MacDonell on National ABLE Savings Day
LANSING, Mich., Aug. 13, 2024 — On Aug. 14, ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) plans nationwide are celebrating the first ABLE Savings Day to help individuals learn how vital these tax-advantaged savings programs are to Americans with disabilities. This awareness day comes almost a decade after the federal ABLE Act was signed into law in 2014. Michigan’s ABLE (MiABLE) program was signed into law in 2015. As chair of the Legislative Disability Caucus, state Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) [...]
MacDonell on Final Budget Passage
Lawmaker highlights investments in hometowns, schools, and people with disabilities State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) testifies in committee on the MiABLE program on June 20, 2024, in the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., July 8, 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 [...]
Education Committee Passes Safe Storage Awareness Legislation
Bills require schools to provide parents informational material about gun violence prevention laws LANSING, Mich., May 15, 2024 — Michigan Democrats have taken action and passed several pieces of legislation that reduce gun violence, including laws that require the safe storage of firearms when children are in the home. To further reduce unsafe firearm practices and keep kids safe, state Reps. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) and Julie Brixie (D-East Lansing) introduced House Bills 5450 and 5451. These bills require schools to send home information about the new safe storage [...]
MacDonell Celebrates Budget Investments to Help Those with Disabilities
LANSING, Mich., May 14, 2024 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed its budget last week. It includes substantial investments in Michigan students, local economies, safety, and the well-being of Michiganders. House Dems are reinforcing their commitment to building stronger hometowns and improving the day-to-day lives of Michiganders. After voting on the budget, state Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) issued the following statement: “As chair of the Michigan Legislative Disability Caucus, I’m happy to see a number of investments that will [...]
Education Committee Hears Testimony on Safe Storage Awareness Legislation
Bills require schools to provide parents informational material about gun violence prevention laws LANSING, Mich., April 24, 2024 — Following last year’s mass shooting at MSU, Michigan Democrats took action and passed several pieces of legislation that reduce gun violence, including laws that require the safe storage of firearms when children are in the home. To further reduce unsafe firearm practices and keep children safe, state Reps. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) and Julie Brixie (D-East Lansing) introduced House Bills 5450 and 5451. These bills require schools to send home [...]
MacDonell on State of the State Address
Oakland County lawmaker highlights support for caregivers 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. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) issued the following statement on Whitmer’s address: State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) was joined by Troy City Councilmember Ellen Hodorek at [...]
House Dems Champion Community Advocated Initiatives, Passion Becoming Policy
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 8, 2023 — As part of a historic Legislature with a Democratic trifecta, House Democrats celebrated the official signing of legislation inspired by real issues brought forth by constituent and community advocates. As part of their Putting People First Agenda, Michigan Democrats have continuously prioritized meeting and working with grassroots and community activists on critical legislation that positively impacts countless Michiganders. Democrats are listening and putting power back where it belongs — with the people. The community-led [...]
MacDonell’s ‘Justice for Allie’ Legislation Becomes Law
Legislation targets predators who exploit vulnerable adults LANSING, Mich., Dec. 8, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bills 4320 and 4387 into law today. The bills, known collectively as “Justice for Allie,” make it a crime to knowingly take advantage of an adult’s vulnerable status to manipulate, coerce or otherwise force them to provide sexually explicit material of themselves to the offender or anyone else. The bills passed both the House and Senate unanimously. Members of the Hayes family joined Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) [...]
MacDonell Bills Protecting Vulnerable Adults Pass Unanimously
Legislation allows prosecutors to target sexual predators LANSING, Mich., Oct. 11, 2023 — State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) celebrated the unanimous passage of House Bills 4320 and 4387 during today’s session. The bills, known collectively as “Justice for Allie,” make it a crime to coerce a vulnerable adult into providing sexually explicit material of themselves. State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) speaks in support of her “Justice for Allie” legislation on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at the Capitol in Lansing. “My colleagues and I have [...]
MacDonell Announces Disability Caucus
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 10, 2023 — The Michigan Legislative Disability Caucus held its first meeting of 2023 this morning. The purpose of the caucus is to establish a consistent base of support, bringing together legislators and stakeholders in the disability community, to advance policies to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy), chair of the caucus, issued the following statement after the meeting: “I am proud to take up the work of the Legislative Disability [...]
MacDonell Hosts Nessel for Events in Troy, Clawson
Attorney general presented awards, met with community members TROY, Mich., Sept. 19, 2023 — State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) was proud to accompany Attorney General Dana Nessel yesterday to several events around the 56th House District. First, MacDonell attended Nessel’s meeting with local police and presentation of awards to Clawson Police Department officers. Attorney General Dana Nessel presented Clawson Police Sgt. Jody Horne, Sgt. Scott Vierk and Chief Kellie Bauss with Above & Beyond Awards for their leadership in helping the [...]
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, [...]
Going Pro Talent Fund awards over $55,000 to support Troy’s workers and businesses
TROY, Mich., July 21, 2023 – Thanks to the most recent round of Going PRO Talent Fund grants, three businesses in Troy will receive over $55,000 in funding to help more than 50 local workers receive the training they need to gain and retain high-skill, high-wage careers. Statewide, approximately $13.5 million in grants from the second cycle of fiscal year 2023 Going PRO Talent Fund were awarded to nearly 300 Michigan businesses to help approximately 8,500 workers secure employment, industry-recognized [...]
MacDonell Champions EV Charging Infrastructure
TROY, Mich., July 7, 2023 — State Rep. Sharon MacDonell’s (D-Troy) bill, House Bill 4706, which will free up as much as $110 million in federal funding for the expansion of EV charging infrastructure across the state, passed the Michigan House of Representatives last week. Following the passage of this bill, MacDonell issued the following statement: “I’m happy to see this bill passed so overwhelmingly in the House with 100 supporting votes. That kind of bipartisan agreement has become rare in Lansing. [...]
Lawmakers Stand Against Polluter Panels
LANSING, Mich. July 5, 2023 — State Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield), along with state Reps. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy), Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) and Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit), introduced legislation that would abolish the so-called “polluter panels.” These boards and committees, put in place by former Gov. Rick Snyder and statutorily stacked with representatives from polluting industries, routinely delay the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) environmental rulemaking process. These bills would stop polluting industries from having undue influence over EGLE’s performance of its duties. House Bill [...]
MacDonell Applauds Passage of Historic State Budget
LANSING, Mich., June 28, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget today. It includes the largest investment in education in Michigan’s history, including free lunch and breakfast for every public school student and affordable pre-K, as well as substantial investments in workforce recruitment and retention, water infrastructure and public safety. In response to the budget vote, state Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) issued the following statement: “This budget highlights many of the priorities that are important to [...]
MacDonell Applauds Passage of Carpool Lane Bill
LANSING, Mich., June 27, 2023 — State Rep. Sharon MacDonell's (D-Troy) bill passed the Michigan House of Representatives today. House Bill 4353 will allow the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to designate certain already constructed highway lanes in the state as high-occupancy vehicle lanes, also known as carpool lanes. “I’m happy to see this bill pass the House,” MacDonell said. “This bill will help reduce pollution in our state and help limit excess noise by encouraging Michiganders to carpool, reducing the number of vehicles [...]
MacDonnell Works to Protect Adults from Exploitation
State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) testified with the Hayes family during the Families, Children, and Seniors Committee at the House Office Building on June 20, 2023. LANSING, Mich, June 21, 2023 — State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) testified in the Families, Children, and Seniors Committee yesterday in support of closing an existing loophole in state law to protect vulnerable adults from being sexually exploited online. Her legislation would institute a criminal penalty to hold sexual predators accountable and discourage repeat offenses. House [...]
Legislators Introduce State Holiday Bill Package
LANSING, Mich., April 21, 2023 — Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) and state Reps. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) and Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) introduced legislation to establish the holidays of Diwali, Vaisakhi, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Lunar New Year as official state-recognized holidays in Michigan. House Bill 4447, introduced by Aiyash, establishes Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr as state holidays. Eid al-Fitr marks the completion of Ramadan, an Islamic month of fasting, spirituality and charity. Eid al-Adha celebrates Prophet Abraham [...]
MacDonell on MDOT Report
TROY, Mich., April 12, 2023 — The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced the results of a study showing that two sections of the I-75 corridor in Troy are eligible for the construction of sound walls. This study was conducted after years of advocacy from Troy residents whose quality of life is affected by louder noise. MDOT has said that in addition to the $4 million already appropriated for the construction of the sound walls, it will need at least [...]
House Dems Support Protecting Kids, Pass Safe Storage Gun Bills
LANSING, Mich., March 22, 2023 — Continuing their commitment to protecting Michiganders — including children — from senseless acts of gun violence, the Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation today to require the safe storage of firearms. House Bills 4144 and 4139 would require unattended firearms to be safely stored if accessible by a minor and update the sentencing guidelines, respectively, while House Bills 4141 and 4140 would remove sales and use taxes from firearm safety device purchases, such as [...]
MacDonell Strongly Supports Gun Reform Legislation
LANSING, Mich., March 2, 2023 — House Democrats introduced common-sense gun reform legislation today. The bill package focuses on tackling gun violence via three central reforms — universal background checks, secure storage laws and extreme risk protection orders. Democrats have previously introduced gun reform legislation; however, after the fatal mass shooting at Michigan State University, there is an urgent call for bipartisan support to end gun violence and increase public safety. State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) issued the following statement [...]
MacDonell 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. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) issued the following statement on Whitmer’s address: “I look [...]
MacDonell Named Vice Chair of House Committee on Transportation, Mobility, and Infrastructure, Member of Several Others
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 13, 2023 — Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) announced yesterday the chairs and members of the Michigan House of Representatives standing committees, subcommittees and appropriations subcommittees. State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) was appointed majority vice chair of the Transportation, Mobility, and Infrastructure Committee and member of the committees on Energy, Communications, and Technology; Health Policy Subcommittee on Behavioral Health; Families, Children, and Seniors; and the Appropriations Subcommittee for Higher Education and Community Colleges. “I am excited to begin [...]