Dear Neighbor,
Our team has been making good use of the warmer weather and extra hours of sunshine to get out into the community and connect with folks. From coffee hours and small business visits to meetings with students and veterans, we’ve had a busy schedule.
In this newsletter, catch up with everything we’ve been up to — plus, learn more about the 2027 State Budget my colleagues and I passed recently. This budget proposal makes exciting investments in the people and places that make our lakeshore community the wonderful home it is for so many families, including Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
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
- Last week, the Senate passed our 2027 budget proposal, which included a $152 million in Selfridge Air National Guard Base! Read more about this exciting news below.
- As road work starts to pick back up across the state, the Michigan Dept. of Transportation encourages drivers to remain vigilant, minimize distractions, slow down, and follow posted signage in work zones. Find more details below about construction near you.
- Join me for my upcoming Coffee Hour event on May 11th at 1:00 p.m. at the St. Clair Shores Senior Center. RSVP here.
Launching the Transformational Rx Kids Program in Mount Clemens
For many families, income plunges and poverty spikes right before a child is born and remains high throughout the first year. Having an income boost at such a busy and vulnerable time can be an absolute game changer.
That’s where Rx Kids comes into play. Rx Kids is the first program of its kind in the nation, helping provide new parents with the financial freedom to meet their most urgent needs — whether that’s to buy diapers and formula or pay the doctors bills and keep the lights on.
Thanks to investments from the state and local partners in the community, we are able to bring this transformational program to the city of Mount Clemens. This expansion is a powerful step toward building a healthier, more secure future for families right here in the heart of Macomb County.
If you’re a new or expecting parent living in Mount Clemens, apply now at RxKids.org!
Bringing Cookies to the Chesterfield Veterans Homes Residents
I recently visited the Chesterfield Veterans Home with a local Girl Scout troop to deliver cookies to the veterans living there.
It was a meaningful reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day. Watching these young leaders take the time to give back and show their appreciation to those who served our nation was truly heartwarming.
Kicking Off Tourism Season at the Algonac Maritime Museum
Even with a chill still in the air, there was a lot of excitement as local business owners and community members came together at the Algonac Maritime Museum to kick off the start of tourism season!
From the Grosse Pointes and St. Clair Shores to Algonac and Harsens Island, the shoreline of Lake St. Clair is packed with boat launches, great restaurants, parks, and rich history — everything that makes our communities some of the best places to enjoy the summer months.
Giving a Policy Update at the Healthy Grosse Pointe Coalition
It was great spending some time with the Family Center’s Healthy Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods Coalition to discuss the work the Senate has been doing to keep kids safe online. If you weren’t able to make the meeting, you can read more about that legislation here.
Thank you for having me, and thank you for engaging in a meaningful conversation about a critical issue impacting families across our lakeshore community.
Participating in Industry Day at Selfridge
Selfridge generates nearly $1 billion in economic activity for our state, and the improvements we’re making at the base ahead of a new fighter mission is only adding to that.
Last week, the Macomb County Planning and Economic Development had a packed house for Industry Day where local partners and businesses had the opportunity to learn about how they can take part in making the infrastructure improvements necessary for the base to meet the needs of its new fleet.
Welcoming Freedom Boat Club to Chesterfield
It was a pleasure welcoming Freedom Boat Club to Chesterfield Township last week! With more than 450 locations nationwide, they’ve grown into the largest boat club in the country — helping make boating more accessible, affordable, and stress-free for families.
Expanding access to the water means more opportunities for residents and visitors to experience everything our Lake St. Clair communities have to offer, helping boost tourism and support local businesses. I’m excited to see the positive impact this will bring to our community as we head into the summer season!
Having Coffee and Conversation in Harrison Township
We had some great conversation over coffee on a range of issues that matter to our lakeshore community — from expanding access to affordable healthcare to investing in Selfridge and critical clean water infrastructure projects.
Thank you to everyone who came out to share your thoughts, ask questions, and stay engaged. And a special thank you to Crocker Coffee House for hosting us. They recently celebrated their one-year anniversary — if you haven’t stopped in yet, be sure to check them out!
Celebrating the Launch of Chesterfield Library’s Bookmobile
I recently had the pleasure of celebrating the official launch of the Chesterfield Library’s new bookmobile! This exciting new addition will bring books, resources, and opportunities directly into the community — helping make the library more accessible than ever before.
Giving Back with Algonac Care Bags
It was truly inspiring to see the Algonac community come together to support children in foster care — collecting donations and sewing hundreds of bags, blankets, and pillowcases for kids who need them most. What made it even more special was that this incredible effort was organized and led by students from Algonac High School, with support from Piece to Peace Quilters and other members of the community.
The generosity and compassion (and sewing skills) in the room were contagious. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and talents to make a difference.
Getting a Lesson in STEM from the Grosse Pointe Botmasterz Team
Before they headed off to a statewide competition, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Grosse Pointe South High School Botmasterz FRC 9255 team to learn more about the incredible work they’re doing in the field of STEM. This all-girls robotics team does everything from designing and programming to coding and building robots, while also helping to inspire other young people to find a love of science and technology.
Senate Passes 2027 Budget Proposal with $152 Million Investment for Selfridge
Last week, the Michigan Senate passed our 2027 state budget proposal, aiming to lower costs, protect communities from harmful federal decisions, and grow an economy that benefits all Michiganders. Also included in the budget is a $152 million investment in Selfridge Air National Guard Base. This builds on funding we secured in previous budgets to the tune of more than $60 million.
These funds helped successfully secure the promise of a new fighter mission and a refueling mission, which requires the base to undertake a multi-million-dollar project to expand and reroute the runway. The resources allocated in our budget proposal would secure the final funds needed to finish the project and ensure the timely arrival of their new mission assignments beginning in 2028.
To read more about our work to secure the future of Selfridge, click here. And to learn more about our 2027 state budget proposal, click here.
Grant Awarded to Macomb and St. Clair Counties to Help Young People Overcome Employment Barriers
The Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity recently announced grants 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. Of the $4 million provided to organizations around the state, over $240,000 is coming to help young Michiganders in Macomb and St. Clair Counties who face barriers on the path to employment.
Not only do these grants help the individuals participating in the program, but this is a critical investment in our state’s future workforce. By connecting folks to career opportunities in our community and allowing them to try out a career of interest, young people are encouraged to take root here. This benefits our employers, strengthens our local economy, and supports a thriving community.
To learn more about this grant opportunity and how you may be able to take advantage of it, click here.
Stay Up to Date with Spring Construction
As road work starts to pick back up across the state, the Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) encourages drivers to remain vigilant, minimize distractions, slow down, and follow posted signage in work zones. For more information on work zone safety, click here.
To view an online map of ongoing road projects near you that may impact your commute, click here.
Celebrating Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week
As a father of two young boys and a proud public education advocate, I know how important it is for our children to have caring, committed, and inspiring educators in their lives. Teachers across our lakeshore community and throughout the state ignite curiosity, foster confidence, and help every student find their voice and passion in life.
In Lansing, I’m working hard to ensure teachers have the resources they need to thrive while they do the tough, but necessary work of educating our youngest generation. Whether it’s freeing up flexible dollars for school districts to pour back into the classroom, bolstering support for school safety and mental health, or securing bonuses for dedicated teachers, my goal has always been to uplift all those in the classroom.
So, to all the teachers who are helping our students grow into the leaders and problem-solvers of tomorrow: thank you for everything you do — your work is invaluable.
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, 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.
WHERE: District Office, 22424 Greater Mack Ave., Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080
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
Mount Clemens Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, June 2, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Mount Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass Ave., Mount Clemens, MI 48043
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.