November Capitol and Community Updates

Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to this month’s Capitol and Community Updates!

Please encourage your neighbors and friends in House District 56 — Troy, Clawson, Royal Oak, Birmingham and Bloomfield Township — to sign up for these updates at RepMacDonell.com. Let us know if you have any thoughts on state-level issues or want to meet with me. Reach out to us by phone at (517) 373-2617 or by email at [email protected].

I can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, X and Bluesky. I would be happy to hear from and work with you to make our community a better place!

In service,

Sharon MacDonell
State Representative
House District 56

In this newsletter, you will learn about:

• An upcoming Dec. 15 event in Clawson
• My resolution condemning federal targeting of naturalized citizens
• House Democrats’ legislation enhancing veterans’ services

Please join me in December for a community conversation at the Hunter Community Center in Clawson. I will review the first year of the 103rd Legislature and take your questions. Events like these are a great way for you to learn about your state government and share your thoughts with me.

When: Monday, Dec. 15, from 6-7 p.m.

Where: Hunter Community Center, 509 Fischer Court, Clawson, MI 48017

I had a great time speaking to a wonderful group of 4th graders at Barnard Elementary School in Troy. Before the presentation, two students gave me an engaging tour of the school, and they were fantastic tour guides. Thank you for having me, and Go Bluejays!

The following are highlights from my recent work in the Legislature. All the sponsored and cosponsored legislation I work on this term will be available online later. All my legislation from my first term is still available online. Additionally, you can see my press releases page for additional updates.

I was honored to be joined by state Reps . Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods), Carrie Rheingans  (D-Ann Arbor) and Mai Xiong (D-Warren), as well as prominent naturalized citizens from our community at the press conference unveiling my resolution.

Earlier this month, I introduced a resolution in the State House urging the U.S. Department of Justice to reverse course on its decision to prioritize the denaturalization and deportation of naturalized U.S. citizens through civil proceedings. Notably, the memo announcing this policy allows the DOJ’s Civil Division to pursue the denaturalization of naturalized citizens who haven’t been accused of any crime.

As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests and detains U.S. citizens and engages in racial profiling, I have little reason to believe that the DOJ’s decision was motivated by sincere public concerns. Instead, I worry that the purpose of the memo is to tell naturalized citizens, particularly nonwhite naturalized citizens, that they are not welcome in the U.S..

As I wrote in a recent op-ed, our community is home to thousands of naturalized citizens who work hard, pay taxes and contribute to Metro Detroit’s precious cultural diversity. I submitted my resolution because they deserve protection, not persecution. While the Republican-led State House declined to adopt it, I am thankful to my 16 fellow House Democrats who co-sponsored my resolution affirming the constitutional rights of our naturalized neighbors.

The House recently adopted my resolution declaring November as Adoption Month in Michigan. People sometimes tell my husband and me that we’re special because we adopted, but I disagree. The truth is that our daughters adopted us. They gave us the family we longed for and the life we cherish.

I also introduced this resolution to raise awareness of a resource that provides qualifying adoptive parents with cash and medical assistance. If you or a loved one might qualify, check out the state’s Adoption and Guardianship Assistance Office today.

In time for Veterans’ Day, Michigan House Democrats announced a package of bills designed to improve veterans’ services across the state. This legislation included bills to improve veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention services, help veterans find housing and deduct veterans’ retirement pay from the state income tax.

I am proud to sponsor a bill that would strengthen the state’s veterans ombudsman’s office, which investigates claims of abuse and neglect committed against Michigan’s veterans. My bill would cut red tape and empower the ombudsman to investigate alleged abuse or neglect against veterans in as timely a manner as possible. Michigan’s veterans deserve our thanks — but more than that, they deserve our support and care.

Congratulations to my Nonprofit of the Month for October: the Clawson Lions Club!

Know a nonprofit in our community that’s doing great work? Nominate them to be my office’s Nonprofit of the Month! Click the button below to get started:

Congratulations to my latest Small Business of the Month: Autana Family Therapy Center in Troy!

Each month, I recognize a small business in the community as our Small Business of the Month. To nominate your favorite business for this recognition, please fill click on the button below:

I am also excited to recognize a Teacher of the Month! Teachers are the backbone of this nation, and our district has the BEST! Please fill out the following form to recognize a Teacher of the Month:

Do you know someone in the district who is retiring and would like a legislative tribute to celebrate their years of service? Has a local team or group reached a milestone that they would like to be acknowledged with an official certificate for each member? Our office can provide legislative tributes, letters and certificates on a wide range of recognitions for constituents.

If you would like to request any of these materials for yourself or others, please email my office at [email protected] with as much information as possible on the requested recognition, and we will work with you to arrange delivery or presentation of the recognition!