Economic Justice & Public Programs
Public programs like Social Security, Medicare, SNAP, and minimum wage protections are the backbone of economic stability for millions of Americans. But they’re increasingly under attack from legislative proposals designed to shrink government support and shift responsibility away from those in power. These letters help defend the economic rights of workers, seniors, and families across Michigan and the U.S.
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Updated 8/3/25
Published: May 24, 2025
Issue: Recent budget proposals in Congress have revived threats to cut or restructure Social Security and Medicare, including raising the retirement age, cutting benefits, and privatizing Medicare.
What’s at Risk: Millions of seniors, disabled individuals, and working-class Americans who rely on these earned benefits could face reduced coverage, delayed care, and financial insecurity.
Action: Tell Congress to protect Social Security and Medicare. Demand they reject benefit cuts, defend traditional Medicare, and expand, not reduce, support for the people who need it most.Who to Send This Letter To: Your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative
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Updated 8/3/25
Published: May 24, 2025
(Big Beautiful Billshit)
Issue: The One Big Beautiful Bill is being used to justify sweeping cuts and restrictions to public programs including SNAP, Medicaid, and housing support.
What’s at Risk: Millions of Americans who rely on federal aid may lose access to basic needs like food, medical care, and housing. These cuts would deepen poverty and inequality across the country.
Action: Tell your lawmakers in Congress to oppose additional rollbacks and restore full funding to these vital programs.Who to Send This Letter To: Your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative
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Updated 8/3/25
Published: April 26, 2025
Issue: Michigan voters passed a ballot initiative in 2018 to raise the minimum wage and eliminate the sub-minimum tipped wage. Lawmakers adopted and weakened it before it could go into effect. Legal challenges are still underway to reinstate it.
What’s at Risk: Low-wage workers, especially women and workers of color, are still denied a living wage. Delaying or weakening the law leaves them vulnerable to poverty and exploitation.Action: Tell your Michigan legislators to restore the original ballot initiative language and support full implementation of a fair, living wage for all.
Who to Send This Letter To: Your Michigan State Representative and Michigan State Senator
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Updated 8/3/25
Published: May 24, 2025
Issue: Proposed federal policies and budget cuts are threatening to reduce food assistance for Michigan residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
What’s at Risk: Over 1.3 million Michiganders, including children, seniors, disabled individuals, and working families, could face reduced or delayed access to basic nutrition support.Action: Tell your Michigan lawmakers and Governor Whitmer to defend SNAP funding and oppose any changes that limit eligibility, increase barriers, or weaken this critical food access program.
Who to Send This Letter To: Your Michigan State Representative, Michigan State Senator, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Mail These Letters To: (Ferndale, MI)
U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D – Junior Senator)
The Honorable Elissa Slotkin
825B Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D – Senior Senator)
The Honorable Gary Peters
724 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (MI-11)
The Honorable Haley Stevens
2411 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
State Representative Helena Scott (HD-8)
The Honorable Helena Scott
Michigan House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
State Senator Mallory McMorrow (SD-8)
The Honorable Mallory McMorrow
Michigan Senate
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
The Honorable Gretchen Whitmer
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
Not Sure Who Represents You?
Use these tools to find your specific state and federal legislators:
Michigan-based organizations
Fighting Poverty and Protecting Public Benefits in Michigan
Organization: Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP)
Website: mlpp.org
Why recommend: MLPP is one of Michigan’s most trusted nonpartisan policy organizations. They track how budget decisions affect food access, Medicaid, public assistance, and wage equity. They provide up-to-date policy briefs, data insights, and public education on programs like SNAP, minimum wage, and safety net protections.
On-the-Ground Organizing for Economic Justice
Organization: Detroit Action
Website: detroitaction.org
Why recommend: Detroit Action is a grassroots group led by working-class Detroiters fighting for housing, jobs, and public benefits. They organize around local and statewide economic justice campaigns and mobilize community members to take political action.
Supporting Mothers and Economic Equity
Organization: Mothering Justice
Website: motheringjustice.org
Why recommend: Mothering Justice focuses on lifting the voices of women of color in economic policymaking. They fight for paid leave, child care access, higher wages, and family-centered support systems, offering toolkits and organizing spaces to push for change in Michigan.
Economic Research and Poverty Solutions
Organization: Poverty Solutions (University of Michigan)
Website: poverty.umich.edu
Why recommend: This research initiative partners with community groups to produce real-time data on poverty, public programs, and economic inequality in Michigan. Their reports support evidence-based reform efforts at both the state and local level.
Statewide Organizing for Equity and Safety Net Reform
Organization: We the People Michigan
Website: wethepeoplemi.org
Why recommend: We the People works across Michigan to amplify community voices on economic, racial, and housing justice. They help residents organize, speak out, and take leadership in advocacy for public services, safety net protections, and equity.
