Dear Neighbors,

Welcome to this month’s edition of my e-newsletter. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to tackle the tough issues that will lower the cost of living, help families get ahead, and build a brighter future for all who call Michigan home.

As always, I welcome your feedback on current issues facing Michigan or the Greater Rochester Area, Troy, Sterling Heights, and Utica communities. Constituent feedback is vital as I represent our communities in Lansing. If you are experiencing a problem with one of our state government agencies, my office is always available to assist with finding a solution. I respect your opinion and will always do my best to make myself available and accessible to you.

Please take a moment to visit my website, like my official Facebook page, send me an email or call my office at 517-373-0994. If you have any questions, concerns or opinions on what is happening, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Michael Webber
State Senator
9th District

I recently joined Senate Republicans in calling on the Democratic legislative majority to take immediate action to save an estimated 50,000 jobs now at risk following a recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling affecting the state’s tipped workers.

In July, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled to force changes to the state’s minimum wage laws and eliminate the tip credit system relied upon by thousands of hospitality industry employees. These changes are set to take effect in February 2025.

Similar policy enacted in Washington, D.C., in 2023 led to the loss of more than 3,000 jobs. The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association estimates that one in every five restaurants would close and between 40,000 and 60,000 jobs will be lost in Michigan if the law is not amended.

We are blessed with hundreds of outstanding restaurants in metro Detroit, and thanks to the tipped wage system, workers I talk to in those restaurants make much more than the hourly minimum wage. I stand with the majority of servers and hospitality workers who rely on Michigan’s tip credit system to make ends meet. We need to do our jobs as lawmakers so servers and hospitality workers can do their jobs.

In August, I helped celebrate the reopening of Oakland University’s South Foundation Hall following $40 million in improvements made possible by state funding that I helped secure while serving in the Michigan House of Representatives. I was proud to advance this important project when I served in the House, and I was glad to help celebrate its long-anticipated completion. Oakland University is an important part of our community, and this project has been a great example of true partnership between the university and the state of Michigan.

The $40 million South Foundation Hall improvement project was supported by $30 million in state funds and $10 million in university bonds. First built in 1959 as one of the university’s three original buildings, it has been closed since February 2021 while the major renovation and building project was completed. The project included renovations to the facility’s more than 55,000 original square feet and the building of a 25,000-square-foot addition. The addition will include 10 new classrooms, along with technology upgrades for existing classrooms and other improvements to make the facility’s infrastructure systems more reliable and energy efficient.

This project will allow the university to address the pressing need for more space in academic areas, including STEM, health professions, education, humanities and the arts, which continue to be high-demand industries for students.

State Rep. Mark Tisdel and I helped secure $2 million in the fiscal year 2025 state budget to help support building renovations at the Rochester Community House. This funding will enable the city of Rochester to make it more open, accessible, and available to more people in our community. In addition to helping enhance the long-term useability of this community asset, this smart investment will save the city money by avoiding the need for these improvements.

The Rochester Community House is located in Rochester Municipal Park and is a home for those seeking an outstanding destination where people come together for great experiences. As a nonprofit organization, the house has been home to hundreds of residents, dozens of charities, multiple classes, and thousands of private and public events.

The city of Rochester applied for a Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) grant in 2023 to renovate the building to make it ADA accessible and modernize it, but the request was denied. Rep. Tisdel and I had backed the city’s application with letters of support.

With the LEO grant application denied, Rep. Tisdel and I used the state budget process to advocate for this community project. The project will help ensure that the Community House remains a community asset for years to come. It will keep maintenance costs low and allow staff to expand programming and services.

The funding will allow the city, which owns the Rochester Community House, to replace the northern portion of the building with a much larger conference room and gathering space. The project will also add an improved lookout meeting room, a walk-out basement space with a second kitchen, and a new roof, decking, and siding.

Recently, I helped deliver 50 backpacks filled with school supplies to Rochester Community Schools Deputy Superintendent Dr. Neil Deluca. These supplies will help local students in need of back-to-school support as part of the AT&T Pioneers volunteer network. Having proper school supplies is paramount to receiving a quality education, and I am proud to have helped any students in need. Students who have the supplies they need are more confident, motivated, and ready to learn on a daily basis.

I attended the groundbreaking of the new cricket field at Boulan Park in Troy. The field, which will be only the seventh regulation-size cricket pitch in the country, is being financed by a $900,000 grant in the fiscal year 2024 state budget that I supported. As one of the only cricket fields in the country, this facility will be an asset for the city of Troy as cricket continues to grow.

Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world and is growing in popularity in the United States. There are dozens of cricket clubs across Southeast Michigan, including a youth club at Troy High School, and this field will give people a dedicated spot to play the game. Currently, they are forced to use baseball fields not suited for cricket. The facility will also feature four batting cages, allowing players to practice and hone their skills.

The field will be regulation size, making it possible for Troy to host regulated cricket events and tournaments. These events will bring cricket players and enthusiasts from across the country to Troy.

Cricket fans in Troy have been working toward the establishment of a dedicated field at the local level for years, and I am glad that the grant from the state has made this possible. It will ensure that cricket can continue to grow and that Troy continues to be a welcoming area for all.

No appointment is necessary to attend. Michigan’s 9th Senate District includes the cities of Rochester, Rochester Hills, Troy, and Utica, along with parts of Oakland Township, Shelby Township and Sterling Heights.