Dear Neighbor,
Happy March is Reading Month! As the dad of two young boys, I see firsthand how reading sparks curiosity and builds a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Whether it’s fueling imagination, strengthening comprehension skills, or expanding vocabulary, reading is one of the most powerful tools we can give our kids.
One of my favorite traditions this time of year is visiting classrooms across our community to share the joy of reading and talk with students about how our government works to support them. This month, I’ve had the pleasure of reading to students at Violet Elementary in St. Clair Shores and Mason Elementary in Grosse Pointe Woods, with more visits still to come! A huge thank you to the dedicated teachers who welcomed our team into their classrooms.
Investing in education goes beyond the pages of a book, however — it’s about ensuring every child has the resources they need to thrive. That’s why I’ve been focused on advancing legislation to ensure parents and teachers have access to every tool possible to support their students. In this special edition newsletter, I want to take the opportunity to break down some of this work as well as share some resources to help you foster a love of reading in your children.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts 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 emailing SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov, calling our Lansing office at (517) 373-7315, or calling our district office at (586) 252-2157.
Sincerely,
Kevin Hertel
State Senator
District 12
- From freeing up millions of dollars for our schools to providing additional supports to help students achieve literacy, my colleagues and I have passed a slate of legislation to give our youngest Michiganders the best shot possible at a bright future. Continue reading to learn more.
- Libraries offer so much to our community including books, music, internet access, education programs, after-school homework help, and more. To find a library near you, visit libraryfinder.org.
- Join me at the St. Clair Shores Library this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. for a fun event in celebration of Reading Month! RSVP here.
Promoting Literacy and Identifying Students with Dyslexia
Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting up to one in five kids in every classroom. It can have profound effects on literacy and overall educational achievement. However, with early identification and evidence-based reading intervention, students with characteristics of dyslexia can become strong readers. That’s why I co-sponsored legislation to ensure teachers have the tools they need to help students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties achieve literacy.
The Senate acted in overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion to pass these bills in March, and after passing the House, this legislation was signed into law by Gov. Whitmer. Read more here.
Achieving Transformational Change to Uplift Students and Teachers
To ensure that all those in the classroom have the resources needed for success, I worked to bring forward structural, transformational change that unlocks more than $600 million in ongoing funds for school districts across Michigan to pour directly back into the classroom. As a result of this legislation, local school districts will have greater flexibility and resources to put more dollars behind school safety, mental health, teacher salaries, and more.
Additionally, this legislation provides important cost savings for our educators by removing teachers’ required 3% contribution to their health care retirement fund, which is currently 140% funded. This component will also help us attract new folks to the teaching profession, a critical need as our state faces unprecedented challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified educators.
This action represents the largest transformational change in education we’ve seen in a decade, delivering a sizable funding boost to uplift all those in the classroom. Click here to listen to my interview with WJR and learn more.
Other Policies to Support Michigan Students and Teachers
In addition to these policies, my colleagues and I also passed legislation to:
- Equip schools to safeguard students’ health by ensuring every Michigan school has an AED and trained personnel ready to quickly respond to medical emergencies on and off the field.
- Ensure students and teachers have access to clean drinking water in school.
- Modernize and expand the state’s Promise Zone Authority Act to allow for financial aid to be used for students’ on-campus room and board at educational institutions.
- Address the teacher and counselor shortage Michigan schools are currently navigating by providing an easier path for qualified individuals who are certified in other states to come work in Michigan schools.
Building Up Michigan Students with the 2025 State Budget
Access to a quality education can be a gamechanger, opening doors for Michiganders of all ages, while positioning our state for success. Under previous leadership, however, Michigan schools faced years of disinvestment that has had long-term, negative impacts on our kids’ learning and our state’s educational infrastructure.
Last year, I joined Sen. Darrin Camilleri, who chairs the committee responsible for crafting the K-12 education budget, to meet with superintendents across our community and learn more about what funding needs their students had.
Once in the majority, my colleagues and I worked to reverse these downward trends, starting with the 2024 state budget, which allocated significant resources to support students at every stage of their academic journey. In our most recent budget, we continued this momentum, further supporting Michigan students by:
- Expanding free preschool for four-year-olds, increasing the eligibility threshold for the Great Start Readiness Program to 400% of the federal poverty level — under $120,000 annually for a family of four.
- Continuing free breakfast and lunch for all public-school students.
- Providing additional funding and resources for the students and schools that need it most — small and isolated districts, at-risk students, career, and technical education, and more.
- Increasing funding to support the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and creating the Community College Guarantee to lower or eliminate the cost of higher education.
- Continuing support for Michigan Reconnect scholarships, enabling workers to go back to school to pursue a degree or a skilled trade certification.
Our team was also able to secure $2 million for the Harper Woods School District here in District 12 to construct a Daily Life Skills Training Center that will provide students with individualized skill development training and prepare them to lead independent lives.
Highlighting the Impact of Michigan School Meals Program
Earlier this month, I stopped by Lighthouse Elementary School in New Baltimore where I helped serve students a nutritious morning meal and got to see the positive impact of the Michigan School Meals program, which offers breakfast and lunch to all public school students, free of charge to families thanks to funding we secured in the state budget.
Getting to see all the smiles on the kids’ faces when they received their breakfast reminded me that this is not just about food — it’s about setting our students up for success. This program ensures no child has to worry about where their next meal is coming from or face “lunch shaming” from peers, allowing them to focus their attention on the whiteboard and reach their fullest potential.
And as a father, I know firsthand how beneficial this program is to parents as well. Not only do less families have to worry about making breakfast or packing a lunch during hectic mornings, but Michigan School Meals helps them save over $850 a year on grocery bills, allowing them to redirect those funds to cover other daily necessities or start saving for their children’s higher education costs.
As we craft our state budget for 2026, I’ll be fighting to continue this program so all Michigan students can learn on a full stomach.
Find a Public Library Near You
Public libraries offer so much to our community — a wide array of books, magazines, music, and movies; access to the internet and technology; educational programs for people at all stages of life; job search assistance; after-school homework help; spaces for community fellowship; and more. These are places designed to expand access to knowledge, inspire creativity, and connect our community.
If you’re looking to reignite your love of reading or encourage your kids to pick up a book, a great place to start is at your local library! To find a library near you, visit libraryfinder.org.
Foster Your Child’s Love of Reading
Our children’s success in school and in life heavily depends on their reading abilities. It’s on all of us to foster their love of books so we can set them up for a lifetime of success, regardless of what they choose to pursue. Here’s how you can help a young reader:
Make Reading Part of Their Daily Routine | Find time in the daily schedule for children to read. It doesn’t matter whether it’s before bed, before they eat dessert, or after a meal. Sticking to a regular schedule will keep reading consistent, and it will naturally make reading a part of their daily habit that they can enjoy, instead of looking at it as a chore.
- Be the Example | Our children learn from us. When they see us reading magazines, newspapers, or books, it shows them that reading is important. And, when they see that reading is important to their parents, it encourages them to read as well.
- Listen to Your Child Read | Have your child read aloud to you and listen to them. If they struggle with pronouncing words, or if their reading is choppy and they make mistakes, have them read it again while you help them. This will improve their reading skills and show your children you care about their reading.
- Talk to Your Children | When your child finishes a book, talk to them about it. Ask them what their favorite part was, who their favorite character was, and ask them about what happened in the story. It’s a great way to be involved in their reading, and it will enhance their reading comprehension.
- Reading Should Be a Choice | It’s good for parents to make suggestions, but you should never force your child to read a certain book. There’s no quicker way to make them uninterested and unenthused about reading than by telling them what to read. So, when you go to a library or bookstore with your child, let them explore and pick out books that they like. It will keep them interested and, most importantly, keep them reading.
- Find Reading Programs | Many libraries and schools offer reading programs during the summer that will keep your children in the habit of reading every day. They also have the benefit of having your children be around other kids their own age who are usually reading the same book, and that will help them to talk about what they are reading with their peers.
- Download and Color Your Own Bookmark
Whatever you’re reading this month, I’m sure it pairs nicely with a personalized bookmark! Click here to download a PDF coloring page and make your own bookmark.
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 at the District Office
WHEN: Friday, March 21, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: District Office, 28800 Harper Ave., Saint Clair Shores, MI 48081
Storytime with Senator Hertel
WHEN: Saturday, March 22, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: St. Clair Shores Public Library, 22500 East 11 Mile Rd., Saint Clair Shores, MI 48081
Come celebrate Reading Month with me at the St. Clair Shores Library! I’ll be reading a favorite Dr. Seuss-inspired book that’s full of fun facts about voting and the history of democracy in America. I’ll also be available to field questions from kids (and parents) about the work we’re doing in the State Legislature to support you. Please RSVP here so we make sure to have enough snacks and goody bags.
Prescription Drug Affordability Town Hall
WHEN: Monday, March 31, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: St. Clair Shores Senior Center, 20000 Stephens Rd., St. Clair Shores, MI 48081
Despite already being out-of-control, prescription drug costs still continue to climb, forcing many Michiganders to forgo or ration critical medications. To address the issue, my colleagues and I introduced legislation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Come join me and a panel of special guests to learn more about their efforts to rein in the skyrocketing costs of medication — helping Michiganders stay healthy and save money. RSVP here.
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 email me at SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov. You can also call our Lansing Office at (517) 373-7315 or our District Office at (586) 252-2157.
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.
For more frequent updates, I also encourage you to follow our team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BlueSky.