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Dear Neighbor, After the long months of winter and cold, we are finally starting to get some warmth! Here are a few updates from the last few weeks in Lansing. Reintroduced Environmental Legislation to Increase Landfill Tipping Fees |
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.JPG "Rep. Miller stands with other legislators and advocates at the Not Your Dumping Ground press conference.")
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In April, I reintroduced legislation to raise Michigan’s landfill tipping fees and overhaul Michigan’s waste management system. My colleagues and I held a press conference to mark this reintroduction. My bill, House Bill 4393, creates a comprehensive plan to modernize Michigan’s hazardous waste management system. It addresses public health, environmental, community and stakeholder concerns over the disposal of hazardous materials in densely populated communities. If enacted, this legislation would establish clear and enforceable guidelines that protect our residents and environment. It’s tough, it’s smart and it holds corporations accountable. The legislation includes several landmark provisions, including:
The health and safety of my community is my number one priority, and right now that is at risk due to the amount of waste being taken in by our state’s landfills. This is an issue that I have long fought against, and I will not let up until our laws are adequately updated. It is far past time that we do right by our communities and pass this legislation to protect the people we serve. You have made your voices loud and clear — Michigan is not a dumping ground! Let me be clear: any waste management proposal needs to address the necessity of long-term radioactive waste regulation that my residents have consistently asked me to address. I will absolutely work with anyone, regardless of political party, who is serious about addressing this issue. However, any proposal that only raises tipping fees without addressing the long-term concerns of our residents misses the mark completely. Accepted a Resolution from Van Buren Township for Workers Memorial Day |
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April 28 was Workers Memorial Day, a day of international remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work. April 28 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the date that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 went into effect, and when the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (commonly referred to as OSHA) was formed in 1971. Van Buren Township officially proclaimed April 28, 2025, as Workers Memorial Day, and I had the honor of being at their Board of Trustees meeting to accept a proclamation on behalf of the State of Michigan and the AFL-CIO Michigan Chapter. The proclamation can be viewed here. I stand with workers and unions, and I will fight to protect our workers by continuing to make workplaces safer. The contributions made by workers cannot be overstated, and we honor the workers we’ve lost and will continue advocating for safer workplaces for all.
Presented Tributes to Romulus Police Officers for Outstanding Service My colleague and I recently presented tributes to four Romulus law enforcement officers who were each recipients of awards that recognized their significant contributions to public safety in our community. We all know that the jobs of law enforcement are not easy and can be very dangerous. Every day, these brave men and women work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, and they put their lives on the line to protect us. They deserve our thanks and congratulations! |
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Attended and Spoke at Milan Earth Day Fair I had the honor of attending and speaking at the first annual Milan Earth Day Fair. This wonderful event was the first of its kind in Milan. Hosted by Moving Milan Forward, the event featured educational booths, live music, food, live animals, speakers and more. The fair highlighted the importance of environmental protection and the history of Earth Day since its founding in 1970, as well as the vast wonders of our natural environment. |
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Michigan 4-H License Plates Are Now Available to Drivers For Purchase As a result of my bipartisan legislation that we worked hard to pass last term, drivers can now support Michigan’s 4-H youth by purchasing a special 4-H license plate. A portion of the sale of the new plate will go toward the Michigan 4-H Foundation. |
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More information about the Michigan 4-H license plate can be found here. More information about Michigan 4-H can be found here.
Voted to Create a Michigan Public Safety and Violence Prevention Trust Fund In April, I voted yes on a bipartisan proposal to strengthen public safety in our communities. If signed into law, these bills, House Bills 4260 and 4261 would create a Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund using state sales tax revenue, with portions being distributed to cities, villages and townships based on their share of statewide violent crime. The legislation would require local governments to use the resources to increase support for public safety and violence intervention efforts and would also fund the Crime Victims’ Rights Fund and grants for community violence intervention initiatives. These bills passed the House with nearly unanimous bipartisan support, and are now in the Senate.
Attended the Wayne County Women’s Commission Women’s Resource Fair In April, my office attended the Wayne County Women’s Commission Women’s Resource Fair. This annual event partners with organizations and state departments to provide information and resources about health care, employment, family planning services and much more. More information about the Wayne County Women’s Commission can be found here.
In March, House Republicans put their road funding bill package up for a vote. This package, HBs 4180–87 and HB 4230, would result in a loss of over $3 billion from the General Fund, which funds critical services and essential programs that Michiganders rely on. The loss of revenue to the General Fund will necessitate additional removals of funding to departments and programs, and I believe this will fall on the backs of working people. The Republicans leading this initiative have not specified exactly where the required cuts will be. However, the recently-passed Republican-led budget proposal seems to offer some clarity. That budget removes major financial support for students, health care, school meals, veterans and more (more information about the Republican-led budget can be found in the next section). The Republicans’ roads agenda isn’t a real plan or a long-term solution to Michigan’s roads problem. I view this as a way for some elected officials to justify to themselves why they support funding decreases for education and health care funding. The Republicans’ roads agenda isn’t a real plan or a long-term solution to Michigan’s roads problem. We shouldn’t have to choose between fixing potholes and ensuring that children can learn on a full stomach. Michiganders deserve serious, responsible solutions, and fixing our roads shouldn’t come at the cost of disinvesting in the people of Michigan. I voted no on these irresponsible bills because Michiganders want real answers to fix and maintain our roads, and these bills aren’t it.
In early March, the Republican House Speaker had us vote on the Republican-led House budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-2026. We were given virtually no time to review these bills, as we first received the bills 30 minutes before we were expected to vote on them. These two budget bills, House Bills 4161 and 4162, were voted on within minutes, with no committee hearings and little time for debate or discussion. Only two Democratic representatives were allowed to speak on the floor in opposition, with one Representative having her mic cut off while in the middle of speaking. I voted no on these harmful bills, but Republicans passed them with full support. This Republican-led budget plan that they passed through the House removes 92% of state investments for the non-school aid budget, and 25% (over $5 billion) of the K-12 budget. Every Republican voted for these reductions to education in front of school children visiting our Capitol on a field trip. This budget will harm Michiganders through reductions to numerous budget areas, including: Removes 100% of funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
This comes on the heels of the presidential administration preparing to eliminate the United States Department of Education. Put simply, this partial budget bill procedure has subverted the usual budget process and removed critical investments that would support our communities. It is a plan that drastically reduces the ability of crucial institutions to serve our constituents. What it means for Michiganders is that your vital services, good-paying jobs and opportunities would be eliminated. I voted against these bills because they disinvest in Michigan and our people. Below is the session board displaying how representatives voted, as well as the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency analysis of House Bills 4161 and 4162. The bills have been sent to the Senate. |
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Sincerely, |
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State Representative Reggie Miller |