Dear Friends,

I wanted to take this opportunity to share some updates from the Legislature as we continue to work on your behalf. You can read below about efforts to support families, seniors, and veterans with tax relief; pause the state’s gas taxes to give drivers and our economy some relief from rising costs; invest in safe roads and bridges, clean drinking water, and broadband access; and more updates on issues important to the people of Michigan.

I encourage you to contact me with any state issue. You may call 517-373-0793 or email [email protected]. Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.

Working for you,

Aric Nesbitt
State Senator
26th District

Sen. Nesbitt recently supported legislation to provide Michigan families, seniors and veterans with $2.5 billion in tax relief — a second major legislative effort to return part of the state’s record budget surplus back to taxpayers who are struggling against record gas prices and historic inflation.

The MI Family Inflation Relief Plan would help every Michigander by lowering the state’s income tax to 4% and increasing the personal income tax deduction by $1,800. It would also support Michigan families by creating a $500 tax credit for each child under the age of 19.

House Bill 4568 and Senate Bill 784 would also increase the tax exemption for Michigan seniors over 67 to $21,800 for individuals and $43,600 for couples. It would also ensure Michigan’s fully disabled veterans and the spouses of those lost in combat receive a 100% property tax exemption.

The governor has already vetoed significant tax relief legislation this year. In March, she struck down Nesbitt’s bipartisan measure to reduce the state’s personal income tax, create a $500 per child tax credit, and increase the tax deduction for all seniors.

At the end of the day, this money belongs to the people, not the Legislature or the governor. Sen. Nesbitt believes people spend their money far more effectively than the government. Leaving more resources with families and small businesses, expanding freedom, and encouraging hard work and investment are the cornerstones of a healthy economy. This money can be better spent putting food on the table and clothing our kids than it can be growing the size of state government.

Last week, Sen. Nesbitt voted to pass legislation to provide Michigan drivers with a summer gas tax pause and relief from record-setting gas prices.

Senate Bill 973, sponsored by Nesbitt, along with SBs 972 and 974 would suspend the state’s 6% sales and use taxes on motor fuel from June 15 to Sept. 15. SB 1029 would suspend the state’s excise tax on gasoline and diesel fuel for the same time period and provide $300 million for local governments to cover revenue lost during the gas tax suspension.

Suspending the excise and sales taxes on gasoline will save Michigan drivers 51 cents per gallon at the pump, or $800 million over three months. According to AAA, on May 19, the state’s average per gallon cost for regular gasoline was $4.58 and the average diesel price was $5.27. Both prices were the highest recorded average prices in state history, until the $4.61 per gallon gasoline price on May 31 broke that record.

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference recently reported the state is looking at billions more in surplus revenue than the billions previously projected. As Michiganders struggle more and more to provide for their families each month, the governor is hoarding their hard-earned tax dollars — that is simply wrong, and we must return these dollars to the taxpayers who need it most. The people of Michigan deserve meaningful tax relief both now and in the future, as they continue to recover from the lasting impacts of the historic inflation.

Sen. Nesbitt supported Senate Bill 565, now Public Act 53 of 2022, to make a $4.7 billion investment into critical improvements to the state’s water, transportation, and broadband infrastructure.

He has been a strong advocate for leveraging the state’s one-time federal funding to make generational improvements to roads, bridges, water systems and other necessary infrastructure. Spending these dollars wisely will benefit Michiganders for decades to come.

PA 53 utilizes $4.1 billion in federal funding and $571 million in state resources to make important infrastructure investments across the state, including over $1.7 billion to help communities improve their drinking water and wastewater infrastructure — with at least 25% of drinking water funds dedicated to replacing lead pipes. It designates $50 million to help install filtered water stations in schools, $60 million to help reduce PFAS or other contaminants from drinking water, $35 million to fix failing septic systems.

The plan also uses nearly $317 million in federal funding to fix aging roads and bridges, and $250 million to help improve broadband connectivity to more households and small businesses.

The events of the past two years have highlighted the real need to expand reliable broadband service — thousands and thousands of families, particularly in rural areas, were forced to rely on zero to inconsistent internet service for their children’s schooling or to be able to do their jobs remotely. Data has shown us that nearly half a million residents don’t have reliable internet service or any internet service at all. Previously, Nesbitt had twice proposed legislation to address this important issue only to have it be defeated by the governor’s veto pen.

Sen. Nesbitt recently joined all Senate Republicans in adopting a resolution urging policies that will lead to energy independence and lower energy costs in the United States, including ending the state’s efforts to shut down Line 5.

The policies of the Biden administration and the governor to crush domestic energy production are breaking the budgets of a growing number of Michiganders. This historic inflation that has been brought on by reckless Washington spending and disastrous energy policies is bringing the economy to a halt.

The need for the United States to become more energy independent and support safe energy production through pipelines like Line 5 — in addition to promoting the expansion of renewable energy sources — is growing more and more clear every day. The people of Michigan need relief from soaring energy costs and deserve access to safely produced American energy.

Senate Resolution 114 says: “Plentiful affordable energy is essential for the well-being of the American people. The lack of an adequate energy supply leads to higher prices, fewer jobs, and threats to public health and safety. It should be the policy of the government at every level to ensure that energy is available, accessible, reliable and as affordable as possible.”

Sen. Nesbitt was honored to welcome David Krzycki, veterans services director for Van Buren County, to the Capitol on May 26 for the 27th Annual Senate Memorial Day Ceremony. After serving 30 years in the U.S. Army, Krzycki continues to serve our nation’s veterans right here in Van Buren County. Thank you to all our veterans who joined with citizens across the country to observe Memorial Day and honor those who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Sen. Nesbitt recently welcomed the kings and queens of the Blossomtime Festival to the state Capitol. The Blossomtime Festival, established in 1906, is Michigan’s oldest and largest multi-community festival. The festival is dedicated to the educational development of young people and the dissemination of information for the purpose of educating the general public as to the value and contribution of agriculture to Southwest Michigan.

Van Buren Conservation District Administrator Kim Sinclair and Deputy Administrator Emily Hickmott recently met with Sen. Nesbitt at the Capitol. Their important work with landowners and providing tools to keep our land and water clean is greatly appreciated.

Students from Van Buren Tech recently showcased their advanced manufacturing program at the Capitol. These students are finishing high school with a head start on a great career and will go on to fill many important roles in industries across the state thanks to their additional career and technical education training.

Market Van Buren recently recognized Sen. Nesbitt with its Legislative Economic Development Champion Award for his support of rural broadband expansion in Van Buren County and beyond as he continues to fight on behalf of residents in our rural areas.

National Dairy Month is a great way to start the summer and recognize one of Michigan’s top agriculture products.

According to the International Dairy Food Association, dairy foods like milk contain nine essential nutrients which may help to better manage weight, and reduce risks of high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers. Whether it's protein to help build and repair the muscle tissue or Vitamin A to help maintain healthy skin, dairy products are a natural nutrient powerhouse. Those are just a few of the reasons to celebrate dairy not just in June, but all year long.