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 and exciting announcements.
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
- Exciting news for Mount Clemens! Expecting parents can now apply for Rx Kids — a transformational program designed to lift babies and young children out of poverty and into a lifetime of better health and opportunity. Learn more at RxKids.org.
- Spring fishing is finally here. April 1 marked the official kickoff to the new fishing license year in Michigan. With Lake St. Clair offering some of the best bass fishing in the county, don’t miss out — grab your gear and hit the water!
- Join me for my upcoming Coffee Hour event on April 20th at 10:00 a.m. in Harrison Township. RSVP here.
Coffee and Conversation in Grosse Pointe Farms
It’s always a pleasure to join folks at the Helm in Grosse Pointe Farms for a coffee hour. Thanks to all the folks who came out to talk about a range of different issues — from school safety and mental health to tackling increasing housing and energy costs. One theme that tied together all the topics: people want leaders who will set politics aside and actually put in the work.
Our communities are counting on us. It’s up to us to deliver results. And it’s conversations at events like these where I get to hear directly from residents that are most useful to guiding my work in Lansing.
Seeing the Progress Being Made at Selfridge
There are few assets more vital to our state than Selfridge. With nearly $1 billion in economic impact and hundreds of local jobs supported, the success of our community is directly tied to the success of Selfridge. That’s why I fought to secure over $63 million in state funds to modernize the base and ensure it could successfully compete for a future fighter mission. And as negotiations for the 2027 state budget ramp up, Selfridge remains a top priority for me.
Recently, I was able to join a few of my legislative colleagues for an update as the base makes preparations to welcome a new fleet of F15-EXs in the coming years — a major win for Selfridge’s long-term future. A huge thank you to the dedicated men and women working tirelessly to get this mission-ready and keep Selfridge strong, competitive, and flying high for decades to come.
Sharing an Inside Look at State Government with Macomb Seniors
I had the privilege recently to host a class for Macomb Community College’s MORE program, which offers learning experiences for retirees. Together, we explored the inner workings of the legislative and appropriations processes and discussed the powerful role ordinary citizens can play in driving change in our community and across the state.
Celebrating March is Reading Month
One of my favorite March is Reading Month traditions is visiting classrooms across our community to share the joy of reading and talk with students about how our government works to support them. Last month, I had the pleasure of reading to students across our lakeshore community — from Monteith Elementary in Grosse Pointe Woods and Rodgers Elementary in St. Clair Shores to Montessori Stepping Stones and Prevail Academy in Mount Clemens.
If I wasn’t able to make it to read to your child’s class, you can share this storytime video to help get them reading and spark a conversation about civic engagement and the power of their voice in the democratic process. Click here to watch!
Kids Over Clicks Documentary Screening
Thank you to everyone who came out to our Kids Over Clicks documentary screening and panel discussion! The issue of child online safety is one that’s impacting families across our lakeshore community, and that’s exactly why I joined with my colleagues to introduce a package of legislation designed to give parents the tools they need to keep their kids safe online. To learn more, click here.
8th Annual New Baltimore Strev Strut
Kicked off St. Patrick’s Day early with the Strev Strut in New Baltimore! Over a hundred runners braved the cold to raise money for a local scholarship fund. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Coffee and Conversation in Grosse Pointe Woods
We recently held a coffee hour at the historic Cook Schoolhouse in Grosse Pointe Woods, where many folks came out to receive an update on the work we’re doing in Lansing, ask questions, and share their thoughts on issues that are close to their hearts. Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to participate in such an important conversation!
Touring PACE of Southeast Michigan
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a comprehensive service program designed to help elderly individuals continue living at home. I recently had the opportunity to tour their facility in Clinton Township and learn more about how they serve our community’s seniors through providing critical medical care, rehabilitation, social services, nutritional support, and so much more.
To learn more about PACE and see if you or someone you know qualifies for their programs, you can visit PACEmichigan.com.
Celebrating Anchor Bay Chamber’s 50th Anniversary
Recently, I had the pleasure of joining local leaders and small business owners to celebrate the Anchor Bay Chamber’s 50th Anniversary!
For the last five decades, they have led the effort in helping make our lakeshore communities a better place to live, work, play and raise a family. Here’s to many more years of success!
Rx Kids Comes to Mount Clemens!
Some exciting news for the city of Mount Clemens! Expecting parents can now apply for Rx Kids — a transformational program designed to lift babies and young children out of poverty and into a lifetime of better health and opportunity.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen this program have immense, positive impacts on families in Flint, Kalamazoo, and the Upper Peninsula. Now, thanks to funding secured in our 2026 state budget, we have the opportunity to bring its many successes to Mount Clemens families so they can give their children the best start possible.
Through the program, qualifying families may receive $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month after birth for the first six months of life. This is cash with no strings attached, meaning the money doesn’t have to be paid back, and it can be used for whatever a family needs most, whether that’s diapers, child care, rent, or utility bills.
Learn more and apply at RxKids.org/communities.
Michigan Makes $16 Million Investment to Support Early Childhood Educators
Last month, the Michigan Dept. of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential announced that they finalized a $16 million investment in their Early Childhood Educator Wage Initiative — a program designed to address workforce challenges and strengthen long-term wage stability for early educators. Of that $16 million, $3.2 million is being directed to support workers in Macomb, Wayne, and St. Clair Counties, as well as a few other communities in the region.
Already, payments have begun to reach over 2,500 child care providers here in our lakeshore district and across the state. These payments are delivering direct financial support to the workforce that serves Michigan’s children and families. This investment is a major step forward in compensating our educators and ensuring they are able to provide stronger outcomes for our children in all areas of life — from literacy and lifelong learning to overall well-being.
Read more about this exciting investment here.
Spring Fishing Season is Here!
Spring fishing is finally here. April 1 marked the official kickoff to the new fishing license year in Michigan. With Lake St. Clair offering some of the best bass fishing in the county, don’t miss out — grab your gear and hit the water!
Before you do though, make sure to thoroughly review the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations to learn any new regulations that apply to your favorite fishing spots. And of course, make sure your fishing license is up to date. Licenses are affordable and can be bought at many stores or online at Michigan.gov/Fishing.
Tips to Help You Safely Navigate Road Construction
With the warmer weather just about 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. To help keep the roads 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 are 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.
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 with Sen. Kevin Hertel
WHEN: Monday, April 20th from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Crocker Coffee House, 26050 Crocker Blvd., Harrison Twp., MI 48045
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.
WHERE: District Office, 22424 Greater Mack Ave., Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080
Harper Woods Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, April 14, 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, April 21, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: MacDonald Public Library, 36480 Main St., New Baltimore, MI 48047
Algonac Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, April 28, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Algonac-Clay Library, 2011 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001
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.