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 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 thanked the Office of Auditor General (OAG) for announcing that an investigation by the Office of Recipients Rights (ORR) regarding how it handles allegations at the Hawthorn Center and other state-run psychiatric hospitals will be a part of its 2024 audit cycle.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) management of the Hawthorn Center has become a serious concern. The state auditor’s investigation will help shine light on areas where increased scrutiny and accountability are most needed. We have a duty to these young people and their loved ones to ensure that our state-run facilities are operating correctly and following all appropriate policies and laws.

In November, it was reported that a court settlement between MDHHS and parents and employees from the Hawthorn Center — Michigan’s only state-run psychiatric hospital for minors — was being worked out over a controversial emergency drill that took place in December 2022. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office had previously announced that it would not pursue criminal charges in connection to the unannounced active intruder drill. Families have said the incident created panic under the belief that it was a real attack on the hospital and that the state agency caused unnecessary and psychological trauma.

I made the formal request along with other lawmakers for an OAG investigation of Hawthorn in July following patient and family testimonies that were shared during a Protect MI Kids listening session hosted in Rochester Hills. I had previously called on Senate committee chairs to open hearings on the Hawthorn Center.

It is clear there are systemic problems throughout our state-run psychiatric hospitals, not just at Hawthorn, that require us to understand what is going wrong and be assured that state resources are being spent on helping our residents who need MDHHS services instead of legal fees and court settlements. More importantly, families should not have to worry about the basic well-being of their loved ones while in the state’s care.

The January Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) painted a bright economic picture for our state budget projections — including a more than $1.3 billion general fund surplus.

Despite Lansing Democrats’ last spending plan that blew through the state’s $9.2 billion budget surplus in record time, the state is expected to have a revenue surplus of over $1 billion once again. While the state’s coffers continue to bulge, many Michiganders continue to struggle against the rising costs of living. These revenue projections confirm the state has enough money to prevent the $700 million income tax hike the governor and her Democrat colleagues in the Capitol are determined to impose.

As the Legislature moves forward in the annual budget process, it is important that we focus our efforts on responsible spending policies, including needed investments in education, public safety, and transformational infrastructure, as well as putting money back in the pockets of taxpayers. No new government program can be as efficient as people just keeping money in their pocket and being able to decide how they want to spend it.

The revenue estimating conference is held at least twice a year, in January and May. The January CREC starts the annual budget process for the state of Michigan. As prescribed by the Management and Budget Act, the revenue forecast adopted in the January conference is the starting point for the governor's executive budget recommendation. The May conference then provides an update to the forecast prior to final budget passage by the Legislature.

I welcomed Troy Mayor Ethan Baker and his wife Bethany to the Capitol as my guests for the governor’s 2024 State of the State address on Jan. 24.

I was able to secure $10 million in the state’s 2024 fiscal year budget for two sections of sound walls to be built along I-75 in Troy, working with Mayor Baker and residents who raised concerns about increased noise pollution following upgrades to the interstate that were completed in 2015. I also introduced Senate Bill 643 to provide state residents with easier access to sound barrier funding through the Michigan Department of Transportation.

The Michigan Senate recently passed a memorial resolution recognizing the legacy of former Sen. Doug Cruce, R-Troy, who passed away last year.

Sen. Cruce was the bill sponsor and driving force behind Michigan’s then-controversial 1985 seat belt law. In true bipartisan fashion, that bill passed this chamber 25-9, with yes and no votes coming from both sides of the aisle.

“Not one senator,” Cruce told the media, could argue “that seat belts do not work” and “do not save lives.” Indeed, wearing seat belts has since become the universal standard of automotive laws and culture.

I was honored to speak in support of the memorial resolution and help celebrate the life of one of my predecessors representing the city of Troy in the Michigan Senate. Sen. Cruce’s impact on public safety and his contributions to the insurance industry are undeniable. He truly helped to enhance the quality of life for all Michiganders. Cruce served in the Legislature from 1981 to 1992 and was later president of the Michigan Insurance Federation.

Before the day’s Senate session, I was joined by his wife, Anne, their children, grandchildren and past professional colleagues of former Sen. Doug Cruce on the Senate floor.

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