Friends and Neighbors,
I hope your Thanksgiving holiday gave you special moments to appreciate and feel gratitude for everyday experiences. We have some big legislative milestones and community happenings to celebrate, and our resources & links section shares important announcements and input opportunities.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. We value the opportunity to represent and serve you. Even if we can’t help you directly, we will make every effort to connect you with resources and departments that can.
Kristen McDonald RivetState SenatorDistrict 35
(517) 373-1725PO Box 30036Lansing, MI. 48909SenKMcDonaldRivet@senate.michigan.gov
In This Edition
- Upcoming Events
- Legislative Updates
- Community Connections, Recognitions & Investments
- Helpful Resources & Links
- Contact Us
Upcoming Events
WHEN: Wednesday, December 13 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.WHERE: Saginaw Valley State University, Curtiss Hall Room 224 – 7400 Bay Road, University Center, MI 48710
Through 2023, the Michigan Legislature passed several voting and election laws which will take effect in 2024. To provide an overview of the changes and what they mean for our local elected officials and voters, I’m holding a Town Hall on December 13. Our expert panel features Michigan Senate Elections & Ethics Committee Chair, Senator Jeremy Moss, our district’s three County Clerks, and local NAACP Presidents.
Please RSVP HERE to join us for this important event.Conversation on Issues Impacting Families & Children with Special Needs
In partnership with the Heart of the City Development Center, I’m hosting this dialogue to learn more about the needs of the disability community and issues impacting families and children with special needs in our district. You’re welcome to attend in person or virtually.
WHEN: Monday, December 11 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.WHERE: Buena Vista Senior Center, 1940 S Outer Dr, Saginaw, MI 48601ZOOM OPTION: Visit our event webpage for details on attending virtually.Legislative UpdatesMcDonald Rivet’s Educator Evaluation Reform Signed into Law
I joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in celebrating the recent signing of Senate Bills 395 and 396, the legislation Sen. Dayna Polehanki and I championed to reform Michigan’s educator evaluation process.
We all want our students and teachers to be their best. Years of data show us that an over-burdensome, over-regulated educator evaluation process wasn’t delivering that. Our legislation allows for more constructive evaluations and gives teachers and local administrators greater flexibility in determining the most appropriate metrics for educator and student growth. It’s important that we get back to teachers focusing more on student needs instead of ‘teaching to the test’.McDonald Rivet’s Farmland-Solar Bill, Clean Energy & Jobs Act Signed into Law
College football isn’t the only arena where Michigan leads the country. With Governor Whitmer’s signing of the Clean Energy & Jobs Act, we became a national leader on a critical playing field. Our last newsletter listed the big wins Michiganders will celebrate as we transition to clean energy in the coming years.
My legislation in the Clean Energy Future package protects heritage farm status when owners want to install solar. Environmental, economic and agricultural organizations across the political spectrum backed my bill and it received local and bipartisan support in the Senate. It’s the smart thing to do for Michigan’s environment and energy sector jobs, and the right thing to do for personal property rights and heritage farms.Governor Whitmer Signs Bills to Strengthen Voting Rights, Electoral Integrity
Building on Michiganders’ overwhelming support of Proposal 2-2022 measures to modernize and secure voters’ ballots, we’re enacting legislation to improve registration access, election efficiency, and certification processes; ban deepfakes and regulate artificial intelligence in campaign advertisements; and criminalize intimidation and interference of election workers and officials.
I wholeheartedly agree with making our elections more accessible for eligible citizens, safer for workers administering this fundamental civic responsibility, and better protected against bad actors who want to deceive voters and delegitimize election outcomes. I join the strong majority of Michiganders who support these measures.McDonald Rivet Nominated for Freshman Legislator of 2023
Each year, MIRS (Michigan Information & Research Service Inc.) recognizes first year lawmakers who stood out for their effectiveness and impact. I was honored to be nominated and want to extend congratulations to State Representative Penelope Tsernoglou on being MIRS’ selection for Legislative Freshman of the Year.
This MIRS Monday Podcast episode discusses the nominees and our work’s top highlights, including my leadership in expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit.Community Connections, Recognitions & InvestmentsNeighborhood Turkey Distribution
We partnered with the McDonald’s on N. Michigan Ave in Saginaw so families in our community could have a more enjoyable holiday. McDonald’s franchise owners across Michigan donated 2,000+ turkeys as part of this effort to help their neighbors.
Being food insecure is one of the greatest stressors holding back a child or adult from realizing their full potential. Read here about some of the steps Michigan Senate Democrats took in 2023 to reduce families’ food insecurity.Growing Michigan Together Takeaways
Our Growing Michigan Together Town Hall yielded strong turnout along with sincere and thoughtful engagement. Michigan’s Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe and her team said perspectives shared here on population growth challenges were among the most substantive out of 70+ similar conversations they’ve led across our state.
Our discussion included observations and ideas in an abundance of areas:
The three population growth opportunity areas rising to the top across Michigan are:
- Infrastructure and amenities to improve quality of place including transit-rich and walkable-rich communities
- Education and high-paying jobs
- Affordable, accessible housing
Shortly after our Town Hall, the Growing Michigan Together team released their compilation of findings from their statewide public engagement and national poll. A separate independent benchmarking report, prepared by Guidehouse, provides insight into Michigan’s fiscal and demographic trends and examines why Michigan lags faster-growing peer states.
Our population crisis was decades in the making, and the long road ahead to correct course only increases the urgency of acting and investing for population growth. Input like that shared at our town hall will guide important decisions ahead. Thanks to all who lent their voice to this critical conversation and to Delta College for hosting us.Constituent Conversations in Saginaw, Auburn
It might be a personal or work issue. It might be care for your community. Whatever anyone’s reason for joining our constituent conversations, I always appreciate the chance to get a pulse on constituents’ top concerns. Thanks to Saginaw’s The Heidelberg Inn and Auburn’s Iron Grind Coffee House for being fantastic hosts for our November and December gatherings.Governor Appoints Great Lakes Bay Pride Members to LGBTQ+ Commission
Two members of our Great Lakes Bay Pride community will serve Michigan on its first-ever LGBTQ+ Commission. Governor Whitmer appointed Audra Wilson and Lacey Mandoka to this body which will advise the governor and the director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity on policy matters impacting Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community. I look forward to the work they’ll do advancing the health, safety, and well-being of our LGBTQ+ residents, and making sure Michigan’s economic development continues along an inclusive path. Read more about Audra, Lacey and this historic commission here. Recognizing Saginaw’s Collier as Michigan Superintendent of the Year
I was thrilled to celebrate Dr. Jeffrey Collier being awarded 2024 Michigan Superintendent of the Year. He has brought innovative and passionate leadership to the Saginaw Intermediate School District since being named their Superintendent in July 2020. This is a well-deserved recognition and point of pride for our entire community! MDOT Awards Nearly Half Million Dollars for Upgrades in Midland, Saginaw
If we want to keep our region moving forward, we need to keep our workers and goods moving. With over half a million dollars in combined grants for critical transportation infrastructure upgrades in Midland and Saginaw, our work with the Michigan Department of Transportation and local road commission partners will keep area commerce running smoothly.
The Midland County Road Commission is receiving $375,000 to resurface Salzburg Road from Waldo to Rockwell, ensuring it remains in the all-season network for transportation routes. The Saginaw County Road Commission is receiving $156,520 to resurface Kochville Road from Davis to North Michigan, improving road quality and bringing the road up to all-season trucking standards.Michigan Arts and Culture Council Awards
Saginaw Valley State University’s Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum received a grant award of $21,000 from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council for 5 exhibits in the ’23-’24 program and related educational programming. Saginaw Strings received a MACC mini-grant award of $1,900. This organization provides our region with musical instruction for children in grades 2 -12 using stringed instruments.Additional Events, Meetings
Senator McDonald Rivet also participated in meetings with Covenant Health Care on neighborhood revitalization; City of Bay City officials; City of Saginaw officials; and the Michigan Women’s Commission Bipartisan Legislative Women’s Council (virtual meeting with a focus on Maternal and Child Health).
Director of District and Constituent Services Kevin Hayes delivered presentations to the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and Michigan State University Student Sustainability Leadership Council; toured Saginaw’s Holy Cross Services Queen of Angels complex; and attended the UAW Bay Christmas party as well as several of the Senator’s events and meetings referenced above.
Legislative Director Stephen Prince attended the Memorial Cup Host Organizing Committee meeting.
Community Communications, Interviews
NOV 26, DETROIT FREE PRESS: Michigan Democrats reflect on legislative session after decades without full control
NOV 29, MIDLAND DAILY NEWS: State awards $375,000 to Midland County Road Commission for Salzburg Road resurfacing
NOV 28, SOOLEADER: Governor signs historic clean energy, climate action package
NOV 29, THE ‘GANDER: New Michigan law refocuses classrooms on student growth—not the highest test scores
DEC 2, NEWSBREAK Governor Whitmer Launches MiLEAP (Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential)
Helpful Resources & Links
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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Bay County Flock The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock from Bay County. This is the first case of HPAI in Bay County since the disease was first detected in the state in 2022. No birds or bird products infected with HPAI will enter the commercial food chain and, as of early December, the public health risk associated with avian influenza remains low according to the CDC. Visit MDARD’s full release for more, including protections against virus spread. MDARD Launches 2024 Industry Input Survey The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) launched its 2024 Industry Input Survey and is asking for feedback before the survey closes on December 20, 2023. The results will help shape grant program priorities to better reflect the needs of Michigan’s food and agriculture industry. There is a virtual meeting for industry stakeholders on Mon., December 11 at 2 p.m. More on how to join that meeting and the aims of this survey at MDARD’s website. DHHS Launches “Get Ahead of Lead” Strategy, Resources “Get Ahead of Lead” is Michigan’s newly launched statewide campaign to identify and prevent lead exposure from household plumbing. In addition to providing statewide recommendations and resident-education, it will deploy resources based on community vulnerability. As a “Faucet and Filter Safety Net Community,” Saginaw households with Medicaid-enrolled children or pregnant persons can receive the following upon request: Home visit and visual plumbing assessment; filter and replacement cartridges; single faucet replacement; and assistance with sign up for Medicaid’s Lead Abatement program. Learn more here. Student Tools for Emergency Planning — Deadline Extended The Michigan State Police extended the registration deadline for the Student Tools for Emergency Planning program (STEP) to December 15, 2023. This program equips teachers with free emergency preparedness materials, including guides, student handouts and starter kits. Teachers, officials, first responders or volunteers can deliver the curriculum. EGLE Seeks Public Input on Implementing MI Healthy Climate Plan The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) invites Michigan residents to offer input on the implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan in preparation for federal funding. Share your key strategies for climate action, particularly greenhouse gas reduction measures, with EGLE-OCE@Michigan.gov, or attend one of the online public input sessions scheduled for Dec. 14 and Dec. 18. More in EGLE’s full news release. Consumer Protection Against Holiday Scams College and Career Training Resources and Scholarships
Vaccine Recommendations, Testing Information Utilities resources you may find helpful: Michigan Senate Webpages: |
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