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
Weekly Wrap-Up with Witwer
Please keep an eye out on my Facebook page for upcoming Weekly Wrap-ups scheduled in the coming months.
- Friday, June 5, from 10-11 a.m. at Charlotte City Hall, located at 11 E. Lawrence Ave. #1573.
- Friday, June 26, from 10-11 a.m. at Delta Township Building in Public Meeting Room A, located at 7710 W. Saginaw Hwy.
In-District Update
2026 Senior Healthy Aging Fair
Please join me and numerous special guest representatives from organizations around the Tri-County area for the 2026 Healthy Aging Fair on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Lansing Mall! We will have a few keynote speakers and resource booths on hand to share resources, including volunteer opportunities, health and fitness resources, information on senior living and other ways for seniors to remain active in the community!
April Teacher of the Month – Tiffani Lyon
Congratulations to our April Teacher of the Month winner, Tiffani Lyon! Tiffani is a special ed transition to classroom teacher at Eaton RESA.
To quote her nominator:
“Tiffani deserves to be recognized as Teacher of the Month because she goes above and beyond in every way. As a special education teacher, she shows incredible patience, compassion and dedication to each of her students. She spends countless hours preparing thoughtful lesson plans to ensure her classroom runs smoothly and meets the unique needs of every child.
“What truly sets Tiffani apart is her genuine love for what she does. She pours her whole heart into her work, always striving to find better ways to support and connect with her students. Even outside of school, while she and her husband are raising their two daughters and running a family farm, she continues to think about her classroom and how she can improve the learning experience for her students. Tiffani’s commitment, selflessness and passion make a lasting impact not only on her students but on everyone around her. She is truly deserving of this recognition.”
Congratulations Tiffani, and thank you for everything you do for your community!
May Teacher of the Month Nominations Open
Do you know a great teacher in the district that you would like to see recognized? My office is currently taking nominations for May’s Teacher of the Month. Just follow the link to submit your nominee!
Knocked 636 Legislative Doors in Eaton Rapids
We had a great group out in the City of Eaton Rapids at the beginning of May. We were door knocking on a beautiful day with nothing but great welcomes and ended at Darb’s for some food. I love being in Eaton Rapids to talk to neighbors about the Teen Center and the work we are doing all over the county. Thank you for the warm welcome!
Surprise Visit from Future Farmers of America
I walked into my office a few weeks ago and had three special guests waiting to meet me. It was a surprise and I almost cried. I’ve loved working with Future Farmers of America (FFA) while I’ve been your state representative. A few of the officers came to my office to present me with an FFA jacket. Thank you for your kindness!
Presented Retirement Tribute to Dawn Drake
Last month, I presented a tribute to Dawn Drake on her retirement from Michigan Farm Bureau. Dawn has contributed 45 years of service to the agricultural industry. Dawn has been widely regarded as a pillar of Michigan’s fruit industry and a trusted advocate for growers. She also co-founded the Michigan Tree Fruit Commission and has been respected nationally as a champion for cooperative agriculture and specialty crop producers. Her list of achievements does not end there as she also went on to help secure $110 million from the USDA for the purchasing of apples and received the Michigan State University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Honorary Alumni Award in 2025.
Celebrated National Teacher’s and Nurses’ Week
My staff delivered donuts to schools across Eaton County for National Teachers’ Week. We also had pizza ordered and delivered for nurses at the various hospitals across the district as well.
Presented Tribute to Michelle Crippen
I recently presented a tribute at St. Gerard to Michelle Crippen who recently achieved her Eagle Scout rank. Michelle has been very active and has worked on dedicating a part of a trail in Sleep Hollow State Park in memory of Eagle Scout Scott Berg, a retired conservation officer and member of the search and rescue team for Clinton County.
Presented 140th Anniversary Tribute to Pettit Hardware in Eaton Rapids
I recently presented a tribute to Pettit Hardware in Eaton Rapids as they celebrated their 140th anniversary.
Presented Proclamation to MISS DIG 811
I recently visited the MISS DIG 811 team to officially deliver the governor’s proclamation in recognition of Safe Digging Month in Michigan. I learned how the team is able to demonstrate the coordination of 208,000 active underground excavation sites across Michigan and talk about national best practices. While they are in the middle of the busiest spring ever on record, they focus on safety, coordination and preventing damages to underground infrastructure.
If you are putting in a fence or digging in your yard, be safe and contact missdig811.org
Received Hunger Free Michigan Award from the Food Bank Council of Michigan
I was honored to receive the Hunger Free Michigan Award from the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Since I started in the legislature, making sure all people have enough food has been a priority. Also, supporting our farmers who work tirelessly to provide and donate food, goes hand in hand. We have been fortunate to have leaders who prioritize our families and seniors and working alongside state Sen. Sarah Anthony, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, has benefitted the lives of all Michiganders.
Spoke at Older Michiganians Day at the Capitol
I spoke at the Older Michiganians Day event last week hosted by the Tri-County Office on Aging and the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan on the Capitol lawn. While it was very cold outside, there was still a fantastic turnout of people gathered to advocate for the issues that matter most to older adults, caregivers and families.
In my own work as a state representative, I sponsored and passed the bill to repeal the retirement tax in our state, helped negotiate a state budget that supports home and community-based services, brought home funding for the new Delta Township Senior Center, voted to continue funding for Meals on Wheels and raised wages for direct care workers as the chair of the House Appropriations Committee last term. In addition, I also host my annual Healthy Aging Fair every spring to connect constituents with the community resources available to them.
Now more than ever, Michigan’s seniors need our support. I am committed to fighting for the policies that protect seniors’ finances, health, community and access to care. Thank you again for having me as a guest speaker!
General Update
Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic – Free Dental Care Event on June 12-13
Coming up soon is the bi-annual Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic which provides free dental care to patients of all ages from elderly to children. It addresses the most urgent needs of patients with the goal of treating the under-served and uninsured in Michigan.
This event will be held at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan (3600 Vanrick Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001).
The event lasts from roughly 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Eaton County Conservation District Needs Survey
Eaton County residents have an opportunity to guide the work of the Eaton County Conservation District, to ensure they focus resources on the issues that matter most to our community. I want to notify you of this opportunity to respond to their district needs survey, which closes on Monday, June 29.
This survey is conducted once every five years to guide their work. If you are interested in voicing your opinion to the Eaton County Conservation District, the survey and more information can be found online on their website.
McDonald’s of Michigan Free Youth Soccer Clinic in Lansing (June 6)
As we step into the warmer seasons, I want to share opportunities nearby for you and your family to get outside. Upcoming is a free youth soccer clinic at the Hope Sports Complex in Lansing on June 6.
The clinic is hosted by McDonald’s of Michigan who is partnering with the Gift of Soccer Foundation. This is an opportunity to connect with other families in our community and encourage kids to engage in teamwork and physical activity in an encouraging environment.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, June 6
Location: Hope Sports Complex, Lansing, MI
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m. (Check-in: 8:30 a.m.)
Registration is now open on the Gift of Soccer Foundation’s website.
Legislative Update
Announcement: EGLE Grant for Bank Intercounty Drain Project
I recently helped secure a $2.5 million grant through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to further ease the cost on homeowners impacted by the Bank Intercounty Drain Project.
Last term as the House Appropriations chair, I worked with state Sen. Sarah Anthony to bring home $5 million to help offset these costs.
In last year’s budget, I requested $10 million to decrease remaining costs, and I am continuing to push for that relief in this year’s budget, along with negotiating with federal counterparts to secure additional federal aid.
My Other Bipartisan Bill Package to Modernize Michigan’s Drain Code
I have tried to help with this local issue. We need more transparency with our drain commission. Many fellow representatives and I have been working on legislation for almost a year to address transparency and petitions. I will continue working with both sides of the aisle in the House and the Senate on this important issue.