Phil Skaggs

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm incredibly thankful for this team. We're working hard every day to earn your vote ... and we're having fun doing it!

Thanks Justus Young, Ava Dixon and Quinn Fjelstul DeVries!

And … Go Lions! 🦃🏈🦁

Phil Skaggs for State Senate | Fight Back, Dream Big Hi, I’m Phil Skaggs, and I'm running for State Senate to fight back and dream big for Michigan.

Campaign Launch!

Suggested Donation: Individual $80, Couple $150
Everyone is welcome.

Donate at philskaggs.com

Checks payable to “Phil Skaggs for State Senate”
Questions or to Join the Host Committee: Email, Text or Call Phil at phil@philskaggs.com, (616) 446-2280

I'm excited to invite you to the Big State Senate Campaign Launch!
With Special Guest @jocelynbenson.bsky.social, Candidate for Governor.

Monday, December 1, 6:00-8:00 pm
at The Center for Community Transformation
1530 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49507

More info 👇

#GrandRapids! Tonight, we're doing a #MiCare town hall with @philskaggs.bsky.social at the East Grand Rapids Community Center! Come hear details of #Michigan's #HealthcareForAll plan and ask your questions to a panel of advocates. See you there!

North Carolina Confederate Monument Goes Too Far, Lawsuit Says

Next time we melt down all these monuments to Confederate traitors and slavers and sell them off as scrap. No museums nor no far away parks. Destroy them!

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/u...

Trump and Republicans are hurting Michiganders statewide. @philskaggs.bsky.social lays out how Michigan families are paying the price of their broken promises, from higher groceries to gas prices to lost manufacturing jobs. buff.ly/XGvD6RK

My new editorial in the @detroitnews: From spaghetti sauce to computer chips, Trump's trade wars, incompetent economic policies, and cruel budgets are harming Michigan's families.

www.detroitnews.com/story/opinio...

Obama’s blunt message for Democrats: ‘Toughen up’ | CNN Politics Former President Barack Obama issued a call to action for Democrats at a private fundraiser in New Jersey on Friday evening, urging those frustrated by the state of the country under President Donald ...

President Obama on the moment: "It’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up. What’s being asked of us is make some effort to stand up for the things that you think are right."

President Obama is right, it's time we all step up, fight back and dream big again.

I'm in! Who's with me?

ICE's average annual budget through FY 2029 is now going to be $27.6 billion, which makes it a higher-funded agency than the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Prisons combined.

We are looking at a level of federal law enforcement in communities not seen in generations.

State Bills Would Require Passport or Birth Certificate to Register to Vote As the Senate considers the SAVE Act, some state legislators are trying to replicate the bill’s restrictive show-your-papers requirements for voter registration.

Lawmakers in at least 27 states have introduced bills that would require voters to provide citizenship documents like a birth certificate or passport to vote. Such rules would block huge numbers of American citizens from
voting. bit.ly/3FVtayx

Insider: Here's how much House, Senate have spent in taxpayer money to sue each other The Michigan House and Senate have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money suing each other, according to government agencies.

📰 News is getting around: I’m running for State Senate because West Michigan deserves bold leadership willing to step up to the moment, fight back against Trump and MAGA, dream big again, and build progressive change for Michiganders.

Step Up! Fight Back!

Not just a slogan. What we all have to do. I want planning on running, but felt like it is my duty to run.

I’m running to be your next State Senator because Michigan — and America — are in crisis.

We need to face that reality, step up, fight back, and dream big again.

Let's Do This!

Join the Movement! www.philskaggs.com

I don’t mean to brag … but this is your @mihousedems.bsky.social Trivia Championship Team!

As I’m considering this opportunity, I’m interested in what you think. Let me know what you’d like to see in your next State Senator. Please get in touch with me here or at phil@philskaggs.com.

This is the fight of our lives, but I know we can save Michigan and America when we work together.

I wanted to let you know: after hearing from community leaders, I’m considering running to be your next state senator from district 29.

They believe we need a tough Democrat willing to fight back against the attacks coming from Trump Republicans AND for our shared values.

Employers who are repeat offenders or are liable for causing severe injuries or the death of a young person will be held accountable. This bill passed the House last year, but fell victim to the shenanigans of the lame duck session in December. I'm working to get it to the Governor's desk this year.

endanger our kids, and rob them of their educational opportunities (teenagers that work to long and too late into the night are not ready to stay alert and learn in high school the next day). The punishment for harming and exploiting children needs to fit the crime.

allowing young people to gain valuable life skills. This legislation truly was a win-win for everyone.

3. But, there's more work to be done. Which is why I reintroduced another bill in May to significantly increase penalties for unethical businesses that violate child labor laws,

In addition, because the system is now digitized and forms can be completed online, employers will be able to hire young people quickly (the old system led to frustrating delays) and get them on the job providing better service for customers, growing our economy, supporting their families, and

Now, state experts will be able to educate employers to they know how to follow our child labor laws and they'll be able to monitor workplaces for compliance so they can stop mistakes before they lead to tragedy.

I'm excited to let you know the bill passed last December and is now law. Our children are more safe.

2. The bill has may added benefits in addition to making sure law enforcement and experts know exactly where Michigan teenagers are working.

I was heartbroken and angrey to ready about broken backs, hands lost in meat grinders and young people forced to work in hazardous and dangerous conditions. So, I introduced House Bill 5594 to modernize the antiquated youth work permitting process for students, employers and schools.

I will always protect Michigan kids. I'll work every day to ensure our children are safe everywhere: in their schools, neighborhoods, and where they work.

More details:

1. When news broke that Michigan children were being exploited at work in our community, I took action to protect our kids.

Passed, signed, ceremonial photos taken, and it's law!
In response to heartbreaking reports of children maimed and exploited at work, I led the charge to modernize and improve our child labor protection laws to keep our young people safe on the job. 🧵

“The irresponsibility... cannot be overstated.” Budget negotiations go down to the wire in Lansing. The July 1st deadline for the Legislature to send a finalized budget to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk is approaching and the House and the Senate don’t appear to be close. Plus, a new referendum ef...

Winnie Brinks is on fire 🔥🔥🔥 — bringing the heat to Matt Hall, House Republicans & their budgets:

"This is very Trump-like behavior to cause a crisis and then to come in at the last second with some sort of half measure and pretend that they're being heroic."

www.michiganpublic.org/politics-gov...

ICYMI: Poll of Democrats in a primary for Michigan governor by the Glengariff Group (late May)

@jocelynbenson.bsky.social has opened up an early and overwhelmingly convincing lead. While the race isn't over, it's hard to see a path for the nomination for anyone other than Secretary Benson.

Happy Summer Solstice!

The longest day and the shortest night of the year marks the beginning of summer.

Living on the western edge of the time zone and in the north, Michigan is uniquely fortunate to have these amazing late summer nights.

Have a great summer, Michiganders!

I can’t be at the Grand Rapids Pride Festival this year (I’m out of state for a family emergency). We wrote a wonderful tribute and my colleagues will be presenting it to the Pride Center today on Calder Plaza at around 3:00 pm. Enjoy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

In Kent County and across Michigan, families rely on Medicaid, SNAP food benefits & Medicare to get basic needs like health care, groceries and long-term care. Michigan Republicans want to gut these programs. That would be devastating to our neighbors.

You know me: I’m fighting for people!