State Representative
Betsy Coffia
Traverse City | 103rd House District
Serving 93,426 constituents in Acme Township, East Bay Township, Traverse City, Peninsula Township, Garfield Township, Long Lake Township, Almira Township, Platte Township, Empire Township, Glen Arbor Township, Cleveland Township, Kasson Township, Solon Township, Elmwood Township, Bingham Township, Centerville Township, Leland Township, Suttons Bay Township, Leelanau Township
[email protected]
(517) 373-3817
Office: S-1387 House Office Building
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Betsy Coffia
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Stay Connected with
Betsy Coffia
A friend recently gave me a watercolor set for my birthday and I got to spend time with them this evening, they quietly reading, me painting.
The simple beauty of friendship and the natural world unfurling around us every day stopped me in my tracks. Filled me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude in the very tumultuous time we are all living through.
I think we maybe sometimes forget how precious the simple things are. Care. Kindness. Beauty.
If I had to sum up my political beliefs, it would be this. We matter. Every single one of us matters. This beautiful planet we call home matters and is a gift we all share in trust, as is the presence of our fellow humans and ourselves. Just a blink, just a short while on this beautiful blue dot spinning through space.
We find our way when we remember that, and act as though each of us does in fact matter.
And I believe we will heal our communities, our country and yes our world, when we all live into that truth - that we MATTER, that our neighbors matter, that the stranger Matters. That we each have gifts to bring, that we each can learn from each other and teach too.
When we live that, imperfectly, but intentionally, and we expect it from our leaders and choose leaders who live it too, imperfectly because leaders are human too, but intentionally.
When we stop accepting scraps and start choosing humanity
Good night, northern Michigan neighbors. Tomorrow is another day to live into being human to ourselves and each other, imperfectly, but intentionally living into the best of what we can be. I’m right there with you. I believe in us. PS don’t forget to look up. 🧡
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Did you know that Michigan is one of only two states that doesn't allow you to FOIA the state legislature or the governor's office? FOIA, or the Freedom of Information Act, allows for more government transparency, but Michiganders can’t make the most of it.
Here in Michigan, we earned an “F” grade and rank near the bottom when it comes to government transparency, according to the Center for Public Integrity, and I am working to change that. My colleague, State Representative Erin Byrnes, and I have introduced House Bills 6299 and 6300 to bring more accountability and transparency to the Michigan Legislature and governor's office.
This isn't a new concept, nor is it a partisan concept. Last year, the Michigan Senate passed two bills, one introduced by a Democratic senator and the other by a Republican senator, to do the same thing Rep. Byrnes and I are trying to accomplish. Both bills received bipartisan support. So what stopped them from passing in the House? Republican Speaker Matt Hall.
Although Matt Hall touted his so-called "Hall Ethics, Accountability, and Transparency Plan" last year, he hasn't acted on expanding FOIA. You deserve better than lip service, which is why I won't stop fighting to get these bills passed in both chambers and onto the governor's desk. There is always more work to be done to make government more transparent, but it's worth fighting for.
12 CommentsComment on Facebook
FREE concert for kids Sept 27. Pass the word, mark your calendars! 🤩
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Governor Gretchen Whitmer you have a couple different homes. Would you want one of these next to your home? What about the home of your family or your close friends?
You and I both know that’s not what’s going on here. You and I both know how responsible you are for what is happening in Michigan with these AI data centers bullying their way into communities far far away from your front door. Why are you ok with this for your constituents but not yourself?
The people of Michigan keep asking me “Why is Whitmer helping Sam Altman and other creepy, billionaires force a data centers down our throats ?”
What should I tell them?
Be better. Ban data centers. Repeal the tax breaks. Halt the projects underway now because they’re hurting the communities they’re forcing themselves on.
Michigan is an irreplaceable gem, nothing like it on the PLANET and it is our home. Michigan isn’t for sale to the tech bros and anyone who goes along with it is betraying the Great Lakes and betraying the people of Michigan. That goes for whoever the next governor and attorney general is too. And the next House speaker, and the next Senate majority leader. The people of Michigan are paying very close
attention , and you swore/will swear an oath to serve and protect Michigan and its people, Not tech companies with deep pockets.
The flag of Michigan says Tuebor. That is Latin for I Defend.
Defending Michigan is the JOB.
Do your job or get the hell out and make way for people who will.
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
I was proud to vote for this in 2024. Now State Senator John Damoose and I are working with local folks to find local matching dollars to hopefully expand RxKids to northern Michigan. Please contact my office if your organization is interested in helping with a local match.
Families are hurting right now and having a baby is incredibly expensive. This is the right thing to do. Let’s do it.In 2024, Michigan launched Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional prenatal and infant cash program. Here's how it's helped so far.
→ Read the full story: www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/michigan-rx-kids-direct-cash-pregnancy/fbrss1
Follow us for more good news
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Do you ever stop to think what kids growing up in the United States of America in 2026 must think of the adults right now?
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
Imagine if we all extended this grace to each other. ♥️I want to tell you guys about one of my employees for a minute.
Her name is Eddy.
She’s young. She has a whole lot of facial piercings, tattoos, and scars that tell you pretty quickly that life hasn’t always been easy for her.
And if we’re being honest, she’s probably someone people make assumptions about before they ever actually get to know her.
But I’m really, really glad I gave myself the chance to know her.
Because Eddy has become one of my best employees.
She works HARD. She has an incredible can-do attitude. I can put her into a situation she’s never handled before and she rises to it. She takes initiative. She sees what needs to be done and does it, often without needing to be told. And she has some pretty natural leadership skills that are rare at her age.
But more importantly, she’s kind.
A couple weeks ago, I was having a particularly hard day. I was downstairs crying when she came to find me with a bakery question. The second she realized I was crying, the bakery question stopped mattering.
She just became a human being standing with another human being who was hurting. And she let me have a moment and then hugged me.
Today we were short staffed by THREE people. On a Saturday that’s a big deal. It stretched all of us pretty thin, and Eddy ended up filling a position she’d never been trained for before.
Not exactly the ideal day for training, but that’s where we were at today!
At one point I was doing three different things at once, and one of my messes was taking up the counter space she needed.
I looked at her and apologetically said, “I know this is my mess, but can you please clean it up for me so we can move into your next task?”
Without missing a beat, she said, “Your mess is my mess,” and cleaned it up.
Oh my heart. That sentence has been stuck in my head all day.
“Your mess is my mess.”
It was such a simple, grace-filled response.
No hesitation. No annoyance. No “that’s not my job.” No making sure everyone knew she was cleaning up something she didn’t create.
Just: We’re a team. You’re overwhelmed. I’ve got you.
I’m in my mid-30s and she’s a teenager, but today she set the bar for what good teamwork looks like.
And maybe for what being a good human looks like, too.
Sometimes people come wrapped in packaging that makes it really easy for the world to decide who they are before they ever get a chance to show us.
I’m really grateful I got the chance to know Eddy for who she actually is.
And Eddy, if you see this:
Your mess is my mess, too. ❤️
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Americans should get the same paid leave and healthcare as members of Congress and the President.
Right?
14 CommentsComment on Facebook
FOLLOW FOR MORE
Betsy Coffia IN THE NEWS
Coffia Joins State, Local Leaders in Opposing Reckless Cuts to Medicaid and Public Service
LANSING, Mich., June 12, 2025 — The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) sent a letter signed [...]
Coffia Celebrates Michigan’s Cherry Industry
State Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City), center left, welcomes 2024-25 National Cherry Queen Tessa Nico, center right, on May [...]
Coffia Supports Passage of Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Legislation
State Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) speaks in favor of House Bill 4392 on the House floor on Wednesday, [...]
A friend recently gave me a watercolor set for my birthday and I got to spend time with them this evening, they quietly reading, me painting.
The simple beauty of friendship and the natural world unfurling around us every day stopped me in my tracks. Filled me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude in the very tumultuous time we are all living through.
I think we maybe sometimes forget how precious the simple things are. Care. Kindness. Beauty.
If I had to sum up my political beliefs, it would be this. We matter. Every single one of us matters. This beautiful planet we call home matters and is a gift we all share in trust, as is the presence of our fellow humans and ourselves. Just a blink, just a short while on this beautiful blue dot spinning through space.
We find our way when we remember that, and act as though each of us does in fact matter.
And I believe we will heal our communities, our country and yes our world, when we all live into that truth - that we MATTER, that our neighbors matter, that the stranger Matters. That we each have gifts to bring, that we each can learn from each other and teach too.
When we live that, imperfectly, but intentionally, and we expect it from our leaders and choose leaders who live it too, imperfectly because leaders are human too, but intentionally.
When we stop accepting scraps and start choosing humanity
Good night, northern Michigan neighbors. Tomorrow is another day to live into being human to ourselves and each other, imperfectly, but intentionally living into the best of what we can be. I’m right there with you. I believe in us. PS don’t forget to look up. 🧡 ...
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Did you know that Michigan is one of only two states that doesn't allow you to FOIA the state legislature or the governor's office? FOIA, or the Freedom of Information Act, allows for more government transparency, but Michiganders can’t make the most of it.
Here in Michigan, we earned an “F” grade and rank near the bottom when it comes to government transparency, according to the Center for Public Integrity, and I am working to change that. My colleague, State Representative Erin Byrnes, and I have introduced House Bills 6299 and 6300 to bring more accountability and transparency to the Michigan Legislature and governor's office.
This isn't a new concept, nor is it a partisan concept. Last year, the Michigan Senate passed two bills, one introduced by a Democratic senator and the other by a Republican senator, to do the same thing Rep. Byrnes and I are trying to accomplish. Both bills received bipartisan support. So what stopped them from passing in the House? Republican Speaker Matt Hall.
Although Matt Hall touted his so-called "Hall Ethics, Accountability, and Transparency Plan" last year, he hasn't acted on expanding FOIA. You deserve better than lip service, which is why I won't stop fighting to get these bills passed in both chambers and onto the governor's desk. There is always more work to be done to make government more transparent, but it's worth fighting for. ...
12 CommentsComment on Facebook
FREE concert for kids Sept 27. Pass the word, mark your calendars! 🤩 ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
What are we doing?I don’t even know what to say anymore ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Governor Gretchen Whitmer you have a couple different homes. Would you want one of these next to your home? What about the home of your family or your close friends?
You and I both know that’s not what’s going on here. You and I both know how responsible you are for what is happening in Michigan with these AI data centers bullying their way into communities far far away from your front door. Why are you ok with this for your constituents but not yourself?
The people of Michigan keep asking me “Why is Whitmer helping Sam Altman and other creepy, billionaires force a data centers down our throats ?”
What should I tell them?
Be better. Ban data centers. Repeal the tax breaks. Halt the projects underway now because they’re hurting the communities they’re forcing themselves on.
Michigan is an irreplaceable gem, nothing like it on the PLANET and it is our home. Michigan isn’t for sale to the tech bros and anyone who goes along with it is betraying the Great Lakes and betraying the people of Michigan. That goes for whoever the next governor and attorney general is too. And the next House speaker, and the next Senate majority leader. The people of Michigan are paying very close
attention , and you swore/will swear an oath to serve and protect Michigan and its people, Not tech companies with deep pockets.
The flag of Michigan says Tuebor. That is Latin for I Defend.
Defending Michigan is the JOB.
Do your job or get the hell out and make way for people who will. ...
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
I was proud to vote for this in 2024. Now State Senator John Damoose and I are working with local folks to find local matching dollars to hopefully expand RxKids to northern Michigan. Please contact my office if your organization is interested in helping with a local match.
Families are hurting right now and having a baby is incredibly expensive. This is the right thing to do. Let’s do it.In 2024, Michigan launched Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional prenatal and infant cash program. Here's how it's helped so far.
→ Read the full story: www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/michigan-rx-kids-direct-cash-pregnancy/fbrss1
Follow us for more good news ...
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Do you ever stop to think what kids growing up in the United States of America in 2026 must think of the adults right now? ...
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
Imagine if we all extended this grace to each other. ♥️I want to tell you guys about one of my employees for a minute.
Her name is Eddy.
She’s young. She has a whole lot of facial piercings, tattoos, and scars that tell you pretty quickly that life hasn’t always been easy for her.
And if we’re being honest, she’s probably someone people make assumptions about before they ever actually get to know her.
But I’m really, really glad I gave myself the chance to know her.
Because Eddy has become one of my best employees.
She works HARD. She has an incredible can-do attitude. I can put her into a situation she’s never handled before and she rises to it. She takes initiative. She sees what needs to be done and does it, often without needing to be told. And she has some pretty natural leadership skills that are rare at her age.
But more importantly, she’s kind.
A couple weeks ago, I was having a particularly hard day. I was downstairs crying when she came to find me with a bakery question. The second she realized I was crying, the bakery question stopped mattering.
She just became a human being standing with another human being who was hurting. And she let me have a moment and then hugged me.
Today we were short staffed by THREE people. On a Saturday that’s a big deal. It stretched all of us pretty thin, and Eddy ended up filling a position she’d never been trained for before.
Not exactly the ideal day for training, but that’s where we were at today!
At one point I was doing three different things at once, and one of my messes was taking up the counter space she needed.
I looked at her and apologetically said, “I know this is my mess, but can you please clean it up for me so we can move into your next task?”
Without missing a beat, she said, “Your mess is my mess,” and cleaned it up.
Oh my heart. That sentence has been stuck in my head all day.
“Your mess is my mess.”
It was such a simple, grace-filled response.
No hesitation. No annoyance. No “that’s not my job.” No making sure everyone knew she was cleaning up something she didn’t create.
Just: We’re a team. You’re overwhelmed. I’ve got you.
I’m in my mid-30s and she’s a teenager, but today she set the bar for what good teamwork looks like.
And maybe for what being a good human looks like, too.
Sometimes people come wrapped in packaging that makes it really easy for the world to decide who they are before they ever get a chance to show us.
I’m really grateful I got the chance to know Eddy for who she actually is.
And Eddy, if you see this:
Your mess is my mess, too. ❤️ ...
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Americans should get the same paid leave and healthcare as members of Congress and the President.
Right? ...
14 CommentsComment on Facebook