House Expands Hearing Aid Coverage for Kids
State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) speaks in support of House Bills 4944 and 4966 on the House Floor in the Michigan Capitol Building on Dec. 3, 2024. LANSING, Mich., Dec. 3, 2024 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation to make hearing aids for children more affordable. House Bill 4963, sponsored by state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), and House Bill 4944, sponsored by state Rep. Dale Zorn (R-Cambridge), require insurers to cover hearing aids for [...]
Steckloff Celebrates $1.5 Billion Federal Investment in Nuclear Energy in Michigan
State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) delivers a speech on the House Floor on May 8, 2024, in the State Capitol Building. FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Sept. 30, 2024 — The Biden-Harris administration committed funds today for the restoration and reactivation of the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert Township. The loan is part of a federal effort to triple U.S. nuclear power capacity to support emissions-free power and combat climate change effects. This restoration will be the first time in [...]
House Dems Bring Drug Pricing Transparency to Michigan
Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) delivering testimony on H.B. 4409 on April 20, 2023, in the Anderson House Office Building. LANSING, Mich., June 26, 2024 — State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) celebrated the passage of her bill, HB 4409, out of the Michigan House of Representatives, requiring drug companies to report increases in prescription drug costs. The bill establishes the Drug Manufacturing Data Reporting Act to ensure Michigan’s drug companies are transparent about their pricing, giving consumers greater insight [...]
Steckloff Celebrates Budget for Colleges, Universities
Democrats reducing cost of higher education for Michiganders State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) speaks in support of the Budget on May 8, 2024, on the House Floor of the Michigan Capitol. LANSING, Mich., May 9, 2024 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed its version of the fiscal 2024-25 budget yesterday. It includes substantial investments in Michigan's public education system, reflecting the commitment House Democrats have pledged to community building, support, advancement and growth. After the vote, state [...]
Lawmakers Unveil Bipartisan Plan to Spur Nuclear Energy Generation in Michigan
Legislators aim to make Michigan a national leader in nuclear energy field LANSING, Mich., March 19, 2024 — A bipartisan effort is underway in the Michigan House of Representatives to encourage safe, clean and reliable nuclear energy generation in the state. State Reps. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), Graham Filler (R-Clinton County), Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park), Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) and Pauline Wendzel (R-Bainbridge Township) unveiled a comprehensive plan today to spur the development of modern nuclear energy technology in Michigan. “Introducing this bipartisan plan alongside my esteemed colleagues is a [...]
Steckloff Applauds Senate Passage of IVF Protection Bills
Dems send bills guaranteeing access to fertility health care to governor's desk State Reps. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) and Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, medical professionals, students and community members held a roundtable discussion on the topic of reproductive rights and fertility freedoms, including ensuring the right to in vitro fertilization (IVF) on March 18, 2024, at East Lansing public library. LANSING, Mich., March 19, 2024 — The Michigan Senate passed a bill package [...]
Michigan Democrats Support Access to Fertility Health Care
Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) testifies in support of the Fertility Health Act bill package in the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety on March 7, 2024, in Lansing. Bill package to secure reproductive rights and freedoms gets committee hearing LANSING, Mich., March 7, 2024 — State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) gave testimony today on the Fertility Health Care Act in the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety. This nine-bill package, House bills 5207-15, eliminates [...]
Michigan House Democrats Deliver a Clear Message: Politicians Should Stay Out of Individual Reproductive Health Decisions
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 28, 2024 — House Dems have united to denounce threats against and confusion about access to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Yesterday, bills were introduced in both the Alabama Senate and House that aim to give legal protection to anyone who provides IVF in the state. This comes after the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision asserting that frozen embryos possess the same legal rights as children. The decision has caused confusion and anxiety for patients and providers, causing some [...]
House Dems Busy Building Budget, Bolstering Michiganders
House Appropriations Chair state Rep. Angela Witwer (Delta Township) greets Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist at a joint meeting of the House and Senate Appropriations committees on Feb. 7 at the Michigan Capitol. LANSING, Mich., Feb. 23, 2024 — Budget season has sprung in Lansing, and House Democrats are steadfast at work crafting budgets that will build on last year's wise reinvestments in critical areas such housing, infrastructure, education, economic development, and the health and wellbeing [...]
Steckloff on State of the State Address
Lawmaker optimistic about Michigan’s direction LANSING, Mich., Jan. 24, 2024 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered this year’s State of the State address today before a joint legislative session. In her speech, the governor discussed her agenda for the new term, which includes lowering costs for Michiganders, expanding educational opportunities and strengthening the state’s economy. State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) issued the following statement on Whitmer’s address: “The volume and quality of work that my Democratic colleagues and I accomplished last year has set [...]
Bills Ensuring Parentage Protections, Security for Children Pass
Legislation enacts legal framework for surrogacy, clear link to parents LANSING, Mich., Nov. 9, 2023 — The Michigan House voted on legislation today to provide security for Michigan children and parents, creating the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act. The legislation ensures children born in Michigan have access to a secure legal relationship with their parents, which is vital to their well-being. Michigan’s existing law leaves many children in Michigan born through assisted reproduction or surrogacy without clear legal protection [...]
Steckloff, Glanville Support Michigan Higher Ed Institutions as Xenophobia Rises
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 23, 2023 — State Reps. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), chair of the House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and Carol Glanville (D-Walker), chair of the House Higher Education Committee, reached out to college and university leaders across Michigan to express their support and concern regarding growing antisemitism and islamophobia on campuses in light of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The letter’s content can be found below: Urging Awareness of Heightened Antisemitism on Michigan’s College Campuses October 20, 2023 Dear Presidents, [...]
House Democrats Pass Bills Celebrating Michigan’s Diverse Cultures
Legislation establishes religious observances as state holidays LANSING, Mich., Sept. 13, 2023 — The House of Representatives passed a package of bills today acknowledging the rich diversity of cultures and religions that Michiganders celebrate and observe. The legislation establishes Diwali, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Lunar New Year, Vaisakhi, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as state-recognized holidays in Michigan. State Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) speaks on bills establishing religious and cultural observances as state holidays on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, [...]
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 [...]
Steckloff on Higher Education and Community College Budgets Passing Out of Committee
LANSING, Mich., April 24, 2023 — The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges proposed and voted out budget recommendations last week. State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), chair of the subcommittee, introduced House Bills 4303 and 4304 last month — the legislation proposes the higher education and community college budgets for fiscal year 2023-24. Included in the recommendations are a net increase of $99.5 million for state university operations, $15 million more for community college operations and [...]
Steckloff Introduces Holocaust Memorial Week Resolution, Speaking Out Against Wave of Antisemitism
LANSING, Mich., April 20, 2023 — State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) introduced House Resolution 78 today to declare April 16-22, 2023, as Holocaust Memorial Week in the state of Michigan. This week honors the 6 million Jews and millions of others who were systematically murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. Reflecting on the history of the Holocaust also serves as an important reminder of the devastating horrors that can occur when antisemitism and other [...]
House Democrats Introduce Resolution to Condemn Harmful Holocaust Comparisons
LANSING, Mich., March 23, 2023 — State Reps. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) and Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) offered House Resolution 68 today to condemn divisive comparisons between commonsense gun regulations and Nazism. The resolution comes the day after the Michigan GOP tweeted out a comparison between Democratic legislation requiring the safe storage of firearms and the Nazis’ internment and genocide of Jewish people during the Holocaust. “There is absolutely nothing in recorded history like the systematic murder of 6 million Jewish people by Nazis during the [...]
Steckloff Introduces Legislation with Bipartisan Support to Provide Parity for Michiganders Fighting Cancer
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 2, 2023 — State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) introduced House Bill 4071 today. This bill would provide parity for those fighting cancer when it comes to the cost and convenience of their treatment. Currently, chemotherapy received at a hospital or clinic is billed as a service, making it cheaper than chemotherapy taken orally at home and billed as a drug. HB 4071 was referred to the Health Policy Committee. “Despite this same legislation being introduced in [...]
Michigan House Passes International Holocaust Remembrance Day Resolution
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 27, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed a resolution yesterday that recognizes Jan. 27, 2023, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in the state of Michigan. The United Nations established International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, which marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. The day is meant to honor and commemorate the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust. “The Holocaust began with antisemitic rhetoric, not overt acts [...]
Steckloff Raises Concern About Growing Antisemitism in the Media
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Nov. 3, 2022 — The Detroit News published an antisemitic opinion piece last week written by Karen Dumas that labeled Kanye West a victim of cancel culture after he tweeted he was going to “go ‘death con 3’ on Jewish people.” Dumas’ column argued that canceling people because of their opinions and the things they say is dangerous to free speech. She opened her column by stating, “Like so many of our rights, free speech has become [...]
Democrats Working to Update Surrogacy Laws, Keep Families Together
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 21, 2022 — Today, Democratic Sens. Winnie Brinks (Grand Rapids) and Curtis Hertel, Jr. (East Lansing), along with House Reps. Samantha Steckloff (Farmington Hills) and Christine Morse (Texas Township), introduced legislation to update Michigan’s outdated laws surrounding surrogacy in a manner more consistent with modern medicine and processes. Enacted in 1988, Michigan’s current Surrogate Parenting Act declares that any agreements involving surrogacy between the surrogate and the child’s intended parents (even if they are the biological parents) [...]
Steckloff 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. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) issued the following statement on the delivery of the signatures: “When the Supreme Court ruled to overturn [...]
Steckloff’s Bill Protecting Online Consumers Passes the Michigan House
LANSING, Mich., June 21, 2022 — Today, the Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bills 5486 and 5487 aimed at updating consumer protection laws to include online marketplaces and high-volume third-party sellers, aligning Michigan laws with what’s being discussed at the federal level. These bills would require online marketplaces to collect and verify basic seller information and for sellers to provide that information to consumers. State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), sponsor of HB 5486, issued the following statement: “I’m [...]
House Democrats Demand Answers from Wentworth Regarding Robert Regan
Possible future representative raises questions about safety LANSING, Mich., April 14, 2022 — State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) and state Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) authored a letter yesterday to House Speaker Jason Wentworth regarding Robert Regan’s continued candidacy for state House given his violent rhetoric and extremist views, seeking answers to questions the Speaker and Republican Leaders have thus far avoided addressing. “Robert Regan, a violent conspiracy theorist who has faced allegations of domestic abuse, consistently promoted violence and [...]
Steckloff Applauds Federal Transportation Grants Awarded to Michigan
LANSING, Mich., March 18, 2022 — Last week, President Biden and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $409 million in grants to help modernize and improve the country’s bus systems. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) secured two grants totaling over $13.5 million aimed at purchasing and rehabilitating rural transit agencies across the state. In response to this announcement, state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) issued the following statement: “Expanding access to safe, reliable public transportation in our rural communities [...]
Michigan Democrats Unveil School FACT Act to Bring Transparency to Taxpayers
LANSING, Mich., March 1, 2022 — House and Senate Democratic legislators held a press conference today to unveil a 22-bill bicameral package to provide parents and taxpayers with transparent information about education options. The School Freedom, Accountability, Choice and Transparency (FACT) Act would shed light on the authorizing organizations that oversee charter schools and the education management organizations that run them. “Without specific disclosure standards, parents can’t make meaningful comparisons between schools because they lack the information necessary to make [...]
Steckloff Supports Labor Rally in Downtown Lansing
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 18, 2022 — Yesterday, 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 [...]
Steckloff Appointed Democratic Vice Chair of House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 6, 2021 — State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) was appointed to serve as the Democratic vice chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges for the remainder of the 2021-2022 legislative term. Steckloff released the following statement on her new appointment: “I am honored to serve as the Democratic vice chair of the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Throughout the eight years of my career in higher education working with students’ financial [...]
Bolden, Steckloff Applaud Funding for Storm Recovery Efforts in Southfield and Farmington Hills
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 27, 2021 — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer approved $1.2 million in assistance for communities in Oakland and Macomb counties following severe thunderstorms, high winds and tornadoes in July. The funds were made available through the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund, which is used when communities have exhausted their local resources during a disaster or emergency. “I am grateful that the governor has approved over $50,000 for the city of Southfield to help our community recover from this [...]
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. [...]
Steckloff Applauds Passage of House Budget That Provides Critical Public Safety Training and Investments in Infrastructure
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 22, 2021 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed a budget that includes historic investments in health care, child care and infrastructure. Included in the budget is $300,000 to public safety personnel in Farmington Hills to provide police crisis intervention training, $100,000 to replace a fire prevention trailer and $36,000 to Farmington Hills City Hall to upgrade its infrastructure to include electric vehicles charging stations. The Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills will also receive $500,000 to [...]
Kuppa, Steckloff Introduce Bills to Protect Michigan’s Pollinators
LANSING, Mich., May 26, 2021 — State Reps. Padma Kuppa (D-Troy) and Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) introduced House Bills 4895 and 4896, respectively, to protect Michigan’s food supply and economy by supporting the wellbeing of Michigan’s essential pollinating insects. HB 4895 would prohibit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on public land and require the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to produce a report on the costs and benefits of the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. Chemically related to [...]
House Dems Unveil Bills to Strengthen Workplace Safety, Support Michigan’s Working Families
LANSING, Mich., Apr. 29, 2021 — Members of the Michigan House Democratic Caucus, led by state Reps. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) and Terry Sabo (D-Muskegon), unveiled a 14-bill package during a press conference today that would strengthen Michigan’s workplace safety standards and offer better support for working families. Collectively, the legislation would make necessary changes to better reflect the unprecedented impacts facing workplaces and employees due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “Although our battle with COVID-19 [...]
House Democrats introduce legislation to protect Michigan workers
Recently introduced legislation would restore prevailing wage LANSING, Mich., April 5, 2021— House Democrats have introduced a series of bills to restore prevailing wage, as well as give local municipalities the freedom to protect local workers. House Bill 4594, introduced by State Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), would restore Michigan’s prevailing wage law to ensure that construction workers are paid a fair wage commensurate to their skill level and where they live. A study out of Indiana, which repealed [...]
Steckloff Supports Bicameral Equal Pay Legislation
In observance of Equal Pay Day, a bicameral coalition of Michigan Democratic legislators led by members of the Progressive Women’s Caucus (PWC) unveiled legislation during a virtual press conference aimed at closing the gender pay gap in Michigan. In response, state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), sponsor of a bill in the package, released the following statement: “I’m proud to sponsor legislation in this important package that would expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit an employer from asking [...]
House Democrats Oppose Leaving Relief Funding in D.C.
House Republicans continue to prolong COVID-19 pandemic by refusing to put all federal stimulus dollars into action LANSING —Democrats released the following statements today after Senate Bills 29 and 114, which fail to provide sufficient pandemic relief funding, passed a vote in the Michigan House of Representatives. “I will continue to call for an up-and-down vote to bring home every one of the $5 billion Michigan taxpayer dollars from Washington D.C. today so we can get to work speeding vaccine [...]
Steckloff to serve as Democratic Vice Chair of Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee
State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) was appointed to serve as Democratic Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation for the 2021-2022 legislative term. Steckloff is serving her first term representing Michigan’s 37th House District, including the Farmington and Farmington Hills communities. “I have dedicated my life to a career in public service, so I am honored to have the opportunity to make sure crumbling roads are a thing of the past. While some of our roads have [...]
Steckloff Sworn in as Representative for 37th House District
State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) 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. “I am excited to represent my hometown communities of Farmington and Farming Hills in Lansing this coming legislative term,” said Rep. Steckloff. “As a breast cancer survivor, I know firsthand how difficult it is to afford health care while maintaining a job and family. I am committed to fighting for more access to affordable health care, protecting our environment, investing in education and ensuring there [...]