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

Last month, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed its road funding plan, consisting of House Bills 4180-4187. The legislation would direct $3.1 billion in existing state dollars annually to road funding without raising any new taxes. The package has now been referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

The legislation calls for $2.2 billion from the Corporate Income Tax to be redirected to roads. This money is currently being used for a series of corporate incentives and legislative earmarks, as well as a projected $600 million surplus. The remaining $945 million would come from eliminating the sales tax on gasoline and replacing it with a revenue-neutral shift in the motor fuel tax. Currently, sales tax revenue from fuel sales does not go toward our roads. Under the plan, all money collected from the motor fuel tax will be directed to our roads.

The Senate Committee on Appropriations, which I am not a member of, heard testimony on the bills on April 16. Reps. Outman, Kunse and Frisbie presented the legislation and took questions from members. The committee adjourned without taking a vote on the package.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proposed an alternative $3 billion road funding plan that includes new and increased taxes. Her plan also directs every dollar collected at the pump to roads by eliminating the sales tax and replacing it with an equal motor fuel tax, projected to generate $1.2 billion. Another $1.6 billion would come from an unspecified increase in the corporate income tax and a new 50-cent tax on every delivery in the state. Finally, it includes $500 million in road funding from budget cuts. Unlike HBs 4180-4187, the governor’s proposal specifically earmarks $250 million for local buses and public transit projects.

While the House plan sits in the Democratic-controlled Senate, no Senate or House Democrat has introduced bills to reflect the governor’s proposal. Michiganders have consistently cited fixing our roads as a top priority, and I am dedicated to working with my colleagues to find a solution. Passing a long-term road funding plan is paramount for the future of our state.

On April 22, the Michigan Senate passed my resolution declaring April as Autism Awareness Month throughout the state. Senate Resolution 32 states, “We acknowledge and support individuals with autism and their families, and affirm our commitment to promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals with autism in all aspects of community life.”

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects millions of people in many unique ways. While its effects are deeply personal for some of us, autism touches many of us and knows no political or social boundaries. I have been honored to work with my fellow legislators on both sides of the aisle on policies to better support individuals with autism and their families. Autism Awareness Month serves as an important reminder to both celebrate the accomplishments of those living with autism and recognize the important work we have before us to continue supporting their success.

An estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 44 adults have autism, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Autism 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.

Along with Sen. Sam Singh, I introduced Senate Bills 103 and 104 to help limit misdiagnoses and provide more accurate care for individuals living with ASD. They would allow any master’s level mental health professional employed by a benevolent organization to diagnose ASD, provided they have at least three years of ongoing professional development experience and are supervised by a non-limited licensed psychologist. Currently, no licensed psychological supervision is required.

This legislation will 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 are leading to more people being misdiagnosed, which can then result in limited access to care or the wrong care plan altogether. These bills help ensure the right care plans are accessible to the right individuals.

I recently joined with state Rep. Mark Tisdel and Rochester Mayor Nancy Salvia to present a legislative tribute recognizing the contributions to our community by Home Bakery.

Home Bakery has been operating in downtown Rochester for more than 95 years and has been owned by Heather Tocco for the past 11 years. She took over at a critical time in its history and has led it through many hardships, elevating it to the caring, creative, and committed bakery we know it as today. As Home Bakery continues to flourish, it continues to give back to the community and bring people together by contributing to nonprofits and other local benevolent organizations. It was a pleasure to recognize Heather and her team for their hard work.

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled in People v. Taylor and People v. Czarnecki that sentencing 19- and 20-year-olds convicted of murder to mandatory life without parole violates the state constitution. Importantly, the court found that the ruling “applies retroactively to all relevant criminal cases on collateral review,” requiring that all applicable defendants be resentenced. The court’s 5-2 ruling requires that all 582 cases be adjudicated within the next 180 days.

Numerous local prosecutors have expressed concern about the prescribed 180-day window, as many of the cases are decades old. It is an immense burden on their offices to find and organize the applicable paperwork from when the hearings were originally held. Additionally, victim advocates are concerned about additional traumatization of victims’ loved ones.

Rep. Ann Bollin, chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, has introduced legislation to increase funding for local prosecutors to ease the burden the ruling puts on their already-strained budgets.

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.