Dear Neighbor,

I hope this finds you well! The weather is warming up, and each day we are seeing more people getting vaccinated across the state. With each shot given, we move one step closer to a summer where we can safely spend time with loved ones and put the virus behind us. If you have not yet received your vaccine, I encourage you to visit Macomb County’s Vaccine Scheduler and make an appointment! On that note, this newsletter will discuss Gov. Whitmer’s newly released “MI Vacc to Normal” plan, updates from Lansing and information on upcoming coffee hours. As always, if you have questions or concerns, or if you need help navigating state agencies, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. We are here to help.

Best,

Kevin Hertel

State Representative

District 18

Upcoming Conversation Hours

Please join me to hear updates from Lansing, share your thoughts for the 18th District, and ask any questions you may have!

  • Saturday, May 8 from 10-11 a.m. via Zoom
  • Thursday, May 27 from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom
vacc to normal

MI Vacc to Normal

On April 29, Gov. Whitmer released the “MI Vacc to Normal” plan, which ties the lifting of remaining health orders to vaccination rates across the state.

To date, over 4 million Michiganders have received at least one dose of the vaccine, about 200,000 of which are Macomb County residents. Here are the benchmarks in the governor’s plan:

  • Step One: two weeks after5 million Michiganders, or 55% of those eligible, have received their first shot, MDHHS will lift the requirement for employers to require remote work when feasible.
  • Step Two: two weeks after9 million Michiganders, or 60% of those eligible, have received their first shot MDHHS will:
    • Increase indoor capacity at sports stadiums, conference centers, banquet halls, and funeral homes to 25%.
    • Increase capacity limits at gyms to 50%.
    • Lift the curfew on bars and restaurants.
  • Step Three: two weeks after3 million Michiganders, or 65% of those eligible, have received their first shot MDHHS will:
    • Lift all indoor capacity limits, only requiring social distancing between parties.
    • Relax the limits on residential social gatherings.
  • Step Four: two weeks after67 million Michiganders, or 70% of those eligible, have received their first shot MDHHS will:
    • Lift the in-person gatherings and face masks order and no longer impose mitigation measures of that kind unless the virus threatens to overwhelm the medical system or some other unanticipated circumstance arises.

The science is clear: vaccination is the way back to normal. If you have questions or concerns about the vaccine, please talk to a trusted health professional. In the meantime, continue to mask up, avoid large crowds, and safely support our local businesses! We will make it through this together.

Lansing Updates

In addition to my bill HB 4444 passing the House and HB 4431 receiving a hearing in the Regulatory Reform Committee, there are two major updates I want to share with you from the Legislature this month:

  • Wyatt’s Law (HB 4653): Many of you have followed the story of Wyatt and his mother, Erica since my predecessor held this seat. I am honored to have reintroduced the bill this term and excited to say that the Senate version, SB 371, passed out of the Senate with an overwhelming majority voting yes. I am hopeful that we will make it to the governor’s desk this term and ensure no parent or child is left in the dark again.
  • American Rescue Plan-Water Infrastructure: As our state and nation continue to discuss needed infrastructure improvements, Macomb County has its eye on projects to keep our water clean. Alongside Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, the Macomb County legislative delegation sent a letter to the chairs of the Appropriations Committees in the House and Senate to request that funding be allocated to three shovel-ready projects in our community: reinforcement of Segment 6 of the 15 Mile Interceptor, Chapaton retention basin in-system storage, and a 9 Mile pump station at the Chapaton retention basin. Together, these projects will help keep drinking water for nearly 4 million Michiganders safe and healthy. I am grateful for the opportunity to do truly bipartisan work to accomplish these projects.