District 35 News & Updates

Jun 10, 2023 | Email

Friends and Neighbors,      

This week, Michigan is celebrating Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week. As the “Great Lakes State” – home to four of the five Great Lakes and more than 11,000 inland lakes – I hope you’re able to spend some time enjoying Michigan’s “Water Wonderland” season while also joining me in recognizing how important it is for us to safeguard our lakes for future generations. 

As always, I appreciate your willingness to stay in touch with your Senate District 35 team’s work. If your neighbors want to learn about legislative developments, community happenings, or helpful resources, please share this e-news with them and encourage them to sign up to receive it regularly. If you or others you know need assistance with matters where you think our office can help, reach us through the contact information provided below or this e-form. 

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

 

IN THIS EDITION  

  • Commemorating Memorial Day  
  • Legislative Updates 
  • In the Community   
  • Coffee Hour 
  • Helpful Resources and Links 
  • Contact Us  

 

 

COMMEMORATING MEMORIAL DAY 

Michigan Senate 28th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony  

The Michigan Senate recently held its annual Memorial Day Ceremony, commemorating those who died while serving and protecting our country. As chair of the Senate Veterans and Emergency Services Committee, Senator Veronica Klinefelt and her team did an excellent job organizing this year’s event. 

I was honored to welcome former Bay City Mayor and U.S. Airforce Airman 2nd Class Michael J. Buda and his family to this special ceremony, and excited that Director of Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Adam Hollier could join us. Mike Buda is a strong advocate and leader in the community, promoting our Saginaw Valley Naval Museum’s USS Edson as a historical memorial, educational facility, and visitor attraction for our region. 

Wreath Laying Ceremony at Midland County Veterans Memorial  

I’m grateful to American Legion Post 165 for hosting this wreath laying ceremony and for the opportunity to share remarks along with keynote speaker U.S. Army First Sergeant Gabriel X. Sanger, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, and State Rep. Bill G. Schuette.

Memorial Day gives us, as citizens and a nation, time to reflect on the idea that our country and democracy are worth fighting for. We can do right by all generations of fallen American servicemembers, and the loved ones who survive them, by making the most of our freedoms with everyday actions worthy of their legacy. 

>> Watch my Memorial Day message here.   

 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES    

Budget Briefing 

As the budget process continues, my fellow legislators and I are working closely with our Senate and House colleagues, along with Governor Gretchen Whitmer, to refine a comprehensive, responsive and responsible budget that reflects Michigan’s needs and values.  

As your State Senator and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m working to make sure funding for our district priorities are included in the final budget product. Our goal is to complete budget work by the end of June; I’ll keep you informed as negotiations continue.  

Increasing Housing for “Missing Middle”  

This week, I testified before the Senate Economic and Community Development Committee on Senate Bill 293. This legislation would increase support for middle-income housing construction and expand eligibility for MSHDA assistance to include middle-income households. As we work towards bringing new jobs to Michigan through economic development initiatives, we must support and address the lack of affordable housing for workers looking to move for those jobs. Giving regional housing authorities the flexibility to address middle-income housing would be a huge step toward solving our state’s labor supply challenges and growing our population.  

McDonald Rivet Bill Moving to Strengthen Sexual Assault Penalties and Survivor Protections 

After receiving unanimous support from the Senate, my bill in the legislative package aimed at protecting survivors and strengthening penalties for sexual assault under the pretext of medical care has been moving through the House.  Senate Bill 72 (along with Senate Bills 69, 70, and 71) requires medical professionals to preserve a patient’s records for certain services for at least 15 years and creates new sentencing guidelines for violations. Additionally, it would prohibit medical professionals from performing certain sensitive procedures and examinations on minor patients unless a medical assistant or other medical professional was in the room, and the minor’s parent or guardian gave consent.  

I testified before the House Health Policy Committee on this bill package and am pleased its members unanimously recommended that the full House chamber take up this legislation.  

Extreme Risk Protection Orders 

Gun violence prevention advocates, survivors and legislators gathered on May 22 as Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation passed earlier this spring to establish extreme risk protection orders. Michigan is the 21st state (in addition to the District of Columbia) to enact ERPO or Red Flag laws. 

This legislation will allow law enforcement, family, and health care providers to request judicial review to determine whether individuals are an imminent threat to themselves or others. If a judge determines there is evidence demonstrating extreme risk, that judge may issue an order to temporarily prohibit that individual from possessing a firearm. 

Enacting this legislation took years of relentless advocacy and work. Raising awareness and building trust among gun owners, law enforcement, elected officials and the community will take time but, when this takes effect, Michiganders will have another tool to prevent gun violence.  

CROWN Act 

In late May, the Michigan Senate voted 33-5 in favor of Senate Bill 90 which would prohibit race-based hair discrimination in hiring and housing decisions. I was thrilled to vote yes on the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) and am grateful for Senator Sarah Anthony’s leadership in championing this long overdue legislation. On June 8, the House chamber passed it 100-7, sending the CROWN Act to Governor Whitmer’s desk for signing. 

Ending Child Marriage  

Identical bill packages to set 18 as Michigan’s minimum age for marriage were introduced earlier this spring (Senate Bills 209-217; 246 and House Bills 4293-4302). The House package unanimously passed the House Judiciary Committee on May 17.  I’ve spent my career dedicated to creating a better life for children and am proud to help end the archaic practice of child marriage when these bills come before me for a vote.  

Juneteenth State Holiday   

By a vote of 37-1, the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 50 which would add Juneteenth to the list of official state holidays. Juneteenth (June 19th) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX in 1865, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, to ensure all enslaved people were freed. I am proud to co-sponsor this bill, introduced by Senator Sylvia Santana. It was referred to the House Committee on Government Operations on May 17. 

Track progress of all my sponsored legislation here.   

 

IN THE COMMUNITY    

Greater Midland’s Dow RunWalk

Whether you’re a participant, staffer or volunteer, energy and good vibes run high around a community event like Greater Midland Races’ Dow RunWalk. Going back to my years leading Greater Midland’s Community Center network, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy this race day in each of those roles. This year, I did my best getting all the finishers their medals! Kudos to top finishers, all participants, and everyone who made this huge event run smoothly and safely.  

H.H. Dow High School Teacher Honored  

Earlier this month, I shared the privilege of awarding a state tribute to H.H. Dow High School’s Bridgit Sova. Through 30 years of special education work with Midland Public Schools, she’s lifted peers, parents and students with innovations and insights, leading to her Regional Teacher of the Year honor and Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council (MTLAC) selection. This recognition and Bridgit’s service on this 10-member statewide council are real points of pride for our region.   

>>More on the MTLAC honorees here. 

Francis Reh Academy 

After a great starter discussion in April, I reconnected with National Junior Honor Society students at Francis Reh Academy. They presented an amazing policy agenda and shared feedback around changes they want to help shape through an outdoor recreation and entertainment space for Saginaw’s Eastside. In bonus time with Kevin Hayes, our Director of District & Constituent Services, there was a robust discussion on summer youth jobs. 

Wear Orange for Gun Violence Awareness

Hunters wear orange to be seen & protected. Wear Orange weekend asks the same for all of us.  Our Office’s Director of Communications, Carol Sullivan, was honored to attend a local Wear Orange event sharing “Lamentations, Solutions & Actions” around gun violence.  

Our Great Lakes Bay Region Moms Demand Action group organized a helpful, hopeful program with speakers from Saginaw’s Parents of Murdered Children and Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention Program, the Midland Police Department, and a local mental health professional. Whatever our role, there’s something each of us can do to prevent gun violence.  

Other events with community and constituents included the Memorial Day parades and events in Midland and Saginaw; the Mackinac Policy Conference; and the Saginaw Kiwanis members meeting. Later this month, we’re looking forward to our region’s LGBTQ+ Pride Celebrations. 

Community Communications    

MAY 29, MIDLAND DAILY NEWS: “Remembering Fallen Soldiers on Memorial Day”   

MAY 30, MIDLAND DAILY NEWS: “McDonald Rivet bill seeks to expand energy efficiency for commercial properties”

BAY COUNTY COFFEE HOUR
WHEN: Monday, June 26, 2023, from 1 – 2 pm 
WHERE: Bangor Twp. Hall Board Room, 180 State Park Dr, Bay City, MI 48706  

MIDLAND COUNTY COFFEE HOUR
WHEN: Monday, July 24, 2023, from 1 – 2 pm
WHERE: Midland Business Alliance Conference Room, 300 Rodd St, Unit 101, Midland, MI 48640  

 

HELPFUL RESOURCES AND LINKS 

High Water Mark Event Spotlights Midland Flood Mitigation Plans 

The Midland Business Alliance Advisory Committee on Infrastructure held the High Water Mark community event at Dow Diamond to share engineering study progress, proposed flood reduction projects, and eco-sensitive solutions regarding our Tittabawassee River watershed. A brief update on the lakes restoration was also provided.  

Funding from a variety of sources are primary factors in plan execution and timing. I’m doing everything I can to ensure the two-year, $50 million appropriation I negotiated and secured in the Senate budget for flood mitigation in our region makes the ultimate budget signed by our Governor.   

>>Watch a video recording of the High Water Mark event here.  

Avoiding Medicaid Coverage Gaps  

During the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicaid members did not have to renew their eligibility to keep that health care coverage. With the end of the Public Health Emergency, Medicaid eligibility renewals have resumed effective June 1, 2023. Monthly renewal notifications will be sent by mail (mailings began in May). 

>>Learn more here.  

Michigan Youth Employment   

June is Youth Employment Month and Michigan teens (ages 16-19) are forecasted to have low unemployment rates. Teens seeking summer jobs may contact their local Michigan Works! office for resume development, job search and application assistance. Pure Michigan Talent Connect is another job search resource.  

For additional information, visit Michigan.gov/YouthEmployment.   

 Resources and Links

 

CONTACT MY OFFICE  

  • Website Contact Form: This is the best, fastest way to reach us.  
  • Website News Page: This page archives our official press releases and statements. 
  • Past ENews: This page archives prior e-newsletter editions 
  • Social Media: Social media sites are neither official government websites nor are they well suited for constituent correspondence. However, since we post frequently, social media can be a very timely way to access news and information. Our “Office of Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet” Facebook page is linked here: