Legislative Updates, Community Investments and In-District Events

Hello Friends and Neighbors, 

As the Michigan Legislature’s summer break continues, I appreciate the extra time for connections in district. One of my favorite ways to connect with constituents is through candid conversations in a more casual setting, like a neighbor’s backyard or porch.  Later in this enewsletter, I recap a recent “Porch Talk” and encourage Senate District 35 constituents to reach out to our office if you are interested in hosting one.

It continues to be my honor to serve you and to create as many pathways as possible for everyone in our region to thrive. Your input helps make that possible. 

Kristen McDonald Rivet
State Senator
District 35
(517) 373-1725
PO Box 30036
Lansing, MI. 48909
SenKMcDonaldRivet@senate.michigan.gov

These average annual saved dollars are game changers for many families in our region and across our state.\

Beyond the statewide allocations benefiting our Great Lakes Bay Region, I’m thrilled to bring home over $160 million for targeted infrastructure, economic development and education projects. My team and I worked relentlessly to secure multiple, seven-figure appropriations for our district. I want that to be a point of pride for all our residents, students and workers. You are all worth these investments.

Bipartisan Legislation Expanding Voting Rights Signed into Law

Voting is a fundamental right for eligible citizens and we should ensure this most important liberty regardless of an individual’s socioeconomic status, background or physical abilities.

Last month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a set of bills implementing the voting reform measures in Ballot Proposal 22-2, also known as ‘Prop 2,’ which Michigan voters passed last November. Legislative leaders worked with our Secretary of State office and local clerks throughout Michigan so that our bills would provide the flexibility and resources needed to carry out the will of the voters.

I proudly voted yes on these measures and was glad to see them get some bipartisan support: modernized ballot tracking and error correction; minimum of nine days of in-person early voting; authorized pre-processing of absentee ballots; pre-paid postage; expanding valid IDs for registered voters; increased secure drop box locations; and a “one and done” application to vote by absentee ballot. Click here for links to the individual bills and the full press release.

Governor Whitmer Signs Legislation Protecting LGBTQ+ Minors

On July 26, 2023, Michigan joined 21 other states in banning so-called conversion therapy for minors. Gov. Whitmer signed bipartisan House Bills 4616 and 4617, protecting LGBTQ+ youth by prohibiting a harmful practice that has caused trauma and suicides.

Therapy is about healing. There’s nothing healing about conversion “therapy” for youth growing up and into themselves. It is opposed by our top medical and health associations for good reason. I’m proud to have helped Michigan outlaw this traumatic practice. Read more in the Governor’s press release.

Community Investments 

Bay City State Park Upgrades

After being closed since fall 2022 for substantial renovations to both its interior and exterior, Bay City State Park’s Visitor Center is set to reopen next month. A $1.5 million state allocation from a pool of $15.9 million in federal funds made these much-needed upgrades possible. These federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act were specifically designated for improving infrastructure and experiences at state parks across Michigan.

The outside overhaul includes a new roof, siding and accessibility improvements. Inside, the center’s educational area received a major facelift with the installation of new interactive educational displays and an expanded wet lab for environmental and natural science lessons. It is so important for kids and community members to take interest in our local assets like the natural beauty and science that thrive in our Great Lakes Bay Region. These new renovations will go a long way in fostering that excitement and drawing others here.

More projects to improve the campground are coming this fall, including the addition of ADA accessible campsites; parking lot and sidewalk enhancements; water, sewer and electrical upgrades; and a drainage system to mitigate long time flooding. Bay City State Park turns 100-years-old this December.

>> Visitor Center and Park Information

New Mobile SOS Office Serving Great Lakes Bay Region

Residents in our Great Lakes Bay Region will benefit from the newest Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) Mobile Office. SOS mobile offices bring voter, driver and identification services to senior centers, foster care facilities, rural areas and other communities with limited mobility or poor internet access. This fourth mobile office will serve Bay, Midland, Saginaw and Flint counties.

In the Community  

Door to Door

To represent and serve you best, we want to know what’s on your mind. We also want to make sure you know the different ways our office can help and which departments of state government might be most appropriate to resolve an issue. That’s why we’ve been walking in neighborhoods around the district and bringing our resource literature to community events. If you see me or our volunteers, please take advantage of this opportunity to connect.  

Porch Talks

Listening is essential to leading. Whether it’s at a community event, one of our monthly coffee hours or a porch talk, candid conversations about improving life in our region are valuable. Some of the ground we covered at this recent porch talk included firefighter and nursing staffing challenges, higher education affordability and clean energy. If you’re a Senate District 35 constituent open to hosting and inviting your neighbors to share at a future porch talk, please email our Director of District and Constituent Services, Kevin Hayes, khayes@senate.michigan.gov

Attorney General Visits with Bay County Prevention Network, Bay Area Women’s Center

Photo credit: Attorney General’s Office

Our Chief of Staff Liz Trombley recently joined Attorney General Dana Nessel for two events in Bay County. In a roundtable discussion with the Bay County Prevention Network (above, left), they discussed best uses of recent opioid settlement funds to support opioid treatment and prevention efforts. Including the first installment of nearly $85 million, Michigan anticipates receiving, and dispersing through local governments, a total of over $1.45 billion from opioid settlements. If you or a loved one need opioid addiction treatment, there are resources to help.

At the Bay Area Women’s Center (above, right), the Attorney General and our Chief of Staff sat down with their team to learn about the organization’s treatment, counseling, and shelter offerings. They also discussed current and pending statewide initiatives that could better support survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including the Address Confidentiality program.

March to “Save our Kids, Save our Community” from Gun Violence

I recently had the opportunity to walk beside survivors, community members, leaders and fellow elected officials serving Saginaw. We’re all resolved to offer better paths and partnerships to prevent gun violence in Saginaw. New leadership in Lansing recognizes the challenges from decades of disinvestment in many Michigan communities. They join State Representative Amos O’Neal and me in a commitment to reinvest so everyone has safer neighborhoods and better opportunities.

National Night Out

For 40 years, National Night Out has provided opportunities to build relationships between police and the residents they serve, and to connect community members with local and state resources. Public safety officials and first responders from each of our district’s counties (Bay, Midland and Saginaw) hosted National Night Out events this year. Thanks to every person (and canine!) who participated to make our communities safer and stronger.

Additional Community Events, Meetings 

Senator McDonald Rivet’s other events included touring the new Midland Community Center and Saginaw Valley Rehabilitation Center’s Saginaw location, and attending the Great Lakes Bay Regional Chambers Summit, River Days Festival, and Dine on the Diamond Michigan Baseball Foundation Fundraiser. Out of district, Senator McDonald Rivet participated in a planning meeting with the East Central Michigan Housing Partnership (Bridgeport), and in a discussion with the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (Flint); she also attended the 20th Anniversary Open House Celebration of the Governor’s Office of Foundation Liaison.

Director of District and Constituent Services Kevin Hayes  attended the Bay County Supervisor’s Breakfast Meeting and the UAW Local 467 Retiree’s Meeting, in addition to several of the Senator’s events and meetings listed above.

Director of Communications Carol Sullivan attended a roundtable discussion with Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-8) about LGBTQ+ issues in our Great Lakes Bay Region.

Community Communications 

We continue to rotate locations for our coffee hours on a monthly schedule. Our August Coffee & Conversation is in Saginaw; I hope you can join us.

Helpful Resources and Links 

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Immunization is the most effective way Michiganders can protect themselves, their families, and communities from preventable diseases. The FY ‘24 budget ensures local health departments have the resources to provide essential health services like immunizations. Free or low-cost vaccinations are available at your local health department.

Other links you may find helpful include: 

• Youth Employment Resources
• Michigan Achievement Scholarships  
• Michigan Reconnect (free tuition for community college or skills training)
• Energy Assistance Program  Power Outages | Ready.gov
• Interactive District Map   Find Your Senator  
• Senate TV website  
• Michigan Senate website   
• My sponsored bills