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, Shelby Township 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 Democratic-controlled Senate passed an initial state budget that grows government while ignoring the issues that matter most to Michigan residents. Their budget takes money from the “Rainy Day” fund and fails to cut necessary spending to keep our state budget on a financially sound foundation.

The Senate-approved plan is the first step in the process. Both the House and the Senate must approve a full plan before it is sent to the governor for her signature.

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) will meet on May 15 to determine the state’s revenue for fiscal year 2027. The state Treasury Department and both House and Senate fiscal agencies will meet at the Capitol to give lawmakers a clearer budget forecast as the budget process continues.

In a divided government, we must work in a collaborative bipartisan fashion to complete a budget that funds our immediate priorities. Our work is far from complete with our fiscal year beginning on Oct. 1.

I introduced legislation to establish a task force to ensure healthcare is affordable in Michigan by studying the impact of proposed state health insurance mandates that exceed the federal Affordable Care Act’s essential health benefits.

Any time the state debates extra healthcare requirements beyond the federal scope, we have a duty to balance those discussions with an eye on the overall costs, so that those who need care can afford it. Health insurance providers face continuous pressure to reduce healthcare premiums. More consideration of the impacts of state mandates is necessary to ensure health insurance is affordable for Michigan families.

Senate Bill 910 would create the Insurance Coverage and Affordability Task Force within the Legislative Council to review:

Health insurance premiums are a direct reflection of the costs of providers, facilities, and drugs. The Insurance Coverage and Affordability Task Force would provide invaluable oversight to reduce unnecessary costs to individuals and employers, resulting in cost savings in Michigan’s healthcare marketplace. The task force would also be responsible for evaluating existing health insurance mandates.

The review board would include the directors of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the Department of Health and Human Services, along with one sitting legislator appointed by each quadrant leader in the House and Senate and industry representatives appointed by the Legislative Council.

The Senate has adopted my resolution, Senate Resolution 106, to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month throughout the state. This month is about taking time to celebrate these wonderful individuals and affirm our commitment to support their care and success as we also recognize the important work ahead on these issues and the incredible accomplishments we’ve experienced.

Although its effects are deeply personal for some of us, autism touches many of us and knows no political or social boundaries. My son was diagnosed with autism at three years old. The diagnosis came as a shock to our family. It took time to understand what it really meant. Embracing autism meant learning everything we could about our son’s needs. It meant finding the right services and therapies to help him and connecting with families further along the same path.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors that can range from mild to severe and may require a wide variety of support services. An estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 44 adults have autism, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

I have also introduced Senate Bills 103 and 104 with Sen. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, to help limit misdiagnoses and provide more accurate care for individuals living with autism.

This bipartisan legislation would bring Michigan up to par with other states in providing the most modern diagnostic and care standards as we continue to grow in our understanding of autism. Current outdated policies lead to more people being misdiagnosed, which can result in limited access to care or the wrong care plan altogether.

Earlier this month, I voted for House Bill 4303, which would designate May of each year as “Chaldean American Month” to recognize the impact Chaldean, Assyrian and Syriac Americans have made in Michigan.

Macomb and Oakland counties are home to the largest Chaldean Community in the country — one that has been actively engaged in growing our state’s cultural and economic landscape for years. By recognizing May as Chaldean American Month, we can pay tribute to the significant contributions Chaldean Americans have made in our state, celebrate their legacy and express our gratitude for their efforts to improve our lives and strengthen our neighborhoods.

According to the Chaldean Community Foundation, there are an estimated 500,000 Chaldeans living in the United States and 187,000 Chaldeans residing in Southeast Michigan, primarily in Macomb and Oakland counties. Nearly 60% of Chaldean households own at least one business, collectively contributing approximately $18 billion to Michigan’s economy.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Tom Kuhn, R-Troy, was passed with near-unanimous support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate with immediate effect and was signed into law by the governor. May 2026 will be the first Chaldean American Month in Michigan.

I met with Auditor General Doug Ringler and staff from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), who conducted an independent audit last year into how the Office of Recipient Rights handles patient complaints at state-run psychiatric hospitals. I requested the audit after hearing from patients and parents about the numerous issues with patient care and safety at the facilities.

I spoke with OAG staff at the Capitol during the office’s annual all-staff retreat about their critical role in oversight of state government. The department plays a critical role in assisting lawmakers with their oversight responsibilities.

I will be holding office hours on Monday, May 18, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Sterling Heights Community Center, 40250 Dodge Park Road, in the Conference Room. No reservation is required to attend.