Dear Neighbor,
With warmer weather just around the corner, I hope you and your family are able to get outside, soak up the sunlight, and enjoy the fresh spring air. I know I’m looking forward to making the most of all our lakeshore district has to offer this season, including fishing on Lake St. Clair with my two sons.
While the Legislature has been on spring break, our team has made good use of time, working to connect with residents, small business leaders, seniors, and many others throughout our community. In this newsletter, I want to take a moment to recap some of this work and share a few helpful resources.
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 or calling our Lansing office at (517) 373-7315.
Sincerely,
Kevin Hertel
State Senator
District 12
- Last month, I sent a letter to the Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, calling on them to impose stronger measures on Oakland County to reduce their sewage overflows and protect Lake St. Clair.
- Tax Day is April 15th — make sure to file before the deadline! Keep reading to learn more about how you can take advantage of tax credits to maximize your return.
- Join me for my upcoming Coffee and Conversation event on April 18 at 11:00 a.m. at Eos Café (30625 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores). RSVP here.
Prescription Drug Affordability Town Hall
While Michiganders struggle to afford life-saving medications, big pharmaceutical companies continue to rake in record profits with little accountability. That’s why my colleagues and I introduced legislation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that would have the power to rein in skyrocketing medication costs.
At the end of March, I joined State Rep. Denise Mentzer and the Committee to Protect Health Care to break down this proposal and talk to folks about how it would help build a system here in Michigan where no resident has to face the impossible choice between filling their prescription and paying their rent or putting food on the table. You can rewatch the event livestream here and you can read more about our policy proposal here.
Touring the FARM Science Lab at Mason Elementary
This week, I had the exciting opportunity to join students from Mason Elementary in experiencing the FARM Science Lab. This mobile classroom brings agriculture to life, giving kids a hands-on, interactive learning experience right outside their school doors. From food production to farming technology, it’s a creative way to show kids how agriculture shapes our everyday lives.
Big thanks to Principal Hassan for welcoming us — and for making sure students have access to meaningful learning opportunities like this. If you’re a parent or educator looking to bring the FARM Science Lab to your school, you can find more information here.
Connecting with Constituents on Porch Steps
The sunshine and warmer temps mean it’s officially the start of door knocking season! Over the next few months, our team will be out in communities across our district to connect with folks and learn more about the issues that matter most to them.
Grosse Pointe Public Schools Community Luncheon
It was an honor to join school administrators, faith leaders, public safety officers, community advocates, and so many others at the annual Grosse Pointe Public Schools Community Luncheon last week.
I had the opportunity to share an update on the work we’re doing to uplift our lakeshore community and ensure that every Michigander — from students to seniors — has the opportunity to thrive. With the continued partnership of dedicated leaders like those in the room, I’m more hopeful than ever about the state of our future.
Site Tour of JVIS USA
The automotive industry is vital to thousands of working families who call Michigan home. I recently had the opportunity to tour JVIS USA, a global manufacturing leader of automotive components based in Macomb County. Big thank you to David for inviting our team to learn more about their company and all they contribute to our economy.
Schools to Tools Pop-Up at Lakeview High School
Last week, I had the pleasure of seeing some of the exciting work the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights is doing to recruit the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
Organizations like this are essential to our Michigan Reconnect program, which provides residents with the ability to earn a skilled trade certificate at no cost. As we continue to craft another balanced state budget, I’m committed to ensuring these opportunities for working Michiganders remain available.
Providing a Legislative Update to Harper Woods Seniors
With all of the uncertainty and chaos coming from the Trump Administration, Michigan seniors have serious concerns about whether or not their health care and social security benefits will still be available in the coming weeks and months.
Recently, I joined State Rep. Veronica Paiz and sat down with seniors in Harper Woods to listen to their concerns, share our common frustrations at the mess Republicans in Washington are creating, and talk about what we’re working on at the state level to keep supporting our older Michiganders.
Talking About Issues That Matter Over Coffee
With so many headlines making it hard to feel hopeful about our country’s future, it’s moments like these that remind me why hope is still alive — a group of everyday citizens of different backgrounds and perspectives taking time out of their day to have a discussion on ways we can move forward, together.
If you need help cutting through all of the political noise to learn more about what’s going on in government or just want a place to have your thoughts and concerns heard, please stop by one of our upcoming coffee hours. Find more details in the Upcoming Events section below!
Celebrating March is Reading Month
One of my favorite traditions during March is sitting down with students across our community to share the joy of reading and talk about how our government works to support them and their families. This year, I had the pleasure of reading to students at Violet Elementary in St. Clair Shores and Mason Elementary in Grosse Pointe Woods, as well as at the St. Clair Shores Library. To catch up with all our Reading Month activities and get some helpful tips on how to foster a love of reading in your child, click here.
Harper Woods High School’s Career Day Panel
Last month, I joined Harper Woods High School’s Career Day Panel to discuss careers in public service and the impact young leaders can have on Michigan’s future. It was great to see so many students interested in stepping up and making a difference!
7th Annual New Baltimore Strev Strut
It was great to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the seventh annual Strev Strut in New Baltimore this past month — congrats to all the runners who participated!
Recognizing National School Breakfast Week at Lighthouse Elementary
Making sure every child has access to a healthy breakfast and lunch at school isn’t just about food — it’s about setting our students up for success.
To close out National School Breakfast Week in March, I had the pleasure of serving students at Lighthouse Elementary a nutritious morning meal and seeing firsthand the positive impact of the Michigan School Meals program, which offers breakfast and lunch to all public school students, free of charge to families. Read more here.
Calling on Oakland County to Do Their Part to Protect Lake St. Clair
Throughout my time in the Legislature, I’ve worked to bring nearly $100 million back to Macomb County to reduce combined sewer overflows, address aging water infrastructure, and protect Lake St. Clair. It may not have been easy work to do, but it was necessary to protect our water quality. We’re doing our part, but we are not the only ones who have contributed to the challenges facing the lake. For years, Oakland County has continued to discharge untreated sewage into our water without putting forth any solutions.
Enough is enough. During the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s public comment period, I submitted a letter to Director Roos echoing Commissioner Candice Miller’s calls for the department to impose stronger, enforceable measures on Oakland County to reduce their sewage overflows.
It’s about time they step up and follow the leadership we’ve demonstrated here in Macomb. Click here to read the full letter and learn more about our work to bolster our water infrastructure.
LEO Young Professionals Grant to Support Workers in Macomb and St. Clair Counties
Recently, the Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity awarded Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! a $188,000 grant to provide youth and young adults with a meaningful introduction to the world of work, including career exploration and preparation, jobs skills and earned income. Currently, the Young Professionals program supports Michiganders ages 14-24 who face barriers on the path to employment by exposing them to multiple career and educational opportunities, such as obtaining work experience or earning an in-demand training certificate.
As we look to continue building up our workforce and our economy, I remain committed to supporting programs like this, so that every person in our community can access the tools they need to secure a good-paying job.
Read more about this exciting grant opportunity here.
Tax Credits to Take Advantage Of
Taxes are due next week on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. If you haven’t filed yet, make sure to take advantage of all the credits and deductions available to you. Here are a few that you may be able to use this tax season to lower your tax bill or receive a refund:
- The Earned Income Tax Credit is a benefit for qualified Michigan families to help put more money in their pockets to afford the necessities. Last session, my colleagues and I quintupled this credit to help Michiganders keep up with rising costs. Learn more here.
- The Homestead Property Tax Credit is a benefit for qualified Michigan homeowners and renters, helping to pay some of the property taxes billed. This credit can be filed up to four years from the year it could be claimed, and the maximum credit amount may be adjusted annually. Learn more here.
- The Home Heating Credit is a tax benefit for qualified Michigan homeowners and renters with low to moderate income, helping to pay some of their heating expenses. The maximum credit a taxpayer can claim may change each year. For qualifications and guidance, click here.
Continued Support for Federal Workers Impacted by Federal Layoffs and Funding Cuts
To support federal workers who may have recently lost their jobs, the Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity has compiled several resources to offer support. A new, comprehensive webpage, Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp, provides impacted federal workers with easy access to unemployment, job search, and community resources.
Workers who recently lost their jobs through no fault of their own may be eligible to apply for temporary financial assistance through the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) as well.
UIA has resources in place to help any laid off federal worker, including:
- UIA Claimant Roadmap: An easy-to-follow guide to applying for and understanding unemployment benefits.
- Online Coaching Sessions: Guidance from UIA staff who walk users through the steps needed to complete an application and qualify for payments.
- UIA Community Connect: This program partners with local groups to provide guidance for workers from underserved groups who have faced barriers when filing for jobless benefits.
- Schedule an Appointment: Schedule an in-person, phone, or virtual appointment to speak with a UIA Customer Service Agent.
- Looking for Work: Tips to understanding your responsibilities when it comes to conducting and documenting your successful work searches.
- Assistance with Setting Up an Account: Workers must create a MiLogin account before setting up a MiWAM account.
For additional assistance, workers can find FAQs, videos, and other resources at Michigan.gov/UIA. To reach an agent or unlock a MiWAM or MiLogin account, you can reach a customer service representative at 866-500-0017.
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 in St. Clair Shores
WHEN: Friday, April 18, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Eos Café, 30625 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI 48082
Coffee and Conversation in Harrison Township
WHEN: Friday, May 9, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Tucker Senior Center, 26980 Ballard St., Harrison Twp., MI 48045
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.