Skaggs Celebrates Legislation to Uplift Students’ Futures
LANSING, Mich. Oct. 7, 2024 — Michigan House Democrats passed legislation at the end of September to supplement funding for school systems across the state to use for school safety and mental health. The supplemental school funding legislation, HB 5503, will allow schools to spend responsibly on solutions tailored to each school’s individual needs, furthering Democrats’ legacy of putting schools and students first. School investments for Skaggs’ House District include: East Grand Rapids Public Schools: $333,153 Forest Hills Public Schools: [...]
Skaggs on Final Budget Passage
Lawmaker highlights infrastructure, local investments EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 28, 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. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement: "The passage of the budget is a testament to House Democrat’s commitment [...]
Skaggs on Charges Filed Against Trooper in Samuel Sterling Death
LANSING, Mich., May 28, 2024 — Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter against Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Brian Keely in connection with the tragic death of Samuel Sterling. Following the charges, state Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement: “The charges filed today reflect a serious commitment to accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies. The gravity of the allegations — second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter — underscore [...]
Skaggs Bill to Protect Young Workers Gets Committee Hearing
Following high-profile violations of child labor, legislation would increase oversight of youth work permits State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) testifies on his House Bill 5594 before the House Labor Committee on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the House Office Building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., May 23, 2024 — Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) to reform youth work permits received testimony today. House Bill 5594 amends the state’s Youth Employment Standards Act by shifting the responsibility of issuing [...]
Skaggs Responds to Police Footage of Samuel Sterling’s Death
EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 13, 2024 — State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement after video footage was released showing the killing of Samuel Sterling on April 17: “I am horrified, saddened and outraged after viewing the videos released on Friday of the incident involving an MSP trooper that led to the death of Samuel Sterling last month. I feel the pain of our West Michigan community. My heart goes out to Mr. Sterling’s family and his [...]
Skaggs Statement on Immigration, Political Divisiveness
EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 2, 2024 — State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement in light of recent events surrounding immigration concerns and political divisiveness in Kent County: “West Michigan is known throughout the country as a place that welcomes newcomers fleeing war and oppression or simply looking to build a better life for their families. From the first peoples to the early settlers, to Dutch and Polish immigrants, African-Americans fleeing the Jim Crow South, migrants from [...]
Brinks, Kent County Representatives on Trump Visit to Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 1, 2024 — Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and state Reps. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming), Carol Glanville (D-Walker), Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids), Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), and Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement in advance of former President Donald Trump’s visit to the city: “As elected representatives from Kent County, we stand united in expressing our deep dismay and condemnation regarding the impending visit of former President Donald Trump in response to the tragic murder of Ruby Garcia. “Donald Trump’s visit to our community [...]
Skaggs on MSF Grant for Cascade Township
EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 29, 2024 — The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) recently announced approval of a $200,000 performance-based grant to Packaging Compliance Labs (PCL) to support its business expansion plans in Cascade Township. The nearly $5 million expansion project is expected to create 50 jobs. Packaging Compliance Labs is a medical device manufacturing service provider. In response to the news, state Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement: “I’m thrilled to see that the State of Michigan [...]
Skaggs Introduces Legislation to Improve Child Labor Work Permit System
LANSING, Mich. March 15, 2024 — State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) announced today the introduction of HB 5594 — legislation aimed at reforming youth work permits in Michigan. The bill seeks to address existing gaps in the current system that hinder the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) ability to protect minors from labor exploitation. “This legislation is a critical step toward improving oversight of child labor in Michigan,” Skaggs said. “By modernizing the work permit system, we can better protect [...]
Skaggs on the State of the State Address, Retaining Talent
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 uplifting Michigan’s education system, growing our economy and protecting people’s hard-earned money. State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement on Whitmer’s address: “The governor outlined a strong plan for Michigan — and it’s one I stand behind. Let’s make [...]
Kent County State House Delegation Celebrates Retirement Tax Relief
State Reps. Carol Glanville (D-Walker), Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids), Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids), Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and others pose with a tax refund check for seniors at a Lowering MI Costs event in Grand Rapids. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 11, 2024 — State legislators and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined together for a retirement tax rollback press event to discuss the positive impacts of this much-deserved tax relief on retirees across Michigan. The new law phases out taxes [...]
Skaggs, Fellow Legislators Send Bipartisan Letter to Big Ten Commissioner Urging Due Process for University of Michigan
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 8, 2023 — Today, state Reps. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) and Graham Filler (R-Clinton County), along with nine other members of the Michigan House and Senate, both Democratic and Republican, sent a letter to Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti urging the conference to ensure the University of Michigan receives a fair, unbiased investigation into allegations of rule-breaking by members of the University of Michigan football staff, and that no punishment be placed on the university until the investigation is [...]
House Democrats Highlight Energy, Environmental Policies
Legislators prepared to meet, go beyond ‘What’s Next’ agenda LANSING, Mich., Sept. 1, 2023 — In her “What’s Next Address” this week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid out policy goals in several areas, including clean energy and environmental protection. Members of the House Democratic Caucus have already been working in these areas and are ready to push their sustainability agenda forward as legislative session resumes. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer details her environmental priorities during the "What's Next Address" on Wednesday, Aug. [...]
Skaggs, Snyder Introduce Student Debt Relief
LANSING, Mich., Aug. 25, 2023 — State Reps. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) and Will Snyder (D-Muskegon) introduced House Bills 4933 and 4934 today. The bills would provide grants in the form of a tax credit to those who work and live in Michigan to provide financial assistance with paying off burdensome student loans. “Michigan is a net exporter of talent. We are losing our recent college graduates due to high student loan debt,” Skaggs said. “We need to be [...]
Skaggs Introduces Legislation to Keep Kids Safe
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 23, 2023 — State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) introduced House Bill 4932 today, which aims to bolster Michigan’s child labor laws. The legislation increases penalties against unethical companies that exploit and abuse young people in unsafe working environments. “As Michigan children head back to school, it is important that we do all we can to put them in the best position to succeed,” Skaggs said. “While having a job at a young age can teach [...]
Skaggs Responds to ‘Fake Elector’ Charges, Calls for the Resignation of Wyoming Mayor
LANSING, Mich., July 18, 2023 — Attorney General Dana Nessel announced felony charges today against 16 Michigan residents for their role in the alleged “false electors” scheme following the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood is among the defendants. State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement in response to the charges: “Anyone charged with attempting to overthrow American democracy must face the consequences of the law, regardless of their political affiliation. That’s why [...]
Skaggs Brings Home Budget Dollars for Bridge Project in Kent County
LANSING, Mich., July 10, 2023 — State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) helped secure funds for West Michigan in the fiscal 2023-24 state budget that Michigan legislators passed last week. Included is $3.5 million to build a non-motorized pedestrian and bicycle bridge over I-96, connecting the Cascade and Kentwood pathway systems. “I am thrilled to have helped bring funds home to Kent County,” Skaggs said. “Infrastructure projects like these are key to our community — this pedestrian bridge [...]
Skaggs Celebrates Budget that Reinvests in Michigan
LANSING, Mich., June 28, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget today. This is the first budget in 40 years crafted by a Democratic trifecta — it reflects Michigan’s values by making one of the largest investments in education in the state’s history, including free breakfast and lunch for every public school student and affordable pre-K. There are also substantial investments in workforce recruitment and retention, water infrastructure, and public safety. The legislators worked [...]
In Honor of Earth Day, Legislators to Introduce Bills to Establish Statewide Septic Code, Help Protect Michigan Water
LANSING, Mich., April 21, 2023 — State Reps. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) and Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor) and Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) announced their intent to introduce legislation next week to create a statewide septic code, which would help protect water quality across the state. Background: Michigan is the only state in the nation without uniform standards governing how onsite sewage treatment systems are designed, built, installed and maintained. Additionally, according to the Department [...]
Skaggs on LARA/DIFS Budget Report Investments to Support Michiganders
LANSING, Mich., April 18, 2023 — The Michigan Legislature has entered budget season, and with it, committees and subcommittees have started to propose their budgets. The Appropriations Subcommittee Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) was the first to report its recommended 2023-24 budgets to the full Appropriations Committee. State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) is the chair of the LARA/DIFS subcommittee. “Putting together an effective state budget is a balancing act, and as chair of [...]
Fitzgerald, Skaggs Discuss House Dems’ Legislative Priorities at Town Hall in West Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 31, 2023 — State Reps. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) and Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) hosted a town hall in Wyoming to share and discuss Democratic caucus legislative priorities for the 102nd legislative term. House Democrats have hit the ground running during the first 90 days of the session by passing policies that directly and positively impact the people of West Michigan and across the state. “Listening to residents is the first step to manifest real, positive [...]
Skaggs Introduces ‘Amplify MI Voice’ Bill, Campaign Finance Reform Legislation
LANSING, Mich., March 23, 2023 — State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) introduced legislation today, coined “Amplify MI Voice,” to decrease reliance on large donors to fund political campaigns and incentivize smaller donations. House Bill 4334 would give single filers an opportunity to claim a $250 income tax credit and joint filers a $500 income tax credit for political donations made to a candidate committee for state or local office, or state ballot question committee, per year. The tax [...]
Skaggs, Grant Introduce Legislation to Limit Assault Weapon Open Carry, Strengthen Public Safety
LANSING, Mich., March 7, 2023 — State Reps. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) and Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids) introduced legislation today — House Bills 4205 and 4206 — aiming to curb assault weapon violence by prohibiting the open carry of an assault weapon within 1,000 feet of a federal, state, county or local government building. Those who knowingly carry an assault weapon within this zone would be guilty of a punishable crime; the legislation establishes misdemeanor penalties for first and [...]
Kent County State Representatives Call for an Investigation into Unethical Child Labor Practices in Metro Grand Rapids
KENT COUNTY, Mich., Feb. 28, 2023 — The New York Times published an article on Feb. 25 exposing the exploitation of migrant child workers, including children in the Grand Rapids area at three factories in House District 80 and one in House District 81. In response, several state representatives issued statements. State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) discussed the responses of the state representatives upon learning of the investigative report: “Over the last few days, local Democratic [...]
Skaggs Issues Statement on MSU Shooting
GRAND RAPIDS, Feb. 14, 2023 — State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-Grand Rapids) issued the following statement after the shooting at Michigan State University, where three MSU students were murdered and five were left in critical condition: “This morning, across our state, Michiganders are mourning the lost lives of three of our young people, murdered on the campus of Michigan State University. My deepest condolences go out to the parents, friends and loved ones of the souls taken from us [...]
Skaggs Applauds Executive Budget Proposal for Record-breaking Investments for Students and Schools
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 8, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presented her recommended budget for the fiscal 2024-25 at a joint meeting of the House and Senate Appropriations committees today at the Capitol. The budget funds all state departments and public education. The proposed spending plan includes record public school funding, expanding clean energy, improvements in infrastructure and public health, and investments in public safety and local communities. State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement on Whitmer’s [...]
Skaggs 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. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) — who was [...]
Skaggs Sworn In as Representative for the 80th House District
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Bolden (second left) swears in state Rep. Skaggs, who was joined by his wife, Kate Skaggs, and legislative aides Tom Stephenson Alyson Zdunzcyk during a swearing-in ceremony at the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. LANSING, Mich., Jan. 11, 2023 — State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) 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 [...]