Rep. Noah Arbit Bill Outlawing Election Law Violators from Overseeing, Certifying Elections Passes House
House passes bill sponsored by Rep. Noah Arbit prohibiting individuals convicted of election-related crimes from serving as state or county election canvassers LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan House of Representatives passed HB 5551, legislation prohibiting individuals convicted of election-related crimes from serving on the Board of State Canvassers or on a county board of election canvassers. State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), celebrates the passage of his legislation as a critical step in strengthening democracy in Michigan: “Individuals with a [...]
LGBTQ+ Caucus Responds to New Title IX Regulations
Members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing, June 12, 2024 LANSING, Mich., Aug 2, 2024 — Earlier this week, new Title IX regulations were imposed by the U.S. District Court in Kansas. These regulations strip more than 100+ Michigan public schools of the expanded Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ and pregnant students. The court ruled that the Title IX protections cannot be enforced at schools attended by the children of certain conservative organization members, including [...]
RELEASE: Rep. Noah Arbit Brings Home Historic $3 Million for West Bloomfield in FY 2025 State Budget
For Immediate Release CONTACT: noaharbit@house.mi.gov • (517) 373-3816 July 24, 2024 Arbit secures direct state investments in West Bloomfield for first time in decades LANSING, Mich. – After a marathon 19-hour session on June 27th, the Michigan Legislature passed the state budget for Fiscal Year 2025. State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) advocated for and secured a record $3 million in state investments for Michigan’s 20th House [...]
House Passes Arbit Bill Recognizing May as Chaldean American Month in Michigan
State Representative Noah Arbit with Sharkey Haddad and Martin Manna of the Chaldean Community Foundation Arbit bill to recognize Chaldean community’s impact on Michigan passes House LANSING, Mich. — Today, in a bipartisan vote, the State House passed legislation introduced by State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) to recognize the invaluable contributions and achievements of Michigan’s Chaldean community. House Bill 4927 formally designates every May in the State of Michigan as Chaldean American Month, following Governor Whitmer’s historic [...]
RELEASE: Michigan Dems Stand with LGBTQ+ Michiganders
House Passes Pride Month Resolution Members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing, June 12, 2024 LANSING, Mich., June 12, 2024 — Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) presented House Resolution 279 declares June 2024 as Pride Month in the state of Michigan, celebrating the contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) people to Michigan Historically, Michigan Democrats have made passing a Pride resolution a priority to underscore support for LGBTQ+ communities across [...]
The Latest from Lansing and the Lakes
Dear Neighbor, Welcome to my June newsletter: The Latest from Lansing and the Lakes! Spring has sprung, which means in the state Legislature, we are working on crafting the state budget, funding state priorities and programs to assist as many Michiganders as possible, in as many ways as possible. I look forward to talking with you about the work I am undertaking on your behalf in Lansing at my next Nosh with Noah community conversation on Monday, June 24, [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Statement on Oil Spill in West Bloomfield
Rep. Noah Arbit takes action in response to nighttime oil dump on roadways near Pine Lake, remains in contact with local residents, township officials, and EGLE to determine source, impact of oil spill on environment and public safety WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — Late Monday evening, the West Bloomfield Police Department closed multiple roadways near Square Lake and Middlebelt Roads after an oily substance appeared to be dumped intentionally on the road and throughout the neighborhood. State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Bill Prohibits Election Law Violators from Overseeing, Certifying Elections
Rep. Noah Arbit introduces legislation prohibiting individuals convicted of election-related crimes from serving as state or county election canvassers; bill a critical step in insulating Michigan’s democracy from bad actors. LANSING, Mich., March 12, 2024 — Today, state Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) testified before the House Elections Committee on his legislation (HB 5551) to disqualify individuals convicted of election-related crimes from serving on the Board of State Canvassers or on a county board of election canvassers. “Individuals who violate [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Leads Charge to Save Historic School Buildings, Repeal Failed Snyder-Era Law
Arbit aims to repeal failed Educational Instruction Access Act, save historic school buildings from demolition, including 104 year-old Roosevelt Elementary in Keego Harbor LANSING, Mich. — On Tuesday, February 27th, State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) testified before the House Committee on Education in support of his bill to repeal the Educational Instruction Access Act (PA 98 of 2017), which has prohibited school districts and local governments from placing deed restrictions on properties they intend to sell. Rep. [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Condemns ‘Disgusting’ Antisemitic Vandalism, Protest in West Bloomfield
Pro-Palestinian protesters deface Jewish club with antisemitic threats; Arbit underscores importance of combating anti-Jewish hate crimes, intimidation, and institutional desecration WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — On the evening of Thursday, Feb. 15, the Friends of the IDF hosted an event in West Bloomfield. After receiving threats, the event was moved from Knollwood Country Club to another location in West Bloomfield. On Thursday evening, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters mobbed areas around Knollwood Country Club, temporarily blocking the intersection at Maple Road. [...]
Rep. Arbit Spearheads “Advancing MI Mental Health” Bill Package
State Reps. Arbit, Brabec, Coffia, Mentzer introduce legislation cutting red tape for mental health providers, ensure insurance providers’ compliance with federal mental health parity laws LANSING, Mich. — State Representatives Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield), Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City), and Denise Mentzer (D-Mount Clemens) unveiled the “Advancing MI Mental Health” legislative package. Part of House Democrats’ broader efforts to address Michigan’s mental health crisis, the “Advancing MI Mental Health” package seeks to increase access to care by cutting [...]
Institutional Desecration Act Becomes Law
Michigan joins 35 other states with statutes banning targeted vandalism LANSING, Mich., Dec. 11, 2023 — House Bills 4476 and 4477, introduced by state Reps. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) and Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton), respectively, were signed into law last week by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Known collectively as the Institutional Desecration Act, the bills specify vandalism against houses of worship, minority-owned businesses and community centers above other destruction of property. State Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) speaks in favor of the Institutional Desecration Act on the House floor [...]
Arbit Releases PSA on Rising Antisemitism on Campuses, Highlights ADL Hotline
We simply cannot allow this tragic and horrific conflict to give license to antisemitism or Islamophobia here at home. WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich., Nov. 21, 2023— In response to increased antisemitic incidents on college campuses, state Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) released a public service announcement highlighting the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL). Formed in partnership by ADL, Hillel International, the Brandeis Center and Gibson Dunn, CALL is a secure, confidential text hotline for college students to report incidents of [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Celebrates Passage of Institutional Desecration Act, Protecting Houses of Worship
With passage of Arbit bill, Michigan to join 35 other states prohibiting hate crimes against houses of worship and other communal property LANSING, Mich. — On November 9th, both chambers of the Michigan Legislature passed the Institutional Desecration Act, introduced by State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield). “It has been deeply painful to watch houses of worship, minority-owned businesses, and cultural centers become targets for vandalism, destruction, and desecration in recent years. When I ran for this office, I promised [...]
Bipartisan Legislation Strengthens Regulations on Election Advertisements
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 12, 2023 – State Reps. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), Matt Bierlein (R-Vassar), Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) and Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) introduced bipartisan legislation today, House Bills 5141-45, that would require a disclaimer on political advertisements that contain audio, images or videos that were generated using artificial intelligence (AI). These bills would also create penalties for trying to use deepfakes to deceive and influence voters close to an election. “Artificial Intelligence continues to evolve, while simultaneously becoming more [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Statement on Atrocities in Israel
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — Over the past few days, I have struggled to figure out what to say about the unspeakable events in Israel. Because my heart is broken. I don’t know that I have much that is groundbreaking to add, but I feel a responsibility to offer my constituents, so many of whom are touched by the ongoing violence, my thoughts on the situation. First, the atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel feel genocidal. They hunted Jews like [...]
House Democrats Pass Bills Celebrating Michigan’s Diverse Cultures
Legislation establishes religious observances as state holidays LANSING, Mich., Sept. 13, 2023 — The House of Representatives passed a package of bills today acknowledging the rich diversity of cultures and religions that Michiganders celebrate and observe. The legislation establishes Diwali, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Lunar New Year, Vaisakhi, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as state-recognized holidays in Michigan. State Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) speaks on bills establishing religious and cultural observances as state holidays on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Brings Home Record $1.6 Million State Funding for Infrastructure Projects in Commerce Township, Keego Harbor
In first six months in office, Arbit secures more funding for Greater West Bloomfield/Commerce region in FY 2024 state budget than communities received in entire previous decade LANSING, Mich., June 28, 2023 — Today, the Michigan Legislature passed a historic state budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year. State Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) advocated for and secured a record $1.6 million in state investments in Michigan’s 20th House District, with funding allocated for vital infrastructure projects in Commerce Township and [...]
House Passes Arbit’s Landmark Hate Crime Reform Legislation
Rep. Noah Arbit-led bill package to strengthen and expand Michigan’s response to rising hate crimes, protect houses of worship passes House in bipartisan vote. LANSING, Mich., June 20, 2023 — Today, in a historic vote, the Michigan House of Representatives passed long-awaited, landmark anti-hate crime legislation spearheaded by State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), alongside State Representative Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids) and State Representative Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton). “Today is a day I have dreamt about for so long,” Rep. Arbit [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit, Sen. Rosemary Bayer Condemn False Bomb Threats at West Bloomfield Middle School
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — Yesterday morning, West Bloomfield Police responded to reports of a bomb and an armed student at West Bloomfield Middle School, and classes were canceled for the day. After conducting an extensive search of the school WBPD found nothing to indicate the presence of weapons or explosive devices. WBPD’s investigation is ongoing. State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) and State Senator Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield) issued the following statement: “We express our sincere gratitude for our incredible [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Bill to Avoid Student Count Day on Religious Holidays Approved by Education Committee
Rep. Noah Arbit introduced HB 4648 after student count day coincided with Yom Kippur in 2022 LANSING, Mich., June 13, 2023 — State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) testified before the House Education Committee today on his legislation to prevent student count day from coinciding with religious holidays, as occurred in the 2022 school year. In September 2022, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a letter calling on the Legislature to address to address the issue. State Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) testifies on House Bill [...]
Reps. Noah Arbit, Kristian Grant, Ranjeev Puri Introduce Landmark Hate Crime Reform Legislation
Legislation to strengthen Michigan’s response to rising hate crimes, overhaul ethnic intimidation statute for first time since 1988 passage LANSING, Mich., April 26, 2023 — This week, State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), alongside State Representative Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids) and State Representative Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) introduced long-awaited landmark legislation to strengthen Michigan’s outdated and inadequate hate crime laws. For more than a decade, Michigan has experienced a severe rise in hate crimes, with Black, LGBTQ+, Jewish, Asian, and Muslim [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Michigan’s Response to Rising Antisemitism
LANSING, Mich. — State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) introduced legislation to strengthen Michigan’s response to rising antisemitism. “Michigan’s Jewish community has felt the steep rise in antisemitism for over a decade, without a commensurate response from state government. I ran for office on a pledge to combat rising hate and bigotry in Michigan, and I am proud to make good on that pledge by introducing this legislation that will forge a more comprehensive approach to combating anti-Jewish discrimination,” Arbit [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Attends White House Forum for Jewish State Legislators on Combating Antisemitism
Arbit calls for federal support to reform state hate crime laws, combat rising political violence and anti-pluralist sentiment, strengthen Black-Jewish relations, eliminate restrictive covenants WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — Yesterday, State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) participated in a forum convened by the White House and the National Association of Jewish Legislators (NAJL) to discuss strategies to increase state-federal collaboration on combating antisemitism. Representative Arbit raised the persistent knowledge deficit about antisemitism and his recent introduction of HB 4327 to [...]
House Democrats Introduce Resolution to Condemn Harmful Holocaust Comparisons
LANSING, Mich., March 23, 2023 — State Reps. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) and Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) offered House Resolution 68 today to condemn divisive comparisons between commonsense gun regulations and Nazism. The resolution comes the day after the Michigan GOP tweeted out a comparison between Democratic legislation requiring the safe storage of firearms and the Nazis’ internment and genocide of Jewish people during the Holocaust. “There is absolutely nothing in recorded history like the systematic murder of 6 million Jewish people by Nazis during the [...]
“It’s About Damn Time” – Rep. Noah Arbit Votes to Enshrine Civil Rights for LGBTQ+ Michiganders
“Tomorrow, when the sun rises, to be openly, proudly LGBTQ+ in the State of Michigan will still be a revolutionary act. But no longer will it be a threat to our civil rights. It’s about damn time,” Arbit said in remarks on the House floor prior to historic vote. LANSING, Mich. — Today, in a historic vote, the Michigan House of Representatives passed landmark legislation expanding Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include non-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Demands Accountability Following Protracted Outages Across Greater West Bloomfield and Commerce
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — Following consecutive winter storms and protracted power outages impacting households across West Bloomfield, Commerce, and the Lakes, State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) issued the following statement: “My heart goes out to the thousands of people across West Bloomfield, Commerce, and the Lakes who are contending with the fall-out of protracted power outages, and I encourage all those affected to file a complaint with the Michigan Public Service Commission.” Arbit noted that some residents waited for over a week [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit on FBI Arrest of Individual Threatening to Kill Jewish Elected Officials in Michigan
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich., March 1, 2023 — State Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) issued the following statement: “Late last month, FBI agents arrested an individual accused of threatening to kill unspecified Jewish elected officials in Michigan. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the FBI teams in Dallas and Detroit for their swift response to this incident, making clear that threats against public officials will not be tolerated, and those who seek to make such threats will be held [...]
Rep. Noah Arbit Statement on MSU Shooting
The MSU community has suffered severe loss and trauma. My heart is with each and every person on campus in East Lansing and all those across Michigan who love a Spartan. As a policymaker, my first inclination is to discuss long overdue policies and reforms, because it is the only answer I have to “how can I help.” To my many constituents across West Bloomfield, Commerce and the Lakes who have already begun to communicate with me about these reforms, [...]
Arbit Delivers Invocation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNB5ur41Xzc LANSING, Mich. — On Jan. 24, 2023, Speaker of the House Joe Tate (D-Detroit) appointed state Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) to deliver the invocation for the Michigan House of Representatives. Rep. Arbit’s invocation as delivered: “Growing up in West Bloomfield, I was steeped in the teachings of my Jewish faith and heritage. Judaism holds that each of us is created B’tzelem Elohim, in the image of G-d. Each of us comes to this House from a different [...]
Arbit Ready to Tackle Michigan’s Mental Health Crisis as Vice Chair of the Behavioral Health Subcommittee
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 13, 2023 — Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) announced yesterday the chairs and members of the Michigan House of Representatives standing committees and subcommittees. Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) was appointed vice chair of the Behavioral Health Subcommittee and a member of the House Committees on Criminal Justice; Families, Children, and Seniors; Judiciary; and Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation. “My committee assignments reflect the priorities of the people of West Bloomfield, Commerce and the Lakes, and [...]