Dear Neighbor,
While we are in the thick of budget season up in Lansing, the Michigan Senate has also had a busy legislative calendar as we work to advance policies to address the everyday issues facing residents. In this newsletter, you can read more about our work to invite new economic opportunities to our state, expand access to affordable child care, and address our paramedic shortage.
I would also like to take a moment to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month. As Chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee, addressing our state’s broken mental health system has been a top priority of mine — more details of this work, along with several helpful resources, can be found later on in this newsletter. Please know though, if you or a loved one is struggling — you are not alone, help is available. Just call or text 988 to reach the 24/7 suicide and crisis lifeline.
As always, I’d love to hear from you about the topics you’re interested in. Please feel free to reach out to my office to share your perspective 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 calling (517) 373-7315 or emailing SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov. I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Kevin Hertel
State Senator
District 12
Included in This Newsletter
- Legislative Update
- Safeguarding Michiganders’ Mental Health
- Helpful Resources
- Upcoming Events
- Contact Us
Legislative Update
Expanding Economic Opportunities and Opening the Doors to the Economy of the Future
In our increasingly digital world, data centers power everything from email and social media to search engines and online banking, and with increased investments in artificial intelligence, there is a growing need for more data generation, processing, and storage. As more technology companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon look to meet this demand, Michigan has the opportunity to attract multi-billion dollar data centers to the state. These enterprises are economic engines that lead to an annual average of $200 million in local economic activity — helping fuel long-term community growth, improve our schools, fix our roads, and more.
Knowing the positive impact data centers can have on communities across our state, I joined a bipartisan group of colleagues — Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville) and Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) — to introduce legislation to position Michigan to better compete for these investments.
Recently, the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 237 which would expand on our state’s many lucrative qualities — access to infrastructure, renewable energy, a skilled workforce — by providing a use and sales tax exemption for equipment and machinery located inside enterprise data centers through 2050. The legislation also includes a number of provisions to ensure both our workers and our environment are protected.
Read more about these bills here.
Combatting Michigan’s Paramedic Shortage
Currently, Michigan has approximately 1,000 unfilled paramedic roles — putting the health of our communities at risk. That’s why I worked alongside local firefighters in crafting legislation to stem the tide of the current shortage facing our state by opening up new pathways to becoming a paramedic.
Senate Bill 249 establishes the Michigan Only License for paramedics which would return the training of paramedics back to local fire departments and private ambulance organizations, helping to lower the cost burden training agencies face when operating their licensure through the National Registry. Recently, this legislation passed the Michigan House and is now headed to the Governor’s desk for her signature!
Making Child Care Affordable and Accessible for All
As the father of two young boys, I know accessing quality, affordable child care is no easy feat. Far too many parents across our state have to choose between paying their grocery bills or paying their child care bills — and some make the difficult decision to leave the workforce altogether to become full-time caregivers. This crisis is harming families, harming children, and harming our economy. Ultimately, if we want to build a Michigan where everyone can thrive, we must take actionable steps to improve care access, affordability, and quality.
That’s why I worked with Sens. Kristen McDonald Rivet and Sarah Anthony — alongside colleagues from the House — to introduce legislation to address this crisis. Together, Senate Bills 836–839 and House Bills 5637–5640 would:
- Create a Working Parents Tax Credit, putting dollars back in the pockets of parents with children from infancy to three years old for an annual total of $5,500 per young child per family.
- Update and modernize licensing requirements, easing the financial burden on child care providers and professionals, while also helping transition Michigan towards a “PreK for All” state.
- Streamline and expand access to child care subsidies, re-establishing provider rates to 2023 levels and expanding “contact-based” subsidies for providers caring for children with special needs or for those working in areas with concentrated poverty.
Read more about this legislation here.
Building Strong, Vibrant Downtowns
Recently, Clay Township Supervisor Artie Bryson joined me in Lansing to testify in support of Senate Bill 700 which would allow communities such as Clay Township to have more than one downtown district. More specifically, this legislation would give Harsens Island the ability and the tools they need to revitalize downtown Sans Souci and boost local economic development without detracting from the township’s downtown space on the mainland.
This past week, the Senate Committee on Local Government reported the bill favorably, and it is now headed to the Senate floor for a vote.
Safeguarding Michiganders’ Mental Health
Throughout our state, communities big and small are grappling with the issue of having too little access to mental health support — a crisis particularly affecting young Michiganders and our veterans. To address this gap in coverage and ensure all Michigan residents who need assistance can access it, the Michigan Legislature took action to pass legislation and make critical investments in the 2024 State Budget.
Achieving Mental Health Parity in Michigan
To ensure our state is a place where kids, seniors, and everyone in-between has access not only to physical healthcare, but mental care as well, the Michigan Legislature passed Senate Bill 27. This legislation incorporates the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 into state law, requiring insurers to cover mental health and substance use disorders treatment as they do any other medical treatment or surgical procedures. For example, insurers must provide the same deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums for behavioral healthcare as it does for other physical care.
This legislation garnered bipartisan support in the Senate Health Policy Committee, has passed through both the Senate and House, and is now on Gov. Whitmer’s desk for her signature.
Investments to Expand Access to Behavioral Healthcare
A few highlights of the investments we have made thus far to increase Michiganders’ ability to access mental health care include:
- $280 million for certified community behavioral health clinics to expand access to care.
- $328 million in the education budget to address the mental health and safety concerns of students and teachers.
- $1.2 million for suicide prevention programs to help military veterans and their families.
Additionally, I fought to secure $40 million for the Macomb County Jail to construct a new central intake and mental health unit, among other upgrades, allowing the county jail to provide better mental and physical health outcomes for those who come in contact with the criminal justice system. Once complete, the new jail is set to become a national model on how to keep our communities safe, while ensuring the needs of our most vulnerable and underserved are met. Read more about this transformational project here.
As we continue to craft our budget for 2025, my colleagues and I remain committed to ensuring every person in our state can access essential services and programs to improve their mental health and overall well-being. Together, we can break down barriers to care and create a healthier, more resilient Michigan.
Helpful Resources
Be Mindful of Your Mental Health
With one in five Americans and nearly 1.5 million Michiganders experiencing mental health issues each year, it’s important to remind ourselves to care for our mental and emotional health. If you find yourself emotionally struggling or experiencing a mental health crisis, please be sure to utilize the following resources and remember — you matter!
Crisis Lines
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 is a 24/7 toll-free nationwide hotline that provides confidential and compassionate care for anyone struggling with behavioral health issues, emotional distress or substance use crisis. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit their Lifeline Chat to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
- Veterans Crisis Line: The Veterans Crisis line provides veterans and their family members with 24/7, confidential support. To connect, call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or text 838-255. You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call.
- Trevor Lifeline: The Trevor Project has trained counselors who understand the challenges young people in the LGBTQ community face and are available for support 24/7. Call 1-866-488-7386, text 678-678, or click here to speak with a crisis counselor.
Locating Treatment Services
- Michigan 211: If you need assistance locating long-term mental health resources, talking through a problem, or exploring mental health treatment options, call 211 or visit mi211.org to speak with a live person who can help. All conversations are confidential, can be made anonymously, and are available in 180 languages upon request.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Visit FindTreatment.gov, a confidential and anonymous resource, to locate treatment facilities for mental and substance use disorders near you.
- Michigan Community Mental Health Services Programs: CMHSPs provide a comprehensive range of services and supports to children, adolescents and adults with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders in all 83 Michigan counties. Find your local program here.
Storm and Severe Weather Resources
With the tragic devastation caused by the tornadoes that recently ripped through southwest Michigan, the realities of storm season are fresh on our minds. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) encourages Michiganders to prepare as much as possible for severe storm events prior to them occurring. Here are some resources they recommend starting with:
- MIReady Webpage: Provides ample resources to help residents prepare for emergencies like natural disasters, homeland security threats, and power outages. Learn more here.
- EGLE Storm Recovery Webpage: Provides resources that help local officials, emergency responders, recycling and disposal vendors, and residents respond to storm emergencies. Learn more on how to manage storm debris, stay informed during an emergency, and get an emergency disposal permit in the aftermath of a storm. Learn more here.
- Storm Debris Planning Tool: Local officials, disposal and recycling vendors, and emergency responders are encouraged to use EGLE’s new Storm Debris Planning Tool before a storm occurs to troubleshoot how to remove excess waste during an emergency, preventing a nuance, public health threat, or environmental threat. Learn more here.
Upcoming Events
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:
Walk with Team Hertel in the St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade
WHEN: Sunday, May 26 at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: 9 Mile and Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081
Lace up your walking shoes and join Team Hertel for the 71st Annual St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade! Please RSVP here and our team will reach out with additional details as they become available.
Coffee and Conversation
WHEN: Monday, June 17 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 Lanse Creuse Street, Suite A, Harrison Township, MI 48045
WHEN: Friday, June 21 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: District Office, 28800 Harper, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48081
District Office Hours with Staff
WHEN: Every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and by appointment.
WHERE: District Office, 28800 Harper, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48081
*** Please note our regularly scheduled District Coffee Hour for Friday, May 17 is canceled due to a scheduling conflict. Please reach out to our office at (517) 373-7315 or SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov if you would like to schedule another time to meet.
Contact Us
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 call my office at (517) 373-7315 or email me at SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov.
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 and Instagram.