House Democrats Applaud Another Huge Step Forward for Accessible Reproductive Health Care
Newly announced MDDHS initiative provides free contraceptives LANSING, Mich., Oct. 23, 2024 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, alongside the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), announced the “Take Control of Your Birth Control” campaign today that will expand access to reproductive health care. This expansion ensures Michiganders can access free contraceptives while supplies last. “Michigan Democrats have stood on the side of reproductive freedom and individual choice about family planning for decades — not just when it's politically [...]
House Detroit Caucus Pay Tribute to Former Detroit State Rep. Edward Vaughn Civil Rights Icon, Dies at 90
DETROIT, Mich., Oct. 10, 2024 — Former state Rep. Edward “Ed” Vaughn died at the age of 90 in Detroit this week. Vaughn served in the House of Representatives from Jan. 10, 1979, to Dec. 31, 1980. In 1994, he won another election to the state House and represented the then 4th House District from Jan. 11, 1995, until reaching term limits, Dec. 31, 2000. In response to the news of his passing, various House Detroit Caucus Members, paid their respects. [...]
Tsernoglou, Edwards Introduce Bills to Reduce Barriers for Domestic Violence Survivors
Legislation makes seeking shelter easier with pets LANSING, Mich., Oct. 4, 2024 — State Reps. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) and Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe) recently introduced legislation to ensure domestic violence survivors are able to bring their pets with them while seeking emergency housing. Tsernoglou introduced House Bill 6013, which would amend existing law to allow eligible reimbursement to include short-term pet boarding and residential deposits so that pet costs are not a barrier for those seeking to escape a violent [...]
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 [...]
MFSVPC Condemns Shooting, Child’s Injury
LANSING, Mich., Aug. 23, 2024 — This week a shooting took place injuring a sleeping 7-year old boy. It is believed to be a drive-by shooting due to an interpersonal dispute. Police reported that an estimated six rounds were fired into a home. “At 7 years old, a child should be free from violence, and should sleep soundly and safely. This is one of far too many shootings that plague our society and have injured not just children in our [...]
Legislators Celebrate BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
Lawmakers observe the unique challenges that affect the mental health of racial and ethnic minorities State Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe) stands with Reps. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit), Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township), Carrie A. Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor) and Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) as she speaks on the House Floor on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., July 11, 2024 — In recognition of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness [...]
Edwards Applauds Kennedy Park Splash Pad Funding
EASTPOINTE, Mich., April 3, 2024 — Eastpointe City Council accepted a $1.5 million Community Center Grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) in March to fund a new splash pad at Kennedy Park. In response to the awarding of this grant, for which she submitted a letter of support to LEO, state Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe) issued the following statement: “I’m thrilled Eastpointe received this grant! We’ve all longed for the Kennedy Park pool on the hottest days [...]
House Dems Celebrate March as Social Workers Month
Legislators inspire action, dedication, commitment to Michigan people by leading change LANSING, Mich., March 21, 2024 — Social Worker Month is well underway, and this year’s theme is Empowering Social Workers. This week House Resolution 215 was introduced to commemorate March as Social Workers Month. “Social workers are vital in our society and the work they do, while often unseen, is irreplaceable. They are involved in many different facets of daily life — from helping individuals secure affordable housing to providing support [...]
Edwards Celebrates School Social Work Week
Representative highlights contributions of social workers in schools State Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe), front right, speaks on her resolution, supported by, from left, state Reps. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City), Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor), Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor) and Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit) on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., March 6, 2024 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed House Resolution 200 yesterday, sponsored by state Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe). The [...]
Michigan Dems Celebrate Laws Improving Health and Wellness for Michiganders
Landmark legislation protects health care coverage, lowers costs and promotes wellness LANSING, Mich., Feb. 9, 2024 — For the first time in 40 years, Democrats gained control of the Legislature and the governor’s office last year — with majority, they led a remarkably productive year, passing and signing into law a historic number of bills. A significant number of those laws go into effect on Feb. 13. In order to celebrate with and inform Michiganders, Dems are rolling out the [...]
Edwards on State of the State Address
State Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe) was joined by Detroit Police Commander Lawrence Purifoy and Pastor Kevin Lancaster at the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Representative highlights support for caretakers 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 lowering costs for Michiganders, expanding educational opportunities and strengthening the state’s economy. State Rep. Kimberly [...]
House Democrats Celebrate Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Juvenile Justice System
Bills improve children’s lives, maintain public safety LANSING, Mich., Dec. 13, 2023 — Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II signed a bipartisan bill package yesterday to make Michigan’s juvenile justice system more fair and effective. He signed House Bills 4625-26, 4628-29, 4633, 4636-37, 4639-40 and 4643, along with Senate Bills 418, 421, 425-26, 428-29, 432, and 435-36. The bills were created to implement the 2022 recommendations of the Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform. The package focused on six major topics: enhancing the Child Care Fund; providing juveniles with legal counsel; expanding the Juvenile Diversion Act; requiring tailored [...]
Edwards Bill to Support Education for Kids in Foster Care Passes Michigan House
Legislation will help level the educational playing field for foster kids and their intellectual, social growth State Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe) delivers a speech on her bill on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. EASTPOINTE, Mich., Nov. 14, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bill 4678, sponsored by state Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe). The bill requires that the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) regularly review any educational program provided in a [...]
Brabec, Edwards Introduce Legislation to Bolster Mental Health Workforce
Bills add licensure process for clinical social workers LANSING, Mich., Oct. 25, 2023 — State Reps. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township) and Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe) introduced legislation to amend Michigan social worker licensing guidelines last week. The bills, House Bills 5184 and 5185, together would add clinical social workers to the list of Michigan’s licensed social workers and provide other guidelines for their inclusion. “These bills are about helping Michiganders. They address the critical need of adding mental health professionals in [...]
Governor Whitmer Signs Legislation Protecting Health Care for Millions of Michiganders
LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Whitmer signed legislation protecting the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which ensures affordable health care coverage for millions of Michiganders and their families, and makes it harder for the federal government or Supreme Court to repeal the ACA and claw back healthcare access like they did with the overturn of Roe v. Wade. “When I was in the Legislature, I brought Democrats and Republicans together to establish Healthy Michigan, which now covers over one million Michiganders,” [...]
Dem-Sponsored Bills Protecting Health Care Access Move Closer to Governor’s Desk
Legislation enshrines federal protections into state law to keep health care available, affordable LANSING, Mich., Oct. 13, 2023 — Michigan Democratic legislators are one step closer to securing Affordable Care Act (ACA) protections in law. The ACA requires nearly all private health plans to cover many critical preventive services without cost sharing — these bills serve to codify those reforms and protections in Michigan statute. Lawmakers in both chambers have worked together to ensure the protections for Michiganders. The bills include: [...]
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 [...]
Edwards Applauds Recently Passed Budget, Lead Service Line Replacement
LANSING, Mich. July 21, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives recently passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget. This budget included over $233 million for water infrastructure projects throughout the state. The City of Eastpointe secured almost $10 million for a lead service line replacement project in this year's budget. “I am proud and relieved I could secure these much-needed funds for my district, especially after the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy released water sample results that showed [...]
House Passes Bills to Protect Access to Affordable Health Care
Legislation codifies ACA’s consumer-friendly provisions in state law LANSING, Mich., June 27, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives approved legislation today that puts certain protections of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into state law. The ACA requires nearly all private health plans to cover many critical preventive services without cost sharing. Furthermore, enshrining ACA preventive services helps to protect Michiganders from the will of federal judges who threaten to jeopardize health insurance protections. State Rep. Julie M. Rogers [...]
House Democrats Champion Bills Securing Affordable Care Act Protections into Law
LANSING, June 8, 2023 — The House Insurance and Financial Services Committee heard testimony on House Bills 4619-23 today. The bill package aims to safeguard protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into state law. The ACA requires nearly all private health plans to cover many critical preventive services without cost sharing — these bills serve to codify those reforms and protections in Michigan statute. Furthermore, codifying ACA preventive services helps to protect Michiganders from the will of federal judges [...]
House Democrats Introduce Returning Citizens Initiative Legislation
LANSING, Mich., March 7, 2023 — Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck), along with State Reps. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township), Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe) and Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park), introduced House Bills 4191-94 to codify the Returning Citizens Initiative in state law. The Retuning Citizens Initiative is a program established by the Michigan Dept. of Corrections (MDOC) and Michigan Dept. of State (MDOS) to help individuals leaving the state corrections system to reintegrate into their communities by providing them with a [...]
Edwards 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. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe), who was joined by guests [...]
Edwards Sworn in as Representative of House District 12
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 11, 2023 — State Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe) 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 decade. “I am ecstatic to kick off this new 102nd legislative session and to begin my first year here at the Michigan Capitol,” Edwards said. “There is a lot to be done, but [...]