Progress on Kitchen Table Issues

Feb 6, 2024 | Email

Friends and Neighbors,

The Detroit Lions may have lost the NFC Championship, but their remarkable turnaround this year gives us all hope for the future. I feel that way about what our work in the Michigan Legislature is accomplishing for you and your neighbors. Our biggest progress on kitchen table issues takes effect mid-month, delivering stability and hope for Michiganders following decades of disinvestment and policies that hurt working families.

This newsletter will catch you up on State of the State highlights, district visits from our Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and several multi-million-dollar investments bringing your tax dollars home. I appreciate you staying connected to our work and always welcome your feedback or requests for assistance. 

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

 

 

 

In This Edition

  • Legislative Updates 
  • Community Connections and Investments 
  • Community Mentions 
  • Helpful Resources and Links 
  • Connecting With Us      

Legislative Updates

State of the State Address

Governor Whitmer held her annual State of the State Address on January 24, outlining a 2024 agenda that puts the everyday needs of working families at the center. I’m looking forward to working with the Governor to strengthen childcare and education, improve paths to higher paying jobs and increase access to affordable housing. At every turn, my priority is lowering costs and opening opportunities for Michiganders at every stage of their lives.

As the Governor noted, universal Pre-K for 4-year-olds, tuition-free community college and more accessible workforce housing should get serious investments because we stand to gain so much in return. With a solid, stable state budget, it’s the right time to explore funding these initiatives to make Michigan, and our region in particular, more attractive to young talent and employers.

I was honored to have Erin Patrice as my SOTS guest. Named 2023 Citizen of the Year by Midland Daily News, Erin’s community conversations through “The Breaking Bread Village” connect, heal and change trajectories for the better. I’m grateful for her work in creating a space for open dialogue among neighbors.

Great Lakes Bay Region Workforce Housing Summit

Constituents around the district consistently share their concerns about the increasing costs and shortage of housing. At the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance Housing Summit, I joined experts, business leaders and organizations to discuss the housing crisis and the tools available to combat it. Keynote speaker Amy Hovey, Executive Director of the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority (MSHDA), cited my “missing middle” housing bill as one of the most critical tools and urged bipartisan support to pass it. Senate Bill 293 would allow MSHDA to expand uses of the Housing and Community Development Fund, creating flexibility for local housing authorities to best respond to the housing crises they are experiencing.

I appreciate Director Hovey advocating for practical solutions like my legislation that would help give families and communities the housing options they need.

Tax Relief to Take Effect, Supplemental EITC Checks Begin to Mail February 13

January 26 was EITC Awareness Day, and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has never been more valuable. Eligible households in our 35th Senate District will average $754 from the Michigan EITC alone this year, a result of the expanded state match I fought for and delivered. Combined with the federal credit, our low- and moderate-income workers stand to save thousands more, with the statewide average combined EITC estimated at $3,150.

Because we made our expansion of the federal EITC retroactive to tax year 2022, households who qualified last year will automatically receive checks for the increased difference. That difference (between the old 6% and the new 30% match) averages $603 in our district. Those supplemental EITC checks will start to mail February 13. The Michigan Treasury estimates it will take 5-6 weeks to mail all checks. Learn more about the Michigan EITC and see our “Helpful Resources & Links” section at the end of this newsletter to connect with free local tax help.

Community Connections & Investments

Governor, Lt. Governor Visits Spotlight Tax Relief  

Governor Whitmer and I held a roundtable in Saginaw earlier this month to spread the word about the big tax relief coming to Michigan’s retirees and working families this year.

When Republicans started the retirement tax in 2011, they slammed Michigan seniors with an unexpected and unfair financial burden. We righted that wrong as soon as we had the chance. This is the first tax season in a dozen years that begins to do right by our seniors — restoring the more secure futures and Michigan dreams our retirees planned.

This is also the first time our state’s match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit will reach 30%, which is five times what Republicans knocked it down to in 2011. These tax cuts will make a big difference for families, and I’m grateful for the Governor’s help to ensure everyone eligible knows about them.

Shortly after it was announced that the Michigan Treasury would begin mailing the supplemental EITC checks for tax year 2022 on February 13, senior administration officials visited a few communities where that impact would be felt the most. I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist for joining me at the Saginaw County Community Action Committee (CAC) to make sure folks in our district know about the Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families and how much it can help working parents struggling with higher costs.

MEDC Awards $4.1 Million for Generating Economic Growth in Bay County

Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation recently announced a $4.1 million award to accelerate economic development prospects of a site located at 3 Mile Road and Wilder Road in Monitor Township.

I’m proud to support this project that will dedicate millions of dollars to boost Bay County’s local economy with infrastructure jobs and position this area to win more private investment and job-creating projects. Read more about this project here.

$7.5 Million Approved for SVSU Environmental Research Station on Lake Huron

Saginaw Valley State University will construct the first university environmental science research station on Lake Huron in Bangor Twp., following approval of $7.5 million in capital outlay funding. This is a phenomenal opportunity to attract top scientists, expand research capabilities, and benefit students at all levels. As Joint Capital Outlay Chair, I was proud to support this funding. Learn more.

Local School Districts Receive Grow Your Own Grants to Address Teacher Shortage

Bay City School District and Saginaw Preparatory Academy are new recipients of the 2023 Future Proud Michigan Educator Grow Your Own staff grants. The grants will allow them to increase teachers on staff by providing support for school employees to earn initial teacher certification and certified teachers to receive additional endorsements. This is fantastic news for our students, schools and entire region.

MACC Awards $700 to the Friends of Theodore Roethke Foundation

I’m glad to share that the Michigan Arts and Culture Council recently approved $700 in grant funding for the Friends of Theodore Roethke Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to promote, preserve, and protect the literary legacy of Theodore Roethke, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet from Saginaw.

Community Conversations 

We had great conversations at our Midland coffee hour about housing, clean energy legislation and transportation. I appreciate everyone who joined us, and I look forward to hosting more community conversations throughout the year.

Community Mentions

In Memoriam: Michigan State Police Trooper Joel Popp

MSP Trooper Joel Popp died from injuries sustained in an accident that occurred during a traffic stop on Wednesday, January 24. He served at our district’s Tri-City Post since he joined the MSP in 2020. Please join me in extending sympathies and keeping Trooper Popp’s family and fellow troopers in our hearts and prayers.

Public safety officers and first responders put themselves at risk to keep us safe. Please take care always, and especially on winter roads, to keep them safe too.

Midland Advocate Appointed to Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council

Iris Mehler of Midland was one of four people recently appointed by Governor Whitmer to the state’s Developmental Disabilities Council. She has decades of experience working with children and adults with disabilities and has established a local support group serving 200 parents of children with disabilities.

 

 

Saginaw Valley State University Welcomes New Board of Control Members

Governor Whitmer appointed Heather Gallegos, of Essexville, and Ron Bacon, of East Lansing, to the Saginaw Valley State University Board of Control. Learn more about these leaders and their new roles serving our region’s state university here. 

Saginaw Woman’s Story of Grit and Giving Back Closes Out State of the State

It should be no surprise that Saginaw would provide Gov. Whitmer with a great story to close out her State of the State address. Elaine Van Buren is a great example of grit and giving back, getting up after being knocked down, making the most of opportunities and helping others do the same.

Born in Saginaw to a low-income family of seven kids, Elaine returned to her hometown after a divorce and used different state programs to put her and her two sons on stronger footing. She returned to school, graduated with two degrees and had an impactful career in social work in Saginaw. Our legislative work in 2024 will make more stories like Elaine’s possible for every Michigander.

Bay City Central Student Wins State of the State Art Contest

Congratulations to Vivian Kern, a junior at Bay City Central High School, who won the 2024 State of the State Art contest! Her colorful and captivating design, pictured above, was featured on the SOTS program cover.

Saginaw Student Advocates with Secretary Benson to Reduce Drivers Ed Barriers

In a powerful example of using one’s voice to make change for the better, Saginaw H.S. junior Julian Morris saw the barriers posed by driver’s education expenses and wrote a letter that turned into a press conference with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Education Association President Chandra Madafferi and others.

They are aiming to improve access to driver’s education for high schoolers across the state and boost support for school-based driver instruction. I support these efforts to remove barriers and level the playing field for teens wanting this opportunity.

Community Communications, Interviews

Helpful Resources and Links 

Get Free Local Tax Help

Michigan Free Tax Help is a free service that partners with local United Way agencies to connect eligible community members with free, volunteer tax professionals in these programs:

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) — for people who generally make $64,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) — primarily for people 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. 

Visit michiganfreetaxhelp.org, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 2-1-1 to connect to these services. 

MDOT Opens Applications for Safe Routes to School Mini Grants 

The Safe Routes to School Mini Grant applications are now open for the 2024-2025 school year. The Michigan Department of Transportation wants schools to use the funds to encourage and educate students on how they can travel to school in healthy ways including walking, biking and rolling. More information and how to apply is here. 

Utilities Assistance & Power Outage Resources

College and Career Training Resources and Scholarships


Connecting With Us

If You Need Help
If you have issues dealing with any state government department, including accessing unemployment benefits or tax information, 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 connect you with the most appropriate person or organization for help.  

 

Most Current Updates
Social media sites are neither official government websites nor are they well suited for constituent correspondence. However, since we post frequently, our social media accounts can be a very timely way to learn about legislative action, community news and impacts. Visit my Facebook page or my Threads page.

Our newsletters, website, and constituent hours are also great to learn about our work.