Dear Friend,
Now that school is back in session and the colors are beginning to turn, fall is making its way to Michigan. With the season change, the Legislature will also return to session shortly, and I’m excited to share some of the projects I worked on while in our district. I also wanted to update you on my upcoming coffee hours. As always, thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. Have a safe end of summer, and make sure you take time to enjoy the woods, waters and sunshine — some of the best things about our great state of Michigan.
Sincerely,
Kevin Hertel
State Representative
District 18
Eastpointe Fire & Rescue Appropriated $600,000 for New Fire Engine
Through some heated negotiations with legislative leadership, I was proud to secure $600,000 with the passage of House Bill 5783, which appropriated funds for Michigan enhancement grants, for a new fire engine for Eastpointe Fire & Rescue. With a population of 34,000 and participating in fielding 6,200 service requests a year, the Eastpointe firehouse is the busiest in Macomb County. Both of their fire engines are well over 15 years old and in desperate need of updating. When we consider the effects of the Great Recession on our fire and rescue services, these folks are regularly overlooked as they make due with equipment that puts their lives and the lives of those in peril at additional risk. I was very pleased to secure these funds which are codified as part of Michigan’s fiscal year 2022-23 budget.
Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids Receives Appropriated $500,000 Enhancement Grant
Finally, an additional appropriation I was proud to be a part of securing was a $500,000 enhancement grant for Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids. Maggie Varney and her organization do amazing things for children who are battling cancer. They provide wigs for those who have lost their hair because of ongoing chemotherapy treatment. It was an honor to make this one of my priority requests and with the help of members of the appropriations committees in the House and Senate, we will build a coalition of supporters around this enhancement grant. This organization is doing phenomenal things for children battling cancer at their wellness centers. The organization has expanded its programming to address the psychological, social, emotional and physical side effects of hair loss.
Additional Budget Appropriations for Macomb County
- $1.6 million has been set aside to repair the Lakeshore Road Seawall.
- $2 million has been allocated for the Selfridge Military Air Museum.
- $6.1 million to extend the runway at Selfridge Air National Guards Base.
- $25 million will go to providing much needed support to Macomb County Mental Health.
- $32 million going to The Innovate Mound Road Project as part of the largest infrastructure budget. The Legislature has chronically underfunded infrastructure projects, and this has led to unnecessary crises throughout the state. The Mound Road innovation will reconstruct about nine miles of Mound Road between I-696 and M-59 and greatly improve this roadway. There are 37,420 jobs within this corridor that directly impact an additional 98,064 jobs. The total impact of Mound Road on jobs in the State of Michigan is 135,484, and I am proud to have the opportunity to support this and the other infrastructure projects within Macomb County. For more information and to view a timeline of this project, please click or tap here.
Letter of Support for MI Health Center
I was honored to be included among many community leaders to provide this letter of support for MyCare Health Center’s pursuit of Service Area Competition continuation funding offered through the Human Service Administration’s Bureau of Primary Health Care. Many in our community have depended on the services and resources provided by MyCare, which has been successful in providing access to primary medical, behavioral and oral health care for the underserved in Macomb County since 2010. Its mission to improve the health and wellness of the community by delivering quality care to all people is realized daily, as MyCare continues to enhance capacity and services to meet the health care needs of the community. MyCare currently operates three full-time health centers in the state with locations in Mount Clemens, Clinton Township and Center Line. These centers provide individuals with an array of services, including primary care, dental, behavioral health, substance use disorder, podiatry, obstetrics and gynecology. Additionally, MyCare provides supportive services including insurance enrollment assistance, a sliding fee discount program and transportation assistance. MyCare has been agile and swift in response to the COVID-19 pandemic providing testing, immunizations and treatment.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of MyCare as a key community partner and we look forward to continuing our collegial relationship in the years to come.
If you or any of the organizations you participate in are ever in need of a letter of support, please do not hesitate to contact my office (517) 373-1180 or kevinhertel@house.mi.gov.
My Upcoming District Events
Please join me at my coffee hours to ask questions about what is happening in Lansing, and let me know what you think about issues affecting our communities and our state. My coffee hours in September will be:
- First Friday: Sept. 2, 10-11 a.m. at the Senior Activity Center, 20100 Stephens St. in St. Clair Shores.
- Second Saturday: Sept. 10, 11 a.m. to noon at Eos Café & Coffee House, 30625 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores.