Helping Michiganders Win

Friends and Neighbors,  

As a new fall season gets underway, it continues to be my honor to represent you and be in the community with you across our Great Lakes Bay Region.    

With a closer look at how we’re investing to help more Michiganders win with greater opportunities, this newsletter wraps up our Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 State Budget series, and includes our regular legislative, community, and resource updates.   

As always, thank you for reading and staying engaged. Please contact my office if you would like to share your perspective on legislative issues or if you are in need of any assistance navigating our state departments. 

In mid-September, Michigan Senate Democrats passed Senate Bill 911, making a big, long-term move to prioritize students and teachers. We’re permanently freeing up $600 million+ annually for schools to invest directly into classrooms and providing the clarity and long-term stability our school districts wanted around this significant funding. 

In the FY25 budget, we reduced the percentage of school payroll due to the state to cover Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System (MPSERS) obligations. Senate Bill 911 makes that reduction permanent, without any phase-in. So, with immediate and long-term impact, this legislation addresses the long-time unpredictability in school funding and allows districts to be flexible and strategic — year over-year — when investing in classroom needs, student mental health, school safety, teacher and staff compensation, and more.  

We’re also putting money back in teachers’ paychecks. Because the health care side of the MPSERS pension fund is over-funded at 140%, we permanently eliminated the 3% tax that teachers hired in before 2012 had been paying.  

Senate Passes Additional $126 Million for School Safety, Mental Health  

In late September, I joined my Senate colleagues in passing an additional $126 million to make our schools safer and ensure our students have access to mental health services. It builds on the permanent, ongoing $600 million+ Senate Democrats recently passed and the nearly $180 million approved earlier this year for student health and mental health support.     

Included in the $126 million is $1 million that will support an anonymous tip line for students to report an unsecured firearm, allowing the school district to notify that household that safe storage of their firearms around minors is now required by law. Michigan has experienced too many preventable tragedies because guns were not securely stored. In effect since February 13, 2024, my safe storage law will save more lives with more people aware of the dangers of unsecured firearms around kids.     

From the early work as a member of the Senate Pre-K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee to voting for this additional funding, I am proud of the commitment our caucus has made in prioritizing student safety and investment into our schools.   

Senate Democrats Pass Michigan Voting Rights Act  

Under attack since it was passed in 1965, the federal Voting Rights Act was gutted by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 (Shelby County v. Holder), undermining a law widely regarded as the most effective piece of civil rights legislation in American history. Since then, we’ve seen state legislatures across our country pass dozens of anti-voter restrictions. As other states build barriers to the ballot box, we’re upholding every eligible citizen’s right to vote and fair representation.  

On National Voter Registration Day, my colleagues and I passed legislation to establish the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA). The MVRA mirrors and expands the original federal Voting Rights Act. Outlined in the legislation are protections for every Michigander across race and place, including voters with disabilities and limited-English proficiency. No eligible voter should be hindered or harassed for exercising their Constitutional right to vote.  

A helpful resource for registering to vote, checking your registration status, learning how and where to vote is Michigan.gov/vote. 

Community Connections 

Veterans & First Responders Recreation Day 

Getting outside, trying something new, or doing something just for the joy of it — like an impromptu bike ride! — can do wonders to offset stress. That’s why U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee hosts an annual Recreation Day for veterans, first responders, and their families. I was so glad to see a strong turnout at Saginaw’s Haithco Park, and that our SD35 team could join our Congressman and State Representative Amos O’Neal for this event.  Beyond sharing our appreciation for the men and women who keep us safe, let’s encourage their participation in healthy activities and connect them to resources as needed.  

Project Independence Ramp Build 

On an early Saturday September morning, my team and I delivered doughnuts and thanks to members from our local unions in UAW Region 1-D who volunteered to construct a ramp for a resident in need. Project Independence ramp builds are led by local United Ways, in partnership with local labor unions, to provide mobility assistance for community members. So big thanks to our United Way of Saginaw County as well. 

Congrats & Well-Wishes to Youth Protection Council’s New & Retiring CEOs 

Please join me in congratulating Jasmine Calhoun, the new CEO of Saginaw’s Youth Protection Council, and sharing well-deserved retirement wishes with Mary Ellen Johnson, who led this vital non-profit for 41 years. Our SD35 team will always be a trusted and appreciative partner in their service to runaway, homeless, at-risk youth and young families. Watch their WNEM TV5News interview here.  

Meeting with the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance Board of Directors  

More high-wage jobs are crucial for our region to succeed. At the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance Board of Directors Meeting, I shared the targeted policies and investments I’ve supported to build on existing assets and attract high-wage employers here. From housing and health care to child care and a skilled workforce, smart investments will position our region to win the future and help our residents thrive. 

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month 

I wasn’t in the jalapeño eating contest, but I did indulge in a fried cheese-covered crunch burrito to kickoff Hispanic Heritage Month at Saginaw’s Fiesta K?Onda! There are plenty of fun ways to celebrate the histories, culture & contributions of Hispanic Americans that strengthen our 35th Senate District. Running from mid-September to mid-October each year, this month commemorates the independence days of several countries in Latin America and South America.   

Community Investments  

Bay City Approved for Nearly $27K Grant Toward Lead Line Replacement 

I’m pleased to share that Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has awarded Bay City a Community Technical, Managerial, and Financial (TMF) Support for Lead Line Replacement Grant totaling $26,874. The TMF program’s goal is to better position communities to take advantage of federal dollars available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for the purpose of lead line verification and replacement. 

MDOT Road Improvements 

The Michigan Department of Transportation has actively invested in making our region’s roadways safer. Here are three projects that have gotten underway in September: 

• BAY COUNTY: An investment of approximately $350,000 to resurface M-13 (Euclid Avenue) from North Union Street to Kiesel Road. 
• MIDLAND COUNTY: An investment of $82,000 to resurface M-30 (Meridian Road) from M-20 south to Prairie Creek. This work will improve the driving surface and extend the life of the roadway. 
• SAGINAW COUNTY: Resurfacing work on M-47 (Midland Rd) from Church Street to Highland Drive in Freeland. This project follows an investment of $540,000 to resurface deteriorating sections of M-47 through Tittabawassee Township and Freeland that occurred in August. 

New Report Shows Clean Energy Legislation Will Lower Costs, Create Thousands of Good Paying Jobs, and Stimulate Economy 

A new report projects that Michigan’s historic clean energy legislation, combined with the federal Inflation Reduction Act, will drive significant economic growth and cost-savings for Michiganders. According to the report, by 2030, we will drive household energy bills down by an average of $297 a year, secure $15.6 billion in federal funding, and save $7.3 billion in public health costs, in addition to all the positives for our environment.   

In their report, 5 Lakes Energy breaks down the anticipated economic impact by region. In the region comprised of Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw counties, the legislation and federal investment is projected to:  

• Create 2,732 new jobs by 2030; 4,956 by 2040 
• Grow GDP by $364,684,806 by 2030; $736,094,240 by 2040 
• Deliver federal tax credit investment of $861,035,978 by 2030; $1,676,693,490 by 2040 
• Save $299,825,992 in public health costs by 2030; $1,172,171,908 by 2040  

Helpful Reminders, Resources, and Links   

Treasury Outreach Team Invites Businesses to Free Webinars 

The Michigan Department of Treasury is offering free webinars to help businesses better navigate state and federal regulations, tax systems, and other requirements for employers: 

Unemployment’s Web Service-Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) Wed., Oct. 2 at 10:30 a.m. Learn about navigating, reporting, and paying unemployment tax via the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) web service portal. This session features a live demonstration.  

Withholding Rules — Tax, File, Pay — Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m. Topics covered include income and withholding tax laws and withholding tax filing and payment rules.  

Treasury Web Services & Michigan Treasury Online (MTO) Live Demo — Oct. 9 at 10:30 a.m. 

Learn about available web service portals you can use to communicate with Treasury about withholding tax. This session features a live demonstration of Michigan Treasury Online (MTO) where you can file and pay withholding tax and submit other employer documents. 

Increasing Access to Mental Health Resources, Preventing Suicide 

My Senate colleagues and I are committed to practical solutions to improve mental health and prevent suicide. In addition to the gun safety legislation that we passed in 2023, which helps keep deadly weapons out of the hands of people at risk of harming themselves or others, we appropriated significant budget investments to boost prevention and response for mental health crises and substance abuse, including targeted programs and services for veterans.   

I encourage you to read about those vital investments and our work to build a healthier Michigan for all here.

Mental Health Crisis Lines 

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or visit this Lifeline Chat, to connect with a trained crisis counselor at this free 24/7 nationwide confidential hotline. 
• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or text 838-255.  
• The Trevor Project has counselors trained in the challenges young people in the LGBTQ community face. Call 1-866-488-7386, text 678-678, or click here for their 24/7 support.  

Locating Mental Health Treatment Services 

• Michigan 211: Call 211 or visit mi211.org to speak with a live person who can help you locate long-term mental health resources or talk through a problem. All conversations are confidential, can be made anonymously, and are available in 180 languages upon request. 
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Visit FindTreatment.gov, a confidential and anonymous resource, to locate treatment facilities for mental and substance use disorders near you.  
• Michigan Community Mental Health Services Programs: CMHSPs provide a comprehensive range of services and supports to children, adolescents and adults with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders in all 83 Michigan counties. Find your local program here.

College and Career Training Resources and Scholarships 

• MI Student Aid and Paying for College in Michigan 
• Michigan Achievement Scholarships 
• Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarships (for high-demand jobs) 
• Michigan Reconnect (tuition-free degree or skills certificate) 

Whether your student’s path is community college, skilled trade certification or other career training, I encourage you to learn more at one of these informational sessions/ webinars offered now through December 2024. 

Severe Storm, Power Outage and Utilities Assistance Resources 

• MI READY (disaster, power outage, and emergency preparedness) 
• Managing Storm Debris (EGLE resource for local officials)  
• State Emergency Relief Program (extreme hardship threatening health and safety) 
• Michigan Energy Assistance Program 
• Weatherization Assistance Program  

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.  

• Website Contact Form: This is the best, fastest way to reach us. 
• Phone: (517) 373-1725 | Email: SenKMcDonaldRivet@senate.michigan.gov 

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 ways to learn about our work. 

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