Dear Neighbor,
With spring finally here and all the sunshine and warmth that accompanies the new season, I’m energized to continue delivering results for our lakeshore community and look forward to all we can accomplish together.
Since my last newsletter recapped the many things happening across District 12, I want to take a moment to provide an update on what the Legislature has been working on. Up in Lansing, we’re in the thick of our annual budget process with subcommittees reporting out proposals for the full Appropriations Committee’s consideration. As we work to deliver a budget by the end of June, I encourage you to learn more about the process and the investments we’re looking to make to support communities across Michigan — more details about this can be found in the Legislative Update section below!
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts about the state budget or any other 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
- Legislative Update
- Helpful Resources
- Upcoming Events
- Contact Us
Legislative Update
From funding our schools and fixing our roads to providing resources to veterans and small businesses owners — our budget directly touches the lives of all Michiganders. Because of the impact our state budget has on communities throughout Michigan, my role as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military, Veterans, and State Police (MVSP) are responsibilities I take seriously.
Throughout the year, I make it a priority to meet with a wide range of folks — constituents, local leaders, community organizations, veterans, small business owners, educators and first responders — to gain insight on their needs and how we can best address them to create a brighter future for our state.
Specifically, as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee responsible for crafting the budgets for the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and the Michigan State Police (MSP), I’m focused on identifying investments to promote public safety and support those who have answered the call to serve their community.
As my Legislative colleagues and I work to craft a fiscally responsible budget, take a deeper look at the inner workings of the process here and read on below to learn more about the investments we’re making to bolster public safety, while also providing much-deserved support to Michigan veterans and military service members.
Highlights from the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget
Veterans have put their lives on the line to keep us safe here on the home front, and when they return home, many are faced with severe trauma and various obstacles — it’s only right for us to have their backs and ensure they can access the benefits they deserve. Our budget proposal for the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) acknowledges their duty to serving our country and helps our state tackle pressing issues to increase access to housing and mental health services, including funding to:
- Support Michigan’s three veteran homes, including the Chesterfield Veteran Homes — the first and only location servicing the Metro Detroit area.
- Provide grants for nonprofits who provide or assist in providing housing for homeless veterans and their families.
- Support suicide prevention programs that help veterans and their families address the trauma related to military service.
Additionally, our DMVA budget proposal includes significant funding for Selfridge Air National Guard Base to make infrastructure improvements that would position them to compete for a next-generation fighter mission. This would build upon the $13 million I secured last year for Selfridge to expand and reroute their runway to better accommodate future aircraft missions. State investments such as these are critical to demonstrating to the U.S. Department of Defense that we’re serious about the base’s continued operations and attracting new programs such as Selfridge’s squadron of KC-46A refueling tankers.
As conversations on the final budget continue, securing the future of Selfridge will be a central focus of mine, and I stand committed to ensuring the Legislature provides the funding necessary for the base to remain at the forefront of our nation’s security efforts.
Highlights from the Michigan State Police Budget
Whether you’re at home, grocery shopping, driving to work, or taking a walk in the park — every Michigander deserves to feel safe. With our budget proposal for the Michigan State Police (MSP), we’re building on the investments made last year to equip the agency with the resources necessary to build a modern police force, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our communities. Among the priorities included in the MSP budget is funding to:
- Allow the MSP to graduate 50 troopers from the recruit school.
- Reduce violent crime by providing police departments with grants to recruit, train, integrate and retain licensed law enforcement officers.
- Provide law enforcement personnel with training to better communicate with hard-of-hearing Michiganders and limited English-speaking communities.
Additionally, to further support our state police officers and honor their service, I introduced this week Senate Bill 834 which would double their survivor benefits. Currently under the Public Safety Officers Benefit Act, if a public safety officer dies or is permanently disabled in the line of duty, the officer’s surviving spouse and dependents are eligible for a one-time payment of $25,000. This legislation would increase that amount to $50,000 to ensure adequate support for the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, providing them with the financial stability and recognition they deserve for their loved one’s service.
Helpful Resources
Get Ready for Fishing Season!
With spring upon us in the Great Lakes State and Lake St. Clair in arms reach, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding anglers to purchase a new license for the 2024 fishing season.
The new fishing license and regulation season kicked off on Monday, April 1. The new 2024 fishing licenses will be valid through March 31, 2025. Licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, which you can download on your smartphone.
Here’s a rundown of key dates to remember this fishing season:
- Saturday, April 27: Statewide trout and Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons open.
- Monday, May 15: Upper Peninsula walleye and northern pike seasons open.
- Saturday, May 25: Season opens for largemouth and smallmouth bass possession, except for Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers, which open Saturday, June 15. (Note: Catch-and-immediate-release for bass is open all year on most waters. Check the 2024 Michigan Fishing Regulations for specifics).
- Saturday, June 1: Season opens for muskellunge possession on all Great Lakes, inland waters, the St. Mary’s River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers. (Note: Catch-and-release fishing for muskellunge is open all year).
For additional information about 2024 fishing licenses, contact DNR eLicense at MDNR-E-License@Michigan.gov or call 517-284-6057.
The DNR is also providing helpful tips for Michigan anglers to help combat the spread of invasive species.
- Start with a clean boat and clean gear.
- End by draining live wells and bilges.
- End by cleaning debris and plant material from boats.
- Decontaminate waders and gear with safe chemical disinfectants after each use.
- Dispose of leftover bait in the trash to prevent the spread of fish diseases.
Tips to Help You Safely Navigate Road Construction
With the warmer weather finally here, that means our unofficial state flower — the beloved traffic cone — will be popping up across Michigan. Between state, county and local projects, there will be several work zones throughout our community this year. The Macomb County Department of Roads urges drivers to remain alert and practice caution to keep themselves and road workers free from harm. To help keep the roads as safe as possible, make sure to practice these driving tips:
- Plan ahead | Expect delays, plan for them, and leave early to reach your destination on time. When you can, avoid work zones altogether by using alternate routes.
- Obey road crews and signs | When approaching a work zone, watch for cones, barrels, signs, large vehicles, or workers in bright-colored vests to warn you and direct you where to go.
- Slow down | Look for signs indicating the speed limit through the work zone. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you and follow the posted speed limit.
- Move over | Most state move-over laws apply when passing work crews and official vehicles parked on the shoulder with flashing warning lights.
- Avoid distractions | Keep your eyes on the road and off your phone at all times.
- Watch for sudden stoppages | Don’t make sudden lane changes in front of trucks that are trying to slow down.
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:
Coffee and Conversation
WHEN: Friday, April 19 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: District Office, 28800 Harper, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48081
Voting and Elections Town Hall with Michigan Secretary of State Joceyln Benson
WHEN: Monday, April 22 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Grosse Pointe Public Library, Woods Branch, 20680 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
Please join me, Secretary of State Joceyln Benson, State Rep. Veronica Paiz and other special guests for a Voting and Elections Town Hall on Monday, April 22. During the event, we’ll break down some of the recent changes to our state’s election laws — including new options for early voting and a simplified absentee ballot application process — and discuss how they’ll impact Michigan voters during the 2024 elections. RSVP here.
Coffee and Conversation
WHEN: Monday, May 6 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Saint Clair Shores Senior Center, 20100 Stephens Street, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080
District Office Hours with Staff
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
*** Please note our regularly scheduled District Coffee Hour for Friday, May 17 is canceled due to a scheduling conflict. Please reach out to our office at (517) 373-7315 or SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov if you would like to schedule another time to meet.
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.