Dear Friends, Constituents, and Supporters,
It’s with great gratitude (and some sadness) that I announce that this term will be my final term in the Michigan State Legislature. The past seven or so years have been both thrilling and fulfilling — full of learning, working hard, and delighting in getting to know so many amazing people in my communities and in Lansing.
Before coming to Lansing, I had a long and successful career in information technology and had happily retired. A strong desire to do what voters and constituents have asked me to do — to improve our educational system, protect our beautiful waters, and help folks needing mental health support — became a chance for me to help people and our state in a significant way. The effort and support from so many of you in both elections made it possible for me, someone who started with no experience in politics at all, to win the first time, and then again in a largely new district.
Supported by my amazing team, I have remained steadfast in my priorities, dedicating both terms to fulfilling commitments on multiple committees and building an adequate, equitable budget. As a past co-Chair of the Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention Caucus, I led key gun safety legislation that became law in 2023. I have championed water and natural resource protections through work with the Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and in health and human services, I led initiatives focused on improving mental health outcomes across Michigan. In the consumer protection space, I authored significant legislation on online privacy and data breach prevention. As many of you also know, I love working closely with local governments to secure infrastructure grants and advance beneficial community measures like stormwater utility management plans. I also chair the budget subcommittees for the Michigan Dept. of Education and MiLEAP, where I’ve focused on expanding access to child care, increasing access to health, mental health, libraries, and career tech programs in schools and post-secondary programs.
With my powerful team, we’ve built legislation, budgets, and strong connections to the people in my communities. In fact, losing friends and communities when redistricting struck was one of my biggest challenges! It really hurt. I spent much of my first term learning about Pontiac and other surrounding communities, addressing specific needs in infrastructure, health and school support, and housing — sadly, to lose many of those communities in my second term. The new communities, however, added more amazing people to my life and work, including opportunities to bring in more infrastructure support, and even helping create a new municipality (Congrats to the Village of Lakeside Park (Zox)!). They also fueled me to learn ways to lead and collaborate in an environment with such incredible diversity.
Thank you for your support and collaboration! It has truly been delightful to represent West Bloomfield, Beverly Hills, Oxford, Keego Harbor, Franklin, Pontiac, Plymouth and Plymouth Township, Clarkston, Orchard Lake, Novi and Novi Township, Auburn Hills, Northville and Northville Township, Farmington Hills, Sylvan Lake, Lake Orion and Orion Township, Walled Lake, Bloomfield Township, Oakland Township, Commerce Township, Addison Township, Bingham Farms and the Village of Lakeside Park.
I also need to thank my team for so much great work together! As a new member of the Michigan Senate, I didn’t know how much time we would be spending supporting the people we represent. As it turned out, my top priority from the start has been and continues to be the support and care for the people and communities in the district. My entire team is known for presence, tenacity, and excellence in problem-solving — helping people when they really need it. I couldn’t have asked for a better team!
I’m looking forward to the next 18 months of doing even more for District 13 and the state of Michigan! See you soon!
Yours truly,
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
District 13