Detroit Dems: Harris inspires new enthusiasm

Welcome back. I’m still Malachi Barrett.

Council President Mary Sheffiiled said Vice President Kamala Harris will make a stronger case for Democratic leadership in 2024.

Sheffield lined up with Michigan Democrats to endorse Harris for president this week in a Detroit union hall. Democrats said Harris is inspiring new enthusiasm from voters, alleviating concerns that some voters weren’t buying President Joe Biden’s reelection pitch.

Sheffield was a Biden supporter but didn’t attend his July 12 rally at Renaissance High School. It was Biden’s final campaign rally before dropping out a week later. Sheffield said Harris brings two key things that Biden lacks: The ability to stand up against former President Donald Trump and inspire voters.

“The response is showing us that people are excited, and this is what was missing,” Sheffield said. “People appreciated Biden and the work he did. Unfortunately, (Biden) being able to articulate what he was for, what he accomplished, was missing.”

State Rep. Stephanie Young, D-Detroit, said Biden’s decision to back Harris is a “shot in the arm” for the campaign.

The number of volunteers statewide doubled in three days, according to the campaign, and 3,500 new bodies were added to the revamped Michigan machine by the end of the week.

Young said her phone started ringing off the hook after Biden announced his departure. People wanted to know how to pitch in, and get a new “Harris for President” yard sign.

“I didn’t really get that much, before,” Young said. “It was lackluster, unfortunately. We believed in our president and we were standing with him until he said differently. When he decided to throw his endorsement behind his vice president, folks were like ‘how do I get involved?’”

Young said Harris can hit the campaign trail and meet voters in a way that the 81-year-old Biden couldn’t.

“One thing that is really big is having smaller opportunities – not a fundraiser – to sit down and talk to everyday folks,” Young said. “Obama did it. You’d catch him at a little restaurant talking to people eating hamburgers. If we incorporate some of that in these battleground states, it can make all the difference.”

“No disrespect to our president, but we’ve got to be clear: This galvanizes young people. It’s something when you can see somebody who can move just a little bit faster, somebody that you can relate to a little bit more.”

Democrats are emboldened by recent polls showing Harris is running closely to Trump in Michigan. Six months earlier, polls showed Biden trailing Trump.

A Detroit News-WDIV-TV poll released this week shows support for Harris is evenly split.

The Harris campaign highlighted the poll showing no Black voters in support of Trump.

If elected, Harris would be the first Black woman of South Asian descent to become president. But Young said the race “isn’t about breaking glass ceilings.”

Harris faces criticism from Republicans who labeled her as a “DEI candidate,” drawing a negative comparison to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Democrats scoffed at the assertion; Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad said Harris is a “duly elected incumbent.”

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans said the presidential election “is about whether America is going to go MAGA-crazy.” Evans said he believes there are enough Democrats, independent voters and “smart thinking” Republicans who see Harris as the best choice.

Evans had voiced concerns earlier this year that the Democratic Party isn’t listening to Black voters in Detroit. By this week, Evans said those concerns have been resolved.

“Now I’ve got a presidential candidate that I can support 1,000%,” he said.

What page are we on?

Thanks Kayleigh Lickliter for filling in for me last week.

I had a blast guest hosting WDET’s morning news program “The Metro” with Tia Graham. Kayleigh will be back on the notebook this week as I attend a Detroit conference on election reporting.

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There’s only one formal session left before the City Council takes a break in August. An annual recession is scheduled from July 31 through Sept. two.

Detroit scores budget bonuses

Michigan’s largest-ever state budget includes roughly $70 million in funding for Detroit projectsbased on a BridgeDetroit review.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the $83 billion budget into law this week at a fire house in Detroit. It includes roughly $411 million in earmarks for projects secured by lawmakers for their respective districts and $336 million in “enhancement grants.”

Last year’s budget included roughly $210 million in appropriations for Detroit.

The 2025 budget funds Detroit cultural institutions, housing developments and local organizations. This includes $7 million for infrastructure projects at the Detroit Zoo and $5 million to the Bonstelle Theaterwhich is being renovated into a hotel.

The budget also provides $1 million to develop a “culturally and historically significant” streetscape project in the former Chinatown neighborhood. Budget documents describe a pedestrian-friendly project that incorporates cultural aesthetics, green spaces and “development of culturally significant buildings.”

A few smaller appropriations were made to create public Wi-Fi in Greektown ($300,000), support the Detroit Symphony Orchestra ($750,000) and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History ($500,000).

Other investments larger than $1 million in the budget include:

• $5 million for Bold Advanced Medical Future, to help fund the expansion of a Detroit cancer center.
• $5 million to Detroit for street maintenance and cleanup.
• $5 million to the Motown Museum.
• $4 million to the Jewish Federation of Detroit for security needs.
• $3.5 million for an organization specializing in American Indian health services in Detroit. Budget documents don’t name the nonprofit group behind the project.
• $3 million for a multi-use housing project in Detroit. Budget documents don’t name the nonprofit group behind the project.
• $2.5 million to Wayne Metro Community Action Agency to establish a community center at the site of an old elementary school.
• $2.5 million to the Warrendale Business Association for corridor improvements.
• $2.2 million to MiSIDE for a housing and childcare project.
• $2 million to East Warren Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization operating on Detroit’s east side.
• $2 million to Invest Detroit for a senior housing development.
• $2 million to the Downtown Boxing Gym
• $2 million to Minority Supplier Developer, a nonprofit economic growth organization.
• $2 million to MICHauto, an automotive workforce organization based in Detroit.
• $2 million to Starfish Family Services, an early childhood education service provider in Detroit for services and facility improvements.
• $1.5 million to the Detroit Rescue Mission, a Christian nonprofit that provides services to people experiencing homelessness.
• $1.5 million to support Detroit’s Right to Counsel legal defense program, which helps renters navigate eviction lawsuits.
• $1.5 million to Detroit Rescue Mission to provide transportation during severe weather events. The Christian nonprofit serves people experiencing homelessness.
• $1.5 million for a health and healing center that provides services to Detroit residents.
• $1.5 million to Michigan Women Forward, a nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship and mentorship programs for Detroit women.
• $1 million for restoration of the historic Fisher Building in Detroit’s New Center area.
• $1 million for the Concert of Colors, an annual international festival
• $1 million to the Detroit Parks Coalition for infrastructure and accessibility projects.
• $1 million to the city of Detroit for parks and greenway infrastructure.
• $1 million for Detroit Blight Busters, a nonprofit organization focused on housing projects and neighborhood cleanup activities.
• $1 million for “7 Mile House Detroit.” Budget documents do not provide more details on the organization.
• $1 million for WDET Detroit Public Radio. WDET will receive the funds, pending acceptance from Wayne State University, to put toward a new facility.
• $1 million to Empowerment Plan, a nonprofit workforce development organization that provides jobs to people recovering from homelessness. The group manufactures coats that double as full-length sleeping bags.
• $1 million to Developing Kids for the renovation of a permanent headquarters. The nonprofit organization provides afterschool and summer programs.

Detroit’s first city-founded street medicine team

The street medicine team will provide healthcare and social services to homeless Detroiters using federal dollars.

The City Council approved a one-year, $562,868 contract with Community Health and Social Services Center (CHASS). It’s paid for with pandemic relief funding.

The street medicine team will visit emergency shelters and locations frequented by people experiencing homelessness.

The team will operate out of a mobile van and can transport people to clinics for primary care services. Staff will make referrals for behavioral health, drug abuse and housing services, provide hygiene supplies, clothing and offer financial assistance.

Terra Linzer, homelessness solutions director for the city’s housing department, said it’s the first city-funded initiative of its kind. Linzer said the work is typically funded by universities.

Council President Pro Tem James Tate said it’s a worthy program that should continue after federal funds expire in 2026. Linzer said the city hopes to find additional funding from philanthropies or the federal government in the future.

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