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

It was reported on Feb. 15 that a mother has filed a $100 million lawsuit over the beating of her 10-year-old child while he was a resident at Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital. Her attorneys have said they have video evidence of five staff members encouraging a 15-year-old resident as she harmed the younger patient.

Young patients at the Hawthorn Center, the only state-run psychiatric hospital for minors, were transferred to Walter Reuther, an adult facility, in June 2023 while the Hawthorn Center is being rebuilt.

The Legislature has a duty to ensure state resources are being spent to help children who need MDHHS services instead of on legal fees and court settlements. More importantly, parents should not have to worry about the basic well-being of their children while in the state’s care. I hope my fellow lawmakers will work with me in getting to the bottom of these tragedies and righting what is wrong inside this vital state agency.

I visited Walter Reuther earlier this month. My visit came just days after a $13 million legal settlement was announced as part of the fallout from a questionably executed unannounced active shooter drill that took place at the Hawthorn Center in late 2022.

I continue to have concerns over children being housed among adults and the ongoing transition into Reuther. We owe it to these children and their families to address the real concerns they are experiencing and provide a safe and loving environment for patients.

I first asked Senate committee chairs to open reviews into the Hawthorn Center in June of 2023 and then petitioned the Office of Auditor General (OAG) to open an investigation after hearing patient and family testimonies during a listening session he hosted in Rochester Hills.

The OAG will begin its investigation into how the Office of Recipients Rights (ORR) handles allegations at state-run psychiatric hospitals in April.

Click here or on the image below to see my interview with Local 4 Reporter Karen Drew regarding the need for Legislative hearings with MDHHS about growing concerns at these vital facilities.

I introduced Senate Bill 726 to increase penalties for the creation, production and distribution of fentanyl and other classified substances as part of a larger plan by Senate Republicans focused on protecting Michiganders from national border security issues.

Failed federal policies have resulted in the exponential flood of fentanyl into our local communities and the results have been tragic. I believe the Legislature has a duty to work toward bipartisan commonsense solutions to help save lives.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, illicit fentanyl is primarily smuggled into the United States and seven out of every 10 pills seized contain a lethal dose of the drug. It is mixed with other drugs to increase potency and is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine, making just two milligrams of fentanyl fatal. The Centers for Disease Control Prevention reports that synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States.

Just three weeks after six kilograms of fentanyl were seized near Paw Paw in 2023, the DEA captured 20 kilograms of fentanyl in Oakland County, marking the state’s largest fentanyl bust to date — enough to kill approximately 10 million people. Although these busts highlight extreme cases, fentanyl is flooding into countless communities across the state as upwards of 3,000 Michiganders die each year due to drug overdose.

Fentanyl is invading our neighborhoods and killing our loved ones. Increasing penalties against those who dare to smuggle this deadly poison into Michigan is just one tool the Legislature has to help safeguard our communities. We must do more in the fight to protect the people of this state.

Gov. Whitmer’s 2025 budget proposal is unsustainable and is further proof that Lansing Democrats are out of touch with the reality facing Michigan residents.

The Michigan Constitution requires that each new budget cycle begin with a proposal from the governor to the Legislature with his or her spending plan for the next fiscal year. The plan Gov. Whitmer recently presented to the Legislature relies upon Lansing Democrats’ $700 million income tax increase, redirects $670 million from the state’s teacher retirement plan to pay for more government spending and includes no real plan for long-term infrastructure investments.

At the beginning of 2023, Michigan had a record $9 billion surplus. One year later, the surplus is gone. Michigan families deserve a government that effectively spends their tax dollars on roads, students, and public safety. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to support a bipartisan budget that is sustainable into the future, that budgets for our priorities and doesn’t raid pension plans to balance the books.

As co-chair of the Michigan Aerospace and Defense Caucus, I visited ThinkDigits, an artificial intelligence solutions provider based in Oakland County.

ThinkDigits specializes in implementing AI and machine learning technology-driven intelligent apps for manufacturing, energy, and utilities. Learning about this technology and how it can be used for growing Michigan’s $7.6 billion direct defense industry investments is critical to our economy.

I continue to work on expanding the aerospace and defense industry to bring good-paying jobs and economic development to Michigan. I have co-sponsored a resolution to urge the U.S. Air Force to bring an advanced generation fighter mission like the F-23 training center to Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

I am proud and honored to represent diverse communities in the Michigan Senate. I attended India Fest, a festival to celebrate India’s Republic Day. This event was filled with culture, shopping, and cuisine from India, featuring over 100 enthusiastic participants. This was a great event and appreciate the generosity of the Indian American community.

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.