• MIRS Biographical Profiles

• View Printable Version

Brinks, Winnie (D)

Office: 6500 Binsfeld Building Term: First Phone: (517) 373-1801 Email: swbrinks@senate.michigan.gov Home Address: 2060 Osceola Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 Website: https://senatedems.com/brinks/contact/ Seat Number: 15 Standing Committees: Health Policy and Human Services(VC), Agriculture, Energy and Technology, Environmental Quality Subcommittees: Community Health / Human Services (C) = Chair, (VC) = Vice Chair

POLITICAL CAREER

Sen. Brinks won the 29th Senate district in 2018 after she secured 56.9 percent of the general election vote against fellow House member Rep. Chris AFENDOULIS. 

Brinks served three-terms in the Michigan House representing the state's 76th House District. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

Brinks previously worked as the executive director of The One Way House, a nonprofit corrections agency. More recently, Brinks worked as a case worker at The Source in Grand Rapids.

To read MIRS biography of Sen. Brinks, click here.

EDUCATION

She is a graduate of Calvin College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish with a concentration in sociology.

PERSONAL

Sen. Brinks is married to Steve, the couple has three children. 

LEAD STAFF PERSON:

Additional Information

• Sponsored Bills
• MIRS Stories

 SB 0073  - CRIMES, Abortion, Repeal provision related to publication of cures for conceptive preventatives.
(Status: 02/02/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC SAFETY )

 SB 0112  - PROPERTY TAX, Delinquent Taxes, Waive interest and penalties for summer 2020 property taxes for certain businesses.
(Status: 02/09/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS )

 SB 0142  - LIQUOR, Retail Sales, Provide for allowing in state and out-of-state small wine makers to deliver wine to retailers. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0141'21, SB 0144'21, SB 0143'21
(Status: 05/11/2021 - SENATE - ENROLLMENT VACATED - IE - REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY FOR ENROLLMENT, PRINTING AND PRESENTATION TO THE GOVERNOR)

 SB 0153  - USE TAX, Exemptions, Exempt sale of feminine hygiene products. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0154'21
(Status: 02/18/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE )

 SB 0165  - LABOR, Notices, NEW, Require employers to provide information regarding COVID-19 testing locations.
(Status: 02/23/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT )

 SB 0173  - EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, Claimants, Eliminate provisions regarding seasonal workers.
(Status: 02/24/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT )

 SB 0252  - HUMAN SERVICES, Medical Services, Provide for Medicaid coverage for postpartum women.
(Status: 03/17/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS )

 SB 0253  - HEALTH OCCUPATIONS, Other, Provide for sanctions for a violation of the carnival-amusement safety act, and modify requirements for an owner or operator of a carnival or amusement ride.
(Status: 03/17/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON REGULATORY REFORM )

 SB 0325  - LABOR, Hours and Wages, Prohibit employers from engaging in certain discriminatory practices and allow remedies under Elliott-Larsen civil rights act.
(Status: 03/25/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT )

 SB 0362  - PROPERTY TAX, Exemptions, NEW, Provide for exemptions for certain residential rehabilitation projects.
(Status: 06/17/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND MUNICIPAL FINANCE )

 SB 0373  - CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, Defenses, Repeal defense to criminal sexual conduct charges based solely on mental incapacitation of the victim if the victim is the actor's spouse.
(Status: 04/21/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC SAFETY )

 SB 0434  - STATE, Identification Cards, Allow issuance of state identification card to undocumented persons under certain circumstances.
(Status: 05/11/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE )

 SB 0440  - HEALTH FACILITIES, Certificate of Need, Exempt certain PET scanners from certificate of need regulations.
(Status: 06/16/2021 - SENATE - IMMEDIATE EFFECT GRANTED - REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY FOR ENROLLMENT, PRINTING AND PRESENTATION TO THE GOVERNOR)

 SB 0578  - CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, Opioids, Provide for the distribution of opioid antagonists by community-based organizations under a standing order and limit a community-based organization’s liability for damages in a civil action as a result of administering the antagonist.
(Status: 06/30/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH POLICY AND HUMAN SERVICES)

 SR 0063  - Women Veterans Recognition Day, A resolution to recognize June 12, 2021, as Women Veterans Recognition Day.
(Status: 06/08/2021 - SENATE - RULES SUSPENDED FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION - ADOPTED )

 SR 0071  - Craft Beer Month, A resolution to commemorate July 2021 as Craft Beer Month.
(Status: 06/24/2021 - SENATE - RULES SUSPENDED FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION - ADOPTED )

bill hound

Bill Tracking Options

Close

• To add Bill Hound service to your MIRS subscription, or to learn more, please contact MIRS at 1-877-482-8238.

Caucus PACs Report 'Record-Breaking' Fundraising On Both Sides (07-26-2021)

Fink, Lightner Teaming Up As Nesbitt, Hall, Brixie Post Big PAC Totals (07-26-2021)

Santana Emerging As Senate Dem Leader Candidate (07-16-2021)

DHHS, Lawmakers Dispense New Bills To Fight Opioid Crisis (06-24-2021)

Gov Signs Bill Clearing Way For New Cancer Treatment Equipment (06-24-2021)

Bits And Tidbits (06-23-2021)

6 Senate Seats Dems Need In Redistricting (06-21-2021)

Senate D's Coalescing Behind Brinks (06-18-2021)

Housing Michigan's Legislative Agenda Has Pieces Approved By Senate (06-17-2021)

House Gives Thumbs Up To Cancer Clinic CON Bill (06-10-2021)

Senate Passes 25 Hours Of Walk-In SOS Service (06-10-2021)

Revolutionary Cancer Therapy Could Make Michigan Hub For Treatment (06-04-2021)

Stamas, Hertel, House Caucus Leaders Seen As Most Effective (05-27-2021)

Gov Bellies Up To Bar To Sign Bills Benefiting Canned Cocktail Industry (05-24-2021)

Immigrants Want Driver License Request Separated From Residency Paperwork (05-11-2021)

HRCC Leads 1Q Fundraising With Record $1.2M (04-26-2021)

Hollier, Moss To Lead Senate D's Campaign Team (04-13-2021)

Senate Wants $1.25M To Investigate Nursing Homes; Hornberger Wants $5M (03-25-2021)

McBroom Bills For No-Helmet ATV Riders Wiggle Out Of Senate (03-17-2021)

McBroom Bills For No-Helmet ATV Riders Wiggle Out Of Senate (03-17-2021)

Nonprofit Wants DHHS To Stop Disseminating 'False' Info About COVID-19 Vaccine (03-11-2021)

The Women Of Michigan: Movers, Shakers and Precedent Changers (03-08-2021)

Better Worker Benefits Highlight D's COVID Package (02-25-2021)

Bits And Tidbits (02-25-2021)

Bits And Tidbits (02-23-2021)

'Tampon Tax' Repeal Makes Return Visit; Other Bills Of Interest (02-19-2021)

McCann Starts 2021-22 With Most Cash On Hand Among Senators (02-01-2021)

Lower Prescription Drug Costs Emerges As Theme (01-27-2021)

Senate Shuffles Up Approps Subcommittee After Departures (01-26-2021)

Victory To Chair Senate Judiciary; Bumstead To Co-Chair JCAR (01-13-2021)

Governor Vetoes 13 Bills, Signs 21 Into Law (12-30-2020)

Rejecting Mask Mandate, Senate Would Restrict Orders To 28 Days (12-10-2020)

Senators Would Allow Expungement For First DUIs (12-09-2020)

Several Tax Break Bills Clear Senate (12-03-2020)

Financial Concerns Could Scuttle Veteran Home Authority (11-24-2020)

Peters Mentions James' Name 0 Times; James Said Peters' Name 28 Times (10-29-2020)

Lucido Tries Again On Dedicated COVID Nursing Homes (09-17-2020)

Voting Booths Opened To Women 100 Years Ago . . . And They're Not Done Yet (08-26-2020)

Bits And Tidbits (08-17-2020)

Senate Passes Return To School Plan In Rare Saturday Session (08-15-2020)

New Food Security Council Set To Dig In (08-07-2020)