Catastrophic Injury Survivors
Tens of thousands of catastrophically injured auto accident survivors have lost critical health care due to some of the disastrous amendments made to Michigan’s auto no-fault law in 2019. Over 14 months after the no-fault auto insurance legislation went into effect, the Michigan Court of Appeals rightly decided that insurance companies could not retroactively restrict access to long-term care to individuals previously injured in car crashes. The ruling was much-welcomed news. Eliminating essential care for those who had been catastrophically [...]
Breen on Reproductive Freedom For All Petition
LANSING, Mich., July 12, 2022 — Yesterday, organizers for the Reproductive Freedom for All petition delivered signatures to the Bureau of Elections. 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. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) issued the following statement on the delivery of the signatures: “Yesterday, we saw a historic number of signatures [...]
House Judiciary Committee Passes Bill Package to Prevent and Punish Fertility Fraud
LANSING, Mich., May 24, 2022 — Today, the House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously in favor of House Bills 5713-5717 to protect victims of assisted reproduction fraud. This bipartisan package of bills would prohibit and provide criminal penalties and civil recourse for fertility fraud in Michigan. “Too many survivors of fertility fraud lack a clear path to justice,” said state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), who is the sponsor of House Bill 5715. “Parents trust their medical provider to use their chosen [...]
Breen on Proposed Constitutional Amendment
LANSING, Mich., May 11, 2022 — The House of Representatives voted yesterday to send a proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution to the November ballot. The amendment would require annual financial disclosure from legislators and state officers and change the number of years an individual can serve in the Legislature. After the vote, state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Detroit) issued the following statement: “It’s simple: We are sending a proposal for the people to vote on. I was a proud yes [...]
Breen on Passage of Supplemental Budget Bill
LANSING, Mich., March 24, 2022 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 565 today, putting billions of dollars to work in communities across the state. State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) voted in support of the bill, highlighting the $2.2 billion in funding for water infrastructure. Breen issued the following statement: “The underinvestment in Michigan’s water infrastructure is evident right here in our own community. This past year alone, the 38th District has experienced mass shut-offs, water main breaks [...]
New Sexual Assault Bills Would Improve Safety, Accountability
LANSING, Mich., March 23, 2022 — A bipartisan package of three bills (House Bills 5962-5964) introduced by state Reps. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) and John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) would modernize Michigan’s civil justice system for sexual assault claims and bring Michigan into line with dozens of other states across the country that have chosen to protect survivors and hold perpetrators and their enablers accountable for heinous misconduct. Michigan’s civil statute of limitations is among the narrowest in [...]
Breen on Gov. Whitmer’s State of the State Address
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 26, 2022 — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her fourth State of the State address from Detroit Diesel, outlining her vision for the state and calling for bipartisan collaboration to address the issues that matter most to Michigan’s working families. In her address, she proposed a repeal of the retirement tax and expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit. In response, State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) issued the following statement: “This term I have been fortunate to [...]
Breen Welcomes Continued Cosma Body Assembly Investment in Lyon Township
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 13, 2021 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) today to announce that Cosma Body Assembly, a division of Magna International, is expanding its operations in Lyon Township with an investment of over $23 million that’s expected to create 68 jobs. Magna International is an auto supplier with 35 facilities and over 10,000 employees in Michigan. In response to the announcement, state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) issued the following statement: “Investments like [...]
Breen Celebrates Expansion of More Affordable Child Care
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 15 — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) celebrated the expansion of free or low-cost child care to include 105,000 more children. Earlier this year, lawmakers in Lansing passed a budget which lowered the eligibility criteria to include more working families. Families of four earning up to $49,000 will be eligible for free or low-cost child care under the new criteria, boosting Michigan’s economic momentum by helping parents go back to work knowing [...]
Breen and Brabec on Last Week’s Mental Health Listening Town Hall
NOVI, Mich., Oct. 18, 2021 — Last week Thursday, state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) held an event focused on improving mental health in the community. State Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield) moderated the event, which was part of her Mental Health Listening Tour across the state. They were joined by state Reps. Padma Kuppa (D-Troy), Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), Jim Ellison (D-Royal Oak), Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) and Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac). Community partners and constituents joined the discussion on the [...]
Breen, Puri Child Care Bills Pass the House
Bipartisan legislation increases access to help providers, families LANSING, Mich., Oct. 6, 2021 — Today, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a bipartisan package of bills to assist Michigan's current child care facilities and providers while expanding assistance for emerging caregivers. The bills come after a $1.5 billion investment in child care included in the recent budget, which was advocated for by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and members of her bipartisan Taskforce on Child Care. “Home day care providers fill [...]
Breen, Puri Child Care Bills Pass Committee Vote
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 28, 2021 — Today, the House Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors passed a bipartisan package of bills to assist Michigan's current child care facilities and providers while expanding assistance for emerging caregivers. The bills come after a $1.5 billion investment in child care included in the recent budget, which was advocated for by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and members of her bipartisan Taskforce on Child Care. “Coupled with our historic $1.5 billion investment in child care, these [...]
Breen on Securing Funding for Novi Schools
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 27, 2021 — Last week, Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) secured $400,000 for the Novi Community School District outdoor classrooms and gardening programs to be transformed, thanks to a one-time state grant. The Novi Educational Foundation (NEF) will receive the funding as part of the budget legislators approved this week. The budget now moves to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “I’m ecstatic that this is happening in Novi, “Breen said. “My young kids and others in the community are going [...]
Breen Applauds Passage of Fiscal Year 2022 Budget
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 22, 2021 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed a budget that includes historic investments in health care, child care and infrastructure. Specifically, the state budget allocates nearly $1.5 billion for child care expansion and subsidization, funded by the American Rescue Plan. In response, State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) issued the following statement in support of the budget’s passage: “This budget is a monumental success across the board, but it’s the investment in child care that stands [...]
Breen, Puri Testify on Bipartisan Child Care Legislation That Would Help Working Families
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 21, 2021 — Today, state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), state Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) and the rest of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Task Force on Child Care received a hearing on a bipartisan package of bills, which would assist Michigan's current child care facilities and providers, while providing assistance for emerging caregivers as well. “My bill in this package stems from what I and many other parents have observed with in-home providers — we want them focused on [...]
Breen on Whitmer Signing School Aid Budget
LANSING, Mich., July 14, 2021 — State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) issued the following statement after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a budget for preK-12 schools that makes historic investments and closes the funding gap between districts: “Our school districts adapted to the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic presented without missing a beat. I’m so pleased my colleagues on both sides of the aisle were able to come together, work with the Governor and pass a substantial education budget which can make [...]
Breen, Governor’s Task Force Tackle Issues of Child Care Access
Today, state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the other members of the Governor's Task Force on Child Care at a press conference to announce the introduction of a bipartisan package of bills to assist Michigan's current child care facilities and providers while providing assistance for emerging child care providers. “Finding high-quality, affordable child care has been an obstacle for many Michigan families for quite some time, and now due to the pandemic, families are struggling [...]
Kuppa, Aiyash Among House Dems Introduce Holiday Bill Package to Honor Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
LANSING, Mich., May 27, 2021 — Yesterday, state Reps. Padma Kuppa (D-Troy), Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck), Kelly Breen (D-Novi), and Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) introduced a four-bill legislative package that would establish the holidays of Diwali, Eid, Lunar New Year and Vaisakhi as official state holidays in Michigan. Kuppa’s bill, HB 4935 would recognize Diwali, which is one of the most widely-celebrated Indian American holidays and is observed by Michiganders of Hindu, Jain and Sikh faith. “These bills would extend our recognition [...]
Breen Receives Hearing on Bipartisan Bill to Restore Sheriff Deputy Arbitration
LANSING, Mich., May 26, 2021- On Tuesday, May 25, 2021, the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism held a hearing on House Bills 4639 and 4725 to provide arbitration rights for all of Michigan’s county corrections sheriff deputies, regardless of which unit they are assigned to. Representative Kelly Breen (D- Novi) testified with the support of lead co-sponsor Rep. Bob Bezotte (R-Howell). “The COVID pandemic has highlighted the difficult conditions that many of our deputies face while working in our [...]
Breen Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Restore Sheriff Deputy Arbitration
LANSING, Mich., April 15, 2021 – State Rep. Kelly Breen (D–Novi) and 49 bipartisan cosponsors introduced House Bill 4639 on Tuesday to restore arbitration rights for all of Michigan’s sheriff deputies, regardless of which unit they are assigned. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the difficult conditions that many of our deputies face while working in our county jails to keep our communities safe,” said Breen. “The current disparity in this law has led to a situation where the sheriff deputies [...]
Breen Bill would Foster Greater Coordination among County Treasurers, Commercial Property Owners
State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) introduced House Bill 4496 this week to provide county treasurers with the legal authority to enter into repayment plans for commercial property taxes that are past-due. Additionally, this bill would allow commercial property owners to avoid foreclosure by the county as long as payments are being made. “When I came to Lansing, I made a promise to work with everyone, regardless of party, to make a positive impact in our communities,” said Breen. “I'm proud [...]
Breen on the Governor’s Decision to Allow Contact Sports to Resume
On Thursday, Gov. Whitmer announced the relaxation of restrictions on contact sports, allowing them to resume in a limited capacity beginning Feb. 8. In response, state Rep. Kelly Breen, (D-Novi) issued the following statement: “After weeks of meeting and talking with athletes, parents, the MHSAA, local school board members and the Whitmer administration - I'm happy to report that a resolution has been reached that will allow high school sports to safely resume. As a former student athlete, I know [...]
MI House Democrats unveil pandemic recovery plan, call for vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 Contact: Stephanie Cepak, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, 517-862-2036, scepak@byrumfisk.com MI House Democrats unveil pandemic recovery plan, call for vote House Democrats want vote on $5 billion in federal stimulus dollars LANSING — Michigan House Democrats today unveiled a plan that would immediately unleash $5 billion in federal dollars to help Michigan workers, small businesses, families and schools impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic. House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski, D-Scio Twp., called on [...]
Breen on Governor Whitmer’s State of the State Address
LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 27, 2021) — Representative Kelly Breen (D-Novi) issued the following statement after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address, in which she spoke about Michigan’s recovery plan for the COVID-19 pandemic: “I am ready to set aside partisan politics and bring the relief working families need and deserve. Collectively, we can heal our state from the physical, emotional, and financial duress the pandemic has caused Michigan residents. There are several issues in need of attention, whether [...]
Breen Sworn in as Representative for 38th House District
State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) was sworn in last Wednesday as representative for the 2021-2022 legislative session. The swearing-in ceremony marked the formal opening of Michigan’s 101st Legislature. “I am thrilled to represent my community at the Capitol,” said Breen. “The 38th District has so much to be proud of, even during these hard times. I am honored to take my seat in the Michigan House and begin working for the interests of Michigan families, local communities, and our natural [...]