Friends and Neighbors,

Over 30 years ago, I graduated from Michigan State University. Like every other Spartan, I still root for my alma mater and proudly wear green during the MSU/ UofM games. MSU to me is not just a school. It was a place where I made friendships I still have today, a place that challenged my thinking and taught me about community.

This week, we watched, listened and prayed while the campus I once walked as a student— the school and campus so many of us have a connection to— turned into a crime scene. 

Our youth no longer feel safe at school. Hundreds of students gathered at the State Capitol and in prayer vigils around the state this week to demand better. We must reject the belief that the next school shooting is inevitable. When gun violence is the leading cause of death for America’s children, those in leadership positions are obligated to act with the urgency our children and communities have deserved for years. Our next newsletter will have legislative updates on this front. 

Through the first six weeks of this new term, legislative leadership in Lansing has acted in good stewardship to invest in Michigan’s people, community revitalization and business growth. In passing the Lowering MI Costs Plan, we’re also delivering the largest tax break to Michiganders in decades. 

This newsletter also lets you know where your Senate District 35 team and I have been in the district and announces our first coffee hours. Whether you can join in person or not, please remember our different communication channels, listed at newsletter’s end, provide convenient ways to request help, provide feedback, and follow legislative action.    

 

Sincerely,

Kristen McDonald Rivet
State Senator, District 35

517-373-1725
Post Office Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
SenKMcDonaldRivet@senate.michigan.gov 

 

IN THIS EDITION

 

MSU STUDENTS AT OUR CAPITOL

Michigan State University students lining up in front of our Capitol in the formation of their school lockdown drills. Student after student voiced their experiences and called for changes supported by the majority of Michiganders. 

COFFEE HOURS 

Coffee and Conversation with Sen. McDonald Rivet 

Please feel free to join me at either of my coffee hours. I look forward to giving you a legislative update and hearing your thoughts and ideas about the issues that matter most to you. 

WHEN: Monday, February 27, 2023, from 1 – 2 pm 
WHERE: Dawn of A New Day Coffee House, 210 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw 48607 

WHEN: Monday, February 27, 2023 from 3 – 4 pm 
WHERE: Creation Coffee, 2575 Tittabawassee Road, Saginaw 48604 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 

Supplemental Appropriations Bill 
Jan 31, 2023 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 7, the Supplemental Appropriations legislation providing investments in apprenticeships and job retention programs, support for small businesses, community revitalization including housing, healthcare, and family programs, and funds to reduce water shutoffs.  

Not since 1947 has a bill been signed into law this early in a new term. That reflects Democrats’ commitment to improving opportunities for workers and residents in every corner of our state to get ahead and attain a higher quality of life. 

>> Full press release. 

Working Families Tax Credit Increase, Retirement Tax Reform Head to Governor’s Desk 
Feb 16, 2023 

The Michigan Senate passed House Bill 4001, sending the Lowering MI Costs Plan on to the Governor for signing. My Working Families Tax Credit expansion from six to 30 percent match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (Senate Bill 3) is one of three key components of this legislation.                 

Providing relief to over 700,000 Michigan families and almost a million children, this Working Families Tax Credit increase represents one of the largest tax breaks in Michigan’s history. It helps families in rural, suburban, and urban communities alike. Beyond stability and opportunities for families claiming the credit, it will boost labor participation and pump about half a billion dollars into local economies across our state.

  • Rolling Back the Retirement Tax (Senate Bill 1
    Rolling back the unfair retirement tax is another component of Lowering MI Costs. It will put an average of $1,000 back in the pockets of 500,000 households and applies to public and private pensions, IRAs, and 401ks with employer matches. A retired couple with a private pension and a private retirement benefits account could save over $2,000 compared to existing law.
  • How Is All This Paid For?
    Governor Whitmer’s balanced budgets have resulted in a surplus of $9.2 billion. The savings in the Lowering MI Costs Plan are paid for with that surplus achieved through responsible fiscal management. The plan will save Michigan taxpayers nearly $1 billion dollars.

>> More on this Historic Tax Relief Passage.

 

Eliminating Third-Grade Reading Retention Provision
Feb 8, 2023

Senate Bill 12 was passed by the Senate. Responding to concerns of parents, teachers and administrators, the bill repeals the mandatory retention component of “Read by Grade Three.” Supports including coaching, professional development, and interventions for struggling students help achievement; this state-mandated retention did not.

>> Full press release.

 

Black History Month Resolution

Sen. McDonald Rivet is a proud co-sponsor of Senate Resolution 6, a resolution introduced by Sen. Santana recognizing February 2023 as Black History Month in the State of Michigan.

GOVERNOR’S BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Budget Director Christopher Harkins presented their balanced budget recommendations to the legislature in early February. In the coming months through respective conference committees, the legislature will work with the executive administration to create a final budget which will be voted on by both legislative chambers.

Broadly, the Executive Budget proposals aim to lower costs for everyday Michiganders; make our communities safer and more attractive places to live and work; and improve opportunities and outcomes for students and workforce trainees.

For details on the Executive Budget Recommendation, view the PowerPoint slides linked here

IN THE COMMUNITY

Freeland School District Receives Two Grants

Freeland Community is one of 13 school districts awarded grants by The Michigan Department of Education this month to support implementation efforts around the areas of computer science and open education resources. Freeland will receive $20,000 through the federally funded “Implementing Effective Use of Technology” grants created last year.

>> Full press release.

Freeland School District was also awarded a grant of $79,725 for School Resource Officers (SRO). A panel of officials from Michigan’s education and law enforcement communities reviewed funding applications and determined who would receive money, giving priority to schools currently lacking resource officers. Each school receiving money from the state is required to pay a 50% match.

>> More on the SRO Grant Program.

 

Leadership Saginaw County, Leadership Bay County

Leadership Saginaw County is a program of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. This cycle, 27 current and emerging leaders are gaining experience in the workings of government and politics.

Pictured below, Sen. McDonald Rivet, along with State Representatives Kevin Daley, Amos O’Neal, and Matthew Bierlein, discussed their roles at the program’s recent Government and Politics Day.  

Pictured above are Sen. McDonald Rivet and Rep. Timothy Beson with the Leadership Bay County Class of 2023. The lawmakers recently spoke with this program’s 35th graduating class. These citizens will apply what they learn as they serve our community in politics, business and non-profits.

 

Greater Michigan Construction Academy, Midland Campus Tour 

Greater Michigan Construction Academy President Stephanie Davis led Sen. McDonald Rivet on a tour of their main campus in Midland earlier this month. The Academy’s mission is to “train and develop a highly skilled, safe workforce and promote construction trades as a career choice.”

With the gap for skilled labor in the construction industry growing, visits like this increase awareness around craft training and services available to advance contractors and high school students in the trades.

 

Operating Engineers Luncheon

Director of District and Constituent Services Kevin Hayes attended the Operating Engineers 324’s 12th Annual Contractor-Leadership Business Luncheon in Bay City. Improving market share, meeting industry challenges, strengthening visibility and relationships were among the topics discussed. 

CROWN Act Conversation; Community Connections

The CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act refers to legislation protecting against discrimination based on race-based hair texture and styles. Community and student leaders from local chapters of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Links, Inc., the Mu Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Dow shared personal experiences and why related legal protection is necessary. Sen. McDonald Rivet joined other area lawmakers on the legislative panel and expressed her full support for enshrining the CROWN Act anti-discrimination language in state law.

A few hours after the CROWN Act event, Senator McDonald Rivet appeared on Community Connections, our local NAACP sponsored radio show. She and host, former State Rep. Carl Williams, discussed how to keep community members regularly engaged and informed, her Working Families Tax Credit bill and other legislation being worked on in the early weeks of this new term.

 

Visit with School of Education Students, University of Michigan 

Earlier this month, Sen. McDonald Rivet visited with University of Michigan School of Education students. She discussed her role on the Senate Education Committee, the policymaking process, legislative priorities related to education and ways to boost teacher recruitment.

HELPFUL LINKS 

CONTACT MY OFFICE
  • Website Contact Form: This is the best, fastest way to reach us.
  • Website News Page: This page archives our official press releases and statements.
  • Social Media: These accounts are posted on frequently, so they are great and timely ways to access news and information on events. However, please note they are not official government websites and not well suited for constituent correspondence.