Dear Neighbor,

We had a busy and productive summer knocking doors and having conversations with our constituents. We returned to session early September, and I’ve been excited to continue working for you on making Michigan an even better place to live. Below are some highlights from what my office has been up to since returning to Lansing.

I Support the Striking UAW Workers

I proudly stand in solidarity with the striking UAW members as they fight for a fair contract. With the rising costs of getting by across our country, I believe that all workers should be paid fairly for their work. I wish these striking UAW workers luck in achieving their goals.

Legislative Roundtable at Monroe County Community College 

I was honored to attend the Monroe County Community College legislative roundtable event on the proposed renovation and expansion of the MCCC Gerald Welch Health Education Building. The event included area health care and law enforcement members, and we discussed the current state of the regional health care and public safety workforce. MCCC has the number one nursing program in the state, and this expansion would add classroom and laboratory spaces for MCCC’s registered nursing, practical nursing, certified nursing assistant and respiratory therapy programs, along with public safety. This expansion would help keep our communities safe and healthy!

We’re Working on Moving Bills Through the Agriculture Committee

As chairwoman of the House Agriculture Committee, I want to give you a quick update on some bills moving through the committee. We’ve had hearings on Senate Bills 148 and 149, which would require a research facility to first offer a dog or cat that would otherwise be euthanized to an animal shelter for adoption and prescribe administrative fines for failing to do so. Further, these bills would provide research facilities and shelters with civil liability immunity in the transfer of the animals.

The committee also voted on House Bill 4852, which I co-sponsored, which would create a new act to designate wild rice as Michigan’s official grain.

Sponsored Bipartisan Legislation to Use License Plates to Raise Funds for Michigan’s 4-H Youth

I’ve worked with my Republican colleague state Rep. Matthew Beirlein on introducing legislation that will create a new fundraising license plate to raise funds for Michigan 4-H youth. If passed, this legislation would create a Michigan 4-H license plate that would be sold through the Secretary of State, with regular disbursement from sales going directly to the nonprofit Michigan 4-H Foundation. This would generate $200,000 a year to help kids thrive, aiding our youth in academics and demonstrating the importance of community.

Opening Invocation to Start the Legislative Session

I was honored to give the opening invocation to start the legislative session on Sept. 13. This was my first time giving an invocation, and I hope to do so again sometime!

Congratulations to Maybee on its Sesquicentennial

My office attended Maybee’s sesquicentennial event and parade on Sept. 23. Maybee was established in 1873 and incorporated as a village in 1899. Congratulations, residents of Maybee, on your 150th anniversary!

Sincerely,

State Representative Reggie Miller

Michigan’s 31st District