Detroit Caucus Mourns Loss of Legal Legend Virgil C. Smith
Former legislator and judge dies at 77 LANSING, Mich., June 24, 2025 — Michigan’s legal and political landscape are saddened by the loss of Judge Virgil C. Smith, who passed away on June 23, 2025, at the age of 77. “Virgil Smith was a champion for justice, equality and community,” said state Rep. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit), chair of the Detroit Caucus. “From his leadership in Lansing to his thoughtful decisions on the bench, his legacy will continue to inspire [...]
Detroit Caucus Celebrates City’s Population Growth
State Rep. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit) speaks on the House floor on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Capitol Building in Lansing. DETROIT, Mich., May 16, 2025 — The U.S. Census released a report yesterday showing that the city of Detroit experienced a population growth of more than 12,000 residents in the last year. With this increase, the city is now ranked the 26th largest in the nation, surpassing Portland and coming in just behind Boston. “Detroit’s population [...]
House Dems Speak Out Against Tone-Deaf, Reckless MI GOP Agenda, Demand Better for Michiganders
Democratic lawmakers take action to lower costs, condemn Republican “Gulf of America” bill LANSING, Mich., May 2, 2025 — Michigan House Democrats spoke up about making life more affordable and spoke out and voted against Republican efforts to inject toxic D.C. politics and chaos into the Michigan Legislature this week. View their media availability here. Democratic members criticized Republican House members for wasting taxpayers’ time and money on political messaging, instead of working with House Dems to lower costs for [...]
House Democrats Host International Workers’ Day Press Conference
Lawmakers introduce “Putting Workers First” legislative package to expand workers rights State Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) speaks at the International Workers’ Day Press Conference on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., May 2, 2025 — State Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) hosted a press conference with state Reps. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) and Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) yesterday. Together they introduced the “Putting Workers First” legislative package to expand workers’ rights [...]
Weiss, Fellow House Dems Aim to Stop Payroll Fraud
Lawmakers introduce legislation to protect Michigan workers and taxpayers Members of the House Democratic Caucus stand together at the “Stop Payroll Fraud” press conference on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., April 17, 2025 — State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) and Democratic colleagues hosted a press conference this week to introduce a package of bills, House Bills 4316-27, designed to crack down on payroll fraud, focusing on companies that [...]
House Dems Stand Against Republicans Placing Political Agendas Before Students and Schools
State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) speaks in opposition of House Resolution 55 on Thursday, March 20, 2025 on the House floor at the Capitol in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., March 20, 2025 — President Trump signed an executive order today that will close the Department of Education (DOE). Michigan House Republicans echoed the move by adopting House Resolution 55, which supports the devolution of power from the federal government to states and urges the U.S. Congress to fully [...]
House Dems Warn Against Department of Education Layoffs, Looming Shut Down
Republican crusade to cut USDOE and MDOE services threatens access to higher education for Michiganders LANSING, Mich. March 14, 2025 — The Department of Education (DOE) announced plans to lay off more than 1,300 employees this week — in line with the Trump Administration’s plans to gut the department. Left with only about half of its staff, essential services that hundreds of thousands of Michiganders rely on are expected to be more inefficient, including assistance for families applying for [...]
Weiss on Republicans’ Slash to Michigan’s Education Budget
Budget recommendations gut state government and education State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) speaks out against House Bills 4161 and 4162 at the Capitol in Lansing on March 6, 2025. LANSING, Mich., March 7, 2025 — House Republicans hastily and irresponsibly passed their fiscal year 2025-26 budgets yesterday — House Bill 4161 and 4162 — which would cut the state general budget by almost 92%, gutting investments to a wide range of areas including education, school meals for [...]
Detroit Caucus Applauds Governor’s Vision for Michigan’s Future in State of the State Address
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 28, 2025 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her seventh State of the State Address before a joint legislative session this week. The governor highlighted key investments that will have a direct impact on Detroiters. Detroit Caucus members stand ready to work with the governor and their legislative colleagues to turn this vision into reality. One of the governor’s signature proposals is to continue providing free pre-K for all four-year-olds, a move that will make early childhood education [...]
Weiss Applauds Investments that Put the Future of Michigan’s Kids First
Funding for school safety, literacy bills signed into law LANSING, Mich. Oct. 10, 2024 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three historic education bills into law today, investing in school safety and supporting student literacy. The school aid supplemental, House Bill 5503, ensures school systems across the state will receive a total of $150 million to invest in the safety and mental health of Michigan’s kids. Plus, there is an additional $1 million specifically allocated for gun violence prevention. A bill package strengthening the [...]
House Dems Deliver for School Safety, Mental Health
Legislators continue putting students, educators first LANSING, Mich. Sept. 25, 2024 — Michigan House Democrats passed House Bill 5503 today, which continues their legacy of supporting Michigan schools and students. These investments will provide school systems across the state more resources to invest in school safety and mental health, ensuring the best outcome for Michigan kids. “This legislation signals our continued commitment to making our schools stronger. We continue supporting robust investments in education that will allow dedicated educators to [...]
Weiss on Revised Revenue Estimate
LANSING, Mich., May 17, 2024 — Economists from the House and Senate fiscal agencies and State Budget Office gathered this morning for the second and final Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference for 2024. After the conference, state Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Education, issued the following statement: “Today’s conference highlighted that we are returning to more typical revenue levels when it comes to how schools are funded. As a teacher, mother and legislator, [...]
Weiss Celebrates House Recommended Budget for the School Aid Fund
Democrats continue building stronger schools in your hometown State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) speaks on the House Floor in support of the School Aid Budget, May 8, 2024. Weiss is the chair of the House Appropriations School Aid Fund and Michigan Department of Education Subcommittee. LANSING, Mich., May 8, 2024 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed its recommended fiscal 2024-25 budget today. It includes substantial investments in Michigan's public education system, reflecting the commitment House [...]
House Dems Invest in You and Your Hometown
LANSING, Mich., May 8, 2024 — Michigan House Democrats have been hard at work to ensure the fiscal year 2024-25 budget invests locally, where it matters. House Bills 5499-5517 and House Bill 5556 together promote success and opportunity for Michiganders by making investments to attract businesses that cultivate more jobs, to promote education for fruitful career readiness and to strengthen the inner workings of Michigan — whether it’s physical infrastructure or expanding equity. After a lot of hard work, the [...]
Laws Taking Effect to Empower Michigan Workers
House Democrats mark new era by strengthening workers’ rights Members of the public listen to testimony of the House Labor Committee on March 8, 2023, in the House Office Building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., Feb. 4, 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 [...]
Labor Caucus on GM Layoff Announcement
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 14, 2023 — General Motors announced layoffs today at two Michigan plants, affecting 1,314 workers. The announcement by GM today follows the other layoff announcement just weeks ago by Stellantis, affecting over a 1,000 Michiganders. State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), chair of the Labor Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the GM layoffs: “The layoff of workers by GM is an outrageous move motivated by corporate greed. These layoffs were announced not only [...]
House Democrats Continue Reinvesting in Michigan Students and Communities
Mid-year budget bills fund clean water, education, talent development LANSING, Mich., Nov. 3, 2023 — Michigan House Democrats celebrated the passage of two budget bills that will have a positive impact on families across the state. House Bill 4292 and Senate Bill 174 were carefully crafted to address various needs — such as access to clean drinking water in schools and child care centers, reducing public school debt and investing in talent development. This legislation represents a fiscally responsible [...]
Michigan House Democrats Respond to Anti-Student Supreme Court Rulings
LANSING, Mich., June 30, 2023 — The U.S. Supreme Court handed down the last of its decisions of the term this week, overturning affirmative action and blocking student loan forgiveness. “These Supreme Court rulings represent a profound step backward for our nation and students across America,” said state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges. “Affirmative action has been a powerful tool to promote equality of opportunity for Black students [...]
Michigan House Passes Historic State Budget
LANSING, Mich., June 28, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed its fiscal 2023-24 budget today. It includes the largest investment in education in Michigan’s history, in addition to substantial investments in workforce recruitment and retention, infrastructure and public safety. It would provide every public school student with free breakfast and lunch and make pre-K affordable for more families. “This budget reinvests in Michigan,” said Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit). “Decades of underinvestments have led to infrastructure failures, worker shortages, [...]
Lawmakers Applaud Passage of Bills Supporting Teachers
LANSING, Mich., June 20, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed a package of bills that restore the rights of teachers and school employees to bargain for good working conditions and better support their students. The four-bill package was introduced by state Reps. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) and Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids). House Bills 4354 and 4355 would permit the inclusion of certain topics in negotiations during collective bargaining for public school employees. The bills [...]
House Democrats Restore Rights, Wages for Michigan Workers
Three bills preserve workers’ freedoms, bring back prevailing wage LANSING, Mich., March 8, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed critical legislation today to uplift working people across the state. House Bills 4004 and 4005 restore worker freedoms and re-establish union rights by eliminating the state’s so-called “right-to-work” laws. Since their adoption in 2012, these laws have siphoned resources away from unions, which impaired their ability to bargain effectively on behalf of their members. Workers in states with expanded [...]
Labor Caucus Celebrates Passage of Legislation to Restore Worker Freedoms, Prevailing Wage
LANSING, Mich., March 8, 2023 — Today, the Michigan Legislative Labor Caucus celebrated the long-awaited passage of bills that restore worker freedoms by repealing the state’s so-called “right-to-work” (RTW) law and guaranteeing higher wages for construction workers by reinstating prevailing wage. Enacted in 2012, Michigan’s anti-worker “right-to-work” law prohibited labor contracts that required union dues or fees, and was heavily opposed by unions since its implementation. House Bills 4004 and 4005, sponsored by state Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), repeals [...]
Weiss Ready to Continue Prioritizing Education With Whitmer
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. “Our schools have received more funding in the last two [...]
House Democrats Tout ‘MI Pocketbook Plan’ to Protect Michiganders’ Finances
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 8, 2022 — Michigan House Democrats unveiled a six-bill package providing tax relief to Michigan families and protecting workers. Bills in the “MI Pocketbook Plan” would repeal the retirement tax, cut taxes for working families and issue most Michigan families a $500 tax rebate, among other measures. “Skyrocketing prices have taken a big bite out of families’ finances this year,” said state Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), vice chair of the Labor Caucus. “With a record-breaking surplus in [...]
Weiss on Reproductive Freedom For All Petition
LANSING, Mich., July 11, 2022 — Organizers for the Reproductive Freedom for All petition delivered signatures to the Bureau of Elections today. 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. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement on the delivery of the signatures: “I am in awe that the Reproductive [...]
Rep. Weiss on Beaumont Reversing its Policy on Abortions
ROYAL OAK, Mich, June 26, 2022 — After a series of mixed messages regarding its abortion policy following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, Beaumont Health Spectrum Health (BHSH) released a statement clarifying that it will continue providing medically necessary abortions. State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) responded with her own statement: “I am relieved that BHSH will continue providing the critical health care services that its patients need. However, this situation underscores the need for reproductive health advocates to continue pressuring [...]
Educational Assessment Grace Package of Bills will Waive Punitive Consequences for Students and Schools
LANSING, Mich., April 12, 2022 — Michigan students are returning from Spring Breaks and starting the standardized testing process for M-STEP and Michigan Merit Exams, following another tumultuous school year punctuated by surges of COVID-19 delta and omicron variants. School districts are implementing COVID-19 Rescue dollars to address academic supports, emotional support services, and facilities that have been identified by respective communities. Educational professional staffing shortages have presented additional challenge for schools and instruction. State Rep. Lori Stone (D-Warren) led a bipartisan [...]
Weiss 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. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) voted in support of the bill, highlighting the $2.2 billion in funding for water infrastructure. Weiss issued the following statement: “I am proud to have worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle on a budget that takes us one step closer to rebuilding our aging infrastructure. This investment sets [...]
House Democrats Introduce Legislative Package That Will Put Michigan Workers First
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 24, 2022 — Yesterday, Michigan House Democrats introduced a 34-bill package that puts Michigan workers first by restoring organizing, collective bargaining and workers’ rights. “Though they might not always get the credit they’re due, unions and the hardworking people of Michigan have always kept our state moving forward. Over the years, however, they have been stripped of so many of their rights,” said state Rep. Terry Sabo (D-Muskegon), chair of the Labor Caucus. “As legislators, it’s our [...]
Weiss Supports Labor Rally Against Discrimination
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 17, 2022 — Today, members of the Michigan House Democratic Caucus joined a coalition of labor voices in downtown Lansing in support of the United Six — a group of electricians formerly employed by United Electric Contractors. In a lawsuit filed last month, the group alleges that UEC maintained a retaliatory and hostile work environment where racial slurs and discrimination against black and brown workers were commonplace. They held the demonstration in front of the Associated Builders and Contractors of [...]
Labor Caucus Unveils Legislative Package That Puts Workers First
Bicameral, 34-bill package aims to restore organizing, collective bargaining and workers’ rights LANSING, Mich., Feb. 15, 2022 — The Michigan Labor Caucus held a press conference today to unveil its plan to put Michigan workers first by restoring organizing, collective bargaining and workers’ rights. “Our plan is about working families finding security in our economy,” said Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Township). “As the drivers of Michigan’s production, our workers deserve dignity and self-determination, not exploitation and abuse. Our workforce is fighting [...]
House Democrats Support Budget Proposal that Delivers for All Michiganders
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 9, 2022 — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled her priorities for the fiscal year 2023 state budget. In a presentation to both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Budget Director Chris Harkins outlined the governor’s plans on a number of critical issues, including significant investments in the economy, infrastructure, education, health care and public safety. “The governor’s budget proposal is a historic investment in our economy, our infrastructure, and our vital services and workers. We’re very pleased to see a budget [...]
Weiss on General Motors’ Announcement, Bringing 4,000 New Jobs to Michigan
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 25, 2022 — Today, General Motors announced a $6.5 billion investment in electric vehicle manufacturing in Michigan, including the construction of a new electric vehicle battery plant in Delta Township and a $4 billion investment in its Orion assembly plant that will together create 4,000 jobs. Both projects are part of GM’s effort to shift to 100% electric vehicle production by 2035. State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement celebrating the news: “Last year, [...]
Weiss, Moss on Sentencing of Danny Fenster
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 12, 2021 — American journalist Danny Fenster, a Huntington Woods, Mich. native, was sentenced today to 11 years in prison in Myanmar following his detention on false charges earlier this year. Fenster is the managing editor of Frontier Myanmar but was arrested at Yangon International Airport while on his way home to Michigan on charges he was working for another media outlet banned by the military regime. “I am deeply disappointed in the verdict today to convict [...]
Weiss, Hood Introduce Legislation to Update Sexual Education Curriculum
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 21, 2021 — State Reps. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) and Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) introduced a bill package yesterday to provide much-needed changes to the health education curriculum taught to students around the state. “How we teach our students about sexual education plays a vital role in their ability to develop safe and healthy relationships,” said Weiss, sponsor of House Bill 5476. “Not teaching our students the whole story around sex can have serious implications. Consent and [...]
Sen. Moss, Reps. Bolden, Steckloff, Weiss Secure Major Southern Oakland County Investments
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 22, 2021 — Southern Oakland County’s state legislators today approved critical funding for the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget that will support local infrastructure, public safety, community health, and parks and recreation projects. Totaling just under $70 billion — using a combination of state and federal funds — the bipartisan budget agreement provides opportunities to renew and rebuild Michigan in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the health and wellness of Michiganders, their families, and communities. [...]
Sen. Moss, Reps. Bolden, Steckloff, Weiss Secure Major Southern Oakland County Investments
LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 22, 2021) — Southern Oakland County’s state legislators today approved critical funding for the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget that will support local infrastructure, public safety, community health, and parks and recreation projects. Totaling just under $70 billion — using a combination of state and federal funds — the bipartisan budget agreement provides opportunities to renew and rebuild Michigan in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the health and wellness of Michiganders, their families, and communities. [...]
Weiss Introduces Legislation to Address Declining Enrollment in Schools
LANSING, Mich., Aug. 18, 2021 — State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) recently introduced House Bill 5270 to provide $200 million to school districts for declining enrollment — enabling districts experiencing student loss this year to stabilize their budgets. “As more students have moved to homeschool or online instruction because of the pandemic, school districts across the state are receiving less state funding and struggling to keep needed resources for our students,” Weiss said. “Our schools are at the heart [...]
Weiss on Whitmer Signing School Aid Budget
LANSING, Mich., July 15, 2021 — State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) 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: “As a teacher, I know how important it is that every child receives a great education. I am proud that our state has created a budget that will transform our education system by closing the funding gap for the first time, investing more [...]
Stone Fights to Waive Evaluations Tied to Student Testing
LANSING, Mich., June 30, 2021 — State Rep. Lori Stone (D-Warren) led a coalition of legislators to create a package of education bills targeted at implementing the U.S. Education Department waiver into statute. These bills would prevent students, educators, administrators and schools from being penalized due to standardized testing scores administered during COVID-19. “Our teachers have already been through so much during the last two school years,” said Stone, sponsor of HB 5049. “From the abrupt transition to online schooling [...]
House Democrats Continue Push to Bring Home Federal Funding
Schools need investments while our taxpayer dollars gather dust in D.C. LANSING, Mich., June 4, 2021 — With another week having gone by in which legislative Republicans refused to appropriate all available federal funding with a supplemental budget bill, House Democrats are renewing their calls to bring home all the COVID-19 relief that Michiganders are entitled to. With school districts wrapping up this school year and beginning to look toward the next, their financial futures are uncertain. “After months [...]
House Democrats Call for Release of Federal Funding for Families, Schools
LANSING, Mich., May 27, 2021 — Republicans are continuing to leave $3.7 billion of federal COVID-19 relief funding in Washington, D.C. instead of bringing aid home to Michigan where it can be put to good use. After five months of leaving this money stranded, Michigan's most vulnerable are now paying the price. An additional $1 billion of this relief includes vital Emergency Rental Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits Michiganders desperately need. “In the wake of the worst [...]
House Democrats Call for Release of Federal Funding for Families, Schools
LANSING, Mich., May 27, 2021 — Republicans are continuing to leave $3.7 billion of federal COVID-19 relief funding in Washington, D.C. instead of bringing aid home to Michigan where it can be put to good use. After five months of leaving this money stranded, Michigan's most vulnerable are now paying the price. An additional $1 billion of this relief includes vital Emergency Rental Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits Michiganders desperately need. “In the wake of the worst [...]
Republicans Still Playing Games with Billions of Dollars in Covid-19 Relief
Partisan agendas are costing the people of Michigan LANSING, Mich., April 28, 2021 – House Republicans continued playing political games with federal COVID relief funding in Appropriations Committee this morning, proposing tie-barring much of the funds to limiting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s authority and other partisan agenda items. “While Michigan Republicans continue to play political games with much-needed COVID-19 recovery funds, it’s the people of Michigan who are paying the price." said House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Twp.). “Once [...]
Weiss Appointed Democratic Vice-Chair of House Sub-Committee on School Aid and Michigan Department of Education
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 21, 2021 — State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) was appointed Democratic Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on School Aid and Michigan Department of Education today for the 2021-22 legislative term. Weiss is serving her first term representing Michigan’s 27th House District, and as a former teacher brings an in-depth knowledge of Michigan’s public schools to her role on the committee. Following the announcement, Weiss issued the following statement: “This is exactly why I ran for office – [...]
Weiss Sworn in as Representative for 27th House District
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 13, 2021 — State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) was sworn in today as representative for the 2021-2022 legislative session. The swearing-in ceremony marked the formal opening of Michigan’s 101st Legislature. “As a former educator, I’ve seen first-hand the impact decades of inadequate funding has had on our classrooms, and that was even before the COVID-19 placed challenge after challenge before our students and teachers,” said Weiss. “I’m humbled to have this opportunity to serve my fellow [...]