Hello Friends,

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful Michigan summer. As August arrives, many of us are enjoying the last of summer vacation and beginning back-to-school prep. Community events will begin to wind down as well, so I encourage everyone to check out some of the events we have shared in this issue.

As always, my office is reachable by phone at 517-373-1790 and by email at [email protected]. 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 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 Updates
  • Executive Updates
  • District Updates
  • Upcoming Community Events

 

UPCOMING TIME WITH STEPHEN

 

 

August Coffee Hour

This will be an opportunity to meet with me directly to ask questions, share concerns and learn more about what I’ve been up to in Lansing. I hope to see you there!

Friday, Aug. 14, 9:30-11 a.m., Creston Neighborhood Association (205 Carrier St. NE #1, Grand Rapids, MI 49505)

Coffee hours will rotate around House District 81 throughout the year. Stay tuned for future locations and dates.

 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

 

Data Center Guardrails Bill Package

In late June, House Democrats introduced House Bills 6135–6142 to establish guardrails for data centers built in Michigan. Across the state, we are seeing data centers proposed, and there is limited legislation addressing them.

When data centers are built in Michigan, we must ensure they truly benefit everyday people and local communities, not just those who profit from them. Local communities deserve the chance to ensure data centers hire local, further protect ratepayers, limit water use and ensure meaningful community investment through robust community benefits agreements. These bills do just that. I am proud to be a part of this package and am excited to work with my colleagues to get these important guardrails in place.

 

State Budget Highlights 

After a long all-night session last month, the FY27 state budget was passed, including much needed investments to support affordable childcare and universal school meals, protect Medicaid and SNAP benefits, and strengthen affordable housing efforts across the state.

Due in large part to cuts at the federal level, Michigan has been struggling with a large budget deficit. As a result, difficult decisions were made. While this budget is far from perfect, Michigan Democrats fought hard to ensure critical programs Michiganders rely on were protected. We successfully minimized the impact of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” by protecting access to healthcare and food assistance.

This budget also puts MI families first by continuing the universal school meals program to ensure every child has the food they need to thrive in the classroom, investing in Rx Kids to support pregnant mothers and newborns, and codifying the MI Tri-Share and Care Share programs to support working parents. We also made sure to invest in housing, allocating $50 million for community housing development, funded the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program in Michigan (LIHTC), and provided $29 million for supportive housing.

I look forward to continuing to support smart investments that bring relief to Michigan families and make life more affordable.

 

Rep. Wooden’s “Smart-Stair” Legislation is Signed Into Law

I’m excited to announce that I have had my first bill signed into law as a public act! Rep. Fairbairn’s and my smart-stair bills, House Bills 5570 and 5571, were signed into law by the governor last month as part of the state’s broader efforts to tackle the housing crisis.

The two-bill package now permits single-stair construction up to four stories statewide and no longer permits six stories in select areas. While the final version may be a bit different from what was originally proposed, compromise is not a dirty word. As a result of working together, thousands of new residences across our state will now be feasible. Vacant lots that were too small to build on will see new investment.

I’m extremely proud of all my colleagues and staff who worked to pass this legislation. While no single bill can solve Michigan’s housing crisis alone, this is a great step that will go a long way in lowering costs to build new housing for working- and middle-class families in the areas people most want to live.

 

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

 

Governor Signs Bills to Combat the Housing Crisis

At a press event in Grand Rapids, the governor recently signed a series of bills that will help alleviate the housing problem in Michigan by cutting unnecessary red tape, lowering housing costs and making more homes available to families.

These bills create the Michigan Housing Opportunity Tax Credit, which will work with the federal low-income housing tax credit to incentivize the building of more affordable housing in Michigan. Along with this, Rep. Fairbairn’s and my “smart-stair” bills will help cut down on building sizes and lower construction costs by upwards of 10%, reducing the time and cost necessary for housing projects. The governor also signed legislation that will prohibit large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, protecting families from being outpriced in housing.

With this series of legislation, as well as the investments in housing in our state budget, we are doing what is necessary to ensure every Michigander can have a safe, affordable home to call their own.

 

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

 

City of Grand Rapids

RTS & United Futures 5th Annual Back to School Bash, Sunday, Aug. 16, at 3 p.m. at 4650 South Division Ave., Grand Rapids.

Free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, games, raffles, vendors, food and tons of family fun for the community.

 

Ada Township

Ada Farmers Market, every Tuesday until Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Community Church in Ada parking lot, 7239 Thornapple River Drive SE, Ada.

 

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 [email protected]. Our team is working hard to respond to every email and voicemail left with our office in a timely manner. We appreciate your patience as we experience increased communications!