Dear Neighbor,

Summer is rapidly approaching, and the warmer days are here again! Here are updates from the last few weeks in Lansing.

 

Wayne Disposal Radioactive Waste Update

 

Michigan state Representative Reggie Miller and colleagues at the Not Your Dumping Ground press conference.

 

In May, there was a two-day evidentiary hearing in Detroit for the lawsuit between Wayne County and Republic Services, owners of the Wayne Disposal hazardous waste landfill in Van Buren Township that is seeking to accept Manhattan Project-era radioactive waste from Niagara Falls. During this hearing, both sides called witnesses to testify and did cross examinations. At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Kevin J. Cox asked the lawyers to submit their finding of fact and conclusion of law to the court by June 20 for review.

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:

  • Increases tipping fees on solid non-hazardous waste, solid hazardous waste, and Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM).
  • Establishes a five-year moratorium planning period during which treatment and storage facilities would not be permitted to be built or expanded. Permanently bans the creation of new commercial hazardous and radioactive waste injection wells.
  • Restricts new hazardous waste facilities from being sited in densely populated or overburdened communities within 50 miles of a currently operating facility or facility that was closed within the last 25 years, unless specific criteria is met.
  • Requires EGLE to develop a new comprehensive hazardous and radioactive waste management plan within the five-year moratorium planning period.
  • Establishes a statewide capacity limit based on Michigan’s contributions to national hazardous waste generation.
  • Significantly strengthens financial assurance requirements to protect taxpayers from footing the bill for cleanups. 

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 long 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.

 

Co-Hosted A Senior Resource Fair in Romulus

 

Michigan state Representative Reggie Miller posing for a photo at her senior resource fair.

 

In May, I co-hosted a senior resource fair at the Romulus Athletic Center with special guests state Senator Darrin Camilleri and state Representative Dylan Wegela. Local officials in attendance included Mayor Robert McCraight, Wayne County Commissioner Al Wilson, Romulus City Clerk Ellen L. Craig-Bragg and Romulus Deputy Clerk D’Sjonaun Hockenhull. This event offered attendees in-person access to senior resources from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, The Senior Alliance, Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) Southeast Michigan and Wayne County Senior Services. We were able to provide a few updates from Lansing and hear directly from seniors about their concerns, including the high cost of prescription drugs and cuts to the federal government.

 

Presented Tribute to Belleville Girls Basketball Team For Winning State Championship

 

Michigan state Representative Reggie Miller and the Belleville girls basketball team.

 

In May, Sen. Camilleri and I presented a tribute to the Belleville Tigers Girls Basketball team for winning the Division 1 MHSAA girls basketball title. They defeated Rockford 61-48 in the championship game in March — their first state championship in school history! Congratulations Tigers!

 

Attended Rice Cemetery State Historical Sign Dedication

 

 

In May, my office attended the unveiling of a new state historical sign at Rice Cemetery in Milan Township. The historical marker honors the Rice family and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Danile Robert McFall, a veteran of the Civil War who is interred in Rice Cemetery. Township Sexton, Andrew Noland, opened by welcoming the attendees and we then heard speeches from a representative of the Michigan Historical Commission, a descendent of the Rice family and the Milan American Legion Post 268, before the rifle salute and taps were performed.

 

Michigan 4-H License Plates Are Now Available for Drivers to 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.

 

 

More information about the Michigan 4-H license plate can be found here. More information about Michigan 4-H can be found here.

 

My Vote on House Bills 4027-4028

Recently, I voted no on House Bills 4027 and 4028 which would repeal environmental protection laws we passed in 2023 — the Clean Energy and Jobs Act, Public Acts 233 and 234 of 2023. These bills that we passed in 2023, House Bills 5120 and 5121, moved solar and wind siting approval to the Michigan Public Service Commission, but only in the event that developers are unable to reach agreements with local townships and authorities on a range of community and environmental issues first. As you may know, I served in local government for 10 years before entering my role as your state Representative, and I completely understand the importance of preserving local control. I fought extremely hard and succeeded in getting an amendment to the 2023 bills, and I only voted for them because my amendment ensured locals had a part in the process. I would not have voted for this legislation last term without my amendment. Passing these bills was important because we unfortunately saw many negotiating problems between renewable energy companies and communities. Problems on both sides led to requirements and moratoriums that often amounted to zoning that essentially blocked all renewable energy projects from moving forward or resulted in developers abandoning projects. 

We all care about the environment and preserving valuable farmland, but to ensure that Michigan is able to meet our resource adequacy needs and the new renewable portfolio standards, it is absolutely essential to improve the siting of renewable projects with clear protections, local input and community benefits. HBs 4027 and 4028, which would repeal these laws, do not help our transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, and they would be a serious impediment to new energy development, while also stripping property rights from property owners. 

 

Republican Roads Agenda

In March, House Republicans put up their roads funding bill package 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.

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.

 

Massive Reduction to Our State Budget and Our Schools

In early March, the Republican House Speaker surprised us with a 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 major reductions to numerous budget areas, including:

 

Removes 100% of Funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

  • The Republican-led budget removes Medicaid coverage.
  • It will remove health care access from 2.7 million Michiganders.
  • This means 1 in 4 Michiganders would lose health care.

 

Removes 100% of Funding from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

  • The DNR maintains our state’s parks, forests and recreation areas, as well as hunting and fishing.
  • Without funding, Michigan’s tourism industry will be destroyed as state parks are forced to shut down.
  • It will hurt hunters and fishers by eliminating the DNR’s ability to process and issue hunting and fishing licenses.

 

Removes 100% of Funding from the Department of State (MDOS)

  • The Republican-led budget could make our elections less secure by removing funding from election protection initiatives.
  • The Secretary of State’s office oversees elections, driver’s licenses and vehicle registration, business services and notary and official records. Without funding, this office would be unable to administer these services.

 

Removes 100% of Funding from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)

  • The Republican-led budget could harm our rural communities.
  • MDARD oversees food safety, public health, farming and agribusiness, economic development in rural areas, environmental protection and animal health and welfare.
  • Without funding for this department we will see our state’s rural and farming economies suffer.
  • Further, this will hinder Michigan’s response to the worsening avian flu outbreak.

 

Removes 100% of Funding from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

  • The Republican-led budget could make it easier to pollute in Michigan.
  • EGLE oversees and protects our state’s natural resources and regulations.
  • Funding being removed from EGLE will allow big business to continue to pollute our environment without any enforcement mechanism from the state.

 

Removes 100% of Funding from the Department of Labor and Economic Development (LEO)

  • The Republican-led budget could make Michigan less safe for workers and less attractive to businesses.
  • LEO administers unemployment assistance in MI.
  • They also oversee workplace safety, labor protections and economic incentives in the state.
  • LEO helps Michigan remain competitive against other states.

 

Removes 100% of Funding from the Office of Attorney General

  • The attorney general has been proactive and effective in challenging the current presidential administration at the state level.
  • Without funding, this office will not be able to pursue criminals in Michigan and push back against the president.

 

Removes 38% of Funding from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

  • The Republican-led budget harms our military veterans and their families.
  • The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs provides mental health support, job training, housing assistance, and VA claim assistance to veterans in Michigan.
  • Funding for veterans’ suicide prevention has been completely eliminated.
  • This comes at the same time that the president’s administration is planning to fire 80,000 VA workers across the country.

 

Removes 37% of Funding for the State Police

  • The Republican-led budget removes funding for our state police.
  • Michigan State Police provides statewide law enforcement, especially in rural areas without strong local police departments.
  • They also provide specialized units, such as the Drug Enforcement Section, which would no longer be able to combat organized crime, human trafficking or drug smuggling as effectively.

 

Removes 25% of Funding from the K-12 Budget

  • The Republican-led budget removes $5 billion in funding to classrooms and $1 billion to at-risk students.
  • It also eliminates the free breakfast and lunch program.
  • It removes funding for
    • special education.
    • technical education.
    • transportation.
    • community college.
    • higher education.

This comes on the heels of the presidential administration preparing to eliminate the Federal 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.

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Sincerely,

Reggie Miller's signature.

State Representative Reggie Miller

Michigan’s 31st District

Office Phone: (517) 373-0159

Email: ReggieMiller@house.mi.gov