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

Earlier this month, I voted to support passage of the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget.

Like families all over Michigan, state government must live within its means to be successful. I am happy to support a budget that rolls back spending for the first time in years; helps workers by eliminating taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security; and makes needed investments in our roads by finally putting every penny paid in taxes at the pump back into fixing this vital infrastructure. At the same time, we were able to empower schools with record funding and restore dangerous cuts that were previously made to school safety and mental health support for public and private schools.

I serve as the co-chair of the bipartisan Michigan Aerospace and Defense Caucus, and this budget contains many investments that will support our defense industry, including:

I also successfully secured funding for key investments in our local communities, including:

Beginning Jan. 1, Michigan’s sales tax on motor fuel will be eliminated and replaced with a state gas tax. This revenue neutral shift will ensure that every penny drivers pay at the pump goes directly toward transportation funding — an estimated $1.05 billion boost in the first full year.

The roads funding plan also introduces a new 24% wholesale tax on marijuana, expected to generate around $420 million each year for transportation projects.

The bipartisan roads funding plan will generate more than $1.8 billion a year for roads between the dedicated gas tax, increased marijuana tax and budget cuts.

Most of the new funding will go toward local roads. Here’s the breakdown in new road spending for fiscal year 2026, according to the Senate and House fiscal agencies:

The plan also includes dedicated funds to tackle the state’s bridge repair backlog, with $100 million annually added to the Local Bridge Program.

The Michigan Senate adopted my Senate Resolution 80 to recognize the historic, cultural and religious significance of the annual festival of Diwali.

Diwali is a special time celebrated by many of our neighbors throughout Metro Detroit and across Michigan. It brings me joy to recognize this wonderful festival in the Senate. Diwali reminds us of an important theme that is shared by many of our faith traditions — light triumphs over darkness and good conquers evil. Hope is universal.

I was joined by more than 200 members of Metro Detroit’s Indian Community who visited the Michigan Capitol for the special recognition and for a celebratory luncheon. SR 80 was adopted unanimously by a voice vote.

I have also introduced Senate Bill 17 to designate Diwali as a state holiday in Michigan. It remains before the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs for consideration.

A shortened version of a Sanskrit word meaning “row of lamps,” Diwali is often translated into English as “festival of lights.” It is a time marked by qualities of togetherness, family, community, charitable giving and selfless service. It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists — totaling more than 1 billion people around the world.

“Michigan remains resolute in its commitment to fostering diversity of experience and religious acceptance,” SR 80 states. “We recognize the Diwali message of tolerance, compassion, and acceptance of others, which resonates with the ideals of the American spirit.”

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) published an independent investigation finding that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has failed to sufficiently protect the rights of mental health care patients in the care of the state.

The more we learn about Michigan’s inpatient psychiatric care, the worse it gets. The state auditor confirmed what patients and parents have been telling me repeatedly since I requested this audit in July 2023. It is very clear that the Office of Recipient Rights (ORR), under MDHHS leadership, is failing to protect our most vulnerable seeking mental health care.

The OAG’s report found:

I requested the audit after hearing tragic accounts from past patients and families with loved ones in the care of the former Hawthorn Center. I have also introduced and co-sponsored Senate Bills 142 and 143 to strengthen patient rights and oversight at state psychiatric hospitals and pushed for legislative hearings.

In October 2024, MDHHS agreed to pay a $13 million settlement to a dozen patients and employees traumatized during a poorly executed active shooter drill at the former Hawthorn Center in December 2022. In February 2024, a mother filed a $100 million lawsuit over the beating of her 10-year-old child while he was a patient at Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital.

The audit sheds light on why recipient rights complaints were going unanswered and that the department failed to properly investigate claims of abuse, neglect or even death in a timely manner. In nearly half of the cases reviewed, video cameras that could have provided the truth were not functioning. There is an immediate need for stronger oversight and accountability from the Legislature for those at MDHHS who are charged with protecting our most vulnerable patients seeking psychiatric care.

Click here or on the image below to see the full news coverage.

Recently, I testified in the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety on Senate Bills 520-524. These bills would strengthen Michigan’s anti-human trafficking laws and allow law enforcement and prosecutors to more effectively target those who partake in this heinous crime. In particular, I introduced SB 524, which would raise the age of adulthood for human trafficking victims from 16 to 18, eliminating a loophole that allows those who target children to get off with a lesser punishment.

Human trafficking is the second-largest criminal enterprise in Michigan after drugs. It is a heinous crime that victimizes men, women, and children of all ages. Assistant Attorney General Melissa Palepu, a specialist in human trafficking and child abuse, testified during the hearing that Michigan has received an F grade for its response to human trafficking from Shared Hope, a nationally recognized nonprofit that works to fight trafficking. As a Legislature, we have a responsibility to better protect victims of human trafficking and equip law enforcement to properly punish its perpetrators. I will continue to work with my colleagues so that this package is signed into law.

I will host an office hour from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 in Room 403 of the Troy Community Center. No registration is required to attend.