July 14, 2026

 Brothers and Sisters,

As we approach the upcoming elections, I want to take a moment to share our endorsement process and the rationale behind our decisions. We are dedicated to ensuring that our endorsements reflect our commitment to labor and the values of our union. We have fire fighter issues...period. Our issues are not tied to a party but to our commitment to the issues our members direct us to accomplish, and the defense of the rights we have fought to protect.

 Endorsement Process:

 1. Candidate Vetting: We utilize candidate questionnaires to assess their positions and commitments to labor.

2. Interviews:  When necessary, we conduct interviews to gain deeper insights into candidates' platforms.

3. Expert Consultation: We work closely with our lobbyist, Melissa McKinley, who provides valuable information and guidance on candidates' stances and makes recommendations as needed.  

4. Strategic Insights:  I have met with strategists from both the Republican and Democratic parties to understand their approaches to gaining majorities in each chamber. This insight helps us navigate the political landscape effectively.

5. Candidate Accountability:  It’s important to note that some candidates have refused to engage with our questionnaires, raising concerns about their transparency and willingness to support our members.

 The recent decision regarding the governor's race was influenced by the withdrawal of Mike Duggan. To remain relevant and impactful, we must actively participate in this election cycle. After careful consideration of the candidates, we found Jocelyn Benson to be the most supportive of labor. She has consistently reinforced her commitment to our staffing bill and has demonstrated genuine dedication to the working families of Michigan.  

 Why We Do Not Support Certain Republican Candidates for Governor:

 - John James: His strong support for right-to-work legislation poses a direct threat to all of labor. If elected, he aims to return Michigan to a right-to-work state, undermining collective bargaining rights. Additionally, his low lifetime voting score from the AFL-CIO highlights his opposition to crucial labor protections and federal collective bargaining rights. He has been unresponsive to locals that have reached out to him in his role in Congress and his interactions with our members was unacceptable when meeting in Washington.

 - Perry Johnson: His platform aligns primarily with traditional anti-union sentiments. Johnson has publicly targeted organized labor, framing unions as corrupt "special interest groups." Such rhetoric not only undermines our mission but also threatens to reduce tax revenues, negatively impacting our local communities and, consequently, our membership.

 - Mike Cox: Despite coming from a UAW household, Cox actively supports the re-enactment of right-to-work laws, which would allow workers to opt out of union membership and dues. His lack of support for the wages, benefits, and safety measures that our union advocates raise serious concerns about his commitment to labor.

 Why We Do Not Support Certain Democrat Candidates for Governor:

 - Chris Swanson: Despite his commitment to supporting labor, he has not committed to anti-PSO, supports a system that trains and operates Sheriff Deputies in the role of paramedics.

 In conclusion, our endorsement decisions are made with careful consideration of each candidate's commitment to labor and the well-being of our members. We believe that supporting candidates who align with our values is essential for protecting our rights and advancing our collective goals.

Click here to see our list of endorsed candidates

 Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

 In solidarity,
 Matthew Sahr, President
Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union

July 5, 2026

 Brothers and Sisters:

 I hope you all had a safe holiday as we celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday. Michigan Summer is in full swing. As we try to pack vacations and family time in as much as we can during our short summer months, we still have important issues that I wanted to update you on.

 Legislation HB5232 -5233

We were successful in passing our military bills. We brought these ideas to Rep. Koleszar and Rep. Robinson just over a year ago. With their help, our members’ advocacy, and countless hours of work behind the scenes, our bills were passed. Once again, Senator Hertel was pivotal in making this a success. His work in the Senate to get this done after a 20-hour session proves why he is one of our closest friends.

 Military Bills 5232 and 5233 have the potential to significantly enhance the support available to our members who serve in the military reserves. These bills allow our reservists to maintain their employer-provided pay and benefits while on leave for up to 26 days each year. Please see the attached fact sheet.

 Health Screenings

Additionally, I am pleased to announce that our health screenings are set to go live. The 3.5 million budget ask in 2024 took an extended time to negotiate with DHHS, but career firefighters will be getting these screenings. We took our time to make sure our members would have the opportunity to get screenings in accordance with what we successfully advocated for.  A detailed flyer is attached for BIO-CARE and NDS, outlining the specifics. It is essential that union leadership work with administration to schedule these physicals as soon as possible. Delays could hinder our members from accessing these important health services. These will be covered under the 3.5 million. Again. Please schedule these ASAP to ensure your members will be covered under the 3.5 million. Coordination with administration is important to accommodate the mobile units from BIO-CARE.

 FY 2027 Budget

I’d like to recognize the efforts of our lobbyist, Melissa McKinley, who worked throughout the night during the recent budget negotiations to keep us updated. The Fiscal Year 2027 budget has been finalized and includes several significant allocations that will impact the fire service. Notably, $1,044,000 has been earmarked for first responder mental health initiatives at Frontline Strong, which will support police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and their families. Funding for firefighter training (training council) and hazardous materials safety inspections, underground storage (State Fire Marshal office) has been increased by $509,000. Some programs, such as Urban Search and Rescue and the Smoke Detector program, faced cuts as part of budgetary adjustments aimed at addressing a $1.2 billion shortfall. Statutory revenue sharing was unchanged.

As we navigate the changes, and work to keep our issues relevant, your continued support and engagement are more important than ever. Our staffing bills are still sitting in the House. We have not given up on these as they are still our priority issue. With elections forthcoming, we will be sharing the endorsement list after reviewing questionnaires submitted.  Stay safe, and I’ll be in touch soon.

 Fraternally,
 Matthew Sahr, President
Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union