Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am most effective at my job when acting on your direct input. I encourage you to reach out to me and my staff with any questions, comments or concerns you may have regarding our community or state and with any policy ideas.

Please do not hesitate to reach out by phone at (517) 373-0822 or send an email to [email protected].

Sincerely,

Angela Witwer

State Representative, 76th House District

 

In This Issue:

  • Weekly Wrap-Ups
  • In-District Update
  • General Update
  • Legislative Update

 
A blue and red graphic that reads "Weekly Wrap-Up with Witwer" next to a cartoon coffee cup. Along the bottom, the graphic reads "State Representative Angela Witwer."

 

Weekly Wrap-Up with Witwer:

Please keep an eye out on my Facebook page for upcoming Weekly Wrap-ups scheduled in the coming months.

 

In-District Update:

October Teacher of the Month — Margaret Robinson

Congratulations to our October Teacher of the Month, Margaret “Maggie” Robinson! Maggie teaches ELA, AP Lit and Intro to Drama at Charlotte High School. 

To quote her nominator, “I believe that Margaret ‘Maggie’ goes above and beyond for her students and community. She runs the after-school play in the spring and has had multiple successful productions. Maggie also is a favorite among students in the theatre programs. She is a beloved teacher and always takes the extra steps supporting students. She has worked with an ELL student and supported them in the classroom, hosted the AP Lit Awards, inspired students to take more challenging classes, and supported students who are disadvantaged in many ways by giving them a place in the building where they can express themselves. I have never met anyone more dedicated and deserving of this award than Maggie.”

Congratulations on this recognition and thank you for all that you do to support the entire Charlotte community!

 

 

Groundbreaking for the Delta Township Senior Center
I recently joined Delta Township and Waverly Community Schools officials and community members for the groundbreaking for the new Delta Township Senior Center.

From the moment I first ran for office, I have been working to make this idea a reality for our community, and I am beyond excited for the benefits this center will bring to our seniors and their families. This project is truly an example of how state leaders can ensure people’s tax dollars come back to their own communities, and I am proud to have seen through this project that will help build Eaton County into a vibrant environment for all ages. As chair of the House Appropriations Committee last term, I championed $10 million for the much-anticipated project and continued my work to protect seniors by championing the repeal of the pension tax.

Delta Township’s senior community members, their loved ones and the students, families and staff of the Colt Early Childhood Education Center have been long awaiting the new center, with many showing up to support the groundbreaking. The new designated space for older adults and their communities will offer programming, bingo, lunches, a variety of classes, walking track and opportunities to spend time with friends and neighbors while playing cards, working on puzzles or participating in other games.

Link to Press Release

 

 

Presented September Teacher of the Month Certificate to Lexi Michalski

I recently visited Maplewood Elementary (Maple Valley Schools) to present Lexi Michalski with her September Teacher of the Month award.

 

 

Presented June Teacher of the Month Certificate to Ivy Morey
I visited Winans Elementary (Waverly Community Schools) to present Ivy Morey with her June Teacher of the Month award.

 

General Update:

Michigan Achievement Scholarship Webinars
Students and their families looking to secure more financial aid for college are encouraged to register for an informational webinar about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which is the newest State of Michigan scholarship program expected to impact the majority of students.

Participants will be able to gather the following information:

  • Information about the Community College Guarantee
  • Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements
  • Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts
  • Important action items for students and families
  • Additional resources and program information

There are multiple dates and times to choose from and all sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Register for one session only, as space is limited.

 

MiLEAP Office of Higher Education Hosting Student Loan Webinars This Fall
The Office of Higher Education will be hosting webinars that will cover borrowing student loans and student loan repayment.

Borrowing Student Loans

This webinar is intended for students who are interested in borrowing student loans or are current student borrowers. This webinar will cover:

  • Types of loans
  • Requirements
  • Rates/limits
  • Repayment
  • Borrower benefits and more!

Webinar Schedule:

  • Monday, Dec. 8, at 12:30 p.m.

Student Loan Repayment

Did you recently graduate (or will graduate soon) from college/university and borrowed federal student loans? Are you an education professional looking to learn more about student loan repayment to better assist your students? The Student Loan Repayment webinar will cover all areas related to loan repayment. Topics include:

  • Loan servicers
  • Repayment plan options
  • Deferment and forbearance
  • Loan forgiveness and more!

Webinar Schedule:

  • Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 12:30 p.m.

Link to Register: Student Loan Webinars

 

Legislative Update:

 

My FFA Bill Passed the House!
Last week, the House passed my bill, House Bill 4665. This bill would designate a student’s absence from school as an excused absence if they are attending a scheduled competition, exhibition or event offered by the National or Michigan FFA organization, a 4-H club or any other agricultural organization approved by the school board.

The FFA and similar agricultural organizations provide opportunities to young people across Michigan to gain the training and leadership skills they need to grow into the next generation of agricultural workers. My bill ensures that kids can participate in these events and explore careers in farming and agriculture without being penalized with unexcused absences on their attendance records.

I would like to thank Doug Pennington, FFA advisor at Olivet Community Schools and Samantha Stanke, the Administrative Assistant for the Michigan FFA State Staff, who both joined me for testimony in the House Education Committee this week in Lansing.

Link to Press Release

 

FY26 Budget Update
We recently passed a budget that makes real improvements for Michigan families and communities. It improves and funds public safety, protects universal school meals, continues protecting our repeal of the pension tax, cuts taxes for tips and social security, invests $2 billion to repair our roads every year into the future and much more.

Our school budget increased funding to record levels and restored critical support.

This budget was hard fought to keep important services for Michiganders. It was bipartisan and an important step for our future.

 

Bringing Home Funding for Our Schools

I’m proud to have secured an increase of $20,314,580 for our local schools in the 2025-26 state budget, including the following increases for our kids:

  • Lansing Public School District: $8,516,675
  • Holt Public Schools: $2,244,953
  • Grand Ledge Public Schools: $2,192,065
  • Waverly Community Schools: $1,740,821
  • Insight School of Michigan: $1,484,143
  • Charlotte Public Schools: $1,262,021
  • Eaton Rapids Public Schools: $799,797
  • Maple Valley Schools: $464,665
  • Olivet Community Schools: $452,441
  • LifeTech Academy: $432,113
  • Potterville Public Schools: $342,849
  • Bellevue Community Schools: $232,511
  • Island City Academy: $144,791
  • Oneida Township S/D #3: $4,735