The Michigan Legislature unanimously approved my resolution to protect residents’ electronic data against unreasonable searches and seizures, and reasserted our fundamental right to privacy.

To see both Chambers of the Legislature approve this measure fills me with great joy and optimism for our state. These protections are important not only for Michiganders today, but for future generations to come.

Senate Joint Resolution G would clearly define in the Michigan Constitution that electronic data and communications are property and are exempt from search and seizure without a warrant. I want to thank my colleagues for their support.

Americans shouldn’t be forced to choose between using new technologies and protecting their privacy. It is long past time that our state extends the same basic protections to our electronic data that have existed for our paper data for centuries.

SJR G will be placed on the next statewide general election ballot. Similar measures in New Hampshire and Missouri both passed with overwhelming support. I look forward to November – now just around the corner – when Michigan will become a national leader in personal privacy protection. Learn more now.

I was proud to vote to authorize $880 million in unused federal CARES Act funding to help Michigan families, workers and schools affected by the COVID-19 health crisis.

While Michigan still faces a tremendous challenge with our state budget, this legislation allows us to take advantage of federal resources available to us.

Senate Bill 690 would invest $100 million for small business restart grants, $100 million in hazard pay for local first responders, $125 million to reduce child care costs by 30%, $29 million for additional temporary workers to handle unemployment claims, and $117 million to temporarily increase pay by $2 per hour for direct care workers — including those caring for seniors in nursing facilities.

SB 690 would also invest $200 million for local governments for public health and safety costs related to the pandemic, $25 million for testing supplies and personal protective equipment for workers like those at nursing and home health care facilities, $15 million to support farms and maintain a safe food supply, $2.5 million in assistance to hospitality workers who may not be eligible for full unemployment benefits, and $43 million to make learn-from-home devices and connectivity more affordable and cover COVID-19 costs for schools.