Dear Neighbor,
Warmer weather is finally here! The seasonal changes are not only welcome but also energizing, as my Senate colleagues and I returned to the Capitol this week after a busy spring break spent connecting with the community. Back in Lansing, we’ve advanced legislation to protect kids online, combat rising energy costs, address medical debt, and so much more.
We’re also making progress in our annual budget process as we’ve moved all of our departmental budgets out of committee and to the full chamber for a vote. Specifically, in our proposed budget for the Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs, we’ve secured a $152 million investment for Selfridge to ensure the base is ready to welcome a new fighter mission in the coming years. Learn about this and more in my newsletter below.
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
- Up in Lansing, my colleagues and I have been busy advancing legislation to protect kids online, lower energy costs, tackle the issue of medical debt, and more. Read on for more details.
- This week, we hit another important step in our annual budget process — passing our proposal out of committee and moving it to the full chamber. Included is over $150 million for Selfridge. More details below!
- Over the past few years, we’ve tripled the number of literacy coaches in Michigan. A new report from Michigan State University highlights the positive impact this has had on students’ reading abilities. Learn more below.
Keeping Kids Safe Online
Status: Passed committee, awaiting full Senate vote
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. 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.
Recently, this package was voted out of committee and sent to the full chamber for their consideration. While we await for a vote to be scheduled, 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: Moving through the committee process
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. And in the last year alone, energy bills have spiked 11%. Last week, the Senate Energy and Environment Committee heard from the Michigan Public Service Commission, where they discussed the drivers behind this increase in utility costs. Their testimony made clear that action is needed — and reinforced the importance of legislation I’ve introduced to address it.
Senate Bill 768 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 still awaits a vote from the Energy and Environment Committee. In the meantime, you can read more about this legislation here.
Tackling Medical Debt
Status: Passed the Senate, awaiting a vote in the House
Medical debt is a burden that can follow someone around for the rest of their lives — hurting their ability to buy a home, forcing them to forgo essential expenses like groceries and rent, and oftentimes trapping them in a cycle of poverty that is nearly impossible to get out of. With about 700,000 Michiganders across the state burdened by this reality, my colleagues and I knew we had to take action.
That’s why the Michigan Senate passed a bipartisan set of bills to tackle this issue head-on. To provide support for those struggling with medical expenses, the legislation would establish clear guidelines for hospitals to offer financial assistance programs and regulate how and when debt can be collected, such as by capping interest and late fees at 3% annually after a 90-day grace period.
This package now heads to the House for their consideration. Learn more about this legislation here.
Helping Build Up Harsens Island’s Downtown
Status: Signed into law!
Back in March, the Senate passed Senate Bill 581 which would modify the definition of a downtown district to allow a municipality to have one or more separate and distinct geographic areas in a business district if the municipality contains a mainland and one or more islands that are separated by a body of water.
Currently, communities are only permitted to have a single Downtown Development Authority (DDA) which utilizes tax increment financing to fund improvements to buildings or infrastructure within the district, opens up opportunities for grant funding, and more. This expanded DDA definition will unlock opportunities for unique communities across our state. More specifically, this legislation would provide Clay Township with the ability and the tools they need to revitalize the downtown Sans Souci area on Harsens Island, boosting local entrepreneurship and driving economic development, without detracting from the township’s downtown space on the mainland.
In exciting news, this legislation was signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier this month! Read more about this legislation here.
Other Legislative Updates
- Legislation to combat Michigan’s child care crisis passed the Michigan Senate recently. More specifically, these bills would codify the innovative bipartisan program, Tri-Share, into law, splitting the cost of child care equally among employers, the state, and employees.
- Despite already working long shifts, nurses are often forced to stay overtime, which could mean staying for shifts of 16 or more hours. Last week, my Senate colleagues and I passed legislation that would end this dangerous practice and improve working conditions for our nurses, while also implementing additional safeguards to ensure nurses can get the rest they need.
- Building on our previous efforts to address human trafficking, the Senate advanced a new bill that would help tackle the issue by requiring every hotel and motel in the state to prominently display the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline number.
Subcommittee Budgets Advance in the Appropriations Process
Budget proposal includes $152 million investment for Selfridge
After months of working with stakeholders, fiscal experts, and community members, the Senate Appropriations Committee finalized our 2027 budget proposal this week, sending it to the full chamber for consideration. Included in the budget is record funding for education, resources to ensure the continuation of vital programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, as well as dollars to continue fixing our roads.
During the budget process, I have the honor to chair the subcommittee responsible for the Michigan State Police budget and the Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs. In this position, I have been a persistent advocate for Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the funding they needed to successfully secure the promise of a new fighter mission, which requires the base to undertake a multi-million-dollar project to expand and reroute the runway. Over the past few budget cycles, we’ve secured over $60 million for these efforts, and this year’s budget includes the final $152 million needed to finish the project and ensure the timely arrival of the base’s new mission.
The base is a tremendous asset to our community, a major driver of our local economy, and a vital pillar of our national defense. As the appropriations process continues, I will do everything in my power to ensure this funding is included in the final negotiated budget.
Take Precautions Due to Flood Conditions
Many areas of Michigan, including communities here in our lakeshore district, are currently experiencing flooding as heavy rain continues to hit our state. This flooding threatens homes, roads, and infrastructure. Even if you are not currently in a flooded area, conditions can change rapidly. Follow these tips to stay safe:
- Do not drive through flood waters — turn around. Respect road closed signs should you encounter them.
- Follow all emergency orders. Sign up for local emergency alerts and be prepared to take action if needed.
- Be aware that floodwater could cover live, downed electrical lines or other hazards. For downed power lines, stay at least 25 feet away and contact your local electric provider.
- During flooding, move to higher ground if advised and keep emergency supplies ready (food, flashlights, water).
Find out more about flooding preparedness and safety through MIReady.
New Report Highlights Positive Impact of Literacy Coaches
Michigan State University’ Education Policy Innovation Collaborative recently released a report showing that teachers who receive literacy coaching produce better instruction in the classroom. The report states that their findings “…provide compelling evidence that Michigan’s investment in early literacy coaching is producing measurable gains in classroom instruction for the teachers who receive it.”
Thanks to state funding secured in recent years, we’ve been able to triple the number of literacy coaches here in Michigan. And our 2027 budget proposal continues to build on this tremendous progress by funding a comprehensive approach to boost literacy rates among Michigan students. Early literacy coaches, school libraries, LETRS training, and curriculum supports are among the critical resources receiving funding, so that every child has the opportunity to become a confident, capable reader.
Learn more about this exciting news 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: Monday, May 11th from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: St. Clair Shores Senior Center, 20100 Stephens Rd., St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
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
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
Mount Clemens Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, May 5, from 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, May 12, 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, May 19, 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.