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 help 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 the issues facing Michigan or the Greater Rochester Area, Troy, Sterling Heights, Utica and Shelby Township 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 my colleagues in the Michigan Senate to pass bipartisan legislation to amend the state’s Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) in response to a federal court order that will remove more than 30,000 names from the registry if the Legislature fails to update the law.

Senate Bill 424 would amend SORA to comply with the district court ruling and prevent tens of thousands of offenders from being removed from the registry. It was passed by the Senate on a 20-4 vote and has since been referred to the House Committee on Government Operations.

As legislators, we have a moral obligation to protect those we serve, especially the most vulnerable. For more than 30 years, the sex offender registry has played a critical role in keeping Michigan families safe. This bipartisan legislation would ensure we are following the law while also protecting public safety. I will always work with anyone to do what’s right to build up stronger families and stronger communities throughout our state.

Legislation that would require psychiatric facilities to provide all patients with a written copy of their rights, including their rights to end treatment, and to add disability and patient advocates to the state Recipient Rights Advisory Committee was voted unanimously out of the House Health Policy Committee earlier this month. House Bills 4218 and 4219 now await a floor vote before the full House of Representatives.

In the wake of numerous lawsuits and reports of violations of recipient rights in mental health facilities, I worked with my colleagues to introduce Senate Bills 142 and 143 and supported HBs 4218 and 4219, the House counterparts to the Senate legislation. These bills provide necessary oversight into the state’s mental health system and ensure that all patients are aware of their rights. Patients, guardians and parents all need to know what their rights are as they enter any facility.

After the House committee vote, I spoke with investigative reporter Heather Catallo of WXYZ about the importance of this legislation and my ongoing work investigating abuses and poor standards of care for kids at the state-run Hawthorn Center and the Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital.

I recently introduced Senate Resolution 63, urging Michigan’s congressional delegation and the U.S. government to firmly condemn all terrorism and acts of violence against civilians and calling on the governments of India and Pakistan to do the same as the two nations work toward a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in the long-disputed border region of Jammu and Kashmir. This resolution is about standing up against terrorism and those who seek to advance their radical agendas by killing innocent civilians.

On April 22, a group of militants attacked civilians near the tourist destination of Pahalgam in the Indian-administered portion of Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people, who were reportedly targeted because of their faith. The attack increased tensions between India and Pakistan and escalated to include the use of military force, resulting in dozens of additional civilian deaths. The two nations agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, but tensions remain high.

The resolution states, “The attack in Pahalgam has been condemned by the government of India, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community at large as an act of terror against a civilian population, and the government of Pakistan has stated that it condemns terrorism in all forms. Targeting civilians based on their religion violates international tenets of religious tolerance and freedom. It is vital that we condemn acts of violence against civilians.”

I recently attended the city of Troy’s 70th birthday celebration at Jeanne M. Stine Community Park. The event featured live music, food and family-friendly fun as residents celebrated their community.

I presented a state tribute along with state Rep. Sharon MacDonell to Troy Mayor Ethan Baker, recognizing the city’s anniversary of incorporation. The tribute states: “Let it be known, That on June 14th, the people who reside in the City of Troy will join with a number of visitors and friends in celebrating the founding of their city 70 years ago. These citizens will look back with pride upon the history of their community, which stands today as it has for 70 years – strengthened by family, unity, old-fashioned American values and hope for the future.”

As part of my role as co-chair of the Michigan Legislative Aerospace and Defense Caucus, I recently participated in an Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI) town hall in Sterling Heights. ODAI is a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) initiative to bolster the state’s defense and aerospace sectors.

The town hall included staff from ODAI and the MEDC, local defense leaders and representatives from Southeast Michigan companies active in the defense industry. There was a lively discussion on what the state needs to do to support the industry and continue growing as a nationwide leader in aerospace and defense.