Labor Day offers an opportunity to recognize the generations of workers who organized for better wages, safer workplaces, reasonable working hours and the right to bargain collectively. That history continues today as unions advocate for workers both on the job and in the public square.

Organized labor also plays an important role in elections. Unions evaluate candidates and ballot proposals based on issues affecting working people, make endorsements, and mobilize members and voters. In Michigan, the AFL-CIO represents 40 affiliated labor organizations and more than one million union members, retirees and their families.

As the 2026 general election approaches, Michigan labor organizations are making their priorities known. The federation says its endorsement process includes candidate questionnaires, interviews and votes by affiliated unions.

“The stakes in this election couldn’t be higher,” said Ron BIEBER, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “Politicians that side with billionaires and corporations are aligned in a battle to strip away the rights and benefits that define the working class: from the 40-hour workweek to safe working conditions and fair wages. We can’t let them win. Michigan’s labor movement is organized and ready to fight for candidates that put workers first in 2026.” 

We’re part of  Postcards for Swing States project to reach 2 million wobbly voters in Michigan: voters who don’t vote consistently, but do vote for pro-democracy candidates. We’re coming close to finishing the 35,000 cards we committed to doing. But on hearing that they still have 152,000 cards left to go, we took on extra 5,000 cards to help get to the finish line. With the razor thin margins in Michigan, we need to make sure all of our voters vote!

Come help get these cards out!

• Sundays 10:30am–Noon, Pittsfield Public Library, 2359 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor 
• Wednesdays 1–3 pm, York Food and Drink, 1928 Packard, Ann Arbor

We also need help putting stamps on existing cards. Please come on Sunday to help with that.

Ripple Effects for Families, Workers, and the Economy

H.R. 1 (the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act), signed on July 4, 2025, marks the most consequential restructuring of federal support for children and families in decades, with sweeping changes across child care funding, Medicaid, SNAP, and tax policy—and a common thread of shifting decision-making and financial responsibility from federal bodies to states. Decisions made in state capitals over the next 12–24 months will shape real outcomes for children and families. Read to get specifics on what's changed, who's most affected, and where state advocacy can have the greatest impact.

This article will focus on child care funding. It should be noted that there are litigation and proposed bills ongoing that could impact these specifics and implementation.

In late December 2025/early January 2026, HHS froze Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) funding nationwide after fraud allegations against Somali-run daycares in Minneapolis. The freeze, covering $185 million in child care funds, required that all states submit additional verification before funding continues, and HHS also moved to rescind Biden-era CCDF rules.

CCDF, the main federal program that funds care for low-income families, operates through a partnership among the federal government, states, and families. Rather than receiving a check, qualifying parents get a subsidy that reduces what they pay a provider directly. Each state designates a lead agency to determine eligibility, process applications, verify family information, and pay providers. Federal law sets outer income limits, but many states set their thresholds well below that ceiling.

On May 12, 2026, HHS's Administration for Children and Families (ACF) finalized a CCDF rule that rolls back several 2024 requirements—including capped family copayments, enrollment-based and prospective payment practices, and set-aside contracts/grants for certain populations—leaving states free to continue these policies but no longer federally obligated to. For family child care educators, this opens the door to significant state-by-state variation in payment stability, family affordability, and administrative requirements. The rollback raises real concerns. Rescinding prospective/enrollment-based payment rules could destabilize providers already on thin margins, and weakening grants-and-contracts requirements may hinder states' ability to build supply where market forces alone haven't, particularly in rural and underserved Southern communities. The rule will take effect in November.

In addition, a federal proposal would cut Head Start Program Performance Standards by up to 90%, stripping away the services that distinguish Head Start from basic child care licensing. The proposed rule, Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs, published on August 7, would rescind roughly 1,400 regulatory provisions, condensing six decades of standards into a single, stripped-down section of federal code. Leaders from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) and Michigan Head Start Association (MHSA) say the proposal is being framed as paperwork relief, but goes far beyond administrative cleanup. It targets requirements for in-classroom mental health consultation, developmental screening and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act services for children, family support beyond the classroom, and a parent-majority Policy Council with real authority over hiring, budgets, and planning.

Taken together, these changes reduce federal funding and consistency of implementation across the country, while placing greater policy and funding responsibility on states—with direct and far-reaching consequences for children's access to safe, stable, high-quality care and education.

Actions

• Submit comments to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) for Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs before October 6. To submit comments electronically, follow the "Submit a comment" instructions in the Federal Register. This approach is the preferred method for receiving comments.
• Work with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to make up deficits in federal funding and retain standards that benefit Michigan children. 
• Follow recently introduced legislation and communicate with your legislators.

Addressing Childcare Affordability

As we approach Labor Day, we should celebrate the MI Tri-Share Child Care Program, piloted with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s support in 2021, which makes it more feasible for parents—especially mothers—to work. This program splits the cost of childcare into three equal parts: one-third paid by the family, one-third by the employer, and one-third by the state.

MI Tri-Share Child Care addresses the acute problem of childcare affordability, a high barrier for health care workers in particular. Says Rep. Greg VanWoerkom (R-Norton Shores), MI Tri-Share Care, “helps employers support their workforce, helps parents afford childcare, and strengthens Michigan's economy.”

MI Tri-Share serves employers and families in all 83 Michigan counties. Today, 310 employers participate in the program, providing support for more than 1,100 children, and both Republicans and Democrats in the legislature now want to make it permanent. 

Friday September 4th is the Board of Canvassers' meeting. The agenda is set to review the 100 word summary for Americans for Citizen Voting. So what will this meeting really be about? Neither the US Supreme Court OR Michigan Supreme Court will take up the argument to overturn the denial of ACV advancing to the ballot.

The only thing you could say is that is all appeals have been denied. 

 I suspect that the Court of Public Opinion will be brutal on the SOS and the narrative of stolen elections so the education strategy on the true nature of this proposal will need to continue. – Michigan Advance

About the Decline

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh declined an application from Americans for Citizen Voting-Michigan seeking to appeal a deadlocked decision by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers that left a citizens-only voting proposal off the November general election ballot due to a lack of valid petition signatures.

The decision was posted without a filing or opinion on the court’s docket Thursday, the day before the November ballot must be finalized.

Later on Thursday evening, the Michigan Supreme Court also declined to take up the case on an expedited basis, ruling that Americans for Citizen voting were not entitled to mandamus relief — or rather, a ruling that would have compelled the Board of State Canvassers to approve the petition.

A Long Read for the Long Labor Day Weekend

Here is the link to the 39 page brief to the US Supreme Court by the State of Michigan.

https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/26/26A275/422769/20260902121336561_26A275 ACVM Response A.pdf

Sunday, September 13. Washtenaw Alliance Voter Registration Workshop: Learn How to Register New and Returning Voters

Learn how to register voters to grow our base of engaged citizens. The continued threats to our voting process from the Trump Administration “Calls Us To Action.” As this crucial election approaches, we’re focusing on Get Out the Vote efforts, and the many folks that elections often don’t include. Yes, most of us are automatically registered when we get a driver’s license or a state ID. But that’s not everyone, and in some areas, registration may have lapsed if a person has not voted for a certain amount of time. In addition, community registration drives are a very effective way of getting people the information they need to vote safely and easily, even if they are already registered.

This gathering will provide attendees with the information necessary to schedule Voter Registration Drives in locations that serve their neighborhoods or communities best. Washtenaw Alliance will explain the following:  

• The mechanics: how to help people get registered
• How to set up a table at your local school or gathering place, or get a food truck and a band in a parking lot, or something in between. The sky's the limit! 
• Steps individuals can take to ensure their vote will be counted
• The latest voter information from the Secretary of State and County Clerks, provided as a zine (3 x 2 folded, accessible info sheet)
• Where to get support: from your local clerk, from your Democratic Party Precinct Delegate and Michigan Voter Advocacy organizations (LWV, etc.) 
• Information on Voter Registration drives already scheduled

Sign up here to help us plan and ensure safety for all!

Monday, September 14. Hands Off MI Vote Town Hall



Join Voters Not Politicians for a community gathering to explore Ypsilanti’s “My City Votes” initiative and the ongoing struggle against proof-of-citizenship requirements.

The presentation will center on strategies to counter Americans for Citizen Voting and similar documentary proof of citizenship measures, while simultaneously equipping voters with essential election resources.

Sign up here, and let them know if you’d like to discuss how your organization might share information during this event. And spread the word! Ypsilanti District Library, Superior Branch, 3040 N Prospect Rd, Superior Township. 6–7:30pm

Mondays. Inform Michigan Voters (Together or Solo) with Michigan Resistance

From Michigan Resistance, a local activist group since 2016: The November election is getting closer and we are beginning our texting parties to notify Democrats about the two Michigan Supreme Court candidates endorsed by the state Democratic Party. No asking for money. No calling or knocking on doors. Just information. Michigan Resistance is one of the easiest ways to do your part for democracy. We are currently meeting on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in Ann Arbor, but it is not necessary to be present to participate. If you would be willing to join us, please contact Terryl either by email or text me at 810-516-0923 and we will get you set up to go! 

Tuesday and Wednesdays through November 3. Help Register EMU Students

Tabling at Eastern Michigan University. Get out the vote with the Washtenaw County Democratic Party. Help students develop a voting plan. You can motivate, energize, and educate potential voters on what they need to know to vote—and to vote Democratic—up and down the ballot.

Outside the EMU Student Center, 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti. Sign up here. 11 am–1:30 pm

Go to MIvoter.org to find Democratically-endorsed candidates for races across the entire state.

Thursday, October 1. Community Power in Action

Join Washtenaw Regional Organizing Coalition (WeROC) for an evening focused on three issues shaping our communities: healthcare, transformative justice and elections. Come connect, learn and help build collective power for change. Ypsilanti ACCE High School, 1076 Ecorse Rd, Ypsilanti. 5:30–7 PM

MIRA hotline for ICE sightings

From Movement for Immigrant Rights Action (MIRA): The phone number 734-224-3852 is for reporting ICE sightings and for families to reach out when someone is arrested or detained. 

• Call or text anytime, 24/7. We prefer texts. Someone will contact you, ideally the same day for ICE sightings. 
• We will refer callers to WICIR (Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights) for concrete needs such as legal referrals, court accompaniments, etc.
• We created the hotline in response to requests from our immigrant communities. We will share the information on ICE sightings with our broader networks. 
• To auto-subscribe to our email list, send an email to mira-subscribe@lists.riseup.net.
• For more MIRA information and for WICIR

Check out the WCDP Endorsement Convention Results Here!

Indivisible’s Election Protection Corps



This grassroots network of volunteers located in Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio is dedicated to protecting the right to vote before, during, and after the 2026 election. When federal protections are removed, defending democracy becomes a community effort.

Sign the pledge today to commit to joining the Election Protection Corps. By signing up now, you’ll receive strategic updates via email and text, including training opportunities and critical calls to action during key election protection moments in your state. Join the Election Protection Corps

Need voter information and more go to MIvoter.org

Most of us don't know who their local officials are until we need them. MIvoter.org changes that – not just during election season, but year-round. Enter your address and see who represents you right now. Learn about these officials from local to statewide.

And. Images... for when there are no more words.

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