Hello Friends,
The 2025-26 legislative session is officially well underway. House and Senate committees began meeting last month and we have already started voting on a number of bills and resolutions on the House floor. I am excited to get to work bringing vital resources home to Kent County and representing our community values.
I am also working hard to introduce my own legislation soon. My office has been hard at work researching and drafting a number of bill ideas. We will be sure to share updates in future e-newsletters as these bills are finalized and ready to be introduced.
As always, my office is reachable by phone at (517) 373-1790 and by email at StephenWooden@house.mi.gov. Please feel free to reach out at any time with questions, concerns, or to share your thoughts on a particular issue.
Sincerely,
Stephen Wooden
State Representative, 81st House District
Proudly representing parts of the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Charter Township, Plainfield Charter Township and all of Ada Township.
In this Issue:
- Upcoming Time with Stephen
- Legislative Update
- What We’ve Been Up To
- Resources
UPCOMING TIME WITH STEPHEN
Community Coffee Hour
Due to circumstances outside of my office’s control, we will need to reschedule our standing coffee hour. Please keep an eye out on social media and in our future e-newsletters, as we hope to announce a new time and location soon.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Wooden Opposes Republican Proposed Budget Cuts
Republicans’ Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Plan
On March 6, House Republicans introduced and rushed through the House chamber a budget that claims to provide funding for essential services in the event of a government shutdown. However, this proposal fails to secure critical funding for key government services. If enacted as is, this plan would have devastating effects on state operations, especially for vulnerable individuals and school children.
For example, the $15.6 billion school aid budget that was passed fails to address key funding gaps for Michigan schools. The bills cut 92% of the general budget and 25% of the school aid budget. All but one House Democrat voted against this budget, and we immediately held a press conference to address budget concerns and ensure transparency in state spending. We will continue to fight for a budget that prioritizes education, health care and infrastructure while rejecting harmful cuts.[1]
Republicans’ Road Funding Agenda
House Republicans also recently passed a road funding package that would make broad sweeping changes to how roads are funded in our state. I agree that we need a serious, long-term plan to fix Michigan’s roads. Our roads have been underfunded for decades, and we need to invest more heavily in our roads and other transportation infrastructure.
However, I believe the Republican road agenda is not the solution. Their plan takes out $3 billion from the General Fund, which invests in critical services and essential programs that Michiganders rely on. These programs could include, free school meals, veteran suicide prevention, housing services, healthcare services, and state park funds.
We all want better roads, but not at the expense of our communities. Michiganders shouldn’t have to choose between fixing potholes and ensuring their children can learn on a full stomach. Fixing roads shouldn’t mean gutting Michigan’s safety net, and the Republican road plan is a road map to this happening. We need real, responsible solutions that put people first. I am committed to working with my House and Senate colleagues to find real solutions to our roads crisis, without sacrificing vital services our state needs, such as healthcare, housing, and education.
Voting Against So-Called “Proof of Citizenship” Amendment,
On March 11, the House Election Integrity Committee voted on House Joint Resolution B, a proposed constitutional amendment that would make drastic changes to Michigan’s election laws. HJR B would require all Michiganders to provide proof of citizenship documentation, such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate, in order to vote. This amendment is similar to the SAVE Act proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives.
We can all agree that only American citizens should be voting in our elections. However, Michigan elections are already safe and secure and noncitizen voting is extremely rare. Michigan has had one instance of a non-citizen voting in years. One voter out of 7.2 million registered voters is equal to 0.000014% of the entire state electorate.
Procuring the required legal documents to vote could prove costly, as a copy of a birth certificate can cost $34, and a passport can cost between $130 and $165. Even though the proposed amendment claims an individual can claim hardship in order to receive proof of citizenship at no cost, I don’t believe that anyone, regardless of their financial status, should ever have to pay a fee in order to cast their vote. Many Michiganders are already struggling to get by due to rising costs caused by looming tariffs and may not be able to afford these costs.
States that have implemented similar laws have faced numerous issues. Kansas had a so-called “proof of citizenship” law in effect between 2011 and 2018, which ended up blocking the voter registrations of more than 31,000 U.S. citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote. The current Kansas Secretary of State, a Republican who supported the law as a state legislator, now doesn’t believe other states should attempt it.
Arizona has had a similar law on the book for 20 years and has had numerous issues implementing it. It was reported that nearly 43,000 eligible voters could be prevented from voting based upon the law’s requirements and hurdles. Despite this, two non-citizens were still able to register to vote.
HJR B also puts over 2 million women in Michigan, who have changed their names following marriage or divorce and no longer match their birth certificate, at risk of disenfranchisement. There is nothing written in this resolution that would ensure they are not disadvantaged. The policy would also disproportionately affect military members serving overseas, senior citizens, and disabled individuals who may struggle to make it to their local clerk’s office to present this documentation in person in time.
Ultimately, I believe HJR B creates too many barriers to the ballot box, and I cannot support any legislation that would make Michigan’s elections less accessible, free and fair.
WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO
House Passes My Resolution to Commemorate 50 Years of Service for Ronald McDonald House Charities
Last week, I introduced a resolution to honor the Ronald McDonald House Charities’ 50 years of service to those in need across the globe and for their continued efforts to support the health and well-being of Michiganders. The House adopted the resolution unanimously.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities was established in 1974 and has been keeping families together and near the medical care they need ever since. There are five locations across Michigan in Lansing, Detroit, Grand Rapids and two in Ann Arbor, offering families a place to stay, enjoy hot meals, and support families while their child is receiving care.
Directors of the five Michigan RMHCs, McDonald’s owners and the McDonald’s government affairs team joined us in Lansing to commemorate this resolution.
March is Reading Month
This month, I will be visiting schools across our community to promote the joy of reading and talk to students about how our state government works.
I was lucky enough to start the month by reading to the class of my favorite constituent, Sam Wooden!
I am excited to visit other schools and classrooms across the 81st House District this month.
RESOURCES
March is Reading Month!
I believe that reading is a wonderful activity for the whole family. Try these simple tips to help your child fall in love with reading:
- Get a library card. The Kent District Library is an excellent community resource I encourage all my constituents to explore.
- Read together before bedtime. You can even switch it up and ask your kids to read to you!
- Make books available. Keeping books in the car, on the table and around the house will encourage kids to pick them up.
- Create a cozy “reading nook.” A special space can make reading feel even more inviting.
- Read with friends and family! Forming a book club or reading the same books as your child helps deepen engagement and discussion.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Our office is always here to answer any questions, concerns, or listen to any thoughts you have on any particular issue. The best way to reach us is by email at StephenWooden@house.mi.gov or give us a call at (517) 373-1790. Our team is working hard to respond to every email and voicemail left with our office in a timely manner.