Michigan decided to raise taxes for EV and plug-in hybrid to the highest in the nation. This was a foolhardy decision that does almost nothing for our roads except for discouraging drivers in Michigan and discouraging innovation in our top industry. bridgemi.com/michigan-gov...

On the anniversary of Trump's failed coup, I am reminded again how apathy and distraction are a grave threat to our nation. We used to care about character and integrity. I'm not big on tradition for tradition's sake; but, I hope we can get back to those traditional values.

Over the last 20 years, Michigan electricity rates for residents have gone up 114%. For industry, rates have risen 11%. Electricity rates have been going up and up for the last twenty years. The article linked below outlines some of the causes: 1/

Americans can't afford health care and Republicans are focused on war, oil, and regime change, again. America deserves better than this.

Trump is increasing our energy bills again. First, it was making us pay his friends who own the Campbell coal plant, costing Michigan residents millions. Now, they want to prevent these cheaper, homegrown energy sources to keep the profits flowing to their fossil fuel donors.

Michigan Republicans don't care who gets hurt by their partisan games. www.facebook.com/share/r/1Er6...

The State Senate passed two bills to prevent abuse of vulnerable people. My legislation, SB 285, requires guardians to get an appraisal before selling the property (real estate) of a person deemed unable to manage their own affairs. 1/

Chairman Lowes of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians speaks out on the recent cruel and reckless cuts to moms and babies in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. youtu.be/Rxvf5h86v7I?... Miigwetch, Chairman Lowes! I am proud to stand with my chairman in opposition to Michigan House Republicans.

The State Senate voted to restore funding to projects that House Republicans cut indiscriminately last week. Here's the quick version: several community projects were approved in the 2024-2025 budget. Many of those projects were underway such as ... 1/

At the Literacy Summit yesterday, Gov Whitmer indicated that her administration will focus on improving our literacy rates for her last year as Governor. I am very excited to work with the Governor and her team to build on the new “science of reading” literacy laws that we passed last year. 1/2

Today, we passed SB 700 which will stop the Unemployment Insurance Agency from pursuing repayment from people that received pandemic unemployment assistance without any evidence of fraud. www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?O...

We have people in our state struggling with housing and hunger. That's why I voted against spending millions more every year to create a security team to escort legislators at public events and/or carry out investigations at the direction of the House Speaker and Senate Majority Leader.

Today, we celebrated the new Alpha House East, an expansion of housing services for unhoused families in Washtenaw County. At a time when more families are struggling with increasing costs, especially for housing, this new homeless shelter is desperately needed.

Thank you to Judge Erane Washington and Ypsilanti Township for hosting a great grand opening for the newly renovated 14B District Court.

The circus of corruption continues, crypto-pardon edition: www.facebook.com/share/r/1DAt...

Great news. Judges just ruled that Trump's decision to cut off SNAP was wrong and that the contingency funds must be used. This should mean that food assistance continues for some time, if the adminstration complies with the court order. More details to come. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...

“What matters in the near term is making sure that we feed hungry people and that we make sure that kids don’t go hungry and that we don’t suffer the unnecessary economic damage that this disruption will cause ...," Irwin said. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...

Today I testified on behalf of two bills meant to reduce pollution and subsidies for oil and gas drillers. SB140 increases the fee paid by oil & gas companies to cover the cost of the employees that permit and inspect their wells. Currently, Michigan taxpayers subsidize this program with $4M/year.

The circus of corruption continues. The President isn’t satisfied with his payments from corporations seeking approvals from his government, so now he wants YOU to pay him $230M.

The circus of corruption in the White House continues, this time with a presidential pardon, wiping away accountability for George Santos. The rule of law means nothing to this administration, unless it is a tool to enhance their power and control.

In Senate Committee, we just passed a package of legislation meant to protect consumers from unfair or arbitrary treatment from insurance companies. These bills prohibit “post claim underwriting,” require insurers to fund market studies that regulators use to analyze rates, ... 1/2

I voted NO today on increasing fees for EV and plug-in hybrid drivers. Michigan should be the leaders in building the cars of the future, not the leaders in taxing the cars of the future. Unfortunately, the bill passed.

The State budget passed. Roads are the big winner with $1.8B in additional funding. Healthcare and education mostly avoided cuts. Environmental protection and public safety took small cuts. Here are the budget bills: www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?O... www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?O...

The circus of corruption continues. In this edition, Trump and Republicans are using government agencies for campaigning. This is another clear violation of ethical and legal boundaries.

Moments ago, Michigan House Republicans voted to massively increase taxes on cannabis. This move will roughly double taxes on cannabis and threatens our successful market. When Michigan residents approved legal cannabis, we set up a system that was the most successful cannabis market in the nation.

The shoreline of the Great Lakes is owned by all, and we all are supposed to have access to the Great Lakes between the low and high water lines. bridgemi.com/michigan-env...

One of the proposals holding up the state budget is the Republicans’ insistence on allocating $50M to subsidize a mining company's plan to mine copper in our state. #copperwood #protecttheporkies #earmark #corporatewelfafe #Michigan #politics #democrats #republicans

The circus of corruption in DC continues. While Trump raises taxes on food, clothes, and consumer goods, he and his family are raking in billions and profiting off of the many conflicts of interest. robertreich.substack.com/p/trumps-cal...

Michigan is the cannon fodder for Trump's trade war. Manufacturing investment is plummeting, Ford and GM are predicting huge losses, the USA ruined our relationships with our beloved Canadian partners, and consumers are paying higher taxes for almost everything. 🇺🇸🇨🇦

I dont know the difference between Kimmel and Fallon, but I know the difference between government censorship and social consequences. When the President threatens media companies to support him politically or lose their license to operate, it is unconstitutional and un-American.

School is in session, but the Michigan Legislature still hasn't passed a budget. This is outrageous and is already damaging K12 schools. If it continues, districts will need to borrow to make payroll, or worse. 1/x

Microplastics are in our water and they're in your brain. Microplastic concentrations in Great Lakes fish and in our water are only increasing, and we need to do more to prevent plastic pollution from invading our bodies. 1/

The delay from Lansing Republicans is already causing chaos for schools and making it harder to invest in the key priorities that make our schools better: www.wemu.org/wemu-news/20...

Check out my appearance on the "MIRS Monday Podcast." We talked about the #Michigan state budget, proposed cuts to services for seniors, roads, Medicaid cuts, and rising healthcare premiums. mirsnews.podbean.com

I jumped on with WJR host Kevin Dietz to talk about @darrincamilleri.bsky.social bill to protect Michigan from radioactive waste and to increase dumping fees so that Michigan is no longer the regional dumping ground: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...

With families facing the pinch of higher prices and higher federal taxes on back-to-school supplies, I introduced legislation to create a state sales tax holiday for back-to-school expenses. senatedems.com/irwin/2025/0... SBs 498-499 (legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?O...) for the full text.

The environmental protection budget from Michigan Republicans puts our drinking water and our Great Lakes at risk. By slashing the funding and the staff meant to protect Michigan’s drinking water and air quality, this irresponsible budget puts our health at risk & endangers the Great Lakes we love.

Michigan Medicine's capitulation to threats from the federal government is disgusting. Bending to these threats hurts transgender kids, putting lives in danger. It enables and emboldens those who will bully healthcare providers to accomplish political goals. bridgemi.com/michigan-hea...

The Senate passed a package of bills today that improve protections for consumers' data. These bills will: 1) Require businesses that collect data to implement and maintain reasonable security procedures to protect data from unlawful use or disclosure. 1/

Today was the first day of school in my kids’ district. Meanwhile, in Lansing, we still don't have a budget passed for K-12 schools. Our Senate Democratic budget makes important investments in: 1) Smaller class sizes in younger grades 2) Literacy materials, trainings, and tutors 1/

School is starting all over Michigan, and Republicans have still not passed a full budget proposal. Schools deserve better and taxpayers deserve to see House Republicans' proposal. Michigan Senate Democrats are working to pass a budget that supports our students with: 1/2

Michigan Senate Democrats held a great hearing yesterday on a program called "Rx Kids" that is successfully fighting poverty, improving birth outcomes, reducing evictions, and leveraging private funds to help young families. michiganadvance.com/2025/08/12/m...

Previous link broken actionnetwork.org/letters/cont...

After passing landmark literacy legislation last year, Michigan is investing in literacy materials and training meant to improve early reading education. This year, we need to keep investing in the science of reading and evidence-based literacy materials. bridgemi.com/talent-educa...

It is August. The Michigan House of Representatives hasn't passed a full budget proposal. This needs to get done before October 1st. Usually, the House and Senate pass initial budgets in May and work towards a final budget. 1/

Not only did Trump erase accountability for his crimes, but you're paying the salary of this violent criminal as a high-ranking official at the Department of "Justice."

"The way that the [Trump] tariffs have been managed have been, quite frankly, chaotic." @debbiedingell.house.gov takes on Trump's erratic and reckless management of the trade war and how it's harming Michigan families. www.msnbc.com/weekends-wit...

Republicans are making it harder for Michigan's state and local governments to fund schools, healthcare, roads, or anything else. As the cuts roll out (the worst ones kicking in right after the midterms), this will make it harder for Michigan to address our needs. www.mlive.com/politics/202...

The Citizens Research Council examined the impact of the new taxing and spending bill from Trump and Congressional Republicans. Their analysis show the magnitude and the timing of these changes for the State of Michigan. crcmich.org/publications...

This legislation gives local communities another tool to tackle the housing crisis. www.bridgemi.com/michigan-gov...