Dear Friends,

As we settle into a new legislative session, I am mindful of how decisions made in Lansing affect the people of the 36th District and our entire state. I believe the primary role of government is to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. One of our best tools to achieve this goal is through the priorities supported in the annual state budget. This year, I am thankful a new House majority is in place to help put a stop to the wasteful spending on corporate welfare and extreme ideological agendas that have been the hallmark of one-party rule over the past two years. Government spending must serve residents. That’s why I remain focused on fixing our aging infrastructure, investing in public safety and education, supporting small businesses, rebuilding our economy, and letting hardworking Michiganders keep more of what they’ve earned.

Below, you will find the latest issue of my e-newsletter with updates from your state Capitol. I hope you will find the news and information helpful. Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone you feel may be interested.


As always, my staff and I are available if you have any thoughts or concerns about state government. Please feel free to contact my office at [email protected] or 517-373-7946.

Sincerely,

Michele Hoitenga
State Senator
36th District

As one of its first actions of the 2025-26 legislative session, the Michigan House passed bipartisan legislation to save the state’s tip credit system and protect thousands of hospitality industry jobs.

The votes follow a Michigan Supreme Court ruling mandating changes to minimum wage laws and the elimination of the tipped credit system relied upon by hospitality employees. Without legislative action, these changes will take effect on Feb. 21 and have devastating impacts on small business owners and their employees.

House Bills 4001-4002 maintain the current 38% tip credit while moving toward a higher minimum wage year over year. They also introduce more flexibility for earned paid sick leave to better reflect the needs of Michigan workers.

The bills are in the Senate for consideration. The Senate should follow the House’s lead and move quickly to pass this legislation to save Michigan’s hospitality industry.

The advice and consent vetting process for gubernatorial appointees that is outlined by the Michigan Constitution plays a crucial role in government checks and balances. It allows for a transparent and bipartisan public hearing to ensure that the governor’s appointees have the qualifications, experience, motivations, and commitment that align with the positions being filled. Unfortunately, not a single Senate advice and consent hearing has been held for any Whitmer administration appointments over the last two years.

I have called on the Senate majority leader to hold hearings on the governor’s two most recent appointments to the National Resources Commission, Luna Entertainment President James LaPorte and former Congressman Dan Kildee.

Michigan’s abundance of natural resources is too valuable to forgo the public advice and consent process for the NRC. Out-of-state special interests and partisan political agendas have no place in the management of our state’s precious natural resources. The Legislature has a duty to ensure the transparency and accountability of these appointments.

The snow may be falling today, but the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is already planning ahead for summer. Managers for Michigan’s state parks, boating facilities, and outdoor spaces are looking to fill 1,300 summer jobs. Roles include greeting visitors, answering questions, registering campers, cleaning park buildings, mowing grass, maintaining trails, and more.

These short-term summer positions are perfect for those looking to start a career in natural resources, stay active in retirement or simply enjoy the outdoors during the summer. Many DNR employees started their careers as summer park workers and have since transitioned to fulfilling roles as rangers, park supervisors, accountant assistants and trail coordinators.

The first steps are to express interest, share your contact information and identify the Michigan state park where you would like to work. The hourly rate is $15.25, and schedules are flexible.

Michigan ranks second in the nation for the number of ski areas and resorts, offering everything from family-friendly learning areas and high-speed chairlifts to powdery slopes and the tallest vertical drop in the Midwest. There’s no better place to experience winter than in Michigan. Winter adventures can be found on more than 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, 3,000 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, and in more than 100 state parks and recreation areas.

I was happy to welcome students from Standish-Sterling Central Elementary School during their recent visit to the state Capitol.