Hi Neighbor,
As we wrap up the year and welcome in 2026, I wish you and your loved ones a relaxing holiday season filled with valuable time with families and friends. During the past few legislative weeks of the year, I’ve continued to fight to protect the services that help out everyday families. I am committed to ensuring my office provides exceptional services to you and all of our community members. In the year ahead you can expect I will remain accessible to you as I host community meetings, regular office hours, and other local events.
Read on to hear about my office hours, a legislative update from these past two weeks, my time welcoming the Women’s Special Olympics National Champions from Michigan to the House floor and community resources.
I am honored to represent and advocate for our community in Lansing. Please feel free to go to my website at RepFitzgerald.com to stay up to date on our work. You can also email at [email protected] or call at (517) 373-0835 to voice your opinion, ask a question or express a concern. My dedicated staff is here to support you and answer any questions you may have.
Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and happy new year!
In service,
John Fitzgerald
Minority Floor Leader
State Representative
House District 83
Office Hours
I hold office hours twice a month to hear your thoughts, questions and concerns. This is a great opportunity to meet with me in person to discuss the issues that affect our community. No appointment is necessary, but you are welcome to call ahead if you would like to schedule a specific time or a meeting outside of regular office hours. I look forward to meeting with you!
When: Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m.
Where: Wyoming City Hall, 115 28th St. SW.
Legislative Update
$645M in Work Project Funding Disapproved by House Republicans
This week, the House Appropriations Committee voted unilaterally to reject approximately $644.9 million in previously promised funds from the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. This was an unprecedented step: the committee moved to halt a large portion of proposed work projects without allowing testimony from community members, discussion among legislators in the committee or coordination with the Senate.
The disapproved funds covered a wide range of programs and initiatives, many of which have already begun. Among them were:
- $18.5 million for RxKids, a program supporting expectant parents and infants;
- $56,600 for a program that provides wigs to children with cancer;
- $500,000 for upgrades to Wyoming’s Veterans Park; and
- Funding tied to education, jobs, veterans’ services, Indigenous communities, housing, renewable energy, infrastructure and elections.
My fellow Democratic colleagues and I are deeply frustrated and concerned following the unilateral decision by House Republicans to use a rarely exercised budgetary maneuver to eliminate nearly $645 million in previously approved funding for Michigan families, communities and public programs.
Despite the disruption and confusion this decision has caused, I remain fully committed to protecting the funding that was negotiated, approved by both chambers and signed into law by the Governor. These dollars support programs that serve children undergoing cancer treatment, expectant parents and infants, residents experiencing food insecurity and essential community services statewide. I will continue using every tool available within the legislative process to ensure that these resources are distributed as intended and that Michigan families and communities receive the support, they were promised within the state budget.
Community Update and Resources
Hosting the Women’s Special Olympics National Champions from Michigan
It was my pleasure to welcome the Women’s Special Olympics National Champions from Michigan onto the House floor during session this month. I was able to introduce them to the House, present them with a tribute and give them a tour of our Capitol.
The visit was timely, as I was proud to secure $1 million for Special Olympics Championed Schools in the state budget this year to expand this life-changing program to more kids across the state. It was my honor to testify for this huge budgetary win to ensure students of all learning abilities the opportunity to play sports, build community and gain lifelong friendships and leadership skills.
Suggest a Tribute to Honor a Community Member or Accomplishment
Do you know anyone celebrating a milestone birthday or retirement? What about an anniversary of a homegrown business, an athletic accomplishment, or exceptional academic performance? A great way to celebrate the immense work of people in our community is to submit a suggestion for a tribute certificate from my office. This is a high honor to receive, and I look forward to hearing about all the great things happening in our community!
Click here to suggest a tribute.
I look forward to recognizing the great achievements of our community!