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This past year has been another challenging year. We continued to battle COVID-19, grappled with the lingering questions that emerged after the 2020 election and worked to get our economy back on track after months of lockdowns and uncertainty. My Senate colleagues and I have worked hard to push back against the governor’s mandates, pass a responsible spending plan and develop policies that helped students get back in the classroom. Despite our many challenges, we have had many successes.
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Approving a responsible spending plan
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Throughout the last two years, the federal government has provided Michigan with funds to help battle the effects of COVID-19. We have taken the task of appropriating those funds very seriously. It has been our objective to allocate these dollars to improve the overall health of our communities, our economy and the future of all Michigan residents.
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In support of healthy families and communities we:
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Responsibly appropriated federal funds to increase testing and vaccine distribution, deliver meals to seniors staying home during the pandemic, and provide emergency rental assistance for Michiganders out of work through no fault of their own; |
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Passed a budget that included a pay increase for direct care workers, so we could attract and retain hospital and nursing home staff; |
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Introduced bills to fix Michigan’s broken mental health system (SBs 597-598); and |
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Approved $14.5 million to help ensure residents have access to safe drinking water by removing PFAS. |
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In support of a healthy economy we:
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Passed the Make it in Michigan Plan to attract new jobs and investment (SBs 769, 771, HB 5603); |
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Provided property tax relief for struggling small businesses while protecting revenue for local governments (HB 5351, SB 85); |
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Approved a $500-per-child tax credit to assist Michigan families hit hard by the pandemic (SB 378); |
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Passed a balanced state budget that helps Michigan get back on track without raising taxes; |
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Deposited $500 million into the state’s Rainy Day Fund for emergencies; and |
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Approved a bill to keep MDOT from issuing billions of dollars’ worth of bonds at taxpayer expense (SB 379). |
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In support of a healthy future we:
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Approved record funding for K-12 schools so they could get kids back in the classroom; |
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Equalized funding among K-12 schools for the first time since the passage of Proposal A in 1994; and |
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Appropriated billions in federal funds to tackle learning loss, ensure classrooms are safe, and address student mental health concerns. |
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To restore balance in state government and ensure all Michiganders have a voice in the laws and policies of their state, we:
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Approved the citizen-initiated Unlock Michigan petition to ensure our current and future governors respect our coequal system of government; |
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Passed a budget that requires full transparency from any governor about decisions made during an emergency; |
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Approved legislation requiring a governor to properly notify the Legislature when leaving the state and executive authority has been transferred (SB 458); and |
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Passed bills ensuring parents are the ones making decisions about their children’s health (SBs 600, 601, 602, 603, 428, 457). |
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Election integrity: Restoring confidence in our elections process
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Every Michigan voter deserves the right to fair and secure elections. Unfortunately, after the 2020 election many Michigan voters lost faith in the process. This year, we have worked hard to improve integrity, transparency and public confidence in our democratic process.
We introduced a 39-bill package that will restore confidence in the fairness and security of our elections and that the results accurately reflect the will of the people. The bills will fix vulnerabilities in our election systems, including strengthening requirements to show ID when voting, enhancing election worker and challenger training, and improving ballot security (SBs 273-311).
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MI Safe Drive: Funding to Repair Michigan Bridges
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Earlier this year, we passed legislation aimed at fixing bridges most in need of repair. Senate Bill 529 would utilize $1.3 billion in one-time federal recovery funds to repair bridges across the state that are in serious or critical condition.
Of the nearly 12,000 bridges in Michigan, 7,038 are managed by local municipalities and over 400 are in critical need of repairs. The bill also includes over $195 million to cover local road agency revenue losses and $126 million in federal money to improve safety at several intersections between railways and roadways. SB 529 has been sent to the House for consideration.
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Protect MI Water: preserve and protect Michigan’s water quality, infrastructure and environment
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The $3.34 billion Protect MI Water plan preserves and protects Michigan’s water quality, infrastructure and environment (SB 565). The plan includes:
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$1 billion to replace lead pipes across the state; |
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$700 million to upgrade local drinking water and wastewater facilities; |
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$680 million for dam infrastructure, including $650 million for projects prioritizing dam risk reduction; |
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$100 million in grants to remove PFAS chemicals from “orphaned” sites; |
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$85 million to ensure students have access to safe water at school; and |
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$50 million to help with private well testing to ensure families know if their well water is safe and provide options if it is contaminated. |
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New winter guide available for free
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Winter is a great time to bundle up and escape to the Upper Peninsula's great outdoors. Michigan winters, particularly in the Upper Peninsula, offer a wide array of winter activities, from skiing and snowboarding to ice fishing and snowmobiling. This might be the year you try fat tire biking or dog sledding. Whatever your preference, there are endless outdoor recreation opportunities. New adventures await!
To download your free copy of my latest winter guide, which features important information and dates, please visit https://www.senatoredmcbroom.com/publications/ and click the winter guide link.
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Senate no-fault reform leads to MCCA refunds for Michigan drivers
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The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) has announced a plan to refund Michigan drivers $400 per vehicle early next year.
The refunds come as a direct result of landmark reforms passed by the Legislature in 2019 to reform Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system. As part of the 2019 reforms, the Legislature directed the MCCA to issue refunds to drivers every three years following an audit by the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS); the first refunds were previously expected to be issued following a 2022 audit.
The MCCA levies assessments each year to cover claims for those catastrophically injured in car accidents. The association’s surplus has grown from $2.4 billion at the end of 2020 to $5 billion by June 30.
The MCCA board voted on Nov. 3 in favor of issuing refund checks following an analysis that found about $3 billion of the surplus could be returned to policyholders. Refunds will be issued to every Michigan resident with an auto insurance policy in force as of 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31.
MCCA will turn over surplus funds to insurance companies by March 9, 2022, and the insurers will be responsible for issuing checks to eligible policyholders 60 days after the transfer of funds.
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Michigan's 38th Senate District
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The 38th State Senate District includes the counties of Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula.
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Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! I am honored to represent you in the state Senate. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in receiving the 38th District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website.
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Senator Ed McBroom
7200 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
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