Dear Neighbor,
I hope you and your loved ones are staying warm amid the freezing temperatures that have been hitting our state. Despite the many snow days Michigan students have been enjoying recently, my colleagues and I have been braving the weather to continue our work in Lansing on your behalf. In recent weeks, we’ve advanced several pieces of bipartisan legislation to lower energy costs, protect against deceitful telephone soliciting and scams, and keep kids off their phones in the classroom. Read on to learn more about the solutions we’re working to deliver for our lakeshore community.
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
Keeping Kids Safe Online
Status: Introduced and referred to committee
As we rapidly accelerate into the age of digital and AI advancements, our youth are bearing the brunt of the harmful consequences of Big Tech’s exploitive algorithms. That’s why my colleagues and I introduced legislation to implement stronger safety measures and prevent social media companies and AI platforms from targeting and exploiting minors. Introduced in December and highlighted in a press conference recently, our “Kids Over Clicks” package would protect kids from the dangers of unfettered online activity by holding Big Tech accountable.
More specifically, my bill in the package would strengthen data privacy protections for minors while also giving parents greater power to protect their kids online, just as they do in the real world. Read more here.
If you have children, I encourage you to take our survey and let me know your thoughts on how social media is impacting our youngest generation — your input can help shape what the final package looks like to ensure we meet the needs of Michigan families!
Lowering Energy Costs and Holding Utility Companies Accountable
Status: Introduced and referred to committee
While the costs of everything from gas and groceries continue to put a squeeze on Michiganders, utility costs are only adding to the burden. Over the past two decades, Michigan consumers have seen the price of electricity more than double. In the last year alone, energy bills have spiked 11%. This is simply not sustainable for working families. To combat these outrageous energy rates that continue to rise year after year, I introduced Senate Bill 768.
This legislation would establish a multiyear rate plan, or an MRP, to set utility prices for three years at a time. Under the status quo, utility companies are able to apply for a rate increase every 12 months. Extending this time period would ultimately help lower long-term costs, prevent surprise spikes in monthly bills, and improve financial planning and stability for families across the state, while also bringing greater discipline, transparency, and accountability to the rate-setting process.
This legislation has been introduced and is soon to be taken up for testimony by the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment. In the meantime, you can read more about this legislation here.
Cracking Down on Unsolicited Robocalls
Status: Passed the Senate and sent to the House
As folks navigate the everyday reality of increased costs, the onset of flu season, and more, the last thing you need is a constant stream of phone calls and texts harassing you and attempting to deceive you out of your hard-earned money. That’s why my Senate colleagues and I advanced bipartisan legislation to tackle this issue head-on, ensuring both our residents and the Attorney General’s office have the tools they need to hold scammers accountable.
More specifically, this legislation would create explicit rules that telephone solicitors must follow, keeps solicitors from blocking caller ID or displaying misleading names, and allow the Attorney General to investigate and bring civil action for alleged violations.
This legislation has now been sent to the House for their consideration. Read more about these bills here.
Helping Keep Kids Focused in the Classroom
Status: Signed into Law!
To address the growing issue of cell phone use in schools and protect kids’ uninterrupted learning environment, my Senate colleagues and I passed bipartisan legislation recently to prohibit the use of cell phones during instruction in every grade in Michigan’s K-12 public schools. This legislation follows the lead of countless other states who have implemented policies that address phones in the classroom. Schools in these states have seen positive results, including a rise in test scores, fewer instances of cyberbullying, more use of school libraries, and improved social skills among students.
This legislation was just signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this past week, and schools will begin to implement it in the 2026-2027 school year. Read more here.
Governor’s Executive Budget Recommendations Released
On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presented her executive budget recommendations to a joint meeting of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, outlining her office’s priorities for the 2027 state budget. The governor’s proposal focused on a shared commitment to supporting Michigan families and communities, bolstering our commitment to education, and ensuring folks can access health care. Her teamalso underscored a growing challenge facing our state: the ripple effects of federal decisions that are creating instability for Michigan and states across the country.
Since the start of the Trump administration, we have seen a series of reckless, shortsighted actions from the federal government that have caused significant chaos and uncertainty not only in the lives of Michiganders but also to our state budget. Most significantly, the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” blew a $1 billion hole into our budget and took away critical federal resources that helped fund Medicaid services for hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents. As we sit down to negotiate this year’s budget, my colleagues and I will have to make tough choices on how we balance the many needs of our state, from education and health care to public safety and infrastructure, with fewer funds than we’ve had in previous years.
Despite our revenue landscape looking significantly different this year, my approach to the appropriations process will remain the same. I will continue to meet with constituents, advocates, stakeholders, and fiscal experts to identify investment opportunities that will have the biggest impact on Michiganders’ everyday lives, with the goal of delivering a fiscally responsible budget by the end of June.
You can go back and watch the governor’s presentation here. And to keep up with the latest updates surrounding this year’s budget, keep checking in on our regular newsletters.
Save on Your Taxes with the Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit
I’ve been focused on cutting taxes and making it easier for folks to not just get by but thrive. That’s why I worked to deliver the biggest tax break for working families in Michigan history. During the last legislative session, we quintupled Michigan’s match of the Earned Income Tax Credit from 6% to 30% to help families save an average of $3,800 when combined with the federal credit. Learn more about how you may be able to take advantage of this policy to save on your taxes this year:
What is it? The Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax benefit for working individuals with income below a certain level.
What benefits does it provide? It reduces the taxes you owe, putting more money in your pocket! Even if you do not owe taxes, it could result in a refund. This extra income can help you care for your family, meet living expenses, or save for the future.
Who qualifies? To qualify for the Michigan EITC, you must qualify for the federal EITC. You can verify your eligibility here.
How can I claim it? Verify your federal EITC eligibility, file your federal income tax return with the IRS and claim the federal EITC, then file the Michigan individual income tax return and claim the Michigan EITC. For more information, click here.
And as you navigate tax season this year, if you need assistance with the Michigan Dept. of Treasury or any other state department, please know that we are here to help. You can reach us by phone or email, stop by our District Office in St. Clair Shores, or attend one of our upcoming community office hours.
Utilize Michigan 211 to Get Connected with the Resources You Need
Michigan 211 is a toll-free service that provides residents with information. Specialists trained to assist community members will connect you with the proper resources. From utility payment assistance to household needs, 211 is a great tool for you and your loved ones to use.
Michigan 211 supports about seven regions in the state of Michigan. You can text, email, or call for help. For more information, click here.
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 Hour with Sen. Kevin Hertel
WHEN: Friday, February 20, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Lighthouse Coffee, 45 N Main St., Mt Clemens, MI 48043
Please note that this coffee hour was initially scheduled for Friday, February 13th. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, we had to reschedule this event for the 20th. We hope to see you then!
Community Office Hours with Team Hertel
Weekly Office Hours in St. Clair Shores
WHEN: Every Thursday from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and by appointment. (Please note: no office hours will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19)
WHERE: District Office, 22424 Greater Mack Ave., Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080
Mount Clemens Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, March 3, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Mount Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass Ave., Mount Clemens, MI 48043
Harper Woods Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, March 10, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Harper Woods Public Library, 19601 Harper Ave., Harper Woods, MI 48225
New Baltimore Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, March 17, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: MacDonald Public Library, 36480 Main St., New Baltimore, MI 48047
Please note that these office hours are hosted by staff.
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.