Welcome to our first e-newsletter! We have a new district, a new legislative term, and you have a new team serving you in Lansing. I take the honor of representing you very seriously and will work every day to earn the trust of carrying your voice to Lansing. Your Senate District 35 team is motivated to help, if you need anything from our office you can reach us via our contact form here.
Our Facebook Page is a great way to access information on events and keep tabs on the latest news, including updates on opportunities to connect and meet in-person to share ideas, questions, or concerns. In the meantime, this newsletter features several exciting and informative updates.
Sincerely,
Kristen McDonald RivetState Senator, District 35517-373-1725P.O. Box 30036Lansing, MI 48909-7536SenKMcDonaldRivet@senate.michigan.gov
Our team is ready to work! Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet is seated at the desk.
From left to right, the staff members for the Office of Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet are:
- Stephen Prince, Legislative Director
- Shannon Thelen, Scheduler/ Office Manager
- Liz Trombley, Chief of Staff
- Kevin Hayes, Director of District and Constituent Services
- Carol Sullivan, Director of Communications
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Taking the Oath of Office
State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet was sworn in as a member of Michigan’s 102nd Legislature on January 11, the first day of the 2023-24 legislative session. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement administered the oath.
Read Sen. McDonald Rivet’s Swearing-In Statement here.Opening Day
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks announced Democrats’ priorities for the people of Michigan by introducing the first six bills of the new legislative term. Sen. McDonald Rivet’s Senate Bill 3 is the landmark legislation that would expand a tax credit for Michigan workers, allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned dollars for critical supports like childcare, groceries & housing.EITC/ Working Families Tax Credit
Michigan’s struggling working families need money in their pockets now. Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet introduced one of the first bills of the new term, Senate Bill 3, to deliver an urgent and essential tax cut for workers hit hardest by inflation. Expanding our state’s match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 6 percent to 30 percent would deliver a half a billion-dollar annual tax break to those needing it the most, resulting in an annual income increase of approximately $600 for our struggling working families.
Nearly 230 organizations have signed a letter urging Michigan’s lawmakers and Governor to adopt a 30 percent match of the federal EITC, citing it as a “pro-work” policy with immediate impact to boost local purchasing power. It is estimated that a 30 percent match would return around $553 million to local economies and small businesses.
This extraordinary, cross-sector and bipartisan coalition supports a 30 percent match because it would uplift families out of poverty, move low-wage workers toward financial stability, and encourage workforce participation. Fourteen regional Chambers of Commerce across the state, including every business chamber in our 35th Senate District, back expansion of the state’s EITC to 30 percent.
Read more about Sen. McDonald Rivet’s bill to expand the EITC for working families.Michigan’s Working Families at Center of New Agenda
Sen. McDonald Rivet is also a co-sponsor for each of the five other priority bills introduced on the Legislature’s first day of business:
- Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Twp.) and Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) to repeal the retirement tax on Michigan seniors. SB 1 is a four-year phase-down of the tax on retirement income.
- Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) and Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) to repeal Michigan’s 1931 statute that criminalizes abortion care.
- Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) and Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) to expand Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include anti-discrimination protections for sexual and gender identity
- Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) and Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) to restore workers’ rights.
- Senate Bill 6, sponsored by Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) and Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe) to restore the state’s prevailing wage law
Collectively, these bills demonstrate a commitment to expand rights and opportunities for the people of Michigan, and to make our state an even better place to call home.Senate Session Schedule
The 2023 Senate Session schedule is now available. You may watch live and archived sessions through the Senate TV website. If you have any questions regarding the Senate schedule, reach out to the Secretary of the Senate, also on the Michigan Senate website.Committee Assignments
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- Energy & Environment Committee, Vice Chair
- Education Committee
- Economic and Community Development Committee
- Appropriations Committee, with the following subcommittees:
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- Joint Capital Outlay Appropriations Subcommittee, Chair
- DHHS Appropriations Subcommittee, Vice Chair
- LEO/MEDC Appropriations Subcommittee, Vice Chair
- EGLE Appropriations Subcommittee
- Universities and Community Colleges Appropriations Subcommittee
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In December 2022, Sen. McDonald Rivet was also selected to serve as one of the Senate’s two Assistant Majority Floor Leaders.
IN THE COMMUNITYBay City Legislative Eye Opener, Bay-Arenac ISD Meeting, IBEW Meeting & Wild Game Dinner
Our Director of District and Constituent Services, Kevin Hayes (center, bottom row), attended several in-district events, including those listed above, to learn more about the local priorities, legislative and funding concerns of those groups. The photo below is from the Bay City Chamber Legislative Eye Opener Breakfast. Liaisons from all state and federal legislative offices whose districts encompass Bay City were in attendance.MLK Day Events
Sen. McDonald Rivet joined in two community events remembering Martin Luther King Jr. and advancing his vision. The Saginaw Alphas amplified Dr. King’s words as participants marched to the Dow Event Center for their 27th Annual Unity Celebration Luncheon. Then, students from Dow Treasure Academy, Arthur Hill HS, and Saginaw HS led a powerful Stop Gun Violence march & rally.
$81M OPIOID SETTLEMENT DISTRIBUTION
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that participating local governments throughout Michigan can expect to see funds as soon as later this month a result of the Department’s participation in two multi-state opioid settlements.
The $81 million that will be available later this month encompasses the first three payments of these settlements. Michigan is anticipating over $1.45 billion from opioid settlements. This includes some settlements that are still in process. The opioid settlement funds that the State of Michigan receives will be directed to the Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund (MCL 12.253). This fund was created by the Legislature in 2022. The Legislature also created the Opioid Advisory Commission (MCL 4.1851) to make recommendations on the State’s opioid fund.
The majority of the money is to be spent on opioid treatment and prevention. Each state’s share of the funding has been determined by agreement among the states using a formula that considers the population of the state along with the impact of the crisis on the state – the number of overdose deaths, the number of residents with substance use disorder, and the number of opioids prescribed.
A breakdown of how the settlement money is to be spent on opioid treatment and prevention is available here.
CITY OF SAGINAW GAINS ACCESS TO STATE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION OFFICE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, OTHER ASSISTANCE
MDHHS DOULA INITIATIVE APPLICATION
The MDHHS Doula Initiative is now accepting doula registry applications. Effective January 1, 2023, Michigan Medicaid will begin reimbursing for doula services provided to individuals covered by or eligible for Medicaid Insurance. Doula providers seeking reimbursement for their professional services to Medicaid beneficiaries are required to be on the MDHHS Doula Registry and enroll as a Medicaid provider.
For additional information or questions visit the MDHHS Doula Initiative website.
The ability for Medicaid coverage of doula care has been years in the making and will be important for improving birth outcomes especially for Black maternal and infant health. Michigan is now one of 15 states offering such coverage.
DISTRICT MAP
The new Senate District 35 map is pictured below. An interactive map and township and city links are available here on our website. To confirm your correct district and Senator, you may enter your address in this Find Your Senator tool.
