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

The Michigan Senate recorded 365 roll call votes in 2025, and I was present for each of them.

The residents of the 9th Senate District entrusted me to be their voice in Lansing, and they expect me to be at work, doing my job. Voting on proposed legislation is one of the most significant duties we have as lawmakers. I take this responsibility seriously.

I was one of 11 senators with perfect voting records in 2025, according to information compiled by the Capitol news outlet MIRS, and I have maintained a perfect voting record since being elected to the Senate in 2022. Jan. 14 marked the start of a new legislative session and a new year of voting, and I look forward to another year working on your behalf.

Nothing gets done if you do not show up to work. I’ve always considered it an honor and a privilege to serve in our state’s Capitol, and the residents of my district and of this state deserve nothing less.

In early December, the House Committee on Appropriations invoked a rarely used law to cancel $645 million of previously approved state spending. These line items had been negotiated and approved in previous state budgets and support a variety of state and local projects and initiatives.

Included in the cuts was funding appropriated to the Troy Historic Village, the Rochester Community House and the Chaldean Community Foundation, as well as to state programs that support residents of the 9th Senate District.

I immediately began working with my Senate colleagues on how to restore funding for these projects. I voted YES on House Bill 4576, which would restore all of the funding that has been put at risk. It was passed by the Senate with bipartisan support. I have continued to advocate for its passage with my colleagues in the House.

The attorney general recently released an opinion that the statute used by the House Committee on Appropriations is unconstitutional, which is binding on state departments and briefly restored access to the funding. The House filed a lawsuit in response and has since been granted a preliminary injunction against the attorney general’s opinion, which prevents the state from releasing work project money while the suit continues. The proceedings have revealed that up to 70% of the $645 million had already been encumbered before the end of the fiscal year in September.

As legislators, we must work together to create effective statewide fiscal policy. Although I may disagree with some of the spending items authorized in previous budgets, enacting unilateral cuts undermines trust in the legislative process.

The Senate passed House Bill 4141, introduced by Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, along with a Senate companion bill, which would require local school boards to enact a policy prohibiting students from using cellphones at school during instructional time beginning in the 2026-27 school year. I voted YES on both bills when they were before the Senate.

I have heard from many teachers and parents in our community about the negative effect cellphones have on the learning environment in our schools. Several studies have shown that off-topic cellphone use in schools hurts academic performance and that children have a better state of mind when they do not have their phones with them. Michigan’s reading and math scores rank in the bottom 10 nationwide, and this is a major step to help ensure students can learn effectively.

During my discussions with residents, parents routinely expressed concern that they would not be able to reach their child during an emergency due to a cellphone ban. Exceptions for use during emergencies, for use as an educational device, or for special education programming and medically necessary devices are included in the bill. Additionally, basic telephones capable primarily of voice calling and that do not support third-party apps are allowed. I would not want to prevent technology from being used constructively, nor prevent parents from being able to communicate with their child in a worst-case situation.

HB 4141 and SB 495 received significant bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House of Representatives and now await the governor’s signature to become law.

I was recently recognized as one of the 2025 State Legislative Champion awardees by Mental Health America. I have been a longstanding advocate for policies that strengthen Michigan’s mental health care system, expand prevention and treatment resources, reduce barriers to care, and improve the lives of people living with behavioral health and substance use conditions.

It is incredibly humbling to receive this award. Mental health care is health care. It is important that we treat it as such and continue working to improve transparency and care for patients across the state.

Honorees were recognized in early December during Mental Health America’s Regional Policy Council meeting in Chicago. I was formally presented the award by Marianne Huff, president and CEO of the Mental Health Association in Michigan.

I will be holding office hours on Feb. 9 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Sterling Heights Community Center, located at 40250 Dodge Park Road, in the conference room.

No registration is required to attend.