Dear Neighbor,
While our team has been busy in Lansing with budget negotiations beginning and committee schedules ramping up, there’s much happening across our lakeshore district as well. From town halls and coffee hours to community celebrations — it’s always a pleasure being able to connect with folks and hear directly about what’s impacting them.
In this newsletter, I want to provide a quick recap of the work we’re doing on the ground in District 12 and share some exciting news about investments coming to our community.
As always, I’d love to hear from you about the topics you’re interested in. Please feel free to reach out to my office to share your perspective or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments — we are here to serve you. You can reach my office by calling (517) 373-7315 or emailing SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov.
Thank you again for taking the time to read this newsletter — I appreciate you staying connected with our work, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Kevin Hertel
State Senator
District 12
Included in This Newsletter
- Community Connections
- District 12 Investments
- Helpful Resources
- Upcoming Events
- Contact Us
Community Connections
Clean Energy Future Town Hall with Rep. Denise Mentzer
Here in our lakeshore district and across Michigan, we’ve seen the growing negative effects of climate change. With severe weather events, extreme temperatures and power outages becoming all too common occurrences, doing nothing on this issue is simply not an option. That’s why my colleagues and I passed legislation last fall to help our state reach energy independence through clean and renewable alternatives.
Last week, I joined State Representative Denise Mentzer and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters to break down this legislation and talk about how it will help us secure a Clean Energy Future by improving our grid’s reliability, protecting residents’ health, lowering costs for consumers and creating good-paying jobs.
Connecting with Constituents Over Coffee
It was great getting to close out a productive week with a coffee hour! Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to stop by our district office to share their thoughts about what we’re working on in Lansing — I always value these conversations.
St. Clair Shores Hockey Player Makes the USA Deaf Hockey Team
It was my pleasure to present Stewart DeLange with a tribute during the St. Clair Shores Lakers game last week, celebrating him making the USA Deaf Hockey Team. In April, Stewart will be heading to Buffalo, New York to represent Michigan at the Jeff Sauer International Deaf Hockey Series. I hope you’ll join me in rooting for him and the whole USA team when they take the ice in April.
Celebrating the Harper Woods Football Team’s State Championship Win
It was an honor to host the Harper Woods High School football team at the Michigan Capitol with Rep. Veronica Paiz. This past season, the team played with dedication, grit and heart to clinch the school’s first state championship. Congrats, Pioneers — here’s to another outstanding season in 2024!
New Moon 22 Grand Opening in New Baltimore
Our District Director had a great time welcoming A New Moon 22 to their new location in New Baltimore. Thank you, Angela, for choosing District 12 as the place to grow your small business!
Meeting at UAW Region 1 Headquarters to Discuss Workers’ Rights
Earlier this month, I joined a group of colleagues for a visit with UAW Region 1 Director Lashawn English and union workers where we discussed how we can continue supporting them in their fight for fair wages and safe working conditions.
Small Business Town Hall in Clay Township
At the end of January, we brought our Small Business Town Hall to Clay Township to help support local business owners and budding entrepreneurs. Big thanks to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, U.S. Small Business Administration and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses for coming out to share the many resources their organizations provide to help small businesses thrive.
We’re looking forward to hosting more throughout District 12 in the coming months — make sure to keep an eye out for details.
District 12 Investments
New Economic Development Projects Coming to Mount Clemens and Chesterfield
Since being sworn into the Michigan Senate at the beginning of 2023, a top priority of mine has been making our state a place where people want to live and succeed. A lot goes into making this idea a reality. From passing tax relief for retirees and working families to investing in education, building up our infrastructure and expanding our clean energy portfolio — we’ve been putting in the effort to create an environment where workers and businesses alike can thrive.
Recently, we’ve seen two major businesses choose District 12 as the place to expand their operations. Gestamp is planning on opening a new automotive manufacturing plant in Chesterfield, and Alro Steel is set to open a new metals distribution plant in Mount Clemens. Together, these two new projects are set to create at least 460 new jobs, helping more families find success here in our community.
I look forward to continuing our work in the Senate to ensure everyone can raise a family, find economic security and chase new opportunities in Michigan if they so choose.
Local Communities Set to Receive Over $7 Million For Opioid Recovery Efforts
The opioid epidemic has had devastating impacts on our state — harming the health of Michiganders, the well-being of our communities and the strength of our economy. After years of grappling with these effects, Michiganders are finally set to receive some relief thanks to a settlement that has been struck with manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies who fueled the crisis we’re experiencing now.
Municipalities across the state will split approximately $725 million in settlement funds over the next 18 years, with factors such as overdose and opioid prescription rates, drug arrests and access to existing treatment centers determining the allocation of resources. Here in District 12, communities are set to receive over $7 million for prevention, treatment and recovery efforts. You can read more about the settlement and its impact here.
This is a much-needed first step to address this epidemic, but more work still lies ahead. This year, I am participating in the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Opioid Policy Fellows Program to work with other legislators, leading researchers and policy experts to explore emerging research, exchange ideas and identify innovative solutions. As we meet more throughout the year, I look forward to bringing some of the ideas we discuss back to Michigan to tackle this critical issue.
Helpful Resources
Michigan 211
Last week, my colleagues and I recognized February 11-17 as Michigan 211 Week to highlight the important work that United Way’s 211 program provides to our community each and every day.
From food and utility assistance to mental health support and emergency shelter — Michigan 211 is available 24/7 to connect you and your loved ones to critical resources.
To get in touch with a trained specialist for free, confidential support, you can dial 2-1-1, visit mi211.org or text your zip code to 898-211.
Michigan’s Presidential Primary Scheduled for February 27
After voters overwhelmingly supported Proposal 2 in 2022, my colleagues and I took action to codify the proposal into law — increasing access to cast a ballot and implementing safeguards to ensure Michigan elections remain fair, safe and secure. The legislation we passed establishes new options for early voting and simplifies the absentee ballot application process, among other things. As a result, Michiganders will be able to more easily participate in the electoral process.
With Michigan’s Presidential Primary on February 27 fast approaching, here are a few key dates to be aware of:
- From February 17 to February 25, Michiganders looking to skip the long lines on Election Day can cast their ballot early. Find your nearest early vote location here.
- Through February 26 at 4:00 p.m., voters can obtain an absentee ballot at their local clerk’s office. The Secretary of State recommends hand-delivering an absentee ballot to your clerk’s office or a drop box if it is within 14 days of an election. Click here to find a drop box location near you.
- Through February 27 at 8:00 p.m., voters can register to vote in-person at their local clerk’s office. Verify your voter registration status and find your clerk’s office here.
- From 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on February 27, voters can cast their ballot at their assigned polling location. Make sure to bring a photo identification card to the polls if you have one. Find your polling location here.
Upcoming Events
It is one of my top goals as your State Senator to have myself and my office be as accessible to you as possible. To share your thoughts on legislation or seek assistance with an issue, please join me at one of our upcoming district events:
WHEN: Friday, March 15 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: District Office, 28800 Harper, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48081
WHEN: Every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and by appointment
WHERE: District Office, 28800 Harper, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48081
Contact Us
If You Need Help: If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, my office is available to help resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to help direct you to the appropriate person or organization for help.
You may always feel free to call my office at (517) 373-7315 or email me at SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov.
Keep Up to Date: Our bi-weekly newsletters are full of updates on what Team Hertel has been working on both in Lansing and District 12 to deliver results for Michiganders. To keep up to date with what we’ve been up to — sign up here to receive my bi-weekly newsletter, or access previous editions online here.