Dear Friends,

I wanted to take this opportunity to share some updates from the Legislature as we continue to work hard on your behalf. You can read below about efforts to support Michigan families, seniors, and small businesses with tax relief, safe roads and bridges, and clean drinking water, as well as some great things happening for the people of the 26th District.

I encourage you to contact me with any state issue. You may call 517-373-0793 or email [email protected]. Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.

Working for you,

Aric Nesbitt
State Senator
26th District

On Feb. 15, the state Senate approved a historic $2.5 billion tax cut plan sponsored by Sen. Aric Nesbitt to reduce personal and business income tax rates, provide families with a $500 per child tax credit, and expand the tax exemption for seniors with retirement income.

Michigan is looking at a massive budget surplus and the governor’s proposed 2023 spending plan has many state departments and big spending politicians licking their chops for a piece of the pie. However, this budget surplus does not belong to the state’s treasury — it is not the governor’s money or the Legislature’s money; it’s the people’s money. And right now, all Michiganders need to be sending less of it to Lansing, so they have more of it to fill up their cars, heat their homes, and feed their families.

Senate Bill 768 would help Michigan families by reducing the state’s income tax back to 3.9% and creating a $500 tax credit for each child under the age of 19. The legislation also increases the tax exemption for all retirement income to $30,000 for individuals and $60,000 for couples.
To help Michigan businesses that survived the pandemic and shutdowns of our economy get back on their feet, SB 768 also lowers the state’s business income tax from 6% to 3.9%, which would make Michigan’s rate among the lowest in the Midwest.

The time has come to combat the historic economic challenges caused by unilateral statewide pandemic shutdowns, out-of-control spending in Washington and 40-year record inflation with historic tax relief.

Reducing these tax burdens will supercharge our economic bounce back, help families, and attract more job providers and economic growth to Michigan — leaving more resources for families and small businesses, expanding freedom, and encouraging hard work and investment, which are the cornerstones of a healthy economy.

SB 768 has been sent to the House for its consideration.

Legislation supported by Sen. Nesbitt that would leverage one-time federal funding to make generational infrastructure investments into Michigan’s roads and bridges, as well as protect drinking water and natural resources, is currently in the state House of Representatives after being passed by the Senate last year.

Senate Bill 529 would utilize $1.3 billion in one-time federal money to fund a statewide bridge repair initiative referred to as bundling, which allows the design and construction of multiple projects around the state to be contracted at the same time. 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. Click here to read more.

Senate Bill 565 would use $2.37 billion in federal funding, $680 million in state resources and $290 million in repurposed state bond funds to improve Michigan’s dam infrastructure, wastewater systems and groundwater protection, and provide clean drinking water. Click here to read more.

One-time funding from the federal government should never be used to grow state government — instead, it should be used to address critical issues that benefit every Michigander. These bills will continue to prioritize fixing Michigan’s neglected roads and bridges, and make historic investments in our drinking water infrastructure. This will benefit our state for generations to come without placing any additional tax burdens on hardworking Michigan residents.

SB 529 and SB 565 were passed in the Senate with bipartisan support in July and December, respectively.

Blue Star Mothers from across the state recently gathered at the Capitol to celebrate their founding and raise awareness of their mission. Prior to the event, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 105 to declare Feb. 1 as Blue Star Mother’s Day in Michigan.

Founded in Flint in 1942, the Blue Star Mothers have an inspirational history of supporting one another and their children serving in the armed forces, along with working to promote patriotism in their communities. They perpetuate the memory of the men and women who have served our country as members of the armed forces; welcome home returning veterans; visit wounded veterans in hospitals and rehabilitation centers; assist in veterans ceremonies; care for the unsupported mothers who gave their sons and daughters to the service of the nation; uphold the American institutions of freedom, justice, and equal rights and so much more.

Sen. Nesbitt was honored to visit with our Blue Star Mothers at the Capitol and to help recognize their many contributions to our state and nation over the past 80 years. They are an inspiring group of women and I am thankful for all they do.

Sen. Nesbitt was honored to recognize Bill Bomar’s retirement as director of public safety after 44 years of service to the residents of Plainwell earlier this month. He and State Rep. Mary Whiteford presented a special tribute from the state of Michigan to mark the occasion. We are grateful for Bill’s many years of service and wish him a happy retirement in the years to come!

Sen. Nesbitt enjoyed a morning coffee with a great group of folks in Paw Paw earlier this month. They had a lot of good questions about the new legislative districts in Michigan, lowering taxes and growing our economy, efforts to improve election integrity with common sense laws such as requiring a photo ID to vote, and more.

Sen. Nesbitt had the opportunity to present a special tribute to Charlie Moses from Lawrence, recognizing his more than 50 years of service to the township. Charlie spent decades serving his community as fire chief and cemetery sexton and it was an honor to celebrate his service.

Sen. Nesbitt recently presented a special tribute, along with state Rep. Whiteford, to Allegan-native Larry Massie, winner of the Michigan Author Award for 2021. Larry has authored 20 books on Michigan’s history and continues to share his passion for our state’s heritage.

Sen. Nesbitt recently participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for Allegan County Community Mental Health’s new facility, which will serve Allegan residents for many years to come.

Sen. Nesbitt presented the Decatur-Hamilton Fire Department’s Dale Avery with a special state of Michigan tribute for his 50 years of service and Jack Conklin for his retirement after 52 years of service during the department’s annual awards banquet.

Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the MSU Extension and AgBioResearch, will host Agricultural and Natural Resources Week (ANR Week) from March 6 to 12.

Founded in 1855 as the Michigan Agricultural College, MSU was the nation’s first agricultural college, spurring a national movement to make useful and advanced education available to a broad public and to serve all the people of the state — an idea that still prevails today.

ANR Week (formerly Farmers Week) continues to be one of the largest events of its kind in the nation. Foundations for the week were laid by the Farmers’ Institute more than a century ago. With more than 50 programs and annual association meetings, ANR Week has developed into a late-winter gathering of minds deeply concerned and involved in today’s world of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Learn more at canr.msu.edu/anrweek.

On March 3, 1875, Congress designated Mackinac Island as the Unites State’s second national park, just three years after Yellowstone was established. Decommissioned from its national stature in 1895, the colonial island between our two pleasant peninsulas went on to be Michigan’s first state park. Today, our state is home to two National Lakeshores — Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes — and Isle Royale National Park, as well as more than 100 amazing state parks. Be sure to take time away from home in 2022 to explore some of these wonderful places that are Pure Michigan.