Dear Neighbor,
During our recent legislative break, I had the opportunity to travel across our lakeshore community— meeting with residents, sharing updates on the work we’re doing in Lansing, and listening to the issues that matter most to them. At our most recent coffee hour at Eos Café in St. Clair Shores, we heard from a patio full of folks who have a wide range of issues on their minds — from protecting Medicaid and mental health services to fixing our roads and investing in education.
Conversations at events like these directly shape the work I do in Lansing. As my colleagues and I return to the Capitol for committee hearings and votes — these moments are the ones I carry with me and let guide my actions. If you weren’t able to make this last event, we hope to see you at one soon. You can find more details about our upcoming events, as well as information about our latest legislative work, in this newsletter.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments — we are here to serve you. You can reach my office by emailing SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov or calling our Lansing office at (517) 373-7315.
Sincerely,
Kevin Hertel
State Senator
District 12
- To ensure survivors of sexual abuse can achieve justice through the legal process, I introduced a package of bills that would fix Michigan’s broken statute of limitations for such cases.
- While we see Republicans in Washington threaten Medicaid, I recently joined my colleagues and local doctors to send a message to President Trump and Elon Musk: stop playing games with the health of Michiganders. Keep reading to learn more.
- Join me for my upcoming Coffee and Conversation event on May 9th at 11:00 a.m. at the Tucker Senior Center (26980 Ballard St., Harrison Township). RSVP here.
Continuing the Fight to Provide Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault
If you remember from last session, I introduced a legislative package aimed at fixing Michigan’s broken statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases, so that survivors may achieve justice through the legal process. Unfortunately, most of these bills did not make it to the governor’s desk before we adjourned for the term. Nevertheless, the fight to break down the barriers that have silenced survivors’ voices and denied them accountability continues.
This week, I joined a group of colleagues in reintroducing this legislation. More specifically, this package would extend the amount of time survivors have to bring forth a civil claim and would repeal immunity for educational institutions that conceal systemic abuse. To learn more, click here.
Strengthening Protections for Seniors and Vulnerable Adults
No one should have to worry about being taken advantage of as they age, yet today, we’re seeing too many bad actors attempting to defraud or abuse Michigan seniors and vulnerable adults. That’s why I joined my colleagues in introducing legislation to strengthen protections and implement tools to better detect and address cases of abuse. More specifically, this legislation:
- Creates an elder and vulnerable adult personal protection order (PPO).
- Increases the amount of time prosecutors have to recover property in embezzlement cases where criminals have taken advantage of vulnerable adults.
- Protects vulnerable adults even after death, treating those offenses the same as if the exploitation had occurred during the victim’s lifetime.
- Takes an all-in approach to preventing, intervening, investigating, and prosecuting abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of older and vulnerable adults by bringing together local teams of experts.
These bills now head to the Michigan House for their consideration. To learn more, click here.
Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs
While the pharmaceutical industry raked in over $29 billion in net profits during a recent three-month period, nearly a third of Michigan residents stopped taking their prescriptions because of cost, and 60% of older adults reported concerns over not being able to afford their essential medications. This is unacceptable.
To ensure all Michiganders, no matter their age, income, or background, have access to affordable, life-saving medication, my colleagues and I passed legislation this week to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Michigan — an independent body designed to lower prescription drug costs and hold Big Pharma accountable. Comprised of experts in health care, economics, and supply chain management, the board would be able to analyze and recommend ways to lower drug costs in Michigan, as well as limit the maximum amount a prescription could be sold for in the state.
This package is now heading to the Michigan House for further deliberation. To learn more about this legislation, click here.
Continuing the Push for Oakland County to Address Their Water Infrastructure Problems
Earlier this month, heavy storms overwhelmed Oakland County’s aging water infrastructure, resulting in them releasing 1.2 million gallons of raw sewage and an additional 820 million gallons of “minimally treated” sewage into the Red Run Drain — which ultimately flows into Lake St. Clair. This latest discharge is just one instance in a troubling pattern: Oakland County routinely chooses to dump an average of 2 billion gallons of sewage overflow into Macomb County waterways instead of modernizing their water infrastructure.
This must stop. Dumping untreated sewage into Lake St. Clair is not just reckless — it is unsustainable and unacceptable for the more than four million people who rely on the lake for drinking water and economic security.
While it was not easy, we here in Macomb have found the political will to work across party lines and across all levels of government to secure the resources necessary to build up our water infrastructure. Throughout my time in the Legislature, I’ve worked to bring nearly $100 million back to Macomb County to help reduce combined sewer overflows, address aging water infrastructure, and protect our water quality.
It’s time for Oakland County to step up, take responsibility for the damage they continue to cause, and do their part to protect Lake St. Clair.
Click here to read more.
Standing with Medical Professionals to Protect Michiganders’ Health Care
In recent weeks, Washington Republicans, including President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, have been laying the groundwork to make massive cuts to Medicaid. This is a program that is essential to the health of our state. Here in Michigan, 2.6 million people rely on Medicaid — that’s one out of every four Michiganders. But it’s not just those covered by Medicaid who will suffer if cuts are made. Slashing funding would force hospitals and doctors’ offices to significantly reduce staff or close completely. That means longer wait times and longer distances to travel for all of us who need to access health care.
To protect the program and the coverage it provides to Michiganders, I joined the Committee to Protect Health Care for a press conference at the Capitol to send a message to President Trump and Elon Musk: it’s time to stop playing games with the health of kids, seniors, and families who rely on a fully funded Medicaid program. And if they don’t, you can bet on a fight.
To watch the press conference, click here. You can also read more here about the importance of Medicaid and our work to build a healthier Michigan for all.
Accepting MEDA’s 2025 Legislative Economic Development Champion Award
Earlier this month, I was humbled to be named the Michigan Economic Developers Association’s (MEDA) 2025 Economic Development Champion for my role in sponsoring and passing Senate Bill 237 — legislation that gives Michigan a competitive edge in attracting large-scale data centers.
In today’s world, data centers serve as economic engines that help fuel long-term community growth — benefiting everyone from the skilled workers and developers who build them to the families who benefit from the expanded tax revenue flowing to schools, roads, and public safety services. As our society becomes increasingly digitized, making Michigan a competitive hub for data centers is just good policy.
As my colleagues and I continue to find ways to grow our population and economy here in Michigan, I am thankful to have partners such as MEDA who share this vision and are committed to putting in the work to make it a reality. Continue reading more here.
Tips to Help You Safely Navigate Road Construction
With the warmer weather finally here, that means our unofficial state flower — the beloved traffic cone — will be popping up across Michigan. Between state, county and local projects, there will be several work zones throughout our community this year. To help keep the roads as safe as possible, make sure to practice these driving tips.
- Plan ahead: Expect delays, plan for them, and leave early to reach your destination on time. When you can, avoid work zones altogether by using alternate routes.
- Obey road crews and signs: When approaching a work zone, watch for cones, barrels, signs, large vehicles, or workers in bright-colored vests to warn you and direct you where to go.
- Slow down: Look for signs indicating the speed limit through the work zone. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you and follow the posted speed limit.
- Move over: Most state move-over laws apply when passing work crews and official vehicles are parked on the shoulder with flashing warning lights.
- Avoid distractions: Keep your eyes on the road and off your phone at all times.
- Watch for sudden stoppages: Don’t make sudden lane changes in front of trucks that are trying to slow down.
It is one of my top goals as your State Senator to have myself and my office be as accessible to you as possible. To share your thoughts on legislation or seek assistance with an issue, please join me at one of our upcoming district events:
Coffee and Conversation in Harrison Township
WHEN: Friday, May 9, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Tucker Senior Center, 26980 Ballard St., Harrison Twp., MI 48045
If You Need Help
If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, 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 help direct you to the appropriate person or organization for help.
You may always feel free to email me at SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov. You can also call our Lansing Office at (517) 373-7315 or our District Office at (586) 252-2157.
Keep Up to Date
Our bi-weekly newsletters are full of updates on what Team Hertel has been working on both in Lansing and District 12 to deliver results for Michiganders. To keep up to date with what we’ve been up to — sign up here to receive my bi-weekly newsletter, or access previous editions online here.
For more frequent updates, I also encourage you to follow our team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BlueSky.