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

The Michigan House has passed an initial state budget that reins in wasteful spending and makes historic investments for Michigan families. For the past several years, state departments have been receiving money each year for new positions they never fill. That money sits unused and becomes a revolving fund for departmental directors. The House budget plan cuts 4,300 phantom state jobs, freeing up $560 million in the budgeting process.

Now that the Democratic-controlled Senate and Republican-controlled House have passed initial state budgets, both chambers must come together to create one bipartisan budget that educates our students, funds our roads, supports our law enforcement, cuts government waste and provides the services Michigan residents rely on.

As the school year starts without a state budget, I know and hear the concerns in the district about the need to get this done soon. There was a path earlier this summer to at least get a school budget done by July 1. However, the Senate Democratic majority failed to join the House and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in presenting a long-term roads funding plan. The Legislature and governor head into budget negotiations now to get the budget done before the Oct. 1 budget deadline.

I led the Michigan Aerospace and Defense Caucus on a tour of the Pratt Miller headquarters in New Hudson. The cutting-edge innovations of Pratt Miller contribute to Michigan’s proud history of manufacturing experience and leadership in the field of defense technologies. Michigan’s vital role as the Arsenal of Democracy helps to fuel our state’s economy and protect our great nation.

Pratt Miller partners with the U.S. Department of Defense and leading manufacturers in a shared mission to keep the U.S., its soldiers and its allies safe using groundbreaking technologies and focused intelligence in robotics, platform development, advanced concepts and technology integration.

I also joined the Aerospace and Defense Caucus for a visit to Northern Strike at Camp Grayling. Northern Strike is one of the National Guard Bureau’s largest sponsored, joint-accredited exercises. Over 7,500 participants from 36 states and nine international partners train at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC), based at Camp Grayling.

Northern Strike is the nation’s premier reserve component training event designed to build readiness with joint and partner forces in all domains of warfare. The Michigan National Guard has hosted the event since 2012, and it has grown into one of the military’s largest annual international training exercises. This year, training focused on combined joint arms and live fire, cyberspace, contested sustainment and logistics, and defense against unmanned aerial systems. The NADWC is a unique asset for Michigan, allowing soldiers to train across all domains of warfare they may face. The exercise also brings $38 million in economic impact to Michigan.

As part of the caucus’ visit, we spoke to military and defense industry leaders about how the Legislature can continue to support Northern Strike and maintain and grow Michigan’s status as a leader in defense.

I was happy to join the Metro Detroit Indian American community in celebrating India Day earlier this month. India Day is celebrated annually on Aug. 15 to commemorate the nation’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1947.

I presented a tribute to the India League of America Michigan to recognize India Day and the contributions of Indian Americans to our community. The India Day festivities bring together Michigan Indian community organizations, Michigan local businesses, vendors from across the country and the people of the state of Michigan. By promoting and exposing Indian traditions and cultures to the people of Michigan, the ILA has helped foster a better understanding between the United States and India and has been actively involved in bringing the Michigan Indian American community together.

I joined local officials and Michigan Medicine for the groundbreaking of the Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg Troy Center for Specialty Care. The $250 million facility is being built on the site of the former Kmart headquarters on Big Beaver Road, across from Somerset Mall. The facility will be Michigan Medicine’s first of its kind in Oakland County.

Expected to open in 2027, the facility will host advanced cancer care, sports medicine, diagnostic and therapeutic services, and more. Michigan Medicine provides health care to hundreds of thousands of Oakland County residents. This facility will bring care closer and increase convenience for patients. I am glad to see Michigan Medicine, one of the state’s largest health care providers, invest in the Troy community.

The facility will anchor a planned mixed-use development on the Kmart site. It is expected to include housing, a hotel, retail and office space.

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.