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

With those IRA provisions threatened, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board legislation I’ve sponsored with Sens. Camilleri and Klinefelt to lower prescription drug costs here in Michigan becomes even more crucial to even more residents.

If efforts to dismantle the ACA succeed, it would end the federal protections for coverage of pre-existing conditions, vital prevention services, screenings, contraceptive and reproductive care. This is why I voted to enshrine key ACA consumer protection provisions into state law last year.

It’s also why I was glad to see the Senate Health Policy Committee pass Senate Bills 633–638. This legislation seeks to expand Michiganders’ access to health care by shifting our exchange market from the federal platform to a state-based one. A state-based marketplace for health insurance has the potential to better fit local needs, and revenue generated by it would stay here in Michigan, as opposed to returning to the federal government. Nearly 20 other states have adopted state-based health insurance exchanges.

I’ll always support smart policy that makes life more affordable for Michiganders. Our Legislature’s recent work to do that on health care is covered here.

Key Milestone Reached in Government Transparency
For too many years, efforts to improve Michigan state government’s dismal record on transparency and integrity fell short, often hitting a wall in the Michigan Senate. To mark the end of those days and give Michiganders reason to celebrate this Sunshine Week, the Senate Oversight Committee advanced bipartisan legislation that would subject the legislature and governor’s office to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

I’m eager to support Senate Bills 669 and 670 to strengthen Michiganders’ ability to hold the elected officials serving them in Lansing accountable, promote ethical conduct, and help restore public trust in our state government.

Community Investments

$3 Million Awarded to District Land Banks for Blight Elimination
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced last month that $72.5 million in grants from the State Land Bank Authority (SLBA) were approved in the third and fourth rounds of Blight Elimination Funding.

For round three, the Michigan Legislature had earmarked $2.5 million to each of the ten land banks and/or State Land Bank Municipal Partnership with the largest inventory numbers and $500,000 to each of the remaining county land banks. Accordingly, the Bay County LBA received $500,000 and Saginaw County LBA received $2.5 million.

Grant Helps Bay County Company Make $1M Investment, Add Jobs
Future Technologies, a provider of engineering and technical services, is expanding in Monitor Township, investing $1 million and creating 10 jobs thanks in part to $125,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant.

We fund programs like the MBDP because they are good for business, and Future Technologies’ job-creating, 7-figure expansion is the latest good news for our Bay region’s economy and workers. These high-paying engineering jobs will attract talent our community needs to thrive, and it’s great to see this investment build on hundreds of millions of new capital dollars committed to Bay County in 2023.

Department of Transportation Upgrading Traffic Signals
Coinciding with the start of spring, our unofficial state flower — the traffic barrel — is already blooming in the district. MDOT recently announced a $1.6 million investment to upgrade traffic signals at 6 intersections in 5 counties across our greater Bay region. The traffic signals are being modernized to increase safety and improve traffic flow. Click the intersections below for MDOT maps of the work underway in our district:

M-15 at 22nd Street (Bay Co.) and M-46 at Cumberland Street (Saginaw Co.)

Community Connections

Governor In District to Talk FAFSA, Unlocking Opportunities  

Governor Whitmer and I visited Saginaw High School last week to make sure students and families know there’s more financial aid available now than ever before through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Every student must decide what’s the right path for them after high school, but no student should have to make that decision based on whether they can afford it. The FAFSA is the very best way to find money for post-graduation plans whether it’s trade school, community college, or a four-year university.

I appreciate the Governor and these students for helping to get the word out about the trajectory-changing opportunities FAFSA dollars can make possible.

Each college and career school has their own FAFSA submission deadlines which may be different from state and federal deadlines. The 2024–25 FAFSA forms are being processed now; apply here: studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Bay City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade 

Bay City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of my favorite annual traditions, and I loved being in community to celebrate it. The cold and flurries forced heavy coats to cover up some green apparel, but they didn’t put a damper on the good time we had.

Celebrating March Is Reading Month 

Thanks to the students and staff at both Chester Miller Elementary and Handley Elementary for hosting me as part of our March Is Reading Month celebration!

Reading is a joy and there are plenty of ways to experience that joy — by yourself or with others; at home or while traveling; a little each day or binging on a page-turner. And remember, it’s ok to celebrate reading every month!

Midland’s State of the City  

At Midland’s State of the City, Director of District & Constituent Services Kevin Hayes got to share my congratulations with Iris Mehler, recipient of Midland’s Citizenship Award — a well-deserved honor for improving our community through her work on behalf of individuals with disabilities and their parents.

During her presentation, Mayor Maureen Donker cited the $40 million in state funding I helped secure for Midland’s flood reduction efforts.

Learn more about this, other community wins, and City of Midland, Michigan plans for talent attraction, housing and infrastructure by watching the video of Midland’s 2024 State of the City.

Delta Day: Talking Civic Engagement with Saginaw High School Students 

I was honored to be among the guests participating at “Delta Days,” an event organized by the Saginaw Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to help students at Saginaw High School learn about civic engagement, social responsibility and leadership. I made sure these students knew young voices like theirs were a driving force behind gun safety bills finally getting hearings, votes, and ultimately becoming Michigan law.

Helpful Reminders, Resources, and Links

Virtual Resource Fair for Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs
Several Michigan organizations are teaming up to offer individuals with disabilities and their families, caregivers, providers, and other community supporters a Virtual Resource Fair on May 7, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Learn more and register here.

Tax Filings Due April 15