Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Last month, I joined House Republican Leader Matt Hall and officials from other states at our nation’s southern border in Eagle Pass, Texas. We met with Texas officials and witnessed illegal aliens attempting to cross the border away from ports of entry. The work in Eagle Pass is part of Texas’ Operation Lone Star, which Gov. Greg Abbott launched in 2021 to fill the void in border security created by the Biden administration’s failures and crack down on illegal drugs that are trafficked across the border. Operation Lone Star builds fencing and other physical barriers to reduce illegal crossings, performs border surveillance, and conducts search and rescue along the border. The operation has seized more than 57,000 pounds of meth, 10,000 firearms, and 473 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

We’ve all heard about the Biden border crisis; it’s even more shocking to witness the chaos unfold before your own eyes. Deadly fentanyl trafficking is killing thousands, and criminals taking advantage of self-proclaimed sanctuary communities are harming our loved ones right here in our home state. Republicans have introduced plans to combat this crisis on both fronts here in Michigan, but the Democrat majority has refused to even hold hearings. When will they stop playing political theater to protect their party’s president and start protecting the people of Michigan? Gov. Whitmer should stop trying to dole out taxpayer dollars to reward illegal immigrants and start sending our National Guard troops to help stop the crisis on the frontlines.

The dangers of the border crisis reach far beyond southwest border communities. Multiple illegal aliens have been arrested for violent crimes in Michigan in recent months, including murder, soliciting sex with a minor, and sexual assault. As of 2023, Biden’s failed immigration enforcement has resulted in more than 1.7 million “gotaways” — illegal crossers who were not apprehended — at the southwest border.

Should you have any questions or concerns about the Legislature or state government, please do not hesitate to contact my office by calling 517-373-0793 or by going to SenatorAricNesbitt.com. You can also stay up to date with what I am doing in Lansing by following me on Facebook, or on X (formerly Twitter). I look forward to listening and learning about your priorities and concerns for our state.

Blessings,

Aric Nesbitt
State Senator
District 20

In recent months, thousands of parents across Michigan have been contacting their legislators regarding proposed changes to education policies that present some concerns about the rights of parents in choosing education options for their children. Sen. Nesbitt has always been very supportive of school choice and believes that parents should be able to decide how to best educate their children. Every child is different and may be more apt to excel in certain learning environments, whether in a public, private, charter, or home school.

When considering how to appropriate education funding or create policies that affect our schools, the number one priority must be the well-being of children. While there are certainly union interests out there that would prefer one-size-fits-all public education approaches, we know that this is not the best for all students, and Sen. Nesbitt will continue fighting for parents' right to choose how they educate their children without big government getting in the way. Our children must always come first before the priorities of unions and special interest groups.

Our children are our future. This is a fact that we must never lose sight of. Their success and their well-being are directly related to a quality education. Whether parents choose to educate their children in a home, private, charter, or public school; we must continue to work toward ensuring our children receive the best education possible and protect parents’ right to do what is best for their child.

On April 25, Sen. Nesbitt sent a letter to University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono urging the school’s leader and Board of Regents to defend student safety after the state-funded research institution became another site of hateful antisemitic demonstrations sweeping the nation.

The free and open exchange of ideas is the cornerstone of our free nation and its university system, but a line has been crossed when members of the Jewish community are forced to fear for their safety on campus simply because they are Jewish. Freedom of speech is not freedom to threaten lives and put the safety of others in danger. This vile hatred should be condemned by everyone in the strongest possible terms.

An anti-Israel encampment like those seen on other campuses across the nation seized upon UM’s campus as tensions continue to grow since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on Israel. Radical “from the river to the sea” rhetoric and demands for a third “Intifada” and “death to America” are being led by professors and student leaders — these are open calls for violence against Jewish people.

Hopefully, President Ono and the Regents will take action to address unsafe conditions on their campus immediately. Not only is it imperative that they keep the university safe for all students of all backgrounds, free of threats of violence toward their mere existence, but they must also be ready to demonstrate that our universities are able to maintain some sense of civility as we debate these important issues of our time.

Sen. Nesbitt recently joined state Rep. Pauline Wendzel in bringing attention to the Whitmer administration’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for its overburdensome bureaucracy and unacceptable failure to process timely permits for Michigan’s farmers and food processors.

In one case, unelected EGLE bureaucrats have stalled for more than a year, refusing to issue required permits or answer for their ongoing negligence. This inaction is hurtful to growers and consumers. Local blueberry farmers and the people of Michigan deserve answers for what seems to be this department’s intent to harm livelihoods and drive up the cost of Michigan produce. Sen. Nesbitt and Rep. Wendzel’s offices have been in contact with EGLE on behalf of several Southwest Michigan farmers and have only seen EGLE contradicting themselves and providing no straight answers on what is delaying — or why they’re refusing — permitting small family farms to grow our food.

In addition to the Whitmer administration’s efforts to sideline local farmers, Lansing Democrats have introduced Senate Bill 663 and House Bill 5205 to relinquish the Legislature’s authority and responsibility over rulemaking for farming and food processing. These extreme measures would only further exacerbate delays and permit denials for family farmers and food processors and drive up the already too-high cost of produce and other groceries.

Our governor has made a habit out of advocating for an agenda that picks winners and losers and has even doubled down on bowing to special interests and favored corporations since her party gained control of the Legislature. While these short-sighted strategies might work for someone’s personal political ambitions, they are harmful to the prosperity of family farmers, small business owners, everyday hardworking Michiganders, and the future success of our state.

Sen. Nesbitt joined Operation Lone Star law enforcement officers at our nation’s southern border in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Children Trust Michigan invited Sen. Nesbitt to speak and recognize advocates and parents during Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day events at the Capitol.

Sen. Nesbitt and his wife, Trisha, joined friends and family at the annual St. Mary’s School fundraiser dinner and auction hosted in Lawton.