Michigan Senate Democrats

On International Safe Abortion Day, we're reflecting on the progress Senate Dems have made to protect reproductive freedoms in Michigan.

Michigan voters made their voices heard, and Senate Democrats have worked to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare by repealing outdated restrictions and strengthening reproductive rights in state law.

https://senatedems.com/blog/2023/11/07/reproductive-freedom/

Michigan residents deserve access to information and the tools to hold their government accountable.
That's why Senate Democrats made Michigan's Freedom of Information Act expansion the first legislative priority of this term, passing bipartisan legislation to extend FOIA to the Governor's Office and Legislature.
We believe trust in government starts with transparency. These bills still await action in the House. https://senatedems.com/blog/2025/01/29/foia-expansion-2/

Housing is considered “affordable” if it costs no more than 30% of a household’s income. Across the state, many are far beyond that limit because of Trump's OBBA.
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2026/09/07/federal-changes-could-impact-housing-for-low-income-michiganderes/91391064007/
Michigan Senate Democrats are continuing to find solutions that actually work.

For low-income Michiganders, federal changes could land on housing Federal changes to assistance programs could leave some Michiganders choosing between essential expenses like food and housing, experts say.

As costs keep climbing, we're focused on practical solutions that help people keep more of their hard-earned money. These new renter protections cut unnecessary costs and make it easier to access security deposits when you need them most. We're in your corner, fighting to make Michigan more affordable, every step of the way.

New Michigan laws block rent fees, clarify security deposit rules New Michigan laws aim to lower housing costs by banning certain rental fees and speeding up security deposit returns.

Senate Democrats have successfully given Michigan families the Freedom to Plan by:
✅ Repealed Michigan’s archaic abortion ban
✅ Codified abortion protections into law
✅ Repealed medically unnecessary restrictions for abortion providers
✅ Eliminated burdensome hurdles for IVF and surrogacy

The Fight for Reproductive Freedom Continues:
☑️ Protect Michiganders’ freedom to plan by requiring insurers and Medicaid to cover over-the-counter contraception and emergency contraception
☑️ Break down financial barriers to postpartum long-acting reversible contraception such as IUDs
☑️ Improve equity and accountability in prenatal and maternal care
☑️ Secure additional state resources to offset federal cuts and additional harm caused by the Trump administration.

https://senatedems.com/blog/2024/12/11/freedom-to-plan-2/

As we work to lower costs, we're also investing in the future.
Senate Democrats are making strategic investments in universities and community colleges across Michigan while maintaining a balanced budget without raising taxes. That's how we create opportunity, grow our economy, and build a stronger future for every Michigander.

Gov. Whitmer Signs Bills to Invest in Universities and Community Colleges, Build on Improvements in Higher Education Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander.  She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator.  She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a ...

By passing the Michigan Voting Rights Act, Senate Democrats made it clear that every Michigander deserves a fair and accessible voice in our democracy.

The legislation protects against voter discrimination, expands language access, increases election transparency, and helps ensure equal access to the ballot box. These commonsense protections will help strengthen our democracy for generations to come.
Learn more:

Michigan Senate Passes Crucial State Voting Rights Act to Prevent Racial Discrimination in Voting LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan State Senate today passed the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MIVRA), taking a major step toward enacting state-level protections for voters against discrimination in elections.Black voters are currently facing the greatest assault on voting rights since the 1900s era of ...

There’s nothing quite like fall in Michigan. 🍂
Wishing everyone a season filled with growth, change, and gratitude.

This PFAS Awareness Week, learn about new research efforts helping Michigan better understand and respond to PFAS contamination in our food and water systems.
Read more: https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/about/media/pressreleases/2026/09/21/mdard-marks-pfas-awareness-week-by-supporting-new-pfas-research-projects